20 Free Things to Do with Kids in Montreal This Weekend

Montreal on a Budget: Family Edition

Montreal is one of the best cities in North America for free family activities. Between the parks, festivals, public art, and community programs, you can fill an entire weekend without opening your wallet. Here are 20 ideas our team keeps coming back to.

Parks & Green Spaces

1. Mount Royal Park — Hike to the Kondiaronk Belvedere for a panoramic view of the city. The trail from Peel Street entrance takes about 30 minutes with kids. Pack a picnic and make a morning of it. In winter, bring a sled — the hill near Beaver Lake is perfect for tobogganing.

2. Parc La Fontaine — The Plateau's beloved park has two playgrounds (one for toddlers, one for older kids), a wading pool in summer, and paths around the ponds. Street performers often set up near the main entrance on weekends.

3. Canal de Lachine — Walk or bike the 14.5 km path from Old Montreal to Lachine. The path is flat and paved, perfect for kids on bikes or scooters. Stop at the locks to watch boats pass through.

4. Parc Jean-Drapeau — Take the free shuttle from the Jean-Drapeau metro station and explore the islands. The playgrounds near the Biosphere are excellent, and kids love watching the planes take off from Trudeau Airport across the water.

Cultural Freebies

5. Public library programs — Montreal's library network runs free Saturday morning storytimes, craft workshops, and coding clubs for kids. The Grande Bibliothèque in the Quartier Latin has an incredible children's section.

6. Street art walking tour — The Plateau and Mile End neighbourhoods are covered in world-class murals. Download a free walking map from the MURAL festival website and turn it into a scavenger hunt for kids.

7. Jean-Talon Market — Wander through Quebec's largest public market. Kids love sampling free cheese and fruit at the stalls. In summer, the outdoor section bursts with colour and activity.

8. Old Montreal exploration — The cobblestone streets, historical architecture, and waterfront make for a magical walk. Street performers entertain in Place Jacques-Cartier, and the Old Port promenade is free to stroll.

Seasonal Favourites

9. Splash pads — From June through September, Montreal operates dozens of free splash pads. Parc Jarry, Parc Laurier, and Parc Beaubien all have excellent ones.

10. Public outdoor skating — In winter, the Esplanade at Olympic Park and Beaver Lake on Mount Royal offer free skating (bring your own skates).

11. Fête des Neiges — The annual January/February winter festival at Parc Jean-Drapeau features free snow tubing, ice sculptures, and family activities.

Active Adventures

12-15. Bike the borough paths, explore nature parks like Cap-Saint-Jacques, fly kites on the Plains of Abraham, and geocache using free apps — all completely free.

Creative Fun

16-20. Visit free gallery exhibitions, attend outdoor concert series in summer, join community garden programs, explore the Botanical Garden's free outer paths, and catch free outdoor movie screenings in July and August.

Pro Tips

• Check MTL Blog weekly for free event listings
• Follow @MTL on Instagram for last-minute free activity announcements
• Borough websites list free local programming that often flies under the radar

Find more outdoor activities in Montreal on FamiliQC.