No matter how old your children are, family holidays in Canada are bound to be a surefire win. With a selection of activities that are suitable for all ages, this magnificent country caters for all. From museums and exhibits to sports and nature, it’s a country that doesn’t stop giving.
Family holidays in Canada: Western Canada
From skiing and city breaks to wildlife spotting and outdoor adventures, Western Canada offers the lot. Perfect for family holidays throughout the year, it’s a great destination for all ages.
Holidays to Vancouver
Holidays to Vancouver are a great idea when you’re travelling with children. With a range of activities for all ages, you’ll never be at a loss for what to do. The city itself is fairly compact as well, which is ideal for those with little ones, as you don’t have to travel far to get to your next attraction. Offering a wide choice of transport options in the city, with the Vancouver Trolley Bus being a favourite way to get around, you’ll be able to explore the city with ease.
One of our top tips for family holidays in Canada is to go to Stanley Park in Vancouver, where you can enjoy some scenic cycling trails in a safe environment. Another awesome activity for children and adults alike is the FlyOver Canada experience, which uses 4D technology to simulate a flight over some of the country’s most iconic attractions. Finish off your trip to Vancouver at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, which provides a range of suspended walkways and mazes that take you through an ancient temperate rainforest. Vancouver is great throughout the year, but if you go during the winter, ensure you’re prepared for a lot of rain.
Holidays to Vancouver Island
Another place to go on holiday in British Columbia is Vancouver Island, which is only a short ferry or seaplane ride from the city of Vancouver. It’s a great location for families to visit, with the island oozing with history and nature. The capital of British Columbia, Victoria, is located on the south of the island and provides you with an array of colonial architecture and historical cobbled alleys. It’s also known for its outside activities and vast parkland, which is ideal if you’re with young children that want to burn off some energy.
A trip to Vancouver Island wouldn’t be complete without a bit of wildlife spotting. It’s recommended you visit between June and September, which coincides with the peak whale-watching season. Boat trips depart regularly from the harbour in Victoria, with onboard nature guides being there to answer any questions you or your child have. If you want to see humpback whales or Pacific grey whales on their annual migration, you can take a ferry from the western town of Tofino.
Hit the slopes in Whistler
Ski lovers looking to introduce their children to the slopes won’t want to miss out on holidays to Whistler. Known for being one of the best ski areas for all ages, it’s the ideal place to go for beginners and advanced levels. Low down on the mountain, you’ll find the majority of the family-friendly slopes, with gentle and soft terrain providing the perfect practice ground for any budding skier. The village of Whistler has everything you could ask for from a resort, and it’s also relatively compact, so it’s unlikely you’ll need a car to get around.
If your family aren’t keen on skiing, this shouldn’t stop you from visiting this iconic resort. There are many other activities that will keep you occupied for days on end. You can go dog-sledding, which will take you into the heart of the Canadian wilderness. Another family activity is to go tubing, which involves sliding down the slopes on a specially made tube. Alternatively, go on a unique and magical self-guided tour of the Vallea Lumina, which is a forest that’s made into a marvellous multimedia spectacle.
Family holidays in Canada: family adventures in the Canadian Rockies
Get your adventure hats ready for a memorable trip to the Canadian Rockies. From wicked winter sports to soaking up the stunning summer scenery, you can visit any time you please.
Visit Calgary
If you’re looking for family adventures in the Canadian Rockies, then starting in the city of Calgary is a must. Superb throughout the year, there’s an endless list of activities for families. Olympic Park is a great place to begin, with it now having been turned into the WinSport Arena. Here you and your kids can enjoy a range of fun sports, such as ice skating, mini-golf and luging.
With all the sports overseen by experienced professionals, you’ll rest assured that your children are in good hands.
Other must-see attractions in this vibrant city include going up Calgary Tower, where you can enjoy panoramic views, visiting Calgary Zoo, which boasts around 1,000 creatures and exhibits, or taking a trip to the TELUS Spark Science Centre, which is superb for curious minds.
Go skiing in Banff
Another of the best things to do for family holidays in Canada is to head to Banff National Park. With a variety of great activities in the summer and winter, it’s the ideal location for a getaway with kids. During the warmer months, a trip to Banff wouldn’t be complete without checking out the awesome lakes. Lake Louise, which is one of the most famous, offers turquoise waters that reflect the towering mountain peaks. Whether you want to simply walk on the hiking trails or take to the lake in a canoe, you’ll remember this magical experience for years to come.
For winter activities, there are roughly three world-class ski resorts for you to pick from. Even though there are some epic runs for the more experienced skier, you’ll be pleased to know that they offer a selection of family-friendly slopes too. If your children are brand new to snow activities, they can have lessons under the watchful eye of experienced teachers. Conversely, if you’re a family of non-skiers, there is still loads to do, such as taking the Banff Gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain for unbeatable views.
Put your hiking shoes on in Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park
Exploring Canada by foot is certainly one of the best ways to soak up the nature that’s on offer. If you’re with young children or older family members, hiking might not seem like a feasible activity. However, there are many easy hiking routes with great accessibility in Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park. As the weather can get very cold during the winter, these trails are best enjoyed during the summer months.
The Bow River Loop is one of our favourites – it is roughly 2.1 km (1.3 miles) long, so it’s suitable for all fitness levels. With steady terrain that offers breathtaking views, it’s the best of both worlds for hikers that want a pleasant walk amongst the mountains. A slightly more moderate route is around Quarry Lake. Coming in at about 8 km (5 miles), it will require a slightly higher fitness level. It’s a relatively flat route through, so rather than worrying about steep inclines, you can just enjoy the stunning scenery.
Family holidays in Canada: Eastern Canada
Over in the east of the country, there are also some iconic attractions that you won’t want to miss. From wondrous waterfalls to ice skating on a frozen canal, this region of Canada offers something for every age group.
Be amazed by Niagara Falls
When you’re looking for holiday destinations in Canada that are sure to be a hit with all ages, look no further than Niagara Falls. One of the most iconic waterfalls in the world, it’s a bucket-list activity that will create memories for a lifetime. Located about 1h 30min from Toronto, it’s easy to get there for either a day trip or longer.
One of our top tips to see the waterfall from a different perspective is to take the Niagara City Cruise, which takes you on a roughly 20min journey along Niagara River to the foot of the falls.
Alternatively, get a bird’s-eye view of this amazing spectacle in a helicopter, which takes around 10min and gives your kids an experience that they’ll be boasting to all their friends about. During particularly sunny days, it’s also likely you’ll enjoy rainbows, with the sunlight refracting off the water to create a beautiful sight.
Take a trip to Algonquin Provincial Park
Another of Eastern Canada’s most famous family-friendly locations is Algonquin Provincial Park. One of Canada’s oldest parks, it’s about a 2h 30min drive north of Toronto. If you’re exploring Toronto, it makes for a great escape from the fast-paced city. Enjoy a walk through the maple and fir woodlands, the wildflower meadows or around one of the many lakes.
With birds singing year-round, moose grazing at dusk and dawn and white-tailed deer roaming freely, this is a magical place for your family to reconnect with nature. Add to that a strong wolf and black bear population and you’ve got the perfect rewilding experience. You can take a tour with a park ranger to locate many of these species, with the staff being well practised in ensuring everyone is safe from these amazing creatures.
Visit Toronto or Ottawa
A trip to Niagara Falls and Algonquin Provincial Park lends itself well to setting up base camp in Toronto. This thriving city has loads for families to do, so it’s the ideal location to spend a few days. Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada and Toronto Zoo are two of our favourites, both of which offer hands-on experiences to learn about animals and the habitats they thrive in. Alternatively, check out a museum such as the Royal Ontario Museum, which has over 13 million art, culture and nature artefacts for you to marvel at.
The capital of Canada, Ottawa, is also a must-visit. The aptly named Canadian Children’s Museum is an interactive museum where kids can run shops, unload cargo from a ship and learn about a range of arts and cultures from across the globe. In the summer months, why not make a splash at Calypso Waterpark, which has a variety of slides for all ages? Or, during the winter, head to Rideau Canal, where you can ice skate on the water that has naturally frozen.
Family holidays in Canada: the best of the rest
Canada has an endless list of family-friendly activities. Whether it’s beautiful beaches, the stunning Northern Lights or a rainforest you’re after, Canada doesn’t let you down.
Head to a beach in Canada
Whilst it may not be the first thing that springs to mind, Canada beach holidays are also a great idea. In Quebec, you can go to Jean-Dore Beach, which boasts golden sand and pristine waters. The beach is also flanked by many trees, meaning it’s easy to find shade on hot days. There’s even an inflatable bouncy castle just off the shore called Aquazilla, where your kids can have hours of fun. For older children (and adults), other activities such as kayaking and paddle boarding ensure that everyone is entertained.
In the far east of the country, you’ll find another favourite amongst beachgoers. Parlee Beach in New Brunswick provides golden sands and warm waters during the summer months, so you’ll be able to brave the elements for longer. Offering a selection of activities too, such as volleyball, ultimate frisbee and sand sculpture competitions, it’s a great way for your child to get involved in group events. For swimming, you’ll want to visit the beaches during July and August, but there are great walks throughout the year.
See the spectacular Northern Lights
Family holidays in Canada also provide the perfect opportunity to witness the natural phenomenon of the Northern Lights. One of the best places to see these is Yellowknife, which is the capital of the Northwest Territories. Mid-November to early April is the best time to see the lights; although, you can see them during late summer and early autumn too. With the lights being visible around 240 days of the year, it’s one of the most reliable places in Canada to enjoy this spectacle.
The Northern Lights are a result of collisions between the sun’s electrically charged gas particles entering the Earth’s atmosphere. Not only are they utterly fantastic to see, but they are also a great treat for any budding scientist who wants to learn more about the planet.
Make the most of the natural environment
Last but certainly not least on our list of things to do on family holidays in Canada is to make the most of the natural environment in the country. If you want to take a road trip, there’s no better place than the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia. This trail goes for roughly 298 km (186 miles) and takes in lush valleys, rugged coastline and Cape Breton National Park. We recommend doing this road trip between spring and autumn, as roads can get hazardous during the winter.
A top tip for wildlife is to visit Great Bear Rainforest in British Columbia. Known as the Amazon of the North, it’s a roughly 21-million-acre protected area of temperate rainforest, filled with trees, fjords and cream-coloured bears. Other wildlife in the forest includes otters, wolves and grizzly bears. A guide is a perfect way to make the most of your trip to this fascinating part of the country.
Alternatively, why not travel to the other side of the world for your next family holiday? Check out our articles on family holidays in Australia, family holidays in Italy, family holidays in Turkey and family holidays in Dubai.
