The title says it all.
This list is a work in progress and has been compiled by Isabelle Green. A local resident and LifeinQuebec.com team member.
Things to do with your kids in and around the city
Are you out of ideas on what to do with your children? Here’s a list of activities to do with children of all ages in Quebec City.
This will be added to over time. Have you got any suggestions?
Indoor Activities
Jeffrey Hale Community Services English-speaking activities for children and families.
YMCA
Swimming lessons & playgroups
Ville de Québec
275 du Parvis Street
Bureau 206B
http://www.ymca.ca/en/home.aspx
Joujouthèque:
A toy-lending library and provides a play area for kids every Friday mornings at the Sainte-Foy joujoutheque.
Sainte-Foy: http://www.joujoutheque.qc.ca
Lévis: http://www.joujouthequedelevis.com
Maison Ouverte:
A free play area in Limoilou with toys and more. No tidying-up required! Donations are accepted.
http://www.latosc.org/milieu-de-vie/maison-ouverte.html
Festival de la jeunesse de Beauport (March 4-14 2011)
Indoor and outdoor sports, arts and crafts, cultural events, free movie, bingo and more.
http://www.ville.quebec.qc.ca/idees_sortie/fiche.aspx?entID=1084
Récréo-Fun: A huge jungle gym for kids of all ages. There is a play area just for younger children. A little pricey.
Le Centre d’amusement Carie Factory: Same as récréo-fun.
http://www.cariefactory.com/
Méga-parc: Located at Galeries de La Capitale, there are rides for all ages and an ice-skating rink. They rent skates. It’s fairly reasonably-priced.
http://www.mega-parc.com/fr/page.ch2?uid=Home
Papillon en fête (only once a year)
February 12-April 3rd
Centre jardin hamel
See 70 different species of butterflies
Bibliobébé / Heure du Conte
One hour of storytelling followed up with an activity for your child. Check with your local library for schedules. Free.
Stars and Strollers
Go watch a movie with your baby on selected days. The selected movies are usually in French though.
http://www.cineplex.com/Theatres/StarsAndStrollers.aspx
Cinéma Parents-Bébés at the Clap
www.clap.qc.ca
Castello
A toy store in St. Nicolas where you can shop while your kids play in a playroom full of toys. You can celebrate your child’s birthday there. Pick a theme and they will take care of the rest.
Réno Jouets:
A place you can buy second-hand toys. Come on give those toys a second life!
Musée de la Civilisation
The Musée de la civilisation links the past, the present and the future. While remaining strongly rooted in the reality of Québec, it projects a new, attentive and dynamic outlook on all of human experience in its whole, and on civilizations from the world over.
Free on Tuesdays for everyone.
$12 for adults and free for 11 years and under.
More museums:
Here is a list of museums in Quebec City.
http://museocapitale.qc.ca/highway.htm
The Citadelle
The Citadel is the largest British fortress built in North America. There are tours, a museum and other activities. http://www.lacitadelle.qc.ca
Karibou
A class designed to help children work their physical-motor skills. There is an obstacle course laid out and objectives to reach. There is also singing and dancing. Check website for prices.
http://www.letourdumondedekaribou.com/fr/activites-motrices.aspx
Swimming lessons
Quebec Natation
http://www.quebecnatation.com/index.php?Section=Prescolaire
Ville de Quebec
http://www.ville.quebec.qc.ca/citoyens/loisirs_sports/programmation_loisirs
Outdoor Activities
La Petite ferme du sous-bois
From May to October, take your children to a farm in St-Jean-Chrysostome where you can see and pet many animals such as ponies, goats, rabbits, pigs, emus, ducks, geese and more. There are also outdoor activities such as volley-ball, horseshoes and a giant bean bag toss game. You can also take a stroll in the woods.
Cost is $5 for children and $7 for adults. They also do birthday parties.
http://www.laptitefermedusous-bois.com
Cardio poussette/traineau
Work out in the outdoors with your child in a stroller or a sled, depending on the season. Takes place at the Plaines of Abraham, Domaine des Maizerts or Base de Plein Air Sainte-Foy. Great way to keep in shape when you have a young child.
Festi-neige (March 5, 2011 12 h à 16 h)
Outdoor winter activities for the whole family.
Parc des Brumes, 6920, rue des Brumes (Les Rivières)
http://www.ville.quebec.qc.ca/idees_sortie/fiche.aspx?entID=2129
La Vallée Secrete:
Treasure hunts and other organized activities to amuse the whole family. Located in St-Raymond. Call to reserve first. Check website for pricing.
http://valleesecrete.com/livre-accueil.shtml
Human-sized maze
The title says it all. The maze is changed on a regular basis so you can keep going back! Very fun for the whole family. Located in Sainte-Catherine de La Jacques Cartier.
Zip lining:Two places to go zip lining.
http://www.arbreduchesnay.com/en/contact.php
http://www.skirelais.com/le-relais-ski-snow-hebertisme-services.php?id=158
Domaine de la forêt perdue:
A 10-kilometer trail to hike in the summertime or skate on in the wintertime. Treasure hunts are organized in the summertime. A great place to observe wild animals. Located near Trois-Rivière. Not in the Quebec City area but it’s worth the trip!
http://www.domainedelaforetperdue.com
Miracle on 3rd Avenue
A prelude to Christmas and a celebration of winter.
http://www.monlimoilou.com/miracle
Centre de glisse Myrand
Tubing and ice-skating for free.
Centre de glisse Myrand, 2150, avenue Chapdelaine
Site des sports d’hiver de la Pointe-aux-Lièbres
Ice-skating and sledding.
Pointe-aux-Lièvres, 25, rue de la Pointe-aux-Lièvres (La Cité-Limoilou)
http://www.ville.quebec.qc.ca/idees_sortie/fiche.aspx?entID=1050
Anneau Gaétan-Boucher
A huge ice-skating rink in the winter and a rollerblading track in the summer.
Sainte-Foy.
http://www.ville.quebec.qc.ca/citoyens/loisirs_sports/equipements_loisirs/anneau_glace_gaetan_boucher.aspx
German market
Cathedral of the Holy Trinity
http://www.lifeinquebec.com/headline/quebec-city-german-christmas-market-2010
Quebec’s National Parks
There are 47 national parks in the province of Quebec. The closest one to Quebec City is Parque National de la Jacques Cartier. Outdoor activities such as hiking, canoeing, kayaking, camping are done here. A fantastic place to enjoy wildlife and only 45 minutes away! Dogs are not allowed.
L’Aquarium
Come and meet the 10,000 marine animals that inhabit the Aquarium: fish, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and sea mammals. Among them, the famous polar bears, walruses, and seals will provide you with unique moments.
Adult: $9, Children 3 and over: $5, Family $21.
http://www.sepaq.com/ct/paq/index.dot?language_id=1
Base de Plein Air Sainte-Foy:
Summer and winter outdoor activities.
In the summertime, you can hike on the trails, rent a canoe or a paddle boat and there is a sandy beach where you can swim and have a picnic.
In the wintertime, there are wonderful cross-country ski and snowshoe trails and a chalet to rent skis, snowshoes and even baby trailers. The trails here are mostly flat. There is also a place to go sledding.
If you are a Quebec City resident, entrance is free
Base de Plein Air La Découverte:
Similar to Base de Plein Air Sainte-Foy. In the summertime there are various trails to explore and in the wintertime, the trails turn into cross-country ski trails. They rent baby trailers. The trails are hilly so be prepared for a cardio workout!
Cost is $6 for Quebec City residents to access ski trails
http://www.ville.quebec.qc.ca/citoyens/loisirs_sports/equipements_loisirs/base_plein_air_decouverte/index.aspx
Trails (snowshoeing/cross-country skiing in winter or walking/biking in summer)
http://www.ville.quebec.qc.ca/citoyens/loisirs_sports/raquettes_ski.aspx
Winter Carnival
The Quebec winter carnival is the largest winter carnival in the world today, and is third on the List of Top Carnival. There is an array of activities for the whole family to enjoy such as winter sports, tobogganing, snow sculptures, contests and activities based on the traditional Québec lifestyle, such as canoe races and dogsled races. Warm up with some caribou in a glass made of ice at a bar made of ice and keep your eyes open to see the bonhomme!
Festival d’été de Québec
Concerts and music for all tastes and ages, entertainers such as jugglers, acrobats, stilt walkers, games, fire works and more.
http://www.infofestival.com/?lang=en
Parc des Chutes-de-la-Chaudière
Located in Levis, just across the bridge, this park with magnificent waterfalls and a kids play area is the perfect place to have a picnic on a summer day. There are various walking/bike trails.
March 7, 2011 at 1:22 pm
This is an awesome compilation of information!! Thank you Isabelle!!!
Sharon and Maverick Firth