Family New Year’s Eve Fun + Things to Do Around Ottawa in January

There is no shortage of fun tobogganing hills in the Ottawa area. Create a family list and check them off as you travel around the City visiting each one this January! Here are some of our favourites across the City of Ottawa.

• Carlington Park
• Walter Baker Park
• Greens Creek
• Apollo Crater Park
• Craig Henry Park
• Westboro Kiwanis Park
• Loyola Park

Looking for a slightly different tubing adventure? Check out Domaine de l’Ange Garden, Les Sommets Edelweiss, and Centre de Plein Air Du Lac-Beauchamp for some faster and larger slides. Tubes are provided at these locations and the hills are groomed specifically for this type of adventure!

Family Art Adventures

National Gallery of Canada
Tuesday, January 2 – Sunday January 7; 10am to 4pm

Play Art Bingo and learn how to jazz up your drawings. Look, talk, and move your way through the collection. Drop by the Studio and choose which activity you want to do first. In English and French for ages 4 and up. Entry is included with admission and free for members.

Mini Pops Kids Live

Algonquin Commons Theatre
Saturday January 13, 1:30 and 6pm

Packed with ‘good vibes’ and positive energy, Mini Pop Kids Live presents The GOOD VIBES TOUR. From today’s chart-toppers to classic hits, you’ll hear songs that make you want to sing, dance, and create memories with the whole family.

Tickets range from $42.50-$53.00.

Family Bob Ross Paint Along and Pizza Party

Beacon Hill Craft Club, 2200 Montreal Rd.
Saturday January 14, 10:30am – 1pm

Bring the whole family to do a Bob Ross Painting and enjoy a pizza lunch. All materials included, plus two slices of pizza (cheese or pepperoni) and a drink or juice box. Small children may have difficulty following or focusing for the duration of the painting but are encouraged to join in.

Tickets are $40 per person.

Family Paint Parties

Spend time with the family and create a masterpiece for your walls at home. Events are held throughout January at locations in Barrhaven, Nepean, Carleton Place, Kanata, as well as throughout Ottawa. Tickets start at $45 and includes all supplies.

Ottawa Senators 

Head to the Canadian Tire Centre on January 28th and watch the Ottawa Senators in their skills event. This fun event is extremely cost effective and a great way to experience the Ottawa Senators on their home ice and in person! All tickets are under $20 and proceeds from the event will be donated to help support various educational initiatives in the National Capital Region, the Senators Community Foundation and the NHLPA Goals and Dreams Fund. Your Ottawa Senators will be split into 2 groups and will compete in various skills as well as a 3 on 3 competition.

Ottawa Public Library

Life sized Candy Land?! Yes, please! Head to the Nepean Centrepointe Library from January 3rd to 7th and enjoy a life sized Candy Land Game. Become a game piece as you follow the rainbow path all the way to King Kandy’s Castle.  Drop in anytime the library is open and this special event is open to all ages (young and not so young!). The Ottawa Library has several other events all across the City for all ages from board game drop ins, lego exploration, storytimes and special events.  If you have a Frozen fan you won’t want to miss out on the Frozen event at the Beaverbrook location with crafts, games and singing on January 5th at 11a.m. See all that the Ottawa Library has to offer HERE!

Hit the Ice!

With many skating trails in the Ottawa & Gatineau regions you can choose a new path each weekend and enjoy a new adventure! Some of our favourites are “The Little Penguin Trail” in Gatineau that allows you to explore 5km through nature on a lovely golf course icy trail, skating through the forest (Patinage en forêt)  in Lac des Loups, or skating at River Oak. The City of Ottawa also offers various locations for public skating or enjoy one of the local outdoor rinks.

Winter Lights Across Canada

You have until January 7th to head downtown with the kids for the “Winter Lights Across Canada” at Parliament Hill. Enjoy this multimedia experience as Parliament Hill comes to life with an illuminating projection. There are lots of parking options in the downtown business area but we love the option of parking in the Byward Market enjoy dinner at a local restaurant (Zaks has free kids dining with the purchase of an adult meal!), walk to Parliament to enjoy the light show and back to the byward market for a Beavertail treat and hot chocolate. A fun local evening that will be magical and enjoyed by all!

Staycation and Quick Weekend Getaways

With the holidays behind us why not take this downtime to explore the Ottawa area pretending to be a tourist or book a quick weekend getaway. 

Ottawa has many great things to offer including several museums, great shopping, libraries, sledding hills, skating rinks, and movie theatres. Enjoy a night at the Andaz in the Byward Market or enjoy the views from the Quebec side at the Hilton Lac Leamy. Want to escape for the weekend? Take a quick trip to one of our favourite cities that are only a few hour drive away!