4 March, 2024

March Break Adventures Along the Trans Canada Trail

A woman and her child strolling along a grass path

March is here, which means spring break for school-aged kids – and their families – across Canada. Looking for a little organizational push to ensure family fun all week long? March Break activities abound along the one and only Trans Canada Trail!

Monday: trail scavenger hunt

A man walking hand in hand with his two daughters along a green trailway.

Start your week off with some outdoor adventure along the Trans Canada Trail. March can be a bit of a shoulder season in many parts of the country, but fear not, choose your winter or spring scavenger hunt options, outfit your kids in their snowsuits (or spring suits), and off you go!

Tuesday: museum day

Today, art and culture beckon. Several museums offer kid-friendly exhibits for March Break, including the Montreal Science Centre, located on the Ville de Montréal Trail; Science World or the Vancouver Maritime Museum, both of which are on the City of Vancouver Trail; and the Royal Ontario Museum along the Toronto Metropolitan University Connector. Schedule some outdoor time along the Trail after your museum time so the kids can blow off some steam.

Around Hamilton, Ontario, the Hamilton to Brantford Rail Trail offers great outdoor time, plus you can stop at the Woodland Cultural Centre for a self-guided tour of the museum and learn more about the history and culture of the Hodinohsho:ni people of the Eastern Woodlands.

Wednesday: walking trails, bike rides or ice skating

It goes without saying that the Trans Canada Trail offers tons of choices for family-friendly fun. Head out for a walk along the Corridor des Cheminots in Quebec City or Meewasin Trail in Saskatchewan, or dust off your bike and head to the Tri-Cities Trail in British Columbia. For those looking for an ice-skating adventure, Shipyards Park along the City of Whitehorse – Millennium Trail, Yukon, is a great bet.

Thursday: trail snacks

March Break activities: A family enjoying a picnic together

Do your kids, much like some unnamed children who may or may not be related to this author, ask for snacks approximately every four to five minutes? Make kid-friendly food and drink destinations along the Trail your plan for today. At the Forks along the City of Winnipeg Trail, you’ll find snacking options aplenty. Similarly, along the Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk, head out for a stroll, then stop for warm drinks and snacks, or lunch. Pro-tip: bring along a batch of our favourite trail mix to keep the little ones happy between snacks. Day: complete!

Friday: art on the trail

Did you know that you can find great public art along the Trans Canada Trail? The City of Victoria has a handy map of public art sprinkled throughout the city, including along the Trail. In Winnipeg, encourage your kids to learn Indigenous languages with the Speech Act, along the City of Winnipeg Trail. If indoor art is more your jam – or suits the weather better – the Beaverbrook Art Gallery can be found along the City of Fredericton – Valley and South Riverfront Trails.