35 things to do in Ottawa during a pandemic summer

This summer is different than others summers, but can we all agree it’s better than last summer!? Usually our 50 things to do in Ottawa post is getting tens of thousands of hits and many of us are out exploring and visiting places. This summer is different and you may fall into one of the following categories, or maybe you fall into all of them depending on the day.

• You’re going to stay close to home.

• You’re going to go out and about, but only on solo adventures.

• You’re ready to start testing the waters at attractions again or getting together with friends.

We’ve been reaching out to attractions in the area, talking to parents, and we’re getting ready to go and try out as many things as possible! We can give you a sense for what to expect, so that you can decide if the activity is right for you and your family.

We’ll be updating this post as we get more information, but here are 25 ideas and things to do during a pandemic summer in Ottawa (keep checking in for updates!).

Staying close to home

Camping in the back yard - stay home and set up a tent in the backyard or even in the living room (using your personal judgement on what is safe for your children at their age)

Have fun with a splash at home (without a pool) - we’ve put together some ideas for games and ways to stay cool in the backyard this summer.

Reading in a hammock

Visit the National Gallery from home - the Gallery has a virtual tour that you can do from the comfort of your home (though they’re also opening up soon too!)

Create cards and art for seniors in isolation - we have 3 local businesses accepting drop offs and you can create some art while brightening up someone’s day!

Read all the books! The Ottawa Public Library is open again (with some restrictions) and they are participating in the TD Summer Reading Club and running a summer reading draw.

Experiment with making new drinks - we found some fun things to try in the archives (like making your own gingerale or watermelon juice) but you can also just Google or Pinterest ideas and experiment with fun and interesting drinks that you made yourselves.

Take an online class or online camp - there are lots around the city including folks who are running small workshops (like learning German through art run by a local artist) and camps on their own, to bigger organizations like Outschool that run hundreds of classes every week.

Take an online fitness class - you can support local small businesses that have brought their online classes online, like Salsa Babies and Fitmom Ottawa.

Try learning a new craft - maybe cross stitch which we created a tutorial for!

Solo adventures

Fallingbrook Waterfall

Fallingbrook Waterfall - did you know there is a really cool and accessible waterfall in Orleans?

Go for ice cream - we’ve listed some great east end and west end options to go out for an iced treat this summer.

Go exploring - there are lots of sites to be seen without going into any attractions or interacting with strangers. We’re going to be updating our challenge from last summer soon, but for now, go and check out some ideas for places where you can take fun photos around town!

Go on a hike - we’ve listed 5 family friendly hiking trails in the area on the blog.

Go camping - Ontario provincial parks are open for overnight and day visits. Facilities such as showers, laundry, group camping, picnic shelter rentals and swimming pools will remain closed for the season.

Child in a small sit on kayak

Go kayaking or stand up paddle boarding - there are relatively inexpensive options for child sized kayaks and SUPs and they pick it up really young and easily. You can then take them out onto bodies of the water in the city or find some lakes to visit to explore.

Mer Bleu - there are all kinds of walking paths at Mer Bleu for you to explore. You may even get a chance to feed some sweet winged visitors! (though that may depend on the time of year)

Petrie Island - go for a dip and explore the grounds at Petrie Island. There are times when the beach can get quite crowded so just watch for that when you decide to visit.

Out and about

Arbraska Lafleche is open again for both their caves tours and aerial courses. They have special Covid-19 procedures including needing to reserve ahead of time, smaller group sizes and they aren’t accepting cash. They’re also allowing for cleaning and rest time for equipment and waivers will be signed digitally on your own devices.

Brockville Aquatarium will likely open soon as the lockdown restrictions ease. In the meantime, you can check out their virtual tour. For in-person visits you must book online and it is now more of a guided tour experience than an immersive one. Guests most go through a screening process on arrival and wear a mask.

Check back soon to find out when the Canada Agriculture Museum is opening. They have Covid-19 procedures in place including limited numbers, required use of masks, directional signage, and washing and sanitizing stations.

Check back soon to find out when the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum is opening. They have Covid-19 procedures in place including limited numbers, required use of masks, directional signage, and washing and sanitizing stations.

Chute Coulonges - Chutes Coulonge is open for hiking, ziplining and obstacle courses. They have no Covid-19 information on their web site but we’ve heard that it was quite quiet for those visiting and that distancing wasn’t a concern.

City wading pools - the city has opened their 53 wading pools for the summer with reduced admissions numbers to allow for physical distancing. Check out the city’s site for more information.

Check back soon to find out when the Diefenbunker will open! You can book online or buy tickets in person, however numbers are limited so you may need to wait outside if people are in the museum longer than expected. You must wear a mask while in the museum. Although you cannot touch or engage with any of the exhibits, there is still lots to see and learn about!

Eco-Odyssey - They are open! We heard last summer that they’re signing people in one at a time and staff is behind glass, workers kept their distance and there was lots of hand sanitizer and cleaning products. This helped visitors feel confident that things were being kept clean.

Flying Squirrel - Flying Squirrel is temporarily closed, but should be re-opening this summer as lockdown restrictions ease. Check back soon!

Toddler at a splash pad

kids at the diefenbunker by a sign that says “out of bounds to all male personnel”

Little Ray’s Reptiles - Little Ray’s is open for small group private tours. Everyone wears masks but you may want to state ahead of time how comfortable you are with how close staff get to you and the kids so everyone is on the same page.

Marked - located in Carleton Place Marked has a range of activities including obstacle courses, water guns, axes throwing, batting cages and paintball. They’ve opened with Covid19 protocols including booking in advance, online payments and waivers. Lara are her family recently visited the obstacle course.

Mont Cascades - Mont Cascades is now open and have measures in place, including masks for staff if they can’t be distanced from you, wiping down the handles on tubes between each ride, and having people wait at a distance in lines. They are also letting people know it’s better to arrive changed and avoid the change rooms and that you will have to go wait in your car if there are downpours instead of the club house. (We’re going to be visiting soon and will update with first hand information)

Parc Omega - The park is open! Last summer Misty headed to the park with her kids and found it very safe. You are in your vehicle for much of the trip, and when you’re out walking there’s enough space for social distancing. Strict cleaning measures for the bathrooms were in place.

Pirate Life - Pirate Life is limiting 10 people per trip and has zones to keep groups apart (though the groups aren’t always more than 6 feet apart). They require all staff and audience to wear masks. They are also sanitizing commonly touched surfaces between every cruise. (Check out our blog post on our Covid summer visit)

Youth zip lining at arbraska lafleche

Saunders Farm is opening this summer for their Maze Days and Campfires. Book your tickets online!

Splash pads - the city has opened most of their splash pads for the season if you want to get out and cool down.

Wesley Clover Parks Drive In Theatre - take in a movie at the drive in. You can stay safely in your vehicle the entire time or have some interaction with others if you head to the bathrooms. Guest blogger Stephen visited last summer and shared his experience on the blog.

Family Friendly Campgrounds Close to Ottawa

Summer 2020 is the year of camping for many families. Lara shared how her kids love backyard camping, which is a lot of fun, but if you’re also looking to get away and out of urban (or suburban) Ottawa, check out these family-friendly campgrounds close to Ottawa. Some are provincial parks and some are privately owned. Before you book a site or visit, check what facilities/activities are available and continue to follow public health advice, including physical distancing by keeping at least two metres from others, wearing a face-covering when physical distancing may be challenging or not possible, washing hands regularly with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

Cardinal KOA 
609 Pittston Road
Cardinal, ON K0E 1E0
Phone: (613) 657-4536

Located an hour away from downtown Ottawa, this family-friendly campground has amenities for kids including a heated pool, a splash pad, kids climbing wall, a big bouncer, a mini-golf and a pirate ship playground (please note: at the time of writing this, these were closed due to COVID-19 restrictions). Activities also include hayrides on Saturdays and movies under the stars on Saturdays evenings. Summer Saturdays also include activities such as arts and crafts sessions, soccer and bike races.

Cedar Cove Resorts
100 Cedar Cove Road
White Lake, Ontario K0A 3L0
Phone: (613) 623-3133

Located about 45-minutes from Kanata in White Lake (just past Arnprior, Ontario), Cedar Cove offers seasonal sites and weekend camping. There is also a grocery store, pool, sandy beach, restaurant, volleyball courts, a playground (please note: at the time of writing this, the playground was closed due to COVID-19 restrictions). and more. White Lake offers fantastic fishing too and they sell worms and tackle on-site!

Murphy’s Point
2243 Elmgrove Road, R.R. 5
Perth, Ontario K7H 3C7
Phone: (613) 267-5060

 Located on Big Rideau Lake, Murphy’s offers a sandy beach, walking trails, weekend activities as well as an early 1900s mica mine you can book free tours of, as well as family-friendly interpretive programming from June to Labour Day weekend. You can also rent canoes and kayaks for an additional fee (please note: at the time of writing this, these were unavailable to rent due to COVID-19 restrictions) and there is a small general store that sells ice cream and popsicles. If you’re lucky, Chuck Commanda will be onsite building a birch bark canoe (hopefully he’ll be back in 2021). 

Lac Phillippe Campground
300, Lake Philippe Road, La Pêche (Ste-Cécile-de-Masham),
Québec
613-239-5000

The largest camping sector in Gatineau Park with a family atmosphere, located 3 kilometres from the registration kiosk, and close to services, amenities and beaches. 206 campsites, wooded and semi-wooded. Close to Wakefield and offering many trails and beautiful views of the lake, this is one of our favourite campgrounds. 

Rideau River
2680 Donnelly Drive
Kemptville, Ontario K0G 1J0
613 258-2740

Located on the historic Rideau Waterway, this is a nice family campground with shaded campsites. It’s only 40 minutes away from Ottawa and surrounded by many small towns that are also worth exploring. You can rent canoes and kayaks for an additional fee (please note: at the time of writing this, these were unavailable to rent due to COVID-19 restrictions), which is a great way to explore the waters of the Rideau – or if you have a motorboat, you can fish for muskie or bass. 

Wesley Clover Campgrounds
411 Corkstown Rd
Ottawa, ON. K2K 0J5
613-828-6632

Open from June to mid-October, Wesley Clover offers family-friendly camping without travelling very far! Just 15 minutes from downtown Ottawa in a tree-filled setting, this campground is the perfect urban getaway – especially if you are new to camping or have young kids and want to try camping someplace closer to home. There are beautiful urban trails, places to bike and a fire put. There is no water to swim or fish in, but if you’re looking for a night outdoors in a rural setting, Wesley Clover is the perfect campground for that.

Voyageur Provincial Park Campground
1313 Front Road, Box 130
Chute-à-Blondeau
K0B 1B0 613-674-2825

With four beaches on the Ottawa River, Voyageur offers lots of space for families to relax and swim. They also offer a summer nature interpretation program and great fishing right from shore! There are also walking trails and many picnic areas. Great for a day or a weekend stay.

What campgrounds are your family’s favourites?

Pandemic Summers: Routine or Free-for-All?

Just when you think you’ve got this homeschooling thing under control, summer arrives! With overnight camps being canceled, and day camps up in the air, parents continue to live under a cloud of uncertainty as we juggle work-from-home and childcare.

Going solo or getting help

Before we talk about routine, one consideration for summer is whether you need some help. We could fill this post with Pinterest-worthy activities to do with the kids, but that takes major planning and coordination by parents. If you aren’t working, maybe this is your jam. But if you’re still trying to work from home throughout the summer, a post with a million activity ideas might be overwhelming (although if you’re keen on activity lists, keep reading for a few ideas below, and stay tuned for our Summer Pandemic Bucket List post!)

One option depending on the situation in your own province would be to get some help with childcare. At this point it’s possible that day camps in Ottawa will go ahead, although they will look very different from past summer camps. Some facilities may take things outdoors, where there’s a better chance for kids to practice physical distancing. However, children will still need shelter during thunderstorms, to cool off in heat waves or to use the bathroom.

If a day camp isn’t something you want to risk, hiring a teenager may be the next best option. Having one person coming into your home, instead of having your children encounter multiple different people every day, may be preferable for you. A few things to consider would be:

• Where do the parents or siblings of the teenager work (outside of home? Front line?)

• Is the teenager fully aware of the risks, and willing to communicate openly about their own exposures (e.g. a boyfriend/girlfriend, other friends they are coming into contact with)

• How will babysitting work if you’re working from home? Will the babysitter be expected to take your children outside? Will you consider allowing them to go to museums or libraries if they are open?

Alternatively, some parents will rely on grandparents or an aunt/uncle to help out. Of course there are risks associated with that option as well, but that’s a personal decision you can make together as a family. It may also be easier to manage the number of people your family members come into contact with in your “bubble.”

New businesses are being launched as we speak, such as online babysitting and Rent-a-Counsellor, where you can hire a camp counsellor to come to your home and do activities with your kids (at a distance of course!) These are really cool alternatives, and we’d love to hear from you if you’re aware of these services being offered here in Ottawa.

Routine vs. Free Time

Whether you’re going it alone or asking for outside help, you will need to consider how to approach this unique summer situation. As a parent, you know your kids best. Some children thrive with a lot of structure, while others will balk at the idea of keeping a “schedule” over the summer months. The choice of how to pass these looong 10 weeks will depend on what works best for your family.

The case for routine

Many parents find that routine provides structure and sanity. Kids know what to expect, and screen time can be scheduled. Routines can include an educational component (but shhhhh, we won’t tell your kids they’re learning) - but they don’t have to. Check out the links for some fun ideas below. The first is from the blog A Little Bit of Momsense, and is a free printable for weekly themed “mom and dad” camp. The second is our Pinterest board for daily schedules, which we’ll be adding to as the weeks go by:

Weekly “themes”

Daily schedules

Some kids will push back against schedules, as it can feel too much like school or camp. TOO strict of a schedule and you risk stifling some of your child’s creativity. Try to include your children in writing up the schedule so that they have a say in what they’d like to focus on. Adjusting the schedule as you go may be helpful and necessary.

The case for Free Time

You may choose to do away with schedules and routines and just let your children roam. OR perhaps you do a bit of both!

Many children thrive when given the opportunity to focus on what they want. A surprising amount of learning takes place even when you think your child isn’t doing anything “productive,” and summer is the ideal time to reframe learning as fun. Also, mounting evidence shows that letting kids be bored leads to some awesome brain growth and creativity!

Of course, the downside is that they choose to do something that you don’t want them doing - like video games or other screen activities. It’s good to head into the summer with a realistic idea of how much screen time you’re willing to let your kids have - are you fine with unlimited time? One or two hours? None? It’s a personal choice and depends on your family situation. If you’re still working from home without any help, screen time will probably be essential for your sanity.

Another potential issue with free time is that kids will want to explore the neighbourhood, and will inevitably come into contact with friends. Maybe your street is already teeming with kids! Depending on how the situation unfolds, it may be possible to “bubble” with one other family that you’re close with so that your kids can play together. Or, maybe your kids are old enough that they will respect social distancing rules while still spending time with friends. Most research is showing that small group outdoor activities carry a low risk of the virus spreading (based on what we know so far) - check out this handy article for a risk assessment of common summer activities.

Regardless of how you approach this summer, remember to be gentle with yourself. Parenting in a pandemic is not regular parenting, and we’re in this for the long haul. Taking things one day at a time is our only way through.

How to Stay Cool in your Backyard this Summer

The COVID-19 pandemic means many of us are sticking close to home this summer, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun and stay cool in our own backyards! With a little creativity your backyard can be a fun, outdoor paradise that is functional and keeps you cool.

Have fun getting wet 

Sprinkler Games

I don’t know about you, but as a child in the 80s, the sprinkler was my main source of coolness on a hot summer’s day. Nowadays, sprinklers come in different colours and shapes and are so much fun to run through to cool off!

Add to sprinkler fun with games such as Sprinkler Freeze Tag where the players run and dance around the turned-off sprinkler while someone stands by the tap. Turn the water  back on, and players must freeze (in the sprinkler spray!) until the water is turned off again. Any player that moves while the water is on is out!

Or turn Simon Says into a sprinkler game! Players can circle the sprinkler and each of Simon’s directions have something to do with the sprinkler, such as “Simon Says, put your right hand in the water.”

Water Table 

A good water table can provide hours of entertainment as kids use their imagination and find plastic toys to slide, float, and sink in the water table.

You can add even more fun to water tables by having kids create their own boats out of LEGO, sticks or leaves and having them race them around the water table.

Tag Along Toys at 1500 Bank Street (check them out on Facebook as they’re constantly getting in fun summer toys!) sells Sublife toys that are fun for kids to play with in a bathtub, water table or a swimming pool! These submarine-like toys go underwater like real submarines. They can dive to over 6 feet deep and re-surface by themselves again and again!

Water Balloons

I am not a fan of the waste created by water balloons, but the good news is you can find reusable, more environmentally friendly water balloons that can be found locally.

The water balloon version of 'Hot Potato' is a fun twist on the original. Participants sit in a circle and start passing around a water balloon. Play music and then, at random intervals, turn off the music.  Whoever is left holding the water balloon or whoever makes it burst it is out. The last participant is the winner.

Find creative ways to make shade 

If you’re lucky and have shade trees in your backyard, this is a perfect place for a hammock or for a backyard picnic, but if you don’t have any shade trees get creative and make outdoor forts out of old light-coloured cotton blankets or invest in a big umbrella that will cast enough shade for kids to play or to create an ideal backyard picnic spot. For more permanent shade, consider investing in a pergola, awning or gazebo.

Make a splash! 

Not everyone has a permanent above ground or in-ground pool, but luckily there are many different types of pools available that fit every space and budget. From pop-up pools from Canadian Tire to kiddie pools that are just deep enough to sit in and splash around the important thing is getting wet and having fun! Just make sure to cover the pool with a tarp or pool cover when not in use to keep the bugs out and to keep the water just cool enough without getting too hot from the sun.

Fun Pool Toys

If you’re looking for fun pool toys, support local and shop at Tag Along Toys, at 1500 Bank Street. From fun floats to toys that make a big splash, they have pool toys for all ages. Including these Tropical Kahuna Balls that are not only durable but also bounce on water! They make for a fun came of catch in the pool!

Or if you’re a fan of fun floats, like I am, check out the melting ice cream pool float also available at Tag Along Toys.

I bought a pink flamingo float, similar to the white swan below, from Tag Along Toys three summers ago and it’s still going strong! They are built to last (and believe me, I use mine A LOT!)

Stay hydrated

Stay cool by drinking plenty of water, especially on hot days. You can also stay hydrated by eating fruits and vegetables such as cucumber, watermelon and celery that will help keep your body hydrated and cool. Kid-approved smoothies work too!

Of course, frozen treats such as popsicles are always a welcome treat, even if they are healthy ice pops.

If you have any creative ideas on how to stay cool in your backyard this summer, leave a comment and let us know! Have fun this summer and don’t forget to apply sunscreen!

5 Best Places to get Ice Cream in Ottawa's West End

Following Misty’s post on the 5 Best Places to get Ice Cream in Ottawa’s East End, I thought I would share my family’s top five favourite spots to get ice cream in Ottawa’s West End. Over the years, we have sampled a lot of ice cream in Ottawa’s West End including these five spots:

Brett’s Ice Cream

1 Beaverbrook Road, Kanata

Whether you are craving soft serve or a milkshake, Brett’s has that and more. Simply delicious and a perfect way to beat the heat while in Ottawa West!

Carp Custom Creamery

3763 Carp Road, Carp

Known simply as “Carp Creamery,” this ice cream shop serves up delicious homemade ice cream and makes ice cream cakes (among other things). They have over 60 flavours, which means there is a flavour (or two) for everyone in the family. They even sell it by the 1L tubs, should you want to indulge at home too!

Carp Custom Creamery has also opened a small location within the new Kichesippi Beer Brewery in Bells Corners! Yum!

Jo-Jo’s Creameria

1573 Stittsville Main, Stittsville

Jo-Jo’s makes ice cream even more fun with specialty cones and unique creations such as the “Cookie Monster" “Baby Shark” and the “Unicorn". Your kids eyes will be almost as huge as their ice cream cone when the see these fun creations. Note: it’s not inexpensive by any means, but it is definitely a fun summer treat for all ages - and they even serve vegan flavours!

Purple Cow’s Ice Cream

111 Colonnade Rd, Nepean

Located within the Merivale Acres Business Park, Purple Cow’s Ice Cream offers many different flavours of ice cream, homemade waffle cones as well as other sweet treats including fudge! This place is a hidden gem!

Redd’s Ice Cream

1523 Stittsville Main St. (Behind Quitters Coffee)

Open in the summer only, this bright red food truck located behind Quitters Coffee, serves ice cream from Carp’s Custom Creamery. There are always at least half a dozen flavours and there is outdoor seating if you want to eat your treat on site.

Honourable mention: Scoops Ice Cream

111 Waba Rd, Pakenham

A bit of a drive, but well worth it, Scoops is only open in the summer, but the drive to Pakenham is scenic and well worth it. We tend to grab our ice cream and then go sit by the stone bridge, located nearby. Scoops services soft serve and they make their own waffle cones! If you go, be sure to check out their specialty, the Hurricane!