Spring break is right around the corner, and we have the PERFECT trip idea that’s not too far but FULL of fun: Winnipeg! My family and I recently visited this fun city to experience all there is to see and do, and we’ve come up with a list of our top 6 things to do in Winnipeg with kids.
Get ready to explore!
Things to Do in Winnipeg with Kids
1. Assiniboine Park Zoo
The Assiniboine Park Zoo is a must-visit for any zoo lover. There are over 80 acres to explore with nearly 150 animal species from all around the world. It is open seven days a week, all year long, so they have many indoor exhibits to warm up during the colder months.
Our favorite animals to visit were the polar bears, seals, gibbons, and the snow leopard. There were also so many species of birds, reptiles, and amphibians, plus tigers, kangaroos, and monkeys. The tunnel under water near the seals and polar bears was one of the coolest spots to visit!
There is an indoor Polar Playground for young kids to enjoy, and a restaurant on-site if the kids get hungry (both are located in the same building, right before the Polar Bear exhibit).
Good to Know
Tickets purchased online are cheaper than if you buy in-person at the zoo, and Red River Zoo members get 50% off admission! Single and double strollers are available to rent (depending on availability), and parking is free. There is also a tram that runs through the zoo, but is only open during the summer months (May 18 – October 15, and may include weekends only).
2. The Leaf at Assiniboine Park
The Leaf is also located at Assiniboine Park (just east of the zoo). It’s such a beautiful indoor escape during the colder months, and also has beautiful outdoor gardens that bloom during the summer months.
There are 4 indoor biomes: the Tropical Biome, the Mediterranean Biome, the Babs Asper Display House, and the Butterfly Garden. The tropical biome is warm and humid, and full of tropical plants, flowers, a Koi fish pond, and Canada’s largest indoor waterfall. The mediterranean biome is a dryer climate (but still warm!), and the Babs Asper Display House rotates different displays of various flowers (there was an orchid exhibit there for our visit).
Head upstairs to the Butterfly Garden, my kids’ favorite part of the visit! You will be surrounded by beautiful butterflies, and may just be lucky enough to have one land on you if you stay still enough (but please don’t grab them!).
If you are feeling hungry during your visit, The Gather Craft Kitchen is so delicious and has a great kid’s menu (but warning, weekends may be busy so a reservation is a good idea). There is also a coffee shop outside of the biomes if you need to refuel.
Good to Know
Tickets to The Leaf are time and date specific, so it’s best to purchase tickets online in advance to ensure availability. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket counter, but due to capacity limits they cannot guarantee availability. Hours are 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. seven days per week, but holidays may vary.
3. Manitoba Museum
This fun spot has a science museum, planetarium, and natural history museum all built into one destination. It is definitely a top choice for things to do in Winnipeg with kids!
We stopped at the science gallery first, which was definitely a favorite. The kids learned about pulleys (pulling themselves up on chairs), raced electric cars on a track, and got to interact with so many other fun educational exhibits. If you have littles, this is a must-stop spot at the museum.
We caught a 45-minute show at the Planetarium (ours was about the solar system, but they had 3 rotating shows going on). If you want to plan around a certain topic, make sure to check their schedule online.
In the natural history museum, you can learn about plants and animals from across the prairie and arctic, explore the natural history and people of Manitoba, see inside a replica of a merchant ship from the 1600’s, and step back into Winnipeg history through an old-fashioned mock city.
Good to Know
Plan to spend at least 3 hours here if you want to try to see everything (and more if you have older kids that can read and explore even more). We did a planetarium show and it was 45 minutes, so you’ll still want plenty of time for exploring both the science museum part and all the galleries in the natural history museum.
There is a parking lot just north of the museum that is paid by the hour, and street parking is available as well for a fee. On weekends, street metered parking is free for 2 hours on Saturdays and is free all day on Sundays. (Keep in mind this info could change, so make sure to check their website before you go.)
4. Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada
If you have a plane lover, the Royal Aviation Museum is a must visit! Honestly, my kids don’t necessarily fall into that category and they had a blast. There were so many aircraft to peek inside, play around in, and explore. It’s even located right next to the airport, so you can watch planes take off in real-time.
Some of our favorite features were the touchable wall, listening to sounds of different aircraft engines, and getting to sit inside mock pilot seats and see all the buttons and switches involved.
Bonus: there was a great kids play area for ages up to 12! It was a fun little spot to burn a little energy before lunch, or have a snack during your visit (tables were available to use).
Good to Know
There is a parking lot right next to the museum, which is $5 per visit. You can plan to spend 1-2 hours here, depending on how much your kids want to play and explore!
5. Activate Games
If you have big kids that love being active, Activate is a great stop to add to your itinerary. It’s a series of rooms that have interactive games, where you problem-solve as a team to complete challenges and earn points. The website said it was for ages 6 and up, and our 7-year-old had no problem participating (with our help, of course).
Our kids had so much fun going through laser obstacles, playing on color-coded grids, using climbing walls, and more. Each game can earn you points, so it’s fun to see what your total is at the end of you session.
Good to Know
You need to book a time ahead to ensure there is availability. Each session is for 75 minutes, and the wristband you’re given will tell you your remaining time when you scan to enter each gaming room.
6. The Forks Market
If you are looking for something more low-key, I highly recommend visiting The Forks Market. It’s full of so many fun food choices, and some delicious treat options (and adult drinks and coffee, if that’s your vibe). The upper level has shops to explore, and public art to peruse (both inside and out), and they even host special events. It’s a fun spot to wander and refuel!
Have any questions about the above attractions? Contact us and we’d be happy to help!
Find More Things to Do in Winnipeg with Kids
Looking for more fun? Here are some other great ideas of things to do in Winnipeg with kids!
Manitoba Children’s Museum
Located at The Forks, this fun children’s museum is a great idea for kids under the age of 10 years old. There is a Tot Spot devoted to children under 2-years-old, and tons of hands-on exhibits and play areas for older kids as well.
Canadian Museum for Human Rights
The Canadian Museum of Human Rights believes that children of all ages can learn about ideas related to respect, inclusion, and fairness. Their website has a section devoted to guiding families through this experience, and even breaks down how to walk through the museum by age group.
The Royal Canadian Mint
This unique tour spot is where every single Canadian circulation coin is produced, as well as circulation coins for countries around the world. Tours are 45 minutes long and walk you through the coin production process from start to finish. It is recommended to schedule atour in advanced, but walk-ups are welcome if there is availability.
Where to Stay
During our visit, we stayed at the Delta Hotel Winnipeg. It was located right downtown, which gave us easy access to walking to find food, and was a short drive to the Manitoba Museum, The Forks Market, the Manitoba Children’s Museum, and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
We loved the pool area (it had a large pool and hot tub, as well as a shallow kiddie pool) and it had plenty of chairs for lounging and hanging out as a group. There are 2 restaurants on site as well, or the Hargraves Street Market is a short 2-minute walk where you’ll find a variety of food options.
If you are looking for other hotel options, the Tourism Winnipeg website is a great place to start! You can narrow your search by location, and browse by amenities (like indoor pool, restaurant on site, continental breakfast, etc.).
More Things to Do in Winnipeg with Kids
Looking for more inspiration for a visit to Winnipeg, and details on how to visit as an American? Head to tourismwinnipeg.com/unitedstates to find more attractions, places to stay, and local events happening. Or, visit their social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok for more things to do in Winnipeg with kids.
