Winter Activities for Kids in Ottawa: A Parent’s Survival Guide for December 2025

Your go-to list of indoor and outdoor fun to help Ottawa parents survive — and maybe even enjoy — winter.

Winter in Ottawa is magical… and also long. Very long.
By December, kids are buzzing with energy, parents are juggling work and school routines, and everyone is looking for fun ways to stay busy, warm, and happy.

If you’re a parent wondering:
“How on earth am I going to keep them entertained all winter?”
— this guide is for you.

Here’s a curated list of Ottawa’s best kid-friendly indoor and outdoor activities for winter, including free options, high-energy outings, creative escapes, and cozy slow-day ideas.

Grab a hot chocolate, a warm blanket, and let’s make winter feel a little easier.

Also if you are looking to make winter days feel a bit cozier? Explore our Winter Floral Collection for beautiful arrangements perfect for brightening your home.

❄️ Outdoor Winter Activities for Kids

Ottawa winters actually give kids the perfect excuse to burn off energy — as long as you know where to take them.

1. Tobogganing & Sledding Hills

Ottawa parents agree: tobogganing is a winter lifesaver.
It’s free, fun, and guaranteed to tire kids out.

Popular family-friendly hills:

• Bruce Pit — wide hill, tons of families

• Arboretum Hill — gentle slopes for little ones

• Vincent Massey Park — great for mixed ages

• Green’s Creek — a bit more adventurous

Parent Tip: Bring a thermos of hot chocolate and extra mittens.
Kids always loose one.

2. Outdoor Skating Rinks for All Ages

Before the Rideau Canal opens, Ottawa’s community rinks are already buzzing.

Great options:

• Lansdowne Park Skating Court — music, lights, great atmosphere

• Rink of Dreams (City Hall) — smooth ice and close to cafés

• Local community rinks — easy, close, kid-friendly

Parents say these are amazing for quick outings.
30–45 minutes is often the perfect amount of ice time for younger children.

3. Winter Walking Trails & Stroller-Friendly Paths

Yes — winter walks with kids are possible, and they’re actually lovely.

Try:

• Britannia Beach Pathway — flat and stroller-friendly

• Mer Bleue Bog Boardwalk — peaceful winter scenery

• Shirley’s Bay — gentle trails surrounded by nature

• Andrew Haydon Park — playground + flat paths = easy win

Why parents love it:
Fresh air works magic on cranky kids.

4. Snowshoeing for Beginners

If your kids can walk, they can snowshoe — it’s really that simple.

Beginner-friendly spots:

• Britannia Winter Trails

• Shirley’s Bay

• Gatineau Park (short loops)

Rentals are available, and they come in tiny sizes for little feet.

Bonus: Snowshoes somehow slow kids down. A blessing.

After a chilly day of sledding or skating, nothing beats coming home to warmth — and flowers. Check out our Festive Blooms Bouquet for a cheerful welcome home.

🏠 Indoor Winter Activities for Kids

Every Ottawa parent knows: there are days when no one is going outside — not even the dog.

These indoor options are the most-loved and most-recommended by real parents.

5. Indoor Trampoline Parks

These are the #1 cure for wild winter energy.

Top picks:

• Flying Squirrel Ottawa — trampolines, dodgeball, ninja course, foam pits

• SkyZone Ottawa — perfect for birthday parties or long winter weekends

This is where you take kids who have more energy than daylight hours.

6. Museums With Kid Zones

Indoor + educational + warm = a winter win for everyone.

Parent favourites:

• Canada Science & Technology Museum — ZOOOM! Kids Zone is unbeatable

• Canadian Museum of Nature — dinosaurs, animals, bugs, repeat

• Canadian Children’s Museum (Gatineau) — hands-on fun, imaginative play

Perfect for PA days, weekends, or days when the cold wind hurts your face.

7. Indoor Playgrounds & Soft-Play Centres

These are fantastic for toddlers, preschoolers, and younger school-age kids.

Great options:

• Cosmic Adventures — giant multi-level play structure

• Bubblesea — soft-play, gentle lights, sensory-friendly

Parent perk: Most have cafés. Sit. Sip. Supervise.

8. Indoor Swimming & Leisure Pools

Warm water + excited kids = instant mood lift.

Try:

• Kanata Wave Pool

• Walter Baker Sports Centre

• Plant Recreation Centre

Perfect for gloomy days when you need a big outing without freezing outside.

9. Craft Studios & Creative Spaces

For calmer, cozy fun:

• Mud Oven — pottery painting

• DIY craft workshops

• Bookstores with cozy winter storytime

Ideal for quieter kids or days when you want something low-key.

10. Library Programs (Free!)

Ottawa libraries are winter heroes.

Expect:

• storytime

• craft sessions

• STEM clubs

• Lego meetups

• teen hangouts

All warm. All free. All magical.

Planning an indoor playdate or winter family night? Our Winter Centrepieces add a soft, cozy touch to your home.

🌟 Bonus: Simple At-Home Winter Activities

Because some days… leaving the house isn’t happening.

Try:

• living-room obstacle courses

• baking snowman cookies

• indoor scavenger hunts

• building a reading fort

• movie-theatre-at-home nights

Pair with hot chocolate and a board game — winter perfection.

💐 A Winter Treat for You

After a long winter day entertaining little humans, nothing feels better than coming home to warmth — and a touch of beauty.

If you want to brighten your home this season, explore our winter florals at Nectar Flowers Ottawa.
A fresh bouquet can transform your living room into a cozy winter escape after a day of skating, sledding, or chasing toddlers through a trampoline park.

Your home deserves softness.
You deserve softness.

🎯 Winter Activity Ideas by Age Group

Because different ages = different energy levels.

For Toddlers (1–3 years)

Perfect activities:

• Bubblesea or Cosmic Adventures toddler zone

• Ottawa Public Library storytime

• Stroller-friendly winter walks at Britannia or Andrew Haydon Park

• Sensory bins, bubble play, simple crafts

Why it works:
Warm, safe, stimulating — and they nap afterward.

For Preschoolers & Early Elementary (4–7 years)

Try:

• Small local sledding hills

• Short trampoline park sessions

• Science & Tech Museum’s ZOOOM! zone

• Nature walks to collect “winter treasures”

• Crafting at Clay Café

Why it works:
They need creativity and big movement.

For Kids 8–12 years

Great picks:

• Skating at Lansdowne or Rink of Dreams

• Longer snowshoeing loops

• STEM, Lego, or Minecraft library clubs

• Museum scavenger hunts

• Escape-room style puzzles at home

Why it works:
They love challenges and independence.

For Teens

Try:

• Snow tubing or ski hills

• Skating with friends

• Indoor gyms or climbing walls

• Trampoline dodgeball

• Art studios (pottery, painting)

• Cozy café + bookstore outings

Why it works:
Freedom + fun = happy teenagers.

❓ Winter Activities for Kids in Ottawa — FAQ

1. Are Ottawa museums good for little kids?

Absolutely.
The Science & Technology Museum and the Museum of Nature both offer hands-on, interactive exhibits perfect for toddlers to school-age kids. The Canadian Children’s Museum is built specifically for imaginative play.

2. What outdoor winter activities work well for toddlers?

Short outdoor walks, gentle sledding hills, stroller-friendly pathways, and simple snow play (like making tiny snowmen) work wonderfully. Keep outings short and cozy.

3. Where can I take preschoolers who have LOTS of energy?

Indoor play centres and trampoline parks are ideal. Cosmic Adventures, Flying Squirrel, and Kids Kingdom are all parent-approved for burning off winter energy safely.

4. Are there winter activities that work for mixed-age siblings?

Yes! Sledding hills, skating rinks, museums, and nature trails are excellent for groups of different ages. Soft-play centres also often have toddler zones and older kid zones.

5. Are stroller-friendly winter walks safe?

Yes — as long as you choose flat, maintained paths such as Britannia Beach, Andrew Haydon Park, or the Mer Bleue Boardwalk. Dress warmly and check trail conditions beforehand.

6. What can we do if we only have 30 minutes?

Quick activities:

• short walk

• skating loop

• mini scavenger hunt

• local playground stop

• storytime at home
  Sometimes short outings save the day.

7. What should I pack for winter outings with kids?

Essentials:

• extra mittens

• neck warmers

• thermos with hot chocolate

• snacks

• tissues

• small first-aid items

8. How do I know if winter activities are safe for young kids?

Always check weather advisories, wind chill warnings, and rink/hill conditions. Keep outdoor sessions shorter for toddlers and preschoolers, and bring layers so you can adjust quickly.

9. What’s an easy way to make winter days feel special at home?

Keep it simple:
hot chocolate, a cozy blanket fort, a family movie night, a reading corner, or even a fresh winter bouquet to make your home feel warm and inviting. Little touches make long winters feel softer.

10. What are the best free winter activities for kids in Ottawa?

Some of the best free options include sledding at local hills, skating at community rinks, walking stroller-friendly trails like Britannia or Andrew Haydon Park, visiting library programs, and enjoying winter playgrounds. These are simple, accessible, and perfect for short outings.