It’s the last weekend of February, and we have some fantastic March Break previews, maple syrup season kicking off, and plenty of indoor fun lined up for Saturday, Feb 28th, and Sunday, March 1st! Don't miss the Science Museum activities or the chance to try ice sculpting.
See our top picks
Vanier Sugar Shack
Vanier Museopark
Free entry to North America's only urban sugar shack this Saturday!
Mammoth Book Sale
100 Tallwood Drive
A budget-friendly hunt for gently used books and media on Saturday morning.
Rocket Adventures
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Imaginative, hands-on space play on Saturday morning.
· February 28
11MARCH BREAK AT CANADA AGRICULTURE & FOOD MUSEUM : Get an early start on March Break fun! Head to the Ag Museum for activities geared toward the whole family. It's a great way to explore the farm and get hands-on before the school break officially starts.It's an early preview of March Break fun happening this weekend, perfect for families looking to get ahead.
MARCH BREAK AT THE MUSEUM : Celebrate space exploration with a March Break theme focused on the Artemis II mission. While ages aren't specified, aviation and space museums usually offer great content for older kids and teens.Another great kick-off to the March Break theme happening this weekend.
: Experience the traditional Canadian process of making maple syrup! Take a wagon ride out to the sugarbush, learn how it's done, and finish with a tasty taffy-on-the-snow treat.Maple season is starting up, and this is a classic, hands-on farm experience running Saturday.
ROCKET ADVENTURES : Pretend to climb aboard a rocket ship, put on your jetpack, and go for a spacewalk to repair your ship! This is an imaginative activity perfect for younger space enthusiasts.It's an interactive, imaginative session happening Saturday morning at the Aviation Museum.
: Try out ice sculpting right here in Ottawa! This is a guided, hands-on workshop where you learn the basics of carving small sculptures safely indoors.This is a unique, rare workshop opportunity happening Saturday, perfect for a memorable family outing.
FREE : Get ready for a treasure hunt! This monthly sale features thousands of gently used books, CDs, and DVDs at great prices. It's a perfect, inexpensive way to stock up the library.It’s a wonderful Saturday morning activity for finding affordable reads for all ages.
FREE : This is a family-friendly fundraising walk supporting local charities that help those experiencing hurt and hunger. Bundle up the kids and participate in this meaningful, wintry walk around sunset.It's a registered family-friendly event happening Saturday evening for a good cause.
: Celebrate Pokemon Day at the cinema! This is a great meet-up spot for fans of the cards, games, and anime to connect before the featured screening.A fun, specific pop-culture event happening Saturday afternoon that targets fans of all ages.
: Head just outside Ottawa to Pakenham to kick off the maple season! This farm is a local favourite for getting a behind-the-scenes look at how they make the sweet stuff.It’s the launch of sugar bush season happening all weekend long near Ottawa.
: Visit the sugar shack to see the sap-to-syrup process and enjoy taffy on the snow. They also have trails if you want to snowshoe or walk off the sweetness!Another excellent spot for the start of sugar season, offering a full farm experience this Saturday.
FREE : Check out North America's only urban sugar shack, located super close to downtown! Admission is free, making this an easy and fun morning stop.It's free entry and conveniently located right in the city, a rare urban sugar shack experience.
Also On· anytime this weekend
6: Enjoy skating on over 2km of natural ice trails winding through the woods, illuminated by string lights in the evening. Great outdoor fun for the whole family if you have skates!Offers beautiful illuminated trails for skating all day Saturday and Sunday.
: Skate through 3.5 km of trails surrounded by orchards and evergreens. They sometimes have pickup hockey games, and you can warm up in the lodge afterwards.A long skating trail offering great scenery and activities for both Saturday and Sunday.
FREE : Grab free snowshoes and join a guide in Gatineau Park to discover what animal tracks you can find in the snow. It’s a great educational trek for older kids!This guided snowshoe trek is educational and completely free, running on both weekend days.
: If you're up for a drive, this spot has a 3km skating or snowshoe trail, tubing hill, and a petting zoo. A great all-in-one outdoor stop for Sunday.A great destination for active families, offering skating, snowshoeing, and tubing all in one place on Sunday.
FREE : The winter market is still running at Lansdowne! Browse crafts and produce from over 50 local artisans and farmers this Sunday morning.It's a free, local activity happening Sunday morning.
FREE : Another market listing at the same location, offering local produce, baked goods, and crafts. A good spot to grab lunch or snacks on Sunday.Confirms food and vendor shopping is on for Sunday morning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free kids events are on in Ottawa this weekend?
This weekend (Feb 28-01) there are great free options: Check out the Vanier Sugar Shack for a maple experience, or head to the Coldest Night of the Year Walk on Saturday evening. The Animal Tracking on Snowshoes guided tour in Gatineau Park is also free on both days.
Are the sugar bushes open?
Yes! Maple season is kicking off. Fulton's Sugar Bush Season, Sugarbush at the Log Farm (Saturday only this list), Stanley's Olde Maple Lane Farm, and the Vanier Sugar Shack all begin their runs this weekend.
What can we do on Sunday, March 1st?
Sunday is great for outdoor activities: RiverOak Skating Trail, Icelynd Skating Rink, and the Ottawa Farmers' Market (Lansdowne) are all running. You can also experience Countryside Adventures in Moose Creek.
