Anne-Charlotte PasseraWho doesn’t like visiting a city and doing activities for free? We all enjoy saving money. Am I right?
Whether you’re visiting for the week-end or have just immigrated to Montreal, if you have kids in tow, it might be tough to keep your budget on the down-low.
However, as with any city, there are always free things to do. You just need to know where to look or get creative.
We immigrated 13 years ago with two young kids and enough money to get by for three months. Internet wasn’t a powerful tool back then for research as it is now. We couldn’t afford it anyways.
Since we had to keep our spending to the minimum but still wanted to enjoy ourselves with the kids, we had to find activities we could do for free in Montreal. The Journal Metro, which you can get for free in the subway, is a good resource when you want to know what’s going on in Montreal. At least, it was the first tool we used when we got here.
What’s great about Montreal is that you’ll realize that there is always something to do, no matter what the temperature is outside. Of course, not everything is free in Montreal, but for today, let’s pretend that it is.
Here is a list of FREE activities to do with kids in Montreal so that you can spend your money on more essential things.
Montreal Festivals
Montreal is well known for its festivals. While they have a tendency in taking place when the temperatures are well above freezing, some of them do occur when Montreal is wrapped in its white flurry coat.
Here are a few worth checking out that offer free activities that can be enjoyed with kids.
Nuit blanche – end of February
For one night only, every year, travel throughout the city and discover the cultural and art scene of Montreal for FREE.
From dusk until dawn, visit a museum, see a performance at La Tohu, go to a music venue, etc.
Obviously with kids, you won’t last all night, but with over 200 events, there is bound to be something that fits within your schedule.
More information HERE.
Montreal en Lumière in February – March
Montréal en lumière is apparently one of the biggest festivals to take place in Montreal during Winter.
On Place des Festivals, in center city, various installations will entertain you. It changes every year. To make the most of this wintery experience, go there once it’s dark so that you can enjoy all the lights. It’s the perfect luminotherapy.
More information HERE.
Drum circle from May to September, every Sunday
The drum circle is ever so popular with the locals and tourists alike. Every Sunday, starting around noon, dance to the beat of the drums or just enjoy the music.
It’s located at the base of the Mount-Royal Park on Parc Avenue. When you’ve had enough, head on over to forest and hike up. You’ll get a FREE view of Montreal.
Jazz Festival – June
Montreal’s Jazz Festival is well-known around the world. While the indoor shows cost money and will probably bore the kids to death, there is plenty to entertain them for free on the Place des Festivals.
There is an outdoor part of the Festival specially dedicated to kids and you can also listen to outdoor concerts for FREE.
More information HERE.
Circus – July
In the heart of Montreal, down Saint-Denis Street, observe mind-blowing performances for free by Montreal’s acrobats and more. If you enjoy Cirque du soleil, but can’t afford it, this festival is the next best thing. The event takes place by the Metro Berri-Uqam.
More information HERE.
Fireworks Competition – July
Each July in Montreal takes place an International Fireworks competition by the Saint-Laurent River. The best spot to watch them for free is by The Village au Pied du Courant.
Bring a chair or a blanket, lay down in the grass and enjoy the show. You’ll even get to hear the music to which the fireworks sparkle to.
Visit museums
Every first Sunday of the month, Montreal museums are free. This is great if you want to start visiting them with your kids.
The Museum Pointe à Caillère is a great place to start with if you want to learn about Montreal’s history. They also offer some interesting and kid-friendly exhibitions.
If you are more into arts, the Museum of Fine Arts is the place to go. On week-ends, they also offer kid-friendly activities.
Play in parks
Whether its Summer or Winter, some of Montreal’s parks offer equipment rental for FREE. You can practice different sports or play games for the whole family to enjoy.
This is perfect when you are just visiting and want to spontaneously do some snowshoeing or go sledding in the Winter, throw a frisbee around or play a game of football in the Summer.
Most of Montreal’s parks offer spacious playgrounds and some even come with water jets. This is perfect if you want to unwind and let the kids run free after a day of visiting Montreal or just to take a break.
Some parks worth mentionning are:
- Père Marquette
- Laurier
- Baldwin
- Jarry
- Nicolas-Tillemont
Go for a nature walk
Believe it or not there are plenty of parks in Montreal that will make you feel like you are not in a city. During a short visit or for a glimpse of what the city and its surroundings have to offer, below is a short list to get you started.
This selection of parks will make you hike, walk along a river or give you a lunar experience.
- Ile de la Visitation
- Mount-Royal
- Frédéric- Back
- Jean Drapeau
Admire Art in the open air
If there is one thing you can enjoy all year long for free in Montreal is its street art. Most of the murals can be found in the neighbourhoods of the Mile End and Plateau Mont-Royal.
All you have to do is walk around and have fun spotting them. Don’t forget to check the back alleys.
Also, each year around June, there is a Mural festival. It’s fun to go to if you want to catch a first look at some new murals that are being created. (It’s usually in June, but due to the Pandemic, in 2021 it took place in August).
More information HERE.
Eat a cupcake
If you happen to be in Montreal for your birthday, head on over to Les Glaceurs, and grab yourself a FREE cupcake. My favourite is red velvet.
Les Glaceurs have three locations, notably one in the Old Port of Montreal. They are the best place for cupcakes in Montreal.
For more ideas on where to eat with kids in Montreal, read this article.
Swim in a park
Most of Montreal’s pools are free to access. Obviously, the outdoor pools will interest you more.
One of the most popular one is located in Laurier Park, in The Plateau neighbourhood. Another one worth mentioning, but more for locals, is the one located in Baldwin Park.
They are open from June 24th to the last week-end of August.
Participate in a discovery workshop
This is for Montreal residents.
Library access is free for children and a tiny annual fee is mandated for adults.
With a Montreal library card, children can access free activities that take place usually on Saturdays. The workshops lasts about 1h to 1h30.
Children can learn how to make sushi, do yoga, learn about photography, meet animals. The activities vary in type and in age groups. All you have to do is sign your child up and show up. Since the spots are limited, it’s best to book ahead of time.
Libraries also provides story times for younger children. Just check with your local library what free activities they have to offer. The one we like to go to is Library Marc Favreau right next to Metro Rosemont.
Also, in libraries, you have access to board games without having to show a library card. Renting board games is also available in which case a library card will be needed.
Go for a boat ride
This is for Montreal residents.
Did you know that with your monthly STM pass you can go on a boat ride during the Summer? I didn’t either until last Summer.
The boat ride is 30 minutes long. It takes you from the Old Port of Montreal to Pointes-aux-Trembles. Granted the destination is not very exciting, but on Saturdays they have a small outdoor market and a tiny beach.
Personally, I was in it for the boat ride.
More information HERE.
Go bird watching
Bird watching might not be your type of thing. Also, in order to do this type of activity you need to be silent. Hence, with kids, this activity might be tricky.
Nonetheless, it’s free, and you can do this right by Montreal’s airport at the Technoparc. You’ll need a car to get there as it’s too complicated in public transit.
At the bird feeders nestled in a tiny forest you’ll be able to observe a colourful arial ballet and wild turkeys looking for scraps. It’s best to get there before 10 am.
More information HERE.
Promenade Fleuve-Montagne
From the mountain (Mount-Royal) to the Saint-Laurent River, walk the 3.8km and learn about the history of Montreal.
It’s a great way to discover Montreal and its popular sites for Free.
Download the map HERE.
Taking a slight detour when you’re more in downtown Montreal and check out the FREE Barbies exhibit. It’s located in the Cours Mont-Royal near Sainte-Catherine and Peel.
Furthermore, if you enjoy walking, download the App Balados for FREE. You’ll get access to various discovery walks which you can take part in throughout the city for free.
Watch a movie
Each week-ends during the Summer, our local movie theater grants a free showing of a kid-friendly movie. The showtime is usually at 10 am. You need to book ahead or arrive relatively early in order to secure a spot.
The Cinema Beaubien is one of the last remaining neighbourhood movie theater in Montreal. The movies are usually in French.
In addition, throughout the parks of Montreal, in July and August, there are film screenings. Some of the movies will appeal to children. Just google it, because there are many sites and the program changes all the time.
See an outdoor Play for kids
Last but not least, the Theatre de la Roulotte, puts on a different show each Summer.
They perform in Montreal’s parks for free. All you have to do is bring your picnic and your blanket and enjoy the show for FREE.
Check out this year’s play and schedule HERE.
That basically sums up my list of free activities that you can do with kids in Montreal. Did I forget one? Drop me a comment in the box down below.
