Anne-Charlotte PasseraThis article was written before the Pandemic of 2020-2022. Some of the suggestions might not currently be available.
The Welsh call February “y mis bach” which means “little month”. February might be the shortest month of the year, but that doesn’t mean that there are fewer family activities to do in and around Montreal.
What does February mean to you? Nothing? Really?
To me, I associate it with grey weather, depression, boredom, and cold weather. That’s why I guess a lot of people from Montreal like to go down ‘South’ during that month in order to warm up in every sense of the term. Going down South here means going to Cuba, Mexico (Yucatan Peninsula), or somewhere in the Caribbean such as The Dominican Republic or Jamaica.
For the more elderly, it means going to Florida. As a matter of fact, there is a big exodus come October each year of ‘elderly’ people from around here that fly or drive down to Florida only to come back in Spring. This is no lie.
However, did you know that the Saxon term for February, Sol-monath, means “cake month”? In other words, eat as you please. No? That’s not the right interpretation?
What does February mean?
Well, how about this. February comes from the Latin word Februarius, which means to purify. During ancient Roman times, February was known as the ‘Month of Purification’. It is supposed to be a transitional time to find oneself just after a month of reflection and New Year’s resolutions. I found that on the Internet. Whether or not it’s true is irrelevant. It does make sense don’t you think?
So let’s purify ourselves this February with some fun family activities in and around Montreal for those of us who can’t just drive down to Florida and ‘hibernate’ there.
Outdoor activities in Montreal in February
There are plenty of activities you can do for FREE in Montreal just as long as you have the proper gear. However, if you don’t, check the website of your local park to see if they are providing FREE rental equipment this year. (If you follow our Facebook page, you’ll see that I post about that often).
Best places to go Ice skating in Montreal for FREE
Parc Molson
It’s not the biggest, but it’s the loveliest. They have turned the walkways of the park into an ice skating park with at its core a gazebo. You can even go there at night as they have put string lights up in the trees.
There is usually a little trailer inside the park for you to slip on your ice skates and leave your bags. You can have your skates sharpened at the bike store just across from the park.
Afterward, grab a crêpe at L’affaire est Chocolat and a hot cup of cocoa. You can “rent” their zero waste cups there for 5$. When you return their cup you get your 5$ back!
Parc Maisonneuve
It’s big and close to the Olympic stadium. The stadium makes for a nice backdrop while you are skating away. Don’t be surprised if you see cross country skiers in the Park as it’s also a great place to practice that sport. Moreover, you can go sleighing down one of the many hills and it’s our dog’s favorite park to go for walks.
Parc la Fontaine
What is not to like about this park? The lake is frozen this time of year and makes for some great ice skating. If you’re looking to ice skate with an ooh la la effect, Parc Lafontaine is the place to go. You can change in the main building where there are bathrooms as well. Don’t forget your sled as you can also do that there.
Afterward, enjoy some Portuguese chicken at Ma Poule Mouillée. You have to order it first as there is no table service. The main dish can easily be shared as the portions are overly generous.
Lac des Castors
I admit I have never gone up there for ice skating. Something about having to pay for parking rubs me the wrong way. However, I have heard nice things about it and there is a house where you can get changed. Also, there is a really big hill you can use for some extreme sledding (that I have seen).
Vieux-Port ($$)
It might not be free, it might not be terribly big, but it does offer you the best view of the Old City.
The outdoor ice skating rink of Montreal in the Old City is open every day of February and makes for a great family activity away from the comfort of your home. It’s best to get there using mass transit as parking cost an arm and a leg. Afterward, grab a heart warming lunch at Venice Montreal.
Relax with your kids at the spa
A very Canadian thing to do is going to the SPA. However, when you have kids, you can’t really do that. Well, it’s not true anymore. At Strom Spa on Ile des Soeurs, every Saturday morning you can take your kids to the Spa until 10ish. Also, you can even get a massage with them. How neat is that?
For more information, visit their website HERE.
Go for a walk with the family
Going for walks with the family is the cheapest activity that you can find as it is FREE.
Right now, due to the Pandemic, access to the Botanical Gardens is completely FREE.
There might not be a whole lot to see due to the snow, but at least it’s not all flat. Seeing the snow-covered temples in the Chinese Gardens was one of my highlights.
Also, you can find FREE parking by the outdoor ice skating rink in Park Maisonneuve which is adjacent to the Botanical Gardens.
Special February outdoor events in Montreal
Read about our January Family Activities to see which events are still going on.
Montréal en Lumière
Created in 2000, Montréal en Lumière is an annual event that takes place in the Quartier des Spectacles (metro Place des Arts). What is it exactly?
The 23rd edition will be held from February 17th to February 27th, 2022. For FREE you can ride the Ferris wheel while trying not to freeze your butt, slide down a 360ft descent, and zip-line down 600ft. For more information about this event, you can visit the Montreal en Lumière website.
Illuminart
Illuminart is a circuit fusing art, lighting and technology and part of Montréal en Lumière.
Come nightfall, check out the images that come to life on the facades of the buildings surrounding the Place des festivals along with the different light installations that are always a hit with kids and adults alike (metro Place des Arts).
Nuit Blanche
This event is perfect if your kids don’t sleep through the night.
Taking place on the 26th of February, 2022, you’ll get full access to most major sites in Montreal all through the night (generally for free).
As part of the Montréal en Lumière festival, the Nuit Blanche grants you access to over 200 cultural activities come nightfall until the next morning.
There is something for just about everybody. For the complete list of family activities to pick from, visit their website here.
Polar Rendezvous
The Recréo Parc is located in Sainte-Catherine, across the river from Montreal.
Enjoy free outdoor activities such as ice skating, snowshoeing and sledding until March 7, 2022. However, access to non-residents is only on Saturday and Sunday.
Equipment rentals are available on site for a reasonable fee. More information HERE.
Montreal indoor family activities in February
We aren’t all brave enough to spend time outdoors for long periods of time. The following is a new list of ideas you could do as part of your family activities in February in Montreal.
However, all these can be done basically whenever you want, except when it’s nice out because seriously, who wants to be indoors when you can go outside in shorts and flip flops?
For more ideas of indoor activities read our past monthly editions (January, December, November, October).
Read some mangas
I don’t know about your kids, but Blondie Bear and Junior love mangas. At Otaku Lounge, for the cost of 5,50$, your child can read Mangas for an hour.
Also, this could tie in nicely with a cultural family activity if you are planning one, especially since the Olympic Games in Japan are coming up soon. Manga drawing lessons are also available. In any case, it’s worth checking out, at least for the novelty of it.
Axe Throwing
Have you ever thrown an axe? I was really scared when we went there but I managed. I admit, it’s intimidating at first but it’s actually pretty easy. You can put this on your family activities list.
It’s possible to do this with kids, there is no minimum age. However, your child needs to be able to lift 2kilos on his own.
This activity can get pricy though. It’s a fixed price whether you are 1 or 3 and whether you are 4 and 6. This activity lasts 1hour.
Afterward, go and check out the pop-up photo installation on Sainte-Catherine on the corner of Atateken Street which will surely make for a fun and questionable conversation. RAGE is easily accessible on foot from Metro Berri Uquam or Metro Beaudry.
Montreal’s Children film festival
From March 6th to March 11th, 2022. During the “winter break”, if you can’t go down South, take your children to the International Children Festival. Let them discover movies from around the world that are well suited for them.
Cooking Cupcakes for Valentine’s Day
Who needs an excuse to bake? If you and your family like to celebrate Valentine’s Day, why not make it a culinary family activity? Here is a list of places where you can do a cupcake or cookie decorating workshop as a family in Montreal.
- Kitchen Jukebox
- Sweet Isabelle
- Emma’s cupcakes
Archery Combat
Sometimes, you just need to put yourselves out there and sweat. And sweat you shall if you decide to participate in a fake archery combat. That is some scary sxxt if you’ve never done it. I’m speaking from a mom’s point of view.
Kids and adult males alike will generally have no problem. I know it sounds sexist, but women are generally not warriors on a battlefield. That’s ok, times are changing. Well, not for me.
Even though I did shoot a couple times, I just hid behind an inflatable rock that I used as a shield. Don’t worry, it does not hurt at all, unlike PAINTBALL! This is a great activity to do as a family activity or if you are looking for a fun birthday party idea for your child. This is for kids 10 years and up.
In the same location, you can have a nerve gun battle and it’s for kids 6 years and up. Once again, you can make it a birthday party event.
Olympic House
If you are going to try out the Family Cultural Activity and study Japan, this could tie in nicely with it. The Olympic House allows you to test out your skills to find out what kind of athlete you could be. Also, it teaches you about the history of the Olympics and Canadian Olympians.
Afterward, go and eat some sushi or make your own at home.
Aquadome
Supposedly the Aquadome is the best pool in town (Lasalle) with water slides at the fraction of the cost of a waterpark.
It looks like a fun place to go to when your funds are limited but are looking for a good time and a reason to slip into your swimsuit. Don’t have one? That’s ok, we’ve got you covered with this bathing suit. It’s actually one I use and took with me on our honeymoon in Colombia.
Library
Did you know that you can rent board games at the library just like you can rent books? How awesome is that? At least at our local Library Marc Favreau you can, I don’t know about the others. However, even if that isn’t the case, you can still play board games for FREE without paying for them at any library in Montreal.
Also, as already mentioned in previous family activity posts, you can sign up your kids for FREE activities to do at your local library every weekend. As a parent, it’s good to be able to catch a break, even if it’s just for an hour. Even during the Pandemic, activities were made available online.
February family activites outside Montreal
February is the perfect time to go Ice Skating at the Enchanted Forest or on the Canal Rideau.
Canal Rideau
Make a whole weekend out of it and go to Ottawa to ice skate on the largest naturally frozen skating rink in the world. Our Nation’s capital is not the most exciting, but until February 21st is held the annual Winterlude where you can do a full list of activities for FREE throughout the city.
For more information about this event, you can read about it HERE.
Enchanted Forest
Ice skating with a dog is actually doable and you can learn to do so at the Domaine de la Forêt Perdue. February is the best time to go there as part of your family activities to do outside of Montreal because it’s when the ice conditions should be at their best. You can read our January activities for more practical information about this activity.
Snowshoeing
Are you more into snowshoeing? Rent a cabin in the beautiful National Parc Mont-Tremblant or do it wild at Au Diable Vert and snowshoe all weekend long. Decathlon has decently priced snowshoes, otherwise, check if Costco or MEC has some. Finally, you can always rent them on site.
We particularly enjoy Au Diable Vert because we can go there with our dogs (FREE) and actually let them loose! This is a rare treat.
As February is usually the coldest month of the year, bring warm clothes and stock up on board games in order to diversify your family activities 2hours away from Montreal while staying at Au Diable Vert.
If you pay 30$ more, you can get the VIP treatment where they bring your gear to your refuge, provide you with water and warm up your place before your arrival. Also, if you don’t have a 4 by 4, that’s ok, they’ll give you a ride to the main entrance for FREE.
Zoe’s Ark
Located in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu lies an educational mini-farm where children can lear about different animals, life on the farm and also walk an alpaca or a poney. Reservation required.
More information HERE.
Skiing
Did you know that you can hit the slopes just 30 minutes away from Montreal? Yep at Mont-Saint-Bruno.
Granted it’s a tiny bit small, but if you are just starting out, you’ll get your adrenaline rush. February is a good month to go skiing in Montreal and there are plenty of family activities to do in Saint-Bruno.
For more advanced skiers and depending on your budget, check out Bromont or hipster Mont-Tremblant.
If you are in the Mont-Tremblant area, stop and visit the wild buffalos at Kanatha Aki and enjoy some dog sledding ($$$).
So there you have it. Hopefully, these February family activities in Montreal will keep you busy enough that come Springtime you’ll be like, where did Winter go? It went by so fast!
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