Ask any parent of ‘tweens or teens when the sweet spot of parenting is and they’ll likely tell you it’s when kids are between the ages of six and ten. They’re much easier to travel with than toddlers, yet still enjoy spending time with their parents and are interested in discovering new things. All of these factors make them an ideal age group to take on a Great Canadian Day Trip this summer. Here are some easy escapes that the grade schoolers in your life are sure to love.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • 1

    Treat them to some time travel...

    Teach them the roots of that smartphone they can’t stop staring at with a trip to learn about one of the most important scientific breakthroughs in history, the telephone, at Bell Homestead National Historic Site.

    Westfield Heritage Village is an amazing place to visit to give kids a great sense of what life was like for pioneers. There are over 30 carefully restored heritage buildings, costumed interpreters and fun events throughout the summer.

    Dundurn Castle is a 40-room castle that tells the story of the family who lived above stairs and the servants who lived and worked below stairs to support their affluent lifestyle in the late 1850’s. Be sure to check out the Hamilton Military Museum, also on site, so the kids can see original uniforms from the War of 1812.

    Head for the Hamilton Harbour and climb aboard the HMCS Haida for a tour of Canada’s most decorated war ship.

  • 2

    Have an amazing animal encounter...

    For children eight and up, it doesn’t get any more exciting than the behind-the-scenes access of African Lion Safari’s Wake Up The Wild experience. One of the park’s game wardens will guide you on an unforgettable open-air truck tour where you’ll watch lions devour their breakfast, hand-feed a giraffe and create memories that will last a lifetime.

    Mountsberg Conservation Area’s Douglas G. Cockburn Raptor Centre is home to two dozen different birds of prey, each with their own unique story. Learn about native birds of prey, ask questions and see Mountsberg’s raptors up close at daily shows.

  • 3

    Take them on a dinosaur dig...

    Thrill your favourite budding paleontologist with a day of searching for ancient fossils embedded in the Niagara Escarpment. In addition to miles of trails for exploring, Dundas Valley Conservation Area has a fantastic Discovery Centre where visitors can examine fossils found along the Escarpment and kids can make fossil crafts.

    Then, head to Robert Hall Originals in nearby St. George, where you can browse through the fascinating showroom that houses the largest worldwide collection of rocks in Ontario. See Orthoceras, which are 400-million-year-old squid-like fossils found at the bottom of the ocean, and Apache’s Tears, which are volcanic rock glass created by the sudden cooling of drops of lava coming into contact with water or ice.

  • 4

    Fascinate them with first nations culture...

    Let them explore a 15th Century Reconstructed Iroquoian Village and learn from hands-on displays, exhibits and seasonal demonstrations at Crawford Lake Conservation Area.

    Spend the day dancing to a new beat at one of the region’s amazing Pow Wows. The Grand River Champion of Champions Pow Wow in July and the Three Fires Homecoming Pow Wow and Traditional Gathering in August are great options.

  • 5

    Stimulate their stem (science, technology, engineering and math) cells...

    Introduce train fanatics to a steam engine that puts Thomas the Tank Engine to shame at the Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology.

    Give them the ultimate lesson in physics and a thrill. Visitors to Hamilton’s Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum can navigate the legendary Lancaster bomber or a supersonic CF-101 Voodoo jet on a flight simulator.

    Biology lessons don’t get any more beautiful than a trip to Canada’s largest botanical garden. Burlington’s Royal Botanical Gardens is filled with trails and exhibits that make for a really fun day of exploring. Read a blogger’s account of her afternoon of blooms at Royal Botanical Gardens.

  • 6

    Take it outside...

    The Grand River’s gentle currents make it a great choice for first-time paddlers. Area outfitters such as Grand Experiences and Grand River Rafting make it so easy to gear up and go.

    Forget indoor climbing gyms. Take a family lesson on the limestone cliffs of Milton’s Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area. Read about some outfitter suggestions.

    Cool off and splash the day away in one of Canada’s largest wave pools at Wild Waterworks.

    Learn the ins and outs of mountain biking at Kelso Conservation Area’s new Mountain Bike Skills Zone, which features wooden bridges, rollers, rocks, and logs to help riders learn how to properly tackle technical features in a controlled environment.

Travel Deals View All >>

Experiences & Tours View All >>

Now thru June 17

STEAM-gineers

Joseph Brant Museum

1240 North Shore Boulevard East, Burlington, ON, L7S 1C5

Now thru April 6

Edward Burtynsky: Chai

Art Gallery of Hamilton

123 King Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8P 4S8

Now thru April 30

In Movement: Training Sessions for Freedom Fighters

Art Gallery of Hamilton

123 King Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8P 4S8

Now thru January 1

Woodland Cultural Centre – Virtual Museum Tour

Woodland Cultural Centre

184 Mohawk Street, Brantford, ON, N3T 5V6

May 13

Fireside Foods Experience

Chiefswood Park Cabins

1037 Highway 54 Ohsweken, ON N0A 1M0

Experience available for family of 4 or family of 6.

Now thru December 31

Hamilton Civic Museums Virtual Tours

28 James St N, Hamilton, ON L8R 1A1

May 20 - June 3

Pottery workshop: ceramic flowers

Monika Schaefer Pottery & Fibre Art Studio

2 Palomino Drive, Carlisle, ON L0R 1H3

Two part workshop: Saturday May 20 AND Saturday June 3, 2-5pm both days, in Carlisle...

Now thru May 22

Pigment to Pixel: Digitizing the Permanent Collection

Art Gallery of Hamilton

123 King Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8P 4S8

May 24

Learn how to wet-felt a wool “painting” tapestry workshop

Monika Schaefer Pottery & Fibre Art Studio

2 Palomino Drive, Carlisle, ON L0R 1H3

Wednesday May 24, 2-5pm, in Monika Schaefer Art Studio in Carlisle, ON, no experience needed!

Now thru January 5

AGH Virtual Tours: Fridays at Four

Art Gallery of Hamilton

123 King Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8P 4S8

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