March break: Things to do in Montréal

What could be more pleasant than spending time outdoors when the temperature climbs by a few degrees and the sun is out? Head for the hills for some sledding or set out in search of wide open spaces. Whether you’re on foot or in snowshoes, skates or cross-country skis, or even on a fatbike, Montréal’s nature parks and large parks are the perfect antidote. So take the opportunity to get your legs moving and play outdoors. If you’re planning to visit the Parc-nature Cap Saint-Jacques, don’t pass up the opportunity to tickle your sweet tooth at the park’s sugar shack. Want to borrow outdoor equipment? An equipment loan service is available in the city’s large parks and local parks as well as in four municipal libraries. The “C’est A-C. Cet hiver, on bouge!” (Get moving this winter, it’s A-C!) caravan is touring the parks in Ahuntsic-Cartierville. It loans out sledding, skating, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing equipment to the public. 

A heavy snowfall just blanketed the city? Have the entire family take part in the snowman contest, which runs until March 8.

Want to discover winter mini golf? Go to the Mini-Putt du Nord (in French), where you can play a course with a field hockey stick and puck. 

Enjoy the great outdoors and take part in a winter rally (in French) to find eight snowmen in different places in the borough.

Indoors

Arenas and swimming pools are open for swimming and recreational skating. Please make sure to observe the applicable guidelines.

The Biodôme offers visits to its ecosystems free of charge. Staff are available on site to answer visitors’ questions. Reservations are required, with tickets valid for specific time slots. The Jardin botanique greenhouses are open to visitors free of charge. Reservations are required, with tickets valid for specific time slots. Access to the outdoor gardens is free of charge, and the gardens are open for walking, birding and cross-country skiing.

Turn your home into a laboratory with Les Scientifines. On March 6 at 2 p.m., kids ages 8  to 13 can participate in the 3D Glasses online science workshop (in French).  From March 1 to 5, Sur le balcon, a virtual camp (in French) led by a naturalist, teaches kids ages 6 to 12 about the nature that surrounds them. The program includes games, missions to carry out at home, video clips from experts and much more. Places are limited.

Do your children love tinkering, cooking or do-it-yourself projects? Youth ages 10 to 17 can express their creativity with Fabrique Thursdays (in French) on March 4 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. On March 3 at 2 p.m., kids ages 6 to 13 year can learn how to create an object at a 3D modelling and printing workshop. They can then print their work on a 3D printer. Sign up (in French)