If you’re sticking around town this March Break, you may be wondering “Just what can we DO during five days with no school?” Luckily, Montreal boroughs are offering a ton of both indoor and outdoor options between February 27 to March 3, 2023, as well as some that continue into the following week. Families can take part in activities or borrow outdoor equipment from the library, try a new sport in the city’s large nature parks, enter a snowman-building contest, or test out their balance at an indoor skatepark. There are activities for all ages and interests.

Play outdoors

Want to stretch your legs and breathe in some fresh air? These activities are for you.

Winter hikes
Thursday, March 2, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Pointe-aux-Prairies Nature Park
Sunday, March 5, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Bois-de-Saraguay Nature park
Explore the city’s large nature parks and learn about how animals adapt to the season and other winter surprises. In the company of a GUEPE nature educator.

Guided snowshoeing tour
February 27 to March 3 – Frédéric-Back Park
Free loan of cross-country skis, snowshoes, kites as well as sleds, mats and saucers for sliding. For children aged 8 to 12 accompanied by an adult. Check out what is happening at the park here: Discover one of Montreal’s largest parks.

Snow sculptures
February 27 to March 3, noon to 4 p.m. – Frédéric-Back Park
Children can showcase their creativity. Snow blocks and equipment are provided, and an animator will accompany the children as they create their work.

Try out snowboarding in town
Snowskate initiation workshops: Sunday, February 26, 1p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, February 28, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, March 2, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
LaSalle’s new snow park lets kids (and grownups) try out snowboarding skills and downhill skiing at the mini hill located behind the city hall (55 Dupras Ave.). Consult the rules before your visit.

Snowskate park
A new slope at Joseph-Paré Park in Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie offers snowboarders and snowskating enthusiasts the opportunity to practice these sports at the specially designed hill that’s reserved exclusively for jumps and acrobatic figures. Several modules have been designed for beginners. On-site, you can borrow snowskate boards and helmets, or bring your own equipment. Visit when you like or attend an introductory workshop on Sunday, March 5, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

APIK – the winter and sports event in the Latin Quarter
From February 24 to March 5, St. Denis St. will host the unique APIK winter event. Skiing and snowboarding competitions, a mini snow park, an obstacle course, a bouldering wall, a DJ and more free activities. Find all the info and times here: apik.tribu.co/en/

Sled down the mountain
February 27 to March 5, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Frédéric-Back Park
The sledding hills will be open if snow conditions permit.

Snowman Contest
The city’s snowman contest is back for a third year! The public is invited to submit their best snowmen creations. The public can vote for their favourite sculpture until March 12. A few rules and conditions apply. Check here for details: Kids can enter snowman -building contest.

Outdoor skating at Parc La Fontaine 
The park in Le Plateau-Mont-Royal features three skating rinks, including a large pond for free skating with festive music. Open throughout the season while conditions permit. Rental equipment is available at the Parc Lafontaine chalet from Monday to Friday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday,10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Discover Nature

Parc Jean-Drapeau
Regular schedule – Parc Jean-Drapeau
Many activities are offered at Parc Jean-Drapeau this winter. In addition to free sliding, there’s a fatbike course, an ice wall for climbing, hiking and cross-country ski trails, and a large 500-metre skating rink illuminated at night.

Being a bird in winter
Monday, February 27, noon to 4 p.m. – Cap-Saint-Jacques Nature Park
Activities and games for the whole family surrounding the theme of birds in winter.

A critter in the woods ($)
Tuesday, February 28, Wednesday, March 1 and Friday, March 3, 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Mont-Royal Park
In the form of a game of riddles, take the whole family on a quest to find the tracks of a mysterious animal that prowls the forest of Mount Royal.

Mammals make do
Wednesday, March 1, noon to 4 p.m. – I’Île-de-la-Visitation Nature Park
An activity for the whole family. Nature educators will offer activities to learn more about mammals during the winter. Take part in a tracking hike, a presentation of artifacts and footprints, and active games.

Discover the birds of Mount Royal ($)
Thursday, March 2, 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Cap-Saint-Jacques Nature Park (NOT at Mount Royal!)
During this walk through the forest, observe birds in their natural habitat and learn how they adapt to survive the winter.

Nature in winter
Friday, March 3, 12 noon to 4 p.m. – Pointe-aux-Prairies Nature Park
An activity for the whole family. All-afternoon activities and games about nature’s ability to survive the winter season.

Seed sorting activity
Thursday, March 2, 2023, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. – Borough Hall, 55 Dupras Av., room 414
Participants will have the chance to take home seeds of native plants and indoor seedlings. Registration required: info@ecolasalle.org

Nighttime nature hike
Saturday, March 11, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Bois-de-Liesse Nature Park, Les Champs reception chalet (3555 Douglas-B.-Floreani St.)
Go on a hike with a GUEPE educator-naturalist and discover some of the secrets of winter survival in the forest. For all,but geared to children 6 and up. The hike can be done on foot or with snowshoes. Bring your own snowshoes or rent them through the GUEPE online booking platform (for a fee). No payments or reservations can be made on site. Registration is required via the online reservation platform.

To sweeten the break

Taffy on snow tasting
February 28 to March 3 – Pointe-aux-Prairies, Bois-de-Liesse, Cap-Saint-Jacques and Île-de-la-Visitation nature parks
Montreal’s nature parks will, in turn, offer taffy on snow to celebrate the arrival of spring. Consult the calendar and search using one of the park names above.

Enjoy free maple taffy at Père-Marquette Park in Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie on February 26 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and February 28 and March 2 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Find all of the activities happening in this park HERE.

Maple syrup festival
Saturday, March 4 and Sunday, March 5, from noon to 4 p.m. – Cap-Saint-Jacques Nature Park
Learn all about maple syrup processing, from harvesting to tasting. Free tasting on site. Yum!

Seasonal services

Equipment rental
You don’t have any equipment to enjoy outdoor activities? No problem! Cross-country skis, snowshoes, sleds, and toboggans can be rented in some of the larger parks and nature parks. Find out what’s offered here: Winter activities offered at Montreal nature parks.

You can also rent skates in Mount Royal Park and at the Tranquille Esplanade skating rink during the Montréal en lumière festival. Kites, sleds, cross-country skis and snowshoes are available for winter sports on weekends by reservation at Frédéric-Back Park.

Loan of outdoor equipment in four libraries
Children’s sleds, snowshoes for children and adults, spare crampons, snowshoe extensions, walking sticks for adults are available in these four libraries: Marie-Uguay, Mordecai-Richler, Rosemont and Saul-Bellow. See all the details in the article Libraries loan out winter equipment.

Indoor activities

Space for Life Museums
Regular schedule – 5 Space for Life museums
Discover the five Espace pour la vie museums: tours, exhibits and activities featuring animals, insects, planets, plants, water, and the environment. Some activities are indoors, and others are outdoors.

Pointe-à-Callière Museum
Saturday, February 25 to Saturday, March 4, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Every day, a host of free outdoor activities await you to discover artistic and cultural traditions from Africa, Asia and Latin America. Make a date of it and also visit the indoor museum ($) which has interactive exhibits and cultural and historical displays that appeal to all.

The TAZ (skatepark and roulodome)
Open daily – hours vary. – 8931 Papineau Avenue
Canada’s largest indoor skatepark, located near Frédéric-Back Park, offers an indoor practice space for rollerblades, skateboarding, BMX, or scooters. Courses and camps are available.

Free indoor skating
Many borough arenas are offering extra skating times and even hours for shinny hockey and ringuette. Here’s one to check out:

Sportplexe Pierrefonds Arena (14700, boulevard Pierrefonds)
Free Spring Break skating February 28 and March 1 to 4, from noon to 3 p.m.

Free swimming
Special Spring Break Schedules are available at many of the borough’s pool. Check out Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard
in Ahuntsic-Cartierville, or the toddler-friendly splash pad at Piscine Annie-Pelletier in Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve.

Montreal Libraries: Over 150 free workshops to entertain young people

Montreal’s 45 libraries offer a wide range of activities and a vast selection of books, films, and music on-site or online. During spring break, more than 150 free workshops will be held in the libraries to entertain youngsters: bingo, game animation, science experiments, and more!

Some of the featured spring break activities:

Spring break bingo
Monday, February 27, at 11 a.m. – Bibliothèque du Boisé
Participants in this winter version of the game have a chance to win prizes.

Dancing with Superheroes
Monday, February 27, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Bibliothèque Jean-Corbeil
Children will be able to create their own dancing robot and understand the basic concepts of robot circuits and components. A fun and technological activity led by Décode le code. For 7- to 12-year-olds.

Not to be done at home: science experiments
Thursday, March 2, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Bibliothèque Marc-Favreau
A variety of fun and scientific stations to explore. For ages 5 and up. A great activity to do with the whole family.

LEGO Challenge: Labyrinth
Thursday, March 2, 11 a.m. – Bibliothèque Mordecai-Richler
Challenge: create a code to allow the Lego characters to get out of the maze the kids have created.

Marine life in 3D
Wednesday, March 8, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. – William G. Boll Library (Roxboro).
See what you can create with a 3D pencil in this workshop. An activity by Décode le code. Presented in English. For children 8 to 12.

Storytime with Akilah
Thursday, March 9, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. – William G. Boll Library (Roxboro)
Akilah Newton will read her book Movers, Shakers, History Makers: The Canadian Black History Book of Rhymes.  Discover dozens of politicians, artists, pioneers and inspiring athletes. Presented in English. For children 5 and older.

Mother Goose storytime
Thursday, March 9, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. – Bibliothèque Benny (CDN-NDG)
English storytime for toddlers up to the age of 3. Introduction to reading, words and sounds. Share stories, rhymes, songs and musical games with your little one in a fun atmosphere.

→ Check out the complete Library programming.

Borrow a museum pass
Starting March 1 – Visit museums for free
Do you have a membership card from the Montreal library network? You can borrow passes to visit the Écomusée du fier monde, the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal and the McCord Stewart Museum — for free.

Investigative games in libraries
Various dates – A fun activity available in 20 libraries
How well do you know Alice in Wonderland? With clues and tools, decipher the secret codes to solve the mystery of Wonderland. A lively adventure that will enchant children and parents and lead them to (re)discover this classic of literature.

Musical Instrument Loan
Thanks to the Sun Life Musical Instrument Loan Program, it’s possible to borrow a musical instrument from several libraries for a period of three weeks. Try out the guitar, xylophone, percussion instruments and more.

Maisons de la culture: free cultural activities for children
For indoor activity options, the Maisons de la culture presents films, children’s theatre, circus or puppet shows, and more. This is a great opportunity to discover local artists.

Some of the featured activities during the spring break:

Hermanitas – Théâtre des Petites mes
Thursday, March 2, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – Maison de la culture Ahunstic
Theatre. The Théâtre des Petites Âmes creates an intimate universe, filled with delicate and imaginative scenic details. For 2- to 6-year-olds.

Calamity, une enfance de Martha Jane Cannary – Rémi Chayé
Saturday, March 4, 1:30 to 2:55 p.m. – Anjou Community Centre
Animated feature film. This work pays tribute to a legendary character by presenting a strong female role model who is able to make her mark in a predominantly male world.

Ecological musical instrument demonstration
Sunday, March 5, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Henri-Lemieux Cultural and Community Centre
This workshop aims to encourage the creativity and inventiveness of young people through musical games and sensory experiences with La fabricoleuse!

→ Check out the complete cultural programming HERE.