Canada is the world's second-largest country, stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific and Arctic oceans. This vast nation offers stunning natural beauty from the Rocky Mountains to Niagara Falls, vibrant multicultural cities like Toronto and Vancouver, and rich Indigenous heritage alongside French and British influences.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Ripley's Aquarium of Canada, Toronto
Walk-through shark tunnel, touch tanks, and daily dive shows in this world-class downtown Toronto aquarium. The Dangerous Lagoon floor-to-ceiling tank with moving walkway is especially popular with young children and teens alike.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Niagara Falls and Hornblower Cruise
The Hornblower Niagara Cruises boat tour brings families to the base of the falls with ponchos provided. Children often rate this the highlight of any Canada trip — the scale and power of the falls up close is genuinely awe-inspiring.
Duration: 3-4 hours
Science World, Vancouver
Hands-on interactive science museum under Vancouver's iconic geodesic dome with live science demonstrations, OMNIMAX theatre, outdoor science park, and exhibits on the human body, ecology, and motion that engage children across age ranges.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Royal Tyrrell Museum Fossil Dig, Drumheller AB
The world's premier dinosaur museum in the heart of Alberta's Badlands — a UNESCO-significant landscape — features 40+ complete mounted dinosaur skeletons and a simulated fossil dig where children can handle real prehistoric specimens.
Duration: 3-4 hours (main museum)
West Edmonton Mall Indoor Attractions
Canada's largest mall houses Galaxyland amusement park (Canada's largest indoor park), World Waterpark (largest indoor wave pool), ice rink, Sea Life Caverns aquarium, and mini-golf. A full-day family destination especially valuable in Alberta winter.
Duration: 4-8 hours
Ottawa Rideau Canal Skating (Winter)
The world's largest naturally refrigerated skating rink (7.8 km on the Rideau Canal) is a uniquely Canadian experience beloved by children. BeaverTails pastry stands line the canal, and Parks Canada offers free skating lessons on weekends.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
Great Wolf Lodge Niagara Falls
Canada's premier indoor water park resort where the park is included with every room. Multiple water slides, wave pool, lazy river, and children's splash area make this a self-contained family resort with the falls minutes away.
Family features: Indoor waterpark included, connecting rooms, kids meals, activity program
Fairmont Hotels (Banff Springs, Chateau Lake Louise, Whistler)
Fairmont's iconic Canadian castle hotels offer family-friendly luxury with connecting rooms, children's welcome amenities, kids' menus, and incredible natural settings that inspire children and adults equally.
Family features: Connecting rooms, children welcome amenities, kids stay free programs, supervised kids activities
Sandman Hotel Calgary City Centre
Family-friendly Calgary hotel with indoor waterslide, pool, and spacious rooms near the Stampede grounds and downtown attractions. Free parking makes exploring by car convenient.
Family features: Indoor waterslide, pool, family rooms, free parking, restaurant
Residence Inn by Marriott (nationwide)
Extended-stay brand with full kitchens in every suite, free breakfast, and evening socials across Canada. Kitchen access dramatically reduces food costs for families and allows flexibility with young children's meal schedules.
Family features: Full kitchen, free breakfast, grocery shopping service, laundry in suite
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Children are warmly welcomed at virtually all Canadian restaurants; high chairs and kids menus are standard even at mid-range establishments
The Old Spaghetti Factory, White Spot (BC chain), and Boston Pizza are reliable family-friendly chains serving varied menus with kids options under CAD $10
At national parks, picnic areas are excellent family lunch spots — stock up at grocery stores before entering park zones where food is expensive
Tim Hortons is the Canadian family fast food institution — hot chocolate for kids, coffee for parents, Timbits (donut holes) for everyone
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Parks Canada Discovery Pass ($145.25/family) pays for itself if visiting two or more national parks and provides unlimited entries for a full year
Children 17 and under have free admission to all national parks — one of Canada's great family travel values
Pack layers for any outdoor activity — even summer mornings in the Rockies can be cold before warming to 20°C by midday
Download the CBC Kids and Parks Canada apps before your trip — both offer excellent educational content that engages children before and during visits