Things to do Family Day Weekend in Ontario

By Natalie Saturday, January 10, 2026

Family Day Weekend is the perfect excuse to bundle up, unplug, and make memories together — and Ontario delivers in a big way. From winter festivals and outdoor adventures to cozy indoor attractions and family-friendly getaways, there’s no shortage of things to do across the province.

Whether you’re planning a day trip, a weekend getaway, or just looking for fun close to home, here are the best things to do on Family Day Weekend in Ontario, February 14–16, 2026.

Family Day Weekend Festivals

Ontario’s winter festivals are designed with families in mind — think snow sculptures, skating, live entertainment, and hands-on activities for kids of all ages.

• Winterlude (Ottawa): One of Canada’s most iconic winter celebrations featuring ice sculptures, skating along the Rideau Canal (weather permitting), snow parks, cultural programming, and free family activities throughout the capital.
• SnowDay on the Waterfront (Thunder Bay) A lively waterfront winter event with ice sculptures, snowshoeing, ice fishing, music, games, and delicious local food.
• Hamilton Winterfest:A city-wide celebration spanning multiple locations with outdoor skating, art installations, family workshops, and pop-up winter fun.
• Snowman Mania (Wasaga Beach): A four-day winter festival packed with family fun, including live entertainment, snow games, and fireworks.
• Penetanguishene Winterama: Ontario’s oldest winter carnival featuring parades, hockey tournaments, skating, snowshoeing, family games, live entertainment, and outdoor winter activities.
• Voyageur Winter Carnival (Thunder Bay): Celebrate winter at Fort William Historical Park with indoor and outdoor activities, winter games, live music, artisan demonstrations, farm animals, and hearty seasonal food.
• Kidsfest T.O (Toronto): A high-energy indoor festival with themed inflatables, obstacle courses, live stage shows, pony rides, carnival games, prizes, and play zones for all ages.
• FROST & FIRE (Perth): A vibrant downtown winter festival combining ice sculptures, fire performances, outdoor activities, and family-friendly entertainment
• Winterlit (Halton – select dates): An enchanting winter lights experience with illuminated trails, campfires, and seasonal family activities in a conservation setting.
• Winter in the Wild (Algonquin Park): A nature-focused winter experience featuring guided outdoor activities, wildlife learning, and hands-on adventures for families
• Spirit of Winter (Kingston): Enjoy an enchanting winter celebration with festive lights, outdoor skating, and cozy bonfires.
• Bon Soo Winter Carnival (Sault Ste. Marie): A classic Northern Ontario winter carnival known for ice sculptures, snow slides, outdoor games, and family-friendly festivities.
• Gravenhurst Winter Carnival (Gravenhurst): A beloved Muskoka tradition with skating, winter games, kids’ activities, and small-town winter charm.

Outdoor Adventures

If your family loves being outdoors, Family Day Weekend is ideal for embracing winter together.

Popular Family Day outdoor ideas include:

• Skating Adventures: Whether it’s gliding on the Rideau Canal, enjoying a scenic skate on the Toronto Islands Skating Trail, or visiting local rinks, skating is a classic winter activity perfect for the whole family.
• Winter Horseback Riding: Experience the beauty of winter on horseback with guided trail rides available at ranches across Ontario, such as Fallbrook Trail Ranch, Von Doeler’s Ranch, Pathways on Pleasure Valley and HorsePlay Niagara
• Ice Fishing Adventures: Try your hand at ice fishing in popular spots like Lake Simcoe or Georgian Bay. Many operators provide family-friendly packages plus Family Day weekend you don’t need a license which means you can fish for free!
• Snow tubing at ski hills across Ontario. Affordable, low-effort fun with no experience needed!

Gaming, Arcades & Indoor Entertainment Centres

Perfect for cold-weather days, these indoor entertainment centres combine games, attractions, and high-energy fun in a warm, weather-proof setting.

• Playdium (Multiple Ontario locations)
  A large-scale indoor entertainment complex combining arcade games, virtual reality, bowling, and interactive attractions.
• The Rec Room (Multiple Ontario locations)
  A lively mix of arcade games, interactive entertainment, casual dining, and family-friendly fun under one roof.
• Big Time Entertainment (Ottawa & London)
  A full-scale entertainment venue offering bowling, arcade games, attractions, and family-friendly activities in one location.
• Glow Zone (Multiple Ontario locations)
  A glow-in-the-dark entertainment centre featuring mini putt, arcade games, and immersive neon-lit fun for all ages.
• Putting Edge (Multiple Ontario locations)
  A glow-in-the-dark indoor mini putt experience filled with colourful themes, music, and family-friendly competition.
• The Factory (London): Housed in an old Kellogg’s facility in London, The Factory is Canada’s biggest indoor family entertainment centre.

Trampolines, Adventure & Water Parks & Active Play

Let kids burn off energy with climbing, jumping, and active indoor play at these adventure-packed attractions across Ontario.

• Flying Squirrel Trampoline Park (Multiple Ontario locations)
  An energetic indoor trampoline park offering wall-to-wall jumping, foam pits, dodgeball, and freestyle fun for kids and teens.
• Urban Air Adventure Park (Sudbury)
  A high-energy indoor adventure park featuring climbing walls, obstacle courses, trampolines, and adrenaline-pumping attractions.
• Amazing Fun Park (Multiple Ontario locations)
  An indoor family fun centre with inflatables, climbing structures, arcade games, and active play zones for kids.
• Adventure Bay Family Water Park (Windsor)
  A tropical indoor water park offering water slides, wave pools, splash zones, and year-round family fun.

 Animals, Nature & Educational Experiences

From wildlife encounters to hands-on learning, these attractions blend education and fun while sparking curiosity in kids of all ages.

• • Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory (Cambridge)
    A tropical indoor conservatory where families can walk among free-flying butterflies, birds, and lush plant life year-round.
  • Bird Kingdom (Niagara Falls)
    A unique indoor aviary where families can explore lush habitats filled with free-flying birds and exotic animals.
  • Parc Omega (Near Ottawa)
    A drive-through wildlife park where families can observe Canadian animals up close in a natural outdoor setting.
  • Aquatarium (Brockville)
    An interactive aquatic discovery centre featuring hands-on exhibits, river life displays, and immersive learning experiences.
  • Reptilia (Whitby, London & Vaughan)
    A reptile zoo experience featuring snakes, lizards, turtles, crocodilians, and interactive educational exhibits.
  • Ontario Science Centre (Toronto)
    A hands-on science destination offering interactive exhibits, live demonstrations, and engaging learning experiences for all ages.
  • Little Canada (Toronto)
    A detailed indoor attraction showcasing Canada’s iconic landmarks through immersive miniature displays and interactive exhibits.
  • Butterfly Conservatory (Niagara Falls): Wander through a tropical paradise filled with hundreds of butterflies – a magical experience for all ages.

Cultural Experiences

Add a meaningful and educational touch to Family Day with museums and cultural attractions designed to engage both kids and adults.

• Canadian Museum of Nature (Ottawa): From dinosaurs to live butterflies, this museum offers engaging exhibits for kids and adults alike.
• Children’s Museum (London): A hands-on museum filled with interactive exhibits designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and learning through play.
• Canadian Children’s Museum (Gatineau): An immersive, hands-on museum where kids can explore cultures from around the world through interactive exhibits and imaginative play.

👉 Looking for more educational and cultural outings? Explore even more family-friendly attractions on our Museums in Ontario page. Museums often have special programming for Family Day weekend.

Free & Low-Cost Family Day Activities

You don’t need a big budget to make Family Day special.

Look for:

• Free public skating
• Library-hosted crafts and storytimes
• Community centre open houses
• City-run Family Day events
• Local festivals with free admission

Many municipalities across Ontario host free Family Day celebrations designed specifically for families. Check out our Event Calendar to find more Family Day events near you.

Happy Family Day!

Natalie