Here’s Something To Do This Weekend: The Ottawa Parent & Child Expo

On April 13th and 14th, the Parent & Child Expo returns to Ottawa to introduce families to products and services from local exhibitors and for kids to both meet and greet some of their favourite characters and play at one of the many fun activity areas.

Here’s what you need to know about the Parent and Child Expo

The Expo takes place at the Nepean Sportplex on Saturday and Sunday between 10 am and 5 pm.

Parking is free (which is always nice!) and admission to the show is $12 for adults and $8 for children, however, there are package bundles to save you money (available in advance on their website). Also, children under 2 are free.

This isn’t the usual tradeshow for parents filled with shopping and learning experiences only. This is a hands-on event for kids too. Parents can connect with over 150 exhibitors, while kids can enjoy all of the special activities taking place.

Here are some of the fun activities your kids will want to participate in

Thomas the Tank Engine will be live at the show on both days at 11 am and 2 pm. Thomas continues to delight and engage children after all of these years and we know this will be a popular attraction as he takes the main stage for a concert.

Meet Dorothy and Wags from the Wiggles! Ask for your complimentary meet and greet ticket so your child can plan to meet and greet these favourite characters. There are a limited number of meet and greet tickets so be sure to plan accordingly.

Grab a front-row ticket for Little Ray’s Reptiles. They take the main stage at 1 pm on both days. This will truly be a unique meet and greet with live animals.

The Ultimutts Stunt Dog entertainment show on the main stage at 12 pm, 2:30 pm and 4 pm, will delight your entire family. Watch this one-of-a-kind show as the animals take to the tight rope, use a skateboard and more!

Other events that will keep your kids entertained include a monster puppet show on the main stage, miniature ponies available for photos and meeting, as well as the Ottawa Gymnastics Centre Activity Zone. Let the kids burn off their extra energy and find out what they may love about movement and gymnastics.

You’ll also find a mobile games truck that we suspect will be popular with your mini-gamers, as well as the giant inflatable gumball bouncer and giant inflatable slide! Parents must accompany their kids for the inflatables area, but they can bounce with delight in the gumball bouncer then slide down the double-lane slide inflatable.

It’s bound to be a weekend full of excitement and fun. You can purchase your tickets in advance online to save yourself time when you arrive. There’s food on site if you need snacks, and the full schedule, including the exhibitors and all of the special events and activities included in your ticket price, can be found on the Ottawa Parent & Child Expo website.

Feature photo credit: In Dogs We Trust / Ultimutts