winnipeg travel with kids

Winnipeg Travel with Kids

Things to Do With Kids Under 13Wikimedia Commons / CC BY SA/Shahnoor Habib Munmun
Little ones can burn off excess energy at Assiniboine Park (2355 Corydon Ave.), where the Nature Playground gets rave reviews. Colorful rubber “mountains” encourage running up and down between slides, swings, net ladders, a crow’s nest and other creative play areas. See if you can find the statue of Winnie the Bear and his owner near the playground; the black bear cub was the inspiration for A.A. Milne’s character Winnie-the-Pooh.

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Visiting the Nature Playground is just one of the many fun things to do at Assiniboine Park. Stroll around the duck pond, grab lunch at the café or take a ride on the miniature steam train. Another kid-friendly spot is the Assiniboine Park Zoo (2595 Roblin Blvd.), where you can check out polar bears, wolves, tigers and shaggy-coated musk oxen, among other species.

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Looking for family-friendly activities in June? The Winnipeg International Children’s Festival (1 Forks Market Rd.), aka “Kidsfest,” boasts a full schedule of interactive and fun activities for kids including storytelling, theater, live music performances, puppetry, acrobatic acts and dance. A one-time admission fee covers all events during this 4-day festival.

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Reward good behavior with a sweet treat from Sargent Sundae (2053 Portage Ave.), a popular spot for ice cream near Assiniboine Park. There’s almost always a line out the door at this local favorite, especially on hot summer days. Two points to note: it’s cash only, and it's open seasonally, March through November.

Things to Do With TeensWikimedia Commons / CC BY SA/Johnnyw3
Snap an Instagram-worthy photo at the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada (958 Ferry Rd.). Housed in an aircraft hangar, the museum showcases restored bush planes, military aircraft and commercial airliners. You can even get a peek inside a 1970s Air Canada jet in near-perfect condition. (Note: The museum is temporarily closed until 2022 as it relocates to a new facility.)

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Ditch the mall and head to The Exchange District (near Portage Avenue and Main Street), a 20-square-block area with early-20th-century buildings housing specialty shops, clothing boutiques, vintage stores and cafés. It’s easy to hop from one store to the next and browse all sorts of goods in search of the perfect souvenir to remember your trip to Winnipeg.

The Manitoba Museum/not available
Part natural history museum, part science gallery and part planetarium, Manitoba Museum (190 Rupert Ave.) is a good spot to spend a day if you’re wondering what to do with kids and teens. Walk-through galleries and detailed dioramas introduce visitors to Manitoba history, while planetarium shows offer a high-tech look at the solar system.

What to Do for All Ages Celebrate the start of summer at one of the top family events in Winnipeg—the Red River Exhibition (3977 Portage Ave. W.). The 10-day fair boasts what is said to be the world’s largest traveling midway, with about 50 rides and coasters to entertain kids both big and small. Other highlights include dog agility shows, a petting zoo, nightly concerts and plenty of deep-fried fair foods.

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A gathering place for visitors and Winnipeggers alike, The Forks (1 Forks Market Rd.) is the spot for shopping, dining, entertainment and outdoor recreation. Kids will make a beeline for the imaginative Variety Heritage Adventure Park playground and splash pad, while older teens will want to browse the shops and food stalls in Johnston Terminal and The Forks Market .

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Root for the home team at a Winnipeg Goldeyes baseball game. The minor league team plays ball at Shaw Park (1 Portage Ave.) from May to late August. Hot dogs for the kiddos, craft beer for the parents and crowd-pleasing entertainment for all guarantees a day that is memorable for the whole family.

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Finding places to eat with kids can be a challenge, but Stella’s Café (166 Osborne St.) makes it easy. A local favorite for kid-friendly dining, Stella’s has a casual atmosphere and simple, fresh dishes that are sure to please picky eaters. Order off the all-day breakfast menu or choose from lunch items like grass-fed burgers, pasta bowls or chili.