19 fun Quebec City family activities
Quebec City offers a range of unique family activities to enjoy with kids of all ages. From exploring a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Old Québec to riding roller coasters at an indoor amusement park, there are plenty of things to do with kids in Quebec City. You can take the kids zip lining at Montmorency Falls, explore an aquarium, and take a ferry ride across the St. Lawrence River. Learn about some of the fun Quebec City attractions for kids and families, with indoor and outdoor options so you’re ready for any weather forecast.
Fun things to do with kids in Quebec City, Canada
There are tons of kids’ activities in Quebec City to enjoy year-round with your family. From springtime strolls along nature trails to summer zip-line adventures, autumn visits to historic sites, and wintertime family festivals, you’ll find it all in Quebec City.
1. Walk atop the historic city walls of Old Québec
Old Québec is a fun place to explore with kids in Quebec City. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a walled city composed of Haute-Ville and Basse-Ville, or Upper Town and Lower Town, and is connected by a historic funicular car that lets you experience incredible views over the city. You can explore atop the walls of the Old City, a unique way to appreciate the fortified city’s historic past. Within Old Québec, you’ll find everything from cobbled streets and charming historic buildings to sculptures, fountains, and plenty of local shopping and restaurants.
2. Tour the Plains of Abraham on Abraham’s Bus
The Plains of Abraham are a historic area inside Quebec City’s Battlefield Park, the site of the historic Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759. This public park is often likened to New York’s Central Park and is a community green space for families to enjoy in the heart of the city. The Plains of Abraham Museum explores the area’s historic past and battles, as well as the lives and identities of those who lived there. Abraham’s Bus offers family-friendly tours of the area’s most popular historical sights in a humour-filled guided tour format that’s great for kids.
3. Play in an indoor amusement park at Méga Parc
If you’re looking for things to do in Quebec City with kids, Méga Parc provides tons of kid-friendly entertainment within an indoor amusement park. Located in Galeries de la Capitale, the park offers a variety of rides, games, and attractions to suit any age range. You’ll find everything from bumper cars and carousel rides to an ice skating rink, a Ferris wheel, and roller coasters, plus plenty of classic fair food and snacks.
4. Go zip lining at Montmorency Falls
Just a short drive from Quebec City you can see a spectacular waterfall on the Montmorency River, the Montmorency Falls. Located within Montmorency Falls Park, this large waterfall stands over 270 feet tall, nearly 100 feet higher than Niagara Falls. There are a variety of different ways to see the waterfall, from crossing a suspension bridge above the falls to riding in a gondola on a funitel cableway or speeding down a zip line towards the falls. In wintertime, the falls are especially beautiful as they’re surrounded by ice and snow.
5. See unique marine life at Aquarium du Québec
The Aquarium of Québec is a popular attraction for kids in Quebec City that houses thousands of aquatic animals and marine life. Indoor and outdoor spaces within the aquarium range from local exhibits on the St. Lawrence River to fresh and saltwater exhibits, wetlands, and the arctic sector. Interactive kids’ exhibits include touch pools, an adventure circuit, and seasonal splash pads. Wintertime visitors can check out the aquarium’s annual Festi Lumière, with more than 50,000 holiday lights displayed.
6. Stroll nature trails through the park at Domaine de Maizerets
Domaine de Maizerets is a spacious public park and nature reserve off of the Boulevard Montmorency. This park provides plenty of things to do with kids in Quebec City, from children’s playgrounds and a swimming pool to scenic nature trails and a lush arboretum to explore. A number of historical buildings are available to tour, including the Maizerets House and Chapel Lacroix, as well as a stone and timber barn and a historic water ring fortification. Domaine de Maizerets provides a varied calendar of family-friendly events throughout the year, from programs and children’s activities to festivals and seasonal celebrations.
7. Get creative in a children’s toy store at Benjo
Benjo is one of the great spots in Quebec City for kids, a large children’s toy store known for its playful atmosphere and educational toys. Located in Nouvo St-Roch, Benjo focuses on children’s products that spark creativity, curiosity, and imagination. You can head to the Benjo Crafts Workshop for hands-on arts and crafts projects, or go for a sugar rush in their Candy Department. You’ll also find a mini-train ride, an in-house cafe, and a ton of unique games and toys for kids to enjoy.
8. Explore charming villages on the Île d’Orléans
Attractions for families in Quebec City include the Île d’Orléans, or Isle of Orleans, an island just a few miles east of the city. Composed of 6 unique villages, the Isle of Orleans is rich with culture, history, and beautiful scenic views. Rural farmlands on the island provide a variety of fresh fruits and veggies at roadside stands, along with sugar maple stands with maple syrup products. Locally owned businesses range from wineries and artisanal cheese makers to art galleries, cafes, and craft shops. Sightseeing locations include multiple historic churches and heritage buildings, beaches, chocolatiers, and a regional museum.
9. See the city skyline from the water on the Quebec City Ferry
Riding the Quebec City Ferry across the St. Lawrence River is one of the many fun things to do in Quebec City for kids. The ferry travels the Québec‑Lévis crossing between the north and south shores of the St. Lawrence River, which is great for both commuting and sightseeing opportunities. The Quebec City Ferry operates year-round and is a particularly fun ride for kids in the winter, where you can stand near the front of the ferry and watch as it blazes through the ice.
Cool museums for kids in Quebec City
You’ll find plenty of interesting museum attractions for families in Quebec City, from exploring collections of artwork to learning about First Nations history and culture. You can view relics and artifacts within one of Canada’s oldest churches, or watch dynamic recreations of historic battles from Quebec City’s past.
10. Visit an Indigenous village at the Huron Traditional Site
The Huron Traditional Site of Wendake is a First Nations urban reserve where visitors can learn about the culture and history of the Hurons within a recreated Indigenous village. On a guided tour, you can see traditional Huron dress and cultural exhibits, offered in multiple languages. Additional experiences range from workshops on animal skins to traditional games and craftsmanship, storytelling, and a native show with sacred dances and ceremonies. Visitors should remember to be respectful when visiting this sacred cultural site.
11. Explore art within the Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec
The Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec, or National Museum of Fine Arts, is an art museum located in Battlefield Park. Each building within the museum complex houses a different type of artwork, from contemporary art in the Pierre Lassonde Pavilion to historical art in the Gérard-Morisset Pavilion and modern art within the Charles Baillairgé Pavilion. You can explore expansive collections of fine art from Quebec and other parts of Canada, as well as select pieces from international artists. A paid parking lot is available adjacent to the museum complex.
12. See immersive humanities exhibits at the Musée de la Civilisation
The Musée de la Civilisation, or Museum of Civilization, is a humanities museum near the St. Lawrence River in Old Québec. The museum collections include the historic evolution of society over hundreds of years, as well as immersive exhibits within the children’s Discovery Zone. MLAB Creaform is a laboratory of innovation and digital creation within the museum, with publicly available equipment and resources ranging from green screens to 3D scanners and robotics sets. The museum hosts a diverse calendar of events year-round, from workshops and artist talks to live music and performance arts.
13. Stand inside one of Canada’s oldest churches, the Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec
The Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec, known as Our Lady of Quebec City, is one of the oldest churches in Canada. Located in Old Québec, this historic cathedral is a beautiful historical attraction for families in Quebec City, with neoclassical architecture and unique features. Within the expansive chapel, you can view elaborate golden-hued sculptures and ornate stained glass windows along with 3 Casavant organs. The chapel’s museum displays collections of historic religious artwork and artifacts, from paintings and sculptures to ceremonial vessels and elaborate garb.
14. Learn about regional history at Musée du Fort
Musée du Fort is a unique family attraction in Quebec City that’s a combination history museum and guided walking tour through Old Québec. Your tour begins at the museum, with a dynamic light and sound show across a massive scale model of the city as it stood in 1750. This interactive history lesson covers major events from that time, including the battle of the Plains of Abraham. Afterwards, you’ll adventure through Old Québec on a guided walking tour, learning about the historic district and colourful residents from the city’s past. Musée du Fort tours are an all-ages experience.
Annual festivals for families in Quebec City
Some of the most unique things to do in Quebec City with kids are wrapped up in the city’s annual festivals and celebrations that are held throughout the year. You can jam to live music at the Quebec City Summer Festival or explore creative art installations around the city during the Unusual Passages event. You can dress up in historical garb while celebrating the New France Festival, or watch festive wintertime parades in the snow during Carnaval de Québec.
15. Listen to live music at the Festival d’été de Québec
The Festival d’été de Québec, or Quebec City Summer Festival, is one of the biggest annual outdoor music festivals in Canada. Typically held across 11 days each July, this festival features a huge array of musical genres, artists, bands, and events across multiple stages. At Place de la Famille, you’ll find family-friendly events ranging from children’s animation to parties and kids’ music, as well as a variety of kid-friendly street performers in Old Québec.
16. Dress up in 18th-century garb at the New France Festival
The New France Festival is an annual festival celebrating Quebec’s history from the 17th and 18th centuries. Held in August, this family activity in Quebec City offers an immersive experience into the past with streets full of costumed historic reenactors, parades, food tastings, and kid-friendly events. Attendees are encouraged to dress up in period clothing during the festival, adding to the historic atmosphere of the event.
17. Celebrate the winter season at Carnaval de Québec
The Carnaval de Québec, or Quebec Winter Carnival, is an annual winter celebration in Quebec City. Typically held in early to mid-February, Carnaval is one of the best wintertime things to do in Quebec City with kids, with virtually all events being family-friendly. Both daytime and nighttime parades are held during Carnaval, led by the event’s snowman-esque mascot, Bonhomme Carnaval. Massive events across the city range from an ice-sculpted palace to sporting events, parties and banquets, contests, and sleigh races. Head to the Plains for family-friendly events in the park, with a winter amusement park and snow sculptures.
18. Explore an annual artists market at Plein Art
Plein Art is a large arts and crafts festival held annually each summer in Quebec City. This outdoor event is held under multiple tents, each housing an array of artists and artisan craftspeople displaying different mediums. In addition to an artists’ market, the festival offers live art demonstrations and workshop events, as well as family-friendly activities.
19. Find hidden public art in the city during Passages Insolites
Passages Insolites, or Unusual Passages, is an annual outdoor public art event and exhibition with exhibits across Quebec City. This playful annual event is essentially a public art crawl where attendees follow a map around the city experiencing large-scale artwork melded into urban spaces. Large art pieces may seem to emerge from buildings or disappear into the ground, often presenting in surprising and creative ways, giving you the chance to explore Quebec City with kids in a new way.