Ottawa 
Ontario is in “lockdown” during this March/April Break. When March Break was postponed to April 12th, we expected that museums and other attractions will open in GTA. Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worst with Ontario reporting around 3000 cases daily since lockdown.
Though Ontario is in lockdown, there are still fun activities you can do inside and outside your house this April Break from April 10th to 18th, 2021.
FYI:
- Kindly do not travel to other regions and only visit places nearer to you due to COVID-19,
Outdoor Activities
Go for a walk
Spring has sprung. It’s time to go out and enjoy the great outdoors. And lucky for us, Ottawa has a lot to offer in that department. There are hiking and biking trails, picnic spots, off-leash dog parks, birding areas, and much more.
Do not travel to other regions and only visit if the place listed is near to your home due to COVID-19 Stay-at-home order:
- 25 of the Best Hikes in and Around Ottawa
- 20 Family Hikes and Walks in and Around Ottawa
- 15 Scenic Lookouts In and Around Ottawa
Explore some waterfalls
Warm spring temperature means, melting ice and thunderous waterfalls. Spend a sunny spring day outdoors and use the opportunity to see some of the most stunning melting waterfalls in and around Ottawa. Remember to wear reliable hiking shoes when you go.
Do not travel to other regions and only visit if the place listed is near to your home due to COVID-19 Stay-at-home order:
See some public art
Looking for something new to do in Ottawa area while keeping the recommended physical distance? Check out some of Ottawa’s Public art features! You can see many of them from your car or on a walk around the city.
House of PainT has created a map you can use to tour the murals and graffiti.
Go Birding
With spring setting in, see whether you can spot baby birds on your day out! This is also an awesome way to get to know your city and find some new parks in Ottawa.
Mud Lakelocated within Lac Deschênes is a major migratory corridor and is a popular site for bird watching.
See animals at Parc Omega
Breath in the fresh air at the Parc Omega. Drive through the nature park and observe wild animals from the northern hemisphere like wolves, elks, deer – all from the comfort of your vehicle.
Hunt for Geocaches
Explore the many geocaches located throughout the city. If you though geocaching is challenging, try geocaching in winter! This family-friendly activity uses a mobile app or a GPS device. Check out the trails where you can enjoy Geocaching Trails.
Visit a Sculpture Garden
Sculpture gardens are the perfect blend between nature and art, featuring art installations from local and international artists and concerning multiple different themes.
Visit Sculpture gardens in Ottawa this March Break. Do not travel to other regions and only visit places nearer to you due to COVID-19.
Plan Your Summer Garden
Get your kids to plant and maintain a summer garden this year. It’s time to start planting seeds indoors and planning what your summer will have in store. Visit Garden Centres with kids and get your seeds sowing!
Go Fishing
Looking for a great fishing spot to call your own in Ottawa? Cast a line at:
- West Carleton—Morris Island Conservation Area, Fitzroy Harbour, Fitzroy Provincial Park, MacLaren’s Landing, Buckham’s Bay Port of Call marina
- Nepean North—Shirley’s Bay, Crystal Beach, Dick Bell Park, Champlain Bridge
- Ottawa East—Rockcliffe Yacht Club, Blair Road
- Orléans East—Petrie Island
- Vanier Parkway—New Edinburgh Park, Riverain Park
- Downtown—Dow’s Lake, Brewer Park, Billings Bridge Plaza area, Windsor Park, Brantwood Park, OC Transpo Bridge (between Lees and Hurdman Stations)
- Hunt Club Bridge South to Manotick—Eccolands Park, Black Rapids locks, Chapman Mills Conservation Area, Riverside Park
- Manotick Area—Walter Upton-Collins Park, Rideau Township marina
- Kars and Osgoode Area—Long Island marina, Kars recreation area, Kars public wharf, W.A. Taylor Conservation Area
- Dilworth Road, off Highway #416—Baxter Conservation Area, Reeve Craig boat launch
- Kemptville and Kemptville Creek—Rideau River Provincial Park, Muldoon Launch, Pirate Cove Marina, Curry Park
From Your Home
Spring Arts Break
With performances by renowned Canadian artists, Britta B., Will’s Jams, and Rukhsana Khan, there is something for everyone! Kick back, cut a rug, and curl up for these virtual performances, safely from the comfort of home. Take an arts break with Prologue! Details
Monday April 12, 2021 to Wednesday April 14, 2021
Online
Pay-What-You-Can
Kids Corner Live
Join us for 60 minutes of interactive fun as we virtually explore Ontario’s Legislative Building. Learn how provincial parliament works, see where laws are passed for the province of Ontario and participate in a debate, games and much more. Details
Monday April 12, 2021 to Friday April 16, 2021
Online
Free
Spring into Art – AGO
Join in the fun with five days of free, live virtual programming courtesy of the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Canadian Opera Company and Vancouver Art Gallery. Mix artmaking with fun performances and revealing behind-the-scenes tours. Details
April 12 to 16, 2021
Online
Free
Escape Room
“Escape the Stigma” is an online game challenging escape room experience. The event organized by the Escape Room team from the Algonquin College Public Relations program. As a part of the Brighter Days, a campaign that initiated to support the Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre (DSYTC), the only Centre to help youth (13-21) with mental health or substance use issues in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario.
April 10 to 17, 2021
Online
$25
Annual Irish Film Festival
Celebrating the Best of Ireland and the Irish on Screen. Featuring 8 feature films and documentaries, 3 short films, and Q&A sessions with directors and writers for each film, IFFO 2021 has something for everyone!
April 9 to 13, 2021
Online
$5 per film!
Spring into SHOES
Join Bata Shoe Museum for everything SHOES this April Break. From exploring new online exhibitions and making recycled crafts to playing Shoebox Bingo LIVE, listening to our Storytime Series and joining us for a virtual tour, there’s something new each day to keep you and your kids entertained!
April 12 to 16, 2021
Online
Free
Online Film Series: Kid Flicks
Challenging expectations and reflecting growth and resilience, NYICFF Kid Flicks is a fantastic trip on the road to growing up.
April 2 – 29, 2021
Online
Free
Canada in Space
This Spring Break, join the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in celebrating our nation’s achievements in space! From the Canadarm — a famous robotic achievement — to the latest exploration of soil and rock samples on Mars through the launch of the Perseverance rover, Canada is a key player in forging new discoveries about space. Details
Through April 18th
Online
Free
Edible Adventures
During Spring Break, join the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum in celebrating the winter season and healthy eating! Join us online — and try out new recipes at home that are both delicious and nutritious. Discover activities, experiments, and crafts that help you investigate the science of the food you eat. Sign up for virtual story time and a special winter-themed craft to round out the fun for the whole family! Details
Through April 18th
Online
Free
Creative Reset
Don’t think of Spring Break as a recess…think of it as the perfect time to reset your creative mind! Join the Canada Science and Technology Museum in celebrating the world of engineering, by taking out your crafting supplies and recycling materials and building some engineering prototypes! .Details
Through April 18th
Online
Free
Explore Nature
Fun and interesting things from the Canadian Museum of Nature that you can do to enjoy nature at home—or anywhere. Details
Anytime
Online
Free
March Break at the Library
From Coding in Python andKids Yoga to Fairytale Survival, there is plenty to see and do. Details
Various Hours
Online
Free
Gardening with Kids
In this family friendly program, teen gardener Emma Biggs will let you in on the fun she’s having in her own urban garden. Emma’s passion for gardening has inspired her friends and neighbours to get growing and she’ll show your family how easy it is to get in on the action too! Explore gardening places and spaces, as Emma shares with you how she gardens on the roof, on the driveway, in wicking beds, in the ground—and in a neighbour’s yard—growing over 100+ tomato varieties, giant tomatoes, and lots of other fun and unusual plants.
Sat, April 17, 2021 | 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Online
$18.59
Fun Things to Do with Kids Inside Your Home
Just because you’re stuck indoors, doesn’t mean you really have to be stuck indoors. There are a ton of things that you and your kids can still do to have a blast from morning until night. And, to top it all off, you can do all of these things without your TV or your phone, unless you’re watching a tutorial video.
Spring Clean & Donate
Do some spring cleaning this school break and donate your clothes. Donating is a great way to give back, reduce waste, and get those feel-good vibes flowing.
Explore Our Stunning National Parks
There is much to discover in Canada’s National Parks and not being able to get to them physically shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the fabulous natural areas our country has to offer.
Traverse the parks online and plan your trip to these wondrous places when restrictions-free travel is allowed across the country.
Visit Zoo Animals Online
Zoos across Canada have decided to bring their inhabitants to your home. Here is a list of places where you can watch wildlife online.
Science Experiments to Do at Home with Kids
Here are a few easy fun science activities/experimentsthat are easy and super fun in addition to being educational.
Canadian Museums & Museums Across the World Online
With the advent of technology and widespread availability of the internet, the world is now at your fingertips. You can travel to distant lands, tour famous museums, all from the comfort of your home.
See Free Movies
As Canada’s public producer and distributor, NFB’s website features award-winning movies, documentary and animated films, pioneering interactive works, and more.
Plan Your Summer Vacation
It is now the time for planning your summer vacation in Ontario. Gather round your family and plan what you are going to do this summer.
Plan to go camping either in provincial parks or national parks (reservations open) and plan your Ontario adventure.
For more, see Explore Ontario
Ideas:
- 50 Bucket List Ideas for Summer in Ontario
- Guide to Planning a Summer Boating Trip on Trent-Severn Waterway
- Unique Summer Adventures in Southwestern Ontario
- 25 Nature and Wilderness Adventures in Ontario
- 100 Adventures in Ontario Provincial Parks
- 25 of the Best Parks to Go Camping Near Toronto
- 25 of the Best Provincial Parks to Go Camping This Summer in Ontario
- 150 Things to Do with Teens in Ontario
- Road Trip: Drive the Trent-Severn Waterway
- Road Trip: Toronto – Tobermory – Manitoulin Island – Killarney – Georgian Bay
