Spring Break 2010

 

Most Montreal area school kids are out of class from February 27 through March 7. Needless to say, parents and other child-minders should have a few possible outings up their sleeves for things to do over these nine days. Fortunately, many local museums, parks, amusement centres and more have responded by putting on special shows, increasing hours of operation, hiring extra staff, and sometimes lowering admission prices over the spring break. Here is a selection of possible activities and outings to do with kids around Montreal during this time.

 

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is offering free afternoon workshops (4 years and up) from March 4 through 7 on the theme “Seeing through Colour.” These workshops dovetail with the current temporary exhibition “Tiffany Glass: A Passion for Colour” for which admission fees do apply. The Tiffany exhibit features a gallery game where children seek different objects and no extra charge applies. There will also be free glass blowing demonstrations on these same dates. 514.285.2000         www.mmfa.qc.ca

 

SkyVenture in Laval gives visitors the chance to experience parachute jumping inside a 60-foot vertical wind tunnel. Kids four and over are welcome; the maximum age limit is 104! Certain health conditions preclude flying; including pregnancy, excessive weight, and dislocated shoulder problems. Jumpsuits, helmets, goggles, and instruction are supplied. Reservations recommended. 514.524.4000 www.skyventuremontreal.com

 

Downtown’s Robotheque National Film Board movie cinema offers free activities from March 1 through 5 for children aged 12 years or under. Learn about animation basics as you work together to create a group film inspired by Cordell Barker’s award-winning film, “Runaway.” To participate in these workshops, reservations are required. 514.496.6887 www.nfb.ca/cinerobotheque

 

Mt Tremblant’s winter carnival (Féerie des glaces ) continues where Quebec City’s and Ottawa’s Winterlude left off. Weekend programming includes puppet shows; hosted entertainment; amusement area (slides, maze, skating); live ice sculpting; and dog sledding.   More info at: 819.425.3024            www.feeriedesglaces.com

 

The Pointe-à-Callière Museum down at the Old Port is presenting its exhibition, “Discovering Legends with Jean-Claude Dupont,” with a focus on francophone and Native oral heritage. During the Spring Break, special Fleur-de-lis activities for 4—12 year-olds are included in entrance fee. Sunday, March 7, will feature the museum’s famous free outdoor symphony of church bells, trains, boat whistles, etc.  514 872.9150  www.pacmuseum.qc.ca

 

The Botanical Garden’s Butterflies Go Free exhibit, “On the Wings of Diversity” continues through April 25. On a given day, walk amidst some tropical 1,500 butterflies inside a 4,500 sq foot greenhouse. During Spring break, the Botanical Garden is open exceptionally on Monday march 1st. 514.872.1400 www.ville.montreal.qc.ca/jardin

 

Downtown’s beautiful new library, the Bibliothèque nationale offers musical performances, plays, workshops, and discoveries.  Among the plays offered is “Tom Thumb in Armenia” (6 years and up) at the Youth Space (Espace jeune) on February 28. Admittance is free, but call first to see if any passes are still available. There is also a continuing temporary exhibition on Louis Braille and his alphabet for the blind as well as, shows and Braille workshops (8 years and up). 514 873.1100 www.banq.qc.ca/portail_jeunes/livre.jsp

 

Mt Royal Park has night skating on its refrigerated rink, sledding and tubing, 16km of cross-country ski trails, walking trails, and guided evening snowshoe walks. As always, there are great views of downtown and lots of hungry squirrels. Fees apply for most activities except walking, skiing, and feeding the squirrels (but the park discourages feeding them). 514.843.8240  www.lemontroyal.qc.ca

 

A new museum in Laval, the Centre d’Interprétation de l’Eau (CIEAU), puts the spotlight on drinking water, where it comes from, and how it is made safe. From March 1—5, CIEAU offers guided tours of its permanent exhibit and opens its laboratory to let young visitors find out how much water they consume in a day. Sunday, March 7 sees a guided tour of the adjacent Ste-Rose drinking water plant. Together with other science museums in Laval, CIEAU is participating in the “Route des Sciences” activities during this week and participants can learn about subjects from space travel to manipulation of DNA. 450.963.6463 www.cieau.qc.ca / www.routedessciences.com

 

NDG’s Maison de la culture presents three youth concerts on March 3, 4, and 6 and also the “Aventures fantastiques de Flonflon” musical show (for children aged 2—7) on March 2. These shows are free, but call to check if passes are still available; you can always chance showing up to see if there are still seats. Similar free programming is offered throughout Montreal’s network of Maisons de la culture. The address is 3755  Botrel Street, 514.872.2157

 

For some novel winter sports, try Ferme L'Auteuilloise in Laval. This working farm offers skijoring (being pulled on skis behind a horse!), pony luge (like dog sledding, but behind a horse), carriage rides, etc on woodland trails. 450 625.8826 www.fermelauteuilloise.com

 

Current mild weather means an early start to the sugaring off season. Cap St. Jacques Park in Pierrefonds features a small and rustic sugar shack near the Organic Farm. Drop by for  sleigh rides and taffy (tir) on the snow, then tour the barnyard and say ‘hi’ to horses, donkeys, pigs, and geese. Cross-country skiing, snow scooters (trotinettes de neige) and sledding could also be on the menu here. 514.280.6743 www.d3pierres.com/content.asp?node=6&lang=en

 

The TOHU centre offers free circus workshops, guided tours of TOHU and of the nearby CESM recycling centre, sledding, and cross-country skiing. This picturesque site was previously the Miron Quarry and then served as a garbage dump. Now it has been radically transformed and beautified. The headquarters of the Cirque du Soleil chose to locate next door. 514.376.TOHU (8648) www.tohu.ca

 

Montreal Science Centre at the Old Port continues its “Strange Matter” temporary exhibit through March 7. From shape memory materials to fluids that shift state and microscopic machines, this interactive exhibition presents the latest scientific breakthroughs. The popular Technofolies exhibit (age  7 and up) will be back as of February 28. Very exceptionally, admission to the centre will be free after 6 p.m. on February 27 and remain open till 3 am Sunday morning! 514.496.4724 www.centredessciencesdemontreal.com

 

This late night opportunity to visit the Science Centre is part of Montreal’s High Lights / Nuit Blanche Festival when late night and free entrance is offered to many local cultural and commercial centres. www.montrealenlumiere.com/volets/nuit_blanche/liste_quartiers_en.aspx?q=vieux

 

ZigZagZoo, one of several indoor amusement centres around Montreal, offers face painting every weekday morning of the March break and special activities in early afternoon. Also, March 1 sees half-price admission for moms and March 5 sees half price for dads. March 3 is free for grandparents.  March 2 sees free coin-operated machines while on March 4 customers can bring a picnic lunch. 450.424.3244 www.zigzagzoo.ca

 

John Symon is the author of Exploring Montreal with Kids, a guidebook listing 500 possible outings for young families. www.montrealwithkids.com

 

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March School Break Calendar 2008 / Calendrier de la semaine de relâche scolaire 2008

Saturday, March 1^st to Sunday, March 10 / Samedi le 1er mars au dimanche le 10 mars

 

Are you wondering where to take the kids during the nine-day 2008 March break? Many of the sites described in the book Exploring Montreal with Kids / Découvrir Montréal avec les enfants have extended hours and/or special programming for the nine days of the 2008 March break. Some centres (i.e. Biodome, Cosmodome, and Insectarium) that are normally closed on Mondays are open Monday, March 3rd. Other sites, such as the Super Glissades de St. Jean de Matha, often experience their busiest week of the year during this school break. Near record snowfall this winter also augurs well for winter sports. The following calendar highlights some of the family-friendly activities possible around Montreal during this period, but this list is by no means exhaustive!

 

Vous cherchez des activités à proposer à vos enfants, aux alentours de Montréal ? Plusieurs destinations touristiques locales décrites dans le livre Exploring Montreal with Kids / Découvrir Montréal avec les enfants offrent un horaire adapté à la semaine de relâche 2008, ainsi quelques endroits normalement fermés le lundi ouvrent exceptionnellement leurs portes  lundi le 3 mars, tels le Biodôme, le Cosmodôme, et l’Insectarium. D’ailleurs des centres tel les Super Glissades de St-Jean-de-Matha peuvent connaîtrent leur plus important achalandage de l’année durant le congé scolaire. Voici quelques suggestions d’activités qui pourraient intéressés  vos enfants , cette liste ne se veut pas exhaustive !

 

Selected Activities:

 

Robofolies show at Montreal’s Science Centre is a robot fest and runs from March 1—9, 2008. Also playing here are Snowbirds, an interactive movie game / un grand jeu vidéo collectif / simulating flight on Snowbird jets, learn how the same technology makes better hockey sticks and prevents bridges from crumbling, meet the challenge of Mission Gaia: to extend the survival of humankind / prolonger la survie de l’humanité.. And that’s not all at this museum in Montreal’s Old Port. 333 de la Commune Street West, Montréal (metro: Place d’Armes) 1 877 496-4724 or (514) 496-4724 www.centredessciencesdemontreal.com

 

Butterflies Go Free / Papillons en liberté continues through April 27, 2008 with some 15,000 colourful tropical butterflies inside the Main Exhibition Greenhouse of the Montreal Botanical Garden. The Botanical Garden, which is normally closed Mondays, will be open exceptionally on Monday, March 3 and on Monday, March 27. Arrive early to avoid the crowds! / Arrivez tôt pour éviter la foule ! Admission price to the Botanical Garden also includes the Insectarium (below)

4101, rue Sherbrooke East (metro Pie IX) (514) 872-1400    www.museumsnature.ca

 

Spiders on Parade / La parade des araignées exhibit and UNICEF's Spread the Net / Un filet d'espoir campaign where $10 donations help prevent malaria deaths in Africa. The Insectarium, which is normally closed Mondays, will be open exceptionally on Monday, March 3 and on Monday, March 27, 2008.

Insectarium, 4581 Sherbrooke St. E. (metro Pie IX) (514) 872-1400 www.museumsnature.ca

 

Salon Brico-Expo    February 29—March 2, 2008 “Handicrafts for the Whole Family” / < Bricolage pour toute la famille > * Woodworking and tools / Bois et outils   * Cabinet making / Ébénisterie   * Art material / Matériaux artistiques   * Scrapbooking   * Painting on wood, glass and fabrics / Peinture décorative * Jewellery-making with pearls / Perles et bijoux    * Crafts and more... / Artisanat et bien d'autres

 2008 Place Forzani, Laval     (450) 979-2970           www.bricoexpo.com/

 

La Route des sciences is an initiative of Laval Tourism--together with the Cosmodome/ Camp spatial Canada, Armand Frappier Museum, Éco-Nature de Laval (Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles), le Centre d’interprétation de l’eau (C.I.EAU), amateur astronomers of Laval, Montmorency College, and Laval’s art services. These centres have combined to offer many activities from February 29 through March 9 for children aged 5 to 17 years and their parents. Some of the activities may take place in French only, but bilingual help is available by calling (450) 682-5522. www.routedessciences.com

 

Super Glissades de St Jean de Matha is reputedly the largest snow tubing & rafting site in Quebec about one hour northeast of Montreal. Skating, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, hikes in the forest, and horse-drawn sleigh rides are also possible here. Information on the website is in French only at press time.

(450) 886-9321           www.golfmatha.com/main.cfm?p=03_00_100&l=fr#

Several similar attractions listed in Exploring Montreal with Kids…

 

Multi media shows for different age groups such as Draco, le dragon céleste (French only), The Quest for Galactium / À la recherche du galactium , The New Solar System / Le nouveau système solaire, and the “All-Nighter” / Nuit blanche are playing at the Montreal Planetarium (March 1 to 2, 2008) French shows are followed by English ones. (514) 872-4530        1000 St. Jacques St. Montreal (metro: Bonaventure) www.museumsnature.ca

 

Stewart Museum and the Old Fort on St. Helen’s Island. Old-fashioned curling games (half cannon balls with handles welded on), snowshoeing, and displays of military history are on the menu at this walled fort built to protect Montreal from an American invasion. The museum is also offering its first-ever winter snow camp / camp d’hiver for 12 to 15 year olds. During spring break (March 3 – 7, 2008), participants aged 9 to 15 are invited to our winter landscape. On the menu, our winning recipe of history and entertaining activities: snowshoeing / randonnées en raquette, old-fashioned curling / curling à l’ancienne, and storytelling / des contes in the style of New France...

*           Note that admission is free Saturdays through April 26, 2008           *

(514) 861.6701 (metro: Jean Drapeau) www.stewart-museum.org

 

The Biosphere on St. Helen’s Island offers special activities from March 1—9 including the CréaSon musical show that visitors can participate in, and the play, Trop Tard (in French only). Outdoor activities are also organized. Kids are admitted to the museum free during the March break (some conditions apply). For more info:

(514) 283-5000 (metro: Jean Drapeau)          http://biosphere.ec.gc.ca

 

Who says that Montreal has no zoo? The Ecomuseum in Sainte Anne de Bellevue (Montreal) has about 90 native species of fauna on display in a small, family-friendly setting. This is mainly an exterior site, so dress appropriately for the weather! And the Ecomuseum might just be the most inexpensive zoo in Canada… Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (no admittance after 4 p.m.). (514) 457-9449    www.ecomuseum.ca

 

Montreal’s other zoo is of course The Biodome. This indoor zoo features flora and fauna from the Arctic, Antarctic, the Amazon, and from Quebec. As mentioned, the Biodome, which is normally closed Mondays, is open exceptionally on Monday, March 3 and on March 27. Extended hours are also offered during the March break.

(514) 868-3000           4777 Pierre-de-Coubertin (metro: Viau) www2.ville.montreal.qc.ca/biodome/site/site.php?langue=en

 

Ice Fishing / La pêche blanche can be a popular activity for kids, although boys do tend to like it more than girls… Many centres offer ice fishing, including Parc de la Riviere des Milles Iles between Laval and Rosemere. New this year is the “turn key” concept where visitors can rent all the equipment that they need (including a heated cabin) for groups up to six people everyday during the March break from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.. (450) 622-1020          www.parc-mille-iles.qc.ca

 

For those who enjoy the great indoors, Laval’s Recreatheque offers mini-golf, bowling, laser tag, a haunted house / la maison hantée, Bananazoo, and much more under one activity-packed, high decibel roof. (450) 688.8880         www.larecreatheque.com

 

Festival International du film pour enfants de Montréal (FIFEM)

www.fifem.com

 

Toboggan Hills / Pentes de Traîne sauvage :

 

Beaver Lake (Mount Royal Park) / Lac des castors (Parc du Mont Royal)

voie Camillien Houde

Montreal

(514) 872-8240           www.lemontroyal.qc.ca

snow tubing and artificial snow making also here

 

Bois de Liesse Nature Park

3555 Douglas B. Floreani

St. Laurent,

(514) 280-6678           www.ville.montreal.qc.ca/parcs

 

Laval Nature Centre

901 Park Ave.

Laval

(450) 662-4942

 

Longueuil Regional Park

1895 rue Adoncour

Longueuil

(450) 468-7617           www.sogep.ca

 

Mont St. Hilaire Centre for Nature Conservation

422 ch. des Moulins

St. Hilaire

(450) 467-1755           www.mcgill.ca/Biology/research/msh

 

Murray Hill Park, (officially known as King George Park)

Westmount Ave. and Murray Hill Ave.

Westmount

(514) 989-5353

 

P E Trudeau Park (formerly known as Centennial Park)

ch. Mackle and Stephen Leacock Ave.

Côte St. Luc

(514) 485-6806

 

Pointe aux Prairies Nature Park

12980 Gouin Blvd E.

Montreal

(514) 280-6691           www.ville.montreal.qc.ca/parcs

 

Oka Park

2200 Paul Sauvé

Oka

(450) 479-8337           www.sepaq.com

 

Rivière du Nord Regional Park

1051 International Blvd

St. Jérôme

(450) 431-1676

 

Many of these toboggan hills offer sled rentals. Some of them also offer cross-country ski, snowshoe, and skating rentals. / Plusieurs de ces centres offrent la location de traîneaux et quelques-uns offrent également des skis de fond, raquettes, et patins.

 

The Book Launch / Lancement du Livre of Découvrir Montréal avec les enfants takes place Sunday, March 2^nd from 2 to 4 p.m. at Renaud-Bray bookstore in Plaza St. Hubert 6255 Saint-Hubert Street, Montréal (métro : Beaubien). John will be on hand to answer questions in French or English.

 

Many of the centres listed above offer discounts to holders of a Montreal Acces card (available at Acces Montreal offices) and to members of the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA). Be sure to enquire when paying your admission fees. And an American Automobile Association (AAA) card should also work…

 

Plusieurs de ces centres offrent des rabais aux détenteurs de la carte Accès Montréal (disponible aux bureaux d’Accès Montréal) ainsi qu’aux membres de l’Association canadienne des automobilistes (CAA). Informez-vous lorsque vous payez les frais d’entrée.