Last-minute family day out on the South Shore: our top tips
Are you looking for children’s activities on the South Shore that are easy to organise during spring half-term and the holidays? Even if you haven’t planned anything, don’t worry! The South Shore is brimming with family activities that are as varied as they are fun for young and old alike.
Getting active as a family
Don’t your children ever get tired? Make the most of the winter season to get them moving outdoors! Many towns have outdoor ice rinks in their parks, which are free to use. Head out with your children to burn off some energy at the ice rink in Michel-Chartrand Park in Vieux-Longueuil, at the Vincent-D’Indy pond in Boucherville or at the Chambly Canal. Bring your skates, hockey sticks and good humour for a family day out on the South Shore!
For nature lovers, SÉPAQ’s Îles de Boucherville National Park offers a wide range of activities to fill your free time. You can simply admire the picturesque flora and fauna, or set off on one of the two circular walking trails. These five miniature islands in the middle of the St Lawrence also feature trails for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and fat biking. If you don’t have your own equipment, don’t worry: you can hire it on site. You can also go sledging on the snow, which is sure to delight the little ones.
Indoor family activities
Is the bad weather stopping you from enjoying the outdoors? Don’t be put off – there are loads of fun indoor family activities on the South Shore. The cinema is a timeless classic. Settle down with a good film and some popcorn, and let your child be whisked away to another world! The Cineplex Odéon in Brossard and the Cine Starz in Longueuil are both great options for a relaxing evening’s entertainment.
If you’d still like to get active despite the weather, the Zükari centre in Sainte-Julie is just the place for you. The varied play areas offer activities to suit all tastes and all ages. Balance ropes, horizontal bars and ladders await you in the L’Acrobate zone. The L’Athlète zone offers all sorts of ball games, and the L’Explorateur zone features a vast five-storey maze. Whether you want to accompany your child or let them go with friends, they’re sure to have a great time at Zükari!
A chance to learn whilst having fun
If your children have an insatiable thirst for knowledge, they’re sure to enjoy a visit to the museum. The Mont-Saint-Hilaire Museum of Fine Arts is hosting a temporary exhibition on Quebec’s rivers until 29 March 2026. It’s a wonderful opportunity to introduce your children to local culture and get them started with the visual arts! You can also visit the homes of artists Paul-Émile Borduas and Ozias Leduc, two Quebec painters who left their mark on the 20th century.
If you’d rather delve into history, the ArchéoMusée Roussillon in La Prairie features exhibitions on canoes and their place in Indigenous culture. There’s also an exhibition on the mysterious depths of the water. The permanent exhibition is just as interesting: it includes interactive and educational activities and even lets you simulate an archaeological dig. What’s more, most museums offer reduced rates for families and children!
There are activities for children all over the South Shore – you just need to know where to find them!
