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Monday, February 16 - Family Day!
Outdoor Winter Fun
Activities: Giant snow slides, snow sculptures, and an outdoor playground.
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Activities: Free skating on the Rink of Dreams with music and potentially a visit from the Mayor or local mascots.
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Rink open until 11:00 PM)
Activities: Enjoy a maple syrup kiosk, kids’ activities, a cozy firepit, face painting, snow painting, and so much more!
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Free for many activities; some specialized clinics have a small fee ($5–$30).
Time: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Free skating, hot chocolate, coffee & snacks. RSVP here
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Museums & Indoor Activities
Les lundis des tout-petits (Series) at 10am 📍Peter A. Herrndorf Place
SoulRhythms (Series) at 7pm 📍Peter A. Herrndorf Place
Activities: Always free. Special Family Day crafts like piggy bank making and paper puppet avatars.
Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Activities: Explore Olympic Winter Games history through interactive displays and posters.
Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Activities: Always free admission. A great spot for a quieter indoor break with local art.
Time: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
National Museum "Free Hours"
Note: Most national museums (Nature, Science & Tech, Aviation) offer free admission daily during the last hour of operation (typically 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM).
Surrounding Area Festivals
Activities: A variety of free community events including public skating and outdoor activities.
Location: Various venues in Arnprior (check Nick Smith Centre)
Activities: A free entry event for "geeky" families featuring vendors and cosplay.
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Activities: Indigenous storytelling, meeting the Ojibwe Spirit Horses, and horse-drawn sleigh rides.
Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
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⛸️ Lace Up: Where to Skate for Free This Week
Ottawa is the skating capital of the world, and this week is the perfect time to enjoy the ice.
Location | Best For... | Public Hours | Pro-Tip |
Rideau Canal | The Full Experience | Open 24/7 (check NCC for daily status) | All 7.8km are currently open! Park at Dows Lake for easier family access. |
Rink of Dreams | Downtown Vibes | 9:00 am – 11:00 pm | Located right at City Hall. The refrigerated ice stays smooth even on "mild" days. |
Lansdowne Court | Shopping & Cocoa | 6:00 am – 11:00 pm | Great for little ones. Bring your own skates and grab a BeaverTail nearby after! |
Rideau Hall | Heritage Magic | 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm (Weekdays) 1:00 pm – 8:30 pm (Weekends) | Enter through the Princess Gate. It’s a refrigerated historic rink and feels like a movie set. |
Success this week isn't measured by a perfect schedule or a clean house. It’s measured by how many pairs of matching mittens you successfully found before heading out the door. You’re doing a great job, Ottawa Parents, keep leaning into the magic (and the hot chocolate).
Beyond skating, Ottawa has a wealth of free activities that are perfect for saving a bit of money while keeping the kids entertained.
1. The "Play Free" City Program
The City of Ottawa has a fantastic initiative called Play Free.
What it is: Free drop-in swimming, skating, and gymnasium sports every Saturday.
Who it’s for: Children and youth (17 and under) and their accompanying adults.
How to do it: Check the City of Ottawa website for specific schedules at your local community center (like Nepean Centrepointe, Richcraft, or Minto).
2. Parliament Hill & Senate Tours
While the Centre Block is under construction, you can still take the family inside the capital's most iconic buildings for free.
The Senate of Canada Building: Located in the old train station, it’s stunning and very "Harry Potter" for kids.
House of Commons (West Block): See where the laws are made.
Note: You must reserve your free tickets online in advance at visit.parl.ca.
3. Winter Trail Treasure Hunts
Ottawa’s community-maintained winter trails are free to use for walking, snowshoeing, or "fat biking."
Kichi Sibi Winter Trail: Walk along the Ottawa River. Kids love looking for the "hidden" ice formations near the water.
Britannia Winter Trail: Very flat and stroller-friendly, perfect for a short nature walk followed by a hot chocolate at home.
Animal Track Detective: Head to Stony Swamp (Old Quarry Trail). It's a great place to feed chickadees (bring birdseed!) and look for rabbit or deer tracks in the fresh snow.
4. The Bank of Canada Museum
Location: 30 Bank Street.
Why it’s great: It is always free. It’s highly interactive—kids can design their own digital "avatar" on a wristband and play games that teach them about money in a way that feels like a video game arcade.
February Coloring Pages
Free coloring pages by our local author Basilia Vasileios
