Bring your kids to Ottawa for the biggest and best family museums

When you take kids to Ottawa in 2024 we guarantee they’ll be thrilled by the city’s wild parks and pretty beaches. But surprisingly it’s often Ottawa’s incredible family museums that excite them most. Find out why.

Woolly Mammoths outside the Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa

You don’t have to take kids to Ottawa for long to understand why it’s often called Canada in One City. There’s untamed wilderness in the shape of enormous Gatineau Park. Sandy beaches edge the mighty Ottawa River and the long Rideau Canal does everything from winter skating to sailing in summer or cycling year-round. And you’ll find a mix of fresh thinking and formidable history in downtown Ottawa, as well as fantastic food.

However, when it comes to things to see and do, it’s Ottawa’s family-friendly museums which really amaze. The city has no fewer  than seven national museums altogether, they’re all close to Parliament Hill and every one is recommended by families for families.

Explore the Canadian Museum of Nature, Canada’s first National Museum

To find out where everything started – in more ways than one – put the Canadian Museum of Nature top of your must-see list.

It was the first National Museum opened in Canada and traces earth from its origins to the wonders of today’s indigenous wildlife. Of course, the dinosaur diorama is an obvious crowd pleaser. However, this family museum even manages to make fossils and bones fascinating for kids. Look out for the skeleton of the enormous Daspletosaurus, older cousin of the more famous T-Rex.

The original building was stately enough to have housed Parliament at one time. Although the ‘Queen’s Lantern’ tower built in 2010 is an impressive new addition. Don’t forget to look up at the colossal sculpture of the moon erected for the 50^th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing.

What kids love best about the Canadian Museum of Nature

• Canada Goose Arctic Gallery to discover the people, animals and history of Canada’s northern wilds.
• The extraordinary interactive ice exhibit in the Canada Goose Arctic Gallery.
• The Water Gallery for playing explorer on an Arctic research ship and gazing into a massive aquarium at a 19m long Blue Whale.
• The dinosaur diorama, Extinction Theatre and skeletons in the Fossil Gallery.
• The summer bee colony in the hands-on Nature Live Gallery.

Take kids to Ottawa for the world’s largest indoor collection of totem poles

All parents take kids to Ottawa for the Canadian Museum of History

Spend some time at the Canadian Museum of History and you’re in very good company. This is the country’s most visited museum and it doesn’t take long to see why.

More than 20,000 years of history are recorded here in enthralling detail. Creatively designed exhibition spaces include the First Peoples’ Hall and immense Canadian History Hall. The Grand Hall alone, holds the world’s largest indoor collection of totem poles and the museum building itself is another marvel.

What astonishes kids most about the Canadian Museum of History

• Discovering the customs, culture and lifestyles of Canada’s indigenous people in the First Peoples Hall.
• The world’s largest collection of totem poles in the impressive Grand Hall.
• Catching one of the exciting, family-friendly screenings at the museum’s 3D CINÉ + movie theatre.
• Digging into 15,000 years of the past in the mesmerising Canadian History Hall.

Canada Science & Technology Museum, another good reason to take kids to Ottawa

Canada Science & Technology Museum satisfies the most curious kids

Every parent knows it’s almost impossible to answer kids’ daily round of questions. So catch a break and let the Canada Science & Technology Museum do the work.

The museum was completely redesigned in 2017, then reopened in time for its 50^th anniversary the same year. It might be a venerable institution in terms of years, however, its approach is very fresh. Think stealth education through activities, experiments and interactive experiences and you get the idea. Just remember to pay attention too. Because a few hours here will definitely lead to some in-depth questioning later.

What kids love best about Canada Science & Technology Museum

• ZOOOM – Children’s Innovation Zone designed for two to eight year olds.
• Designing and testing their own miniature vehicles at ZOOOM.
• Steam: A World in Motion which fills an exhibition space with enormous locomotives.
• Trying wind tunnels, and operating trains in Steam’s virtual reality engine room.
• Hands-on experiments to test the senses cooked up in the Crazy Kitchen+.
• Interactive Technology in Our Lives for encounters with tech from WWII to the present day.

Buckle up for the amazing Canada Aviation & Space Museum, Ottawa

Ottawa invites kids to fly-high at the Canada Aviation & Space Museum

Canada Aviation & Space Museum is the country’s biggest aerospace museum. It’s designed inside a vast hangar-style building and packed to the rafters with exhibits. Here, kids can delve into the history of aviation from first flights to Canada’s role in space exploration. However, if that isn’t thrilling enough, you could always book a flight on a vintage biplane or helicopter to see Ottawa from above.

What thrills kids about the Canada Aviation & Space Museum

• Canada In Space for extra-terrestrial achievements from first astronauts to today’s satellites.
• The extraordinary Canada In Space’ Disorientation Station test.
• Seeing how deep space exploration impacts medical research in Health In Space.
• Flying over Ottawa in a WWII biplane for ultimate sightseeing.
• Activity programmes including cockpit training sessions and weekend children’s events.

Vintage WWII posters at the Canadian War Museum, Ottawa

Regeneration is the positive theme at the Canadian War Museum

The Canadian War Museum focuses on the theme of regeneration. Take a minute to check out the impressive building before you head inside. Not only is it eco-friendly right up to its ‘green’ roof, it also contains some of Ottawa’s most interesting windows. Look for the Morse Code which spells out, ‘Lest We Forget’.

The interior design lets visitors naturally interact with the space. So just go with it and take your time. There’s a lot to see from the Regeneration Hall to LeBreton Gallery’s collection of military vehicles, and aircraft. As well as permanent exhibits, the museum hosts visiting exhibitions and year-round family activities.

How the Canadian War Museum engages kids of all ages

• Sonart Summer Camps 2022 which fill a week with adventures for 5 to 12 year olds.
• The Royal Canadian Legion Hall of Honour which explores the fascinating history of remembrance.
• LeBreton Gallery’s wide-open exhibition space which overlooks Ottawa from vast floor to ceiling windows.

Interact with amazing art at the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa

The National Gallery of Canada is reason alone to take kids to Ottawa

You can’t miss the National Gallery of Canada, it’s one of Ottawa’s most striking new buildings. Although the architecture outside is nothing compared to the art indoors.

As well as the country’s largest collection of Canadian art, the National Gallery houses the Canadian Photography Institute. However, its range of international, Asian and indigenous art is equally remarkable. And if you’re in Ottawa at the weekend, don’t miss Family Art Adventures on Family Sundays.

What kids love about the National Gallery of Canada

• Family Sundays for exploring the collection guided by themes designed just for young visitors.
• A programme of fun family activities in the summer holidays.
• Landscaped gardens dotted with artworks and overlooking Ottawa’s historic centre.