Free Activities to Do With the Kids This Month
We’re now into the last few weeks of summer as many families are already planning their back to school shopping and last-minute vacations before the routine of the fall once again sets in.
If you have maxed out your summertime fun budget (and we hear you if you have!) no worries; we’ve rounded up a list of activities you can do this August in Ottawa for free. That means you get to enjoy a few final moments to make summer memories without breaking the bank (because we know you’re already spending a fortune on all that new school gear).
Grab your calendars and mark these dates down so you aren’t disappointed when they come and go!
Free Activities to do with the kids in Ottawa in August
The Canadian Museum of Nature is hosting a free outdoor event daily until August 12. The Oceans Plastics Lab is set up outside of the Museum and welcomes families to explore the exhibit and learn about the problem of plastics in the ocean, and ways that we may be able to deal with it.
Stay Up Later for the Sound and Light Show
Available only until September 3, the Sound and Light Show is displayed across the Parliament Buildings. The special entitled ‘Northern Lights’ highlights Canada’s history through lights and music. Plan to keep the kids up late for this one; the show begins at 10 pm every night in August (and 9 pm in early September). The event may be cancelled due to weather, so if you are going, make sure you plan accordingly!
Convince the kids to step away from Fortnite and entice them to play some old-school video games at the arcade at House Of Targ. Every Sunday, all summer long, House of Targ is inviting families to enjoy their 25 arcade games for free between 11 am and 8 pm. We think your kids will love checking out these games and you can share with them your favourite ones (and recount how amazing your scores were once upon a time).
To be honest, we are cheating with this one a little bit. At the West End Food Truck rally on August 11 (between 11 am and 7 pm), you may end up buying some delicious bites – and we wouldn’t blame you. But the family play area is free and you’ll be able to let the kids burn off their energy before biting into a local treat. Time it for mealtime and you’ll have the added benefit of skipping the cooking and cleaning after dinner!
Still looking for more free options?
There are many ways to visit many of Ottawa’s amazing museums for free depending on the day and time you want to go. We have a list for you to check out but the Canada Food and Agriculture Museum opens their doors for free daily between 4 pm and 5 pm, and others offer free entry on Thursday evenings.
In addition, parents with toddlers and babies will be happy to know that you can still try out the free Stroll and Roll programs hosted by Little Lotus Yoga at Boomerang Kids (participating stores across Ottawa only). This is a fun way to get out and meet other parents while taking in the summer weather.
Finally, if you want to plan a summer-end meal at a restaurant, there are places in the city where the kids eat free.
Before the summer ends, there are many ways to squeeze out those final fun moments of summer without spending a small fortune for the opportunity.
