The Snowboard Mom

If you’re looking for some original things to do, but wanting to stick to a budget it can be tough.  I’m always looking for those special outings and I’ve come up with a list of free activities for kids in Montreal.

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
The museum has free weekend workshops for kids. There are different activities depending on the age and workshops start for children as little as 2 years old! Check out their website to see what the theme is (it’s usually based on one of the exhibitions). Always lots of fun!

McCord Museum
Every Sunday, the McCord Museum offers a free workshop for children 3-12 years old.  It’s a hands-on workshop highlighting a theme related to our exhibitions and collections. The themes of the activities change with the seasons and the exhibitions on display.
Until November 12, 2017
With the exhibition Illusions: The Art of Magic, families can discover the Golden Age of Magic by admiring the stunning promotional posters that showcased the shows of the century’s greatest magicians. During the workshops, children can try out the basics of magic tricks and invent a magician character whom they will then illustrate on a small poster.

City Hall Free Guided Tour
Have you ever wanted to take a peak into Montreal City Hall? Well you can, and it’s free! The hour long tour starts at the Hall of Honour. and you then visit the Council Chamber, the terrace, and the Mayor’s Gallery. To learn more visit the city of Montreal’s website. 

Centre de la Nature, Laval
Although not technically in Montreal, it’s a 20 min drive to see a pretty spectacular park that also includes a petting zoo, amazing flower garden, splash park, playground, train ride and water activities (there is a small fee for the boat rentals and train ride.)
We’ve been and it’s fantastic! To learn more about the Centre de la nature, visit their website.

Historical Fur Trade at Lachine Canal

Free for 2017, the Fur Trad at Lachine National Historic site is educational and inspirational. Step into the vibrant fur trade era in the heart of Old Lachine. Pass through the doors of the 1803 stone warehouse and relive a vibrant page of history through the lives of voyageurs, the bourgeois and the Amerindians. Imagine bales of pelts, stacked crates of goods and barrels of provisions. In the air there is the distinct smell of beaver pelts – the most coveted of the furs brought out of the wilderness.

Plane Watching 
As simple as plane watching sounds, it’s kid approved and really cool! We’ve taken our son plane watching a few times at Jacques-De-Lesseps Observatory Park in Dorval. It’s park especially built for aviation enthusiasts.  A great activity that your children will love! Don’t forget to bring a hat and wear sunscreen, there is no shade!