Things to do with babies and toddlers

In summer or in winter, there's always something to do with kids on a family vacation in Montréal. The city's many parks and green spaces provide places for free-form play for the small set. Any time of year, explore Mount Royal Park, whether you stroll its winding path, take a bus or drive up to the top to discover Beaver Lake and the Kondiaronk lookout with incredible view of the city. It’s a wonderful spot to sit and enjoy the view, grab a bite to eat, enjoy a coffee or take a bathroom break in the Mount Royal Chalet. 

Picnic and play in the playground in Parc Jeanne-Mance at the base of the mountain or go play at Parc La Fontaine, where you can also enjoy performances at the park’s open-air Théâtre de Verdure in the summertime.

All year round, families flock to the environment-focused Espace pour la vie complex. Stroll through the Montréal Botanical Garden’s sprawling grounds outdoors, let kids run around and even have a picnic. Come autumn, delight in a twilight promenade to see brightly-hued lanterns during the Gardens of Light event. Or, at the Montréal Biôdome, little ones will love watching the antics of lynx, otters, bats, penguins and more wildlife in five different ecosystems. 

Nearby, go for a dip at the Olympic Pool’s indoor wading pool. In summer outside Olympic Stadium, Îlots76 is a blast for kids, with bouncy castles, a play area, snacks and more. And over in the West Island, spot all kinds of animals native to Québec at the conservation-focused Ecomuseum Zoo.

Montréal's public markets and seasonal outdoor markets and spaces offer a variety of local food, drinks, entertainment and family-friendly activities. Grab lunch and snacks for later, enjoy some locally made ice cream, catch some live music and more. And be sure to stroll down some of the city’s summertime pedestrian-only streets, where you’ll often find play structures and pop-up entertainment.

Many of Montréal's famed outdoor festivals are kid-friendly. In summer, fill up on culture at the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal and MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE circus festival; in winter, bundle up and enjoy illuminated Lumino outdoor illuminated works walk  and MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE, with free entertainment, games and more. There’s more fun to be had at the Festival Petits Bonheurs, which features performances, workshops, short films, and exhibitions for young children aged 0 to 6, the TD-Blue Metropolis Children's Festival, and the Montréal International Children’s Festival (FIFEM). Or escape the city in Parc Jean-Drapeau, a short metro ride away and host to numerous events and festivals.

When it comes time to wind down and get a bite to eat, here are some excellent places for babies and for toddlers to eat and play:  La Cabane and Bouge Petit Café in  Petite Patrie; Café Jardin, Komma Rosta and Café Chato in Verdun; Caffe della Pace in Outremont; Cafe Sfouf and Le Milieu café and art studio in the Village; and Brûlerie Urbaine, in Côte-des-Neiges. Or try some of these great places to eat with kids in Montréal, and, of course, locally made ice cream and other frozen treats! At the end of the day, sleep tight at family-friendly hotels.

In summer, beat the heat at the city's swimming pools and beaches and at splash pads and wading pools. Find wading pools at centrally located Parc Jarry, Parc Jeanne-Mance and Parc Sir-Wilfrid-Laurier as well as in neighbourhoods across the island, including at Parc Jean-Drapeau's Aquatic Complex and Notre-Dame-de-Grâce's Trenholme Park. Check out splash pads at Parc Sœur-Madeleine-Gagnon in Little Italy, Parc Saint-Michel in Mile End and Parc Luc Durand behind Bibliothèque Marc Favreau, as well as even bigger splash pads at Parc du Père-Marquette, Parc de Normanville and Parc Lalancette. 

La TOHU hosts circus shows and activities tailor-made for high-energy toddlers. Geordie Theatre, Place des Arts Junior Shows and the  Maison Théâtre presents theatrical programming for children aged 0 to 17 years.  Older children will delight in the interactive exhibitions at the Montréal Science Centre and classical music concerts at the Maison symphonique. Take a break with a book and stay for story time at La Petite Librairie Drawn & Quarterly (one of the city's many great bookstores), at the Grande Bibliothèque downtown or any of the Montréal's kid-friendly libraries. Check out our Cultural guide for families for more ideas!

Babies and toddlers aren't left out of the many indoor activities for families in Montréal. On the Plateau-Mont-Royal, fresh, rich-tasting cookies and delicious beverages await you at La Chouette, along with introductory cookie-decorating workshops for young and old. For budding artists, try your hand at painting original, personalized, and practical ceramics that you'll love using at home later, at the Ceramic Café-Studio.

Kid-friendly museums and galleries abound – and many offer free entry to kids 12 and under. Take a family tour at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts or explore the Museum of Illusions. See history from a pint-sized perspective in interactive exhibitions at Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Archaeology and History Complex, featuring multimedia shows and family activities. 

Any time of year, take playtime up a notch at massive indoor amusement parks just for kids. Not far from central Montréal find Kazoom Caféand iSaute trampoline parks in Anjou and Kirkland, while just off the island of Montréal kids run free at Funtropolis and Zig Zag Zoo. 

Have fun exploring Montréal with your little ones!