Family Things to do in Montreal - a moms guide to Montreal kid activities

Ottawa moms know there is no place like home. But when we need a quick little retreat we also know Montreal is a happening spot! It’s the perfect family getaway for us Ottawa moms! Just a couple of hours down the road, this vibrant city has a little something for everyone, including our tiny humans who seem to have an endless supply of energy. If you’re planning a family trip, here’s your go-to guide for Montreal’s best kid-friendly spots. Some of these are ones I have been to (with or without kids) and some are on our bucket list to visit this summer. Trust me, these are all mom-tested and kid-approved. Let’s dive in!

Montreal Science Centre

📍 Address: 2 De La Commune St W, Montreal, QC H2Y 4B2
🕒 Hours: Monday to Friday: 9 am to 4 pm Saturday and Sunday: 10 am to 5 pm
📸 Instagram: @centredessciences
For little ones who love to tinker and touch, the Montreal Science Centre is a dream. Hands-on exhibits, IMAX films, and science experiments make it an educational yet fun outing. My kids favourites were going inside a bubble and tornado- yes you heard that right! Bonus: It’s right on the Old Port, so you can easily explore everything this has to offer, which I share more below!

Montreal UPLA- Treetop Trampoline Village

📍 Address: 45 Chem. du Sous-Bois, Mont-Saint-Grégoire, QC J0J 1K0
🕒 Hours: Saturdays 10am-10pm, Sundays 10am-5pm
If your kids think bouncing off the walls at home is fun, wait until they’re 20 feet in the air on trampolines in the trees! Upla has two locations, one close to Toronto and their Mont-Saint Gregorie is located 35 minutes from downtown Montreal. It is a treetop adventure course that offers both a daytime and nighttime experience for kids and adults ages 7+. Upla has 7 trampolines all linked to one another along with nets, slides, tunnels, ramps, and suspension bridges. It’s a wild, adrenaline-pumping experience that even adults can enjoy. You can wander around the treehouses and enjoy exploring everything Upla has to offer. Make sure to bring your water bottle and snacks as there are picnic tables to eat at surrounding the course.

Lumino Winter Festival

📍 Address: Various locations in downtown Montreal
🕒 Hours: November - March 2025

Montreal knows how to do winter right, and the LUMINO festival is proof. This free event lights up the city with sparkling installations, interactive exhibits, and family-friendly activities. Running from late November to March, it’s the perfect way to enjoy winter and on a budget as it is free.

Montreal Biodome

📍 Address: 4777 Pierre-de Coubertin Ave, Montreal, QC H1V 1B3
🕒 Hours: can be found here

📸 Instagram: @espacepourlavie
Walk through five ecosystems without ever leaving the city at the Biodome! From the tropical rainforest to the Arctic’s penguins, the Biodome offers an up-close look at animals in their natural habitats. Your kids will love spotting the sloths and puffins. Bonus: It’s indoors, making it a lifesaver on rainy or snowy days.

The Biosphere

📍 Address: 160 Chemin du Tour de l’Isle, Montreal, QC H3C 4G8
🕒 Hours: can be found here
📸 Instagram: @espacepourlavie

This eco-friendly museum is as fascinating as it is educational. Housed in a giant geodesic dome from Expo 67, the Biosphere features hands-on exhibits about our environment and sustainability. It’s perfect for curious kids and moms who want to sneak in some learning while keeping it fun. Explore interactive stations and learn about our ecosystem here.

The Insectarium

📍 Address: 4581 Sherbrooke St E, Montreal, QC H1X 2B2
🕒 Hours: can be found here
📸 Instagram: @espacepourlavie

Yes, bugs! But hear me out. The Insectarium offers a multisensory journey that lets kids see the world through an insect’s eyes. From walking through tunnels like ants to marveling at free-flying butterflies, it’s a surprisingly beautiful and engaging experience. Even my squeamish adults would think this is cool. There are many areas to explore in the insectarium, one of which is the Alcoves which is an underground gallery inspired by how insects live. You get to explore the narrow passageways and truly immerse yourself in their habitat. There is also the great Vivarium where insects roam free. You get to walk through this living kingdom and see butterflies, ants and more go about their day.

Montreal Botanical Garden - Jardin botanique

📍 Address: 4101 Sherbrooke St E, Montreal, QC H1X 2B2
🕒 Hours: can be found here

Let the kids run free in 75 hectares of stunning gardens and greenhouses. Open year round, this Chinese, Japanese, and First Nations gardens are highlights, and there’s plenty of space to picnic or let the littles burn off steam. Visit in the fall for their magical lantern festival—it’s pure Instagram gold. *Note the greenhouses are currently closed until April 2025 due to construction.

The Aura Experience

📍 Address: 110 Notre-Dame St W, Montreal, QC
📸 Instagram: @aurabasiliquemontreal
Fun for young and old, AURA at the Notre-Dame Basilica is a jaw-dropping light and sound show. First, wander the illuminated aisles of this stunning church, soaking in the architecture. Then, settle into the pews for a 25-minute immersive multimedia experience that’ll leave everyone in awe. Even my “I’m bored” expert was mesmerized. Pro tip: Arrive early to explore the space before the show starts and note you are not allowed any snacks inside.

Planetarium

📍 Address: 4801 Pierre-de Coubertin Ave, Montreal, QC H1V 1B3
🕒 Hours: hours can be found here
📸 Instagram: @espacepourlavie
Blast off to outer space at this cutting-edge planetarium! With immersive shows and exhibits, your kids will learn about stars, planets, and galaxies in the coolest way possible. It’s both poetic and scientific, so you’ll enjoy it just as much as they do.

Museum of illusions

📍 Address: 44 Saint-Antoine St W, Montreal, QC H2Z 1G9
🕒 Hours: Sunday - Thursday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Friday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
📸 Instagram: @museumofillusions_montreal

This place will blow your mind—literally. Packed with over 70 exhibits, the Museum of Illusions offers mind-bending optical illusions, holograms, and interactive rooms that are as fun for adults as they are for kids. Expect lots of laughs and plenty of “Whoa, look at this!” moments. They have a variety of illusions, exhibits, installations and images which all will impress adults and kids alike. Children under 5 are currently fee and children ages 5-15 have a reduced rate!

Old Port of Montreal

📍 Address: 333 Rue de la Commune O, Montreal, QC H2Y 2E2
📸 Instagram: @vieuxportmtl @lagranderouedmontreal @patinpatinmtl

From the giant Ferris wheel (La Grande Roue) to Canada’s biggest urban zipline, the Old Port is a playground for all ages. In winter, there’s skating; in summer, there’s the Pirate Adventure Park. Plus, it’s packed with food vendors and stunning views of the St. Lawrence River. A day here is guaranteed fun.

Montreal is bursting with family-friendly activities that’ll leave your kids entertained and you feeling like the coolest mom ever. Whether you’re ziplining over the Old Port, stargazing at the planetarium, or marveling at a Biodome penguin, there’s something for everyone. So pack the snacks, charge your phone for all the photos, and get ready for a memorable Montreal adventure!

If you try any of these family activities in Montreal, share them with me and tag me on Instagram! I would love to see your Montreal adventures. @unstoppable.mama

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