The 5 Best Kid Friendly Destinations in Canada

If you’re a parent, you know how difficult it can be to find places that cater to your kids just as much as they do to you. You’ve been out for dinner with toddlers waiting for what feels like days just for the food to come. It’s not always easy travelling with kids but there are some amazing places that go out of their way to give your kids an unforgettable experience. Canada, luckily, is a kid-friendly place and most of our favourite destinations have incredible things you and your kids can enjoy together.

Here are some of the absolute best spots in Canada to take your kids and have the vacation of a lifetime:

Ottawa, Ontario - When you think of Ottawa, you think of boring politicians and Parliament and the law. You certainly don’t think of fun, but this is by far the best place in Canada to take your kids for a vacation. Whether you hit our nation’s capital in summer or winter, your kids are guaranteed to have a great time.

Sites to see:

1. The Canadian Children’s Museum - Your kids won’t want to leave this place, between the games and toys, the costumes and activities, there seems to be something new and fun for them to do around every corner. The best part: they’re learning while they do it. Cultivate a true love of learning in your kids in this enchanting museum that they’ll never forget.
2. The Rideau Canal - In winter, you can throw on some skates and brave the ice, skating down one of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites.
3. Parliament Hill - Kids are always fascinated by the majestic building at Parliament Hill and it’s just another way to trick them into learning a thing or two!
4. The Canadian Aviation and Space Museum - There is always a fun exhibition going on here, as well as the many daily features, such as an ejection seat demonstration, helicopter ride, and flight simulations. Your kids will be talking about what they experience here for years to come.

Tofino, BC - Tofino is likely to be one of the most beautiful places you’ll ever lay eyes on. Its lush green contrasting with the deep blues of the ocean, the gorgeous stretches of west coast beach and the wildlife will all have you falling in love with this Canadian gem faster than you can say Tim Hortons. Luckily, it’s a wonderful place to take your kids.

Sites to see:

1. Whale watching tours - Tofino is home to some of the most majestic of ocean creatures. Whale watching tours here won’t just yield a glimpse at a Killer Whale or two. You’re also likely to see gray whales and humpback whales, too.
2. A rainforest hike - From the waterfront in town, you can hire a boat to take you to Meares Island, where you’ll hike along a wet path in the rainforest amongst cedars older than Canada.
3. Kayaking - I am convinced there is not a more beautiful place on the planet to hop in a kayak and paddle.
4. Long Beach - Don’t forget to take your boogie boards for the kids - the waves here are awesome.

Drumheller, Alberta - Parents, admit it, you’ll love this, too. Immerse yourself in everything to do with dinosaurs in Canada’s fossil capital. Your kids will be wide-eyed until the day you leave, and you could end up with some paleontologists in the family.

Sites to see:

1. The Royal Tyrell Museum - This will literally be a highlight of yours and your kid's lives. With 40 dinosaur skeletons to gawk at, you will absolutely never forget this.
2. Hoodoo Drive - 25 kilometres of the strangest land formations you and your kids will ever see.
3. Fossil trail - Hike to real dinosaur fossils that are still lodged in the Earth.
4. The World's Largest Dinosaur - Pay three bucks in downtown Drumheller to climb inside this monster.

Niagara Falls, Ontario - This tried and true destination will not disappoint your family. The region is full of memorable things to do and probably the most breathtaking sight in all of Canada: the Falls. There’s a reason people can’t stop going here: there aren’t many places like it on planet Earth.

Sites to see:

1. Obviously the falls. You have to take a ferry, don a raincoat and experience the mist.
2. Three nights a week all summer, the falls hosts a magnificent fireworks display and you can enjoy them free of charge.
3. Journey Behind The Falls - The thunderous sound of one of the world’s most famous waterfalls won’t soon leave your mind after this phenomenal trek.
4. The Niagara Skywheel - Take this gondola way up high and see the falls from above.

Victoria, BC - The ferry ride from the mainland of British Columbia is fun for kids all on its own, but the breathtaking waterfront city on Vancouver Island has a ton more to offer than that. Your kids will have a blast in Victoria and they’ll want to come back year after year.

Sites to see:

1. Miniature World - This strange little world of minis includes over 80 displays. The establishment is home to the world’s largest dollhouse from the late 1800s, one of the world’s largest model railways, and a model circus. It’s unique, entertaining and your kids will absolutely love it.
2. The Royal BC Museum always has exciting exhibitions from Vikings to the Gold Rush, to award winning wildlife photography. The museum also boasts the largest iMax theatre in all of BC… watching anything on this screen is nothing short of an adventure.
3. Victoria Bug Zoo - Mom might not like this, but your kids sure will. This little zoo is filled with creepy crawlies of all shapes and sizes.
4. The Parliament Buildings - And your kids thought they’d get though summer without learning something. The joke’s on them, because the Parliament Buildings in Victoria are hard to ignore, and they’ll be drawn to them. You’ll have no choice but to tell them what goes on in there… if we could figure it out ourselves.

These five Canadian destinations are kid-pleasing havens, which means less stress and more vacation bliss for Mom and Dad. What are your favourite vacation spots for kids in Canada? Let us know in the comments!