Canada

Canada Family holidays

It would be hard to think of a more exciting, varied and easy destination than Canada for a family holiday. Bordered by the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans as well as the good ole’ USA, and with the Rocky Mountains and prairies in between, there is a huge amount of fun to be had on a Canada family holiday.

To start with, there are direct flight options, so it’s a pretty easy journey to get here. Once you have arrived, you can enjoy the freedom of the open road from your hire car. Outdoor enthusiasts will love the forests, snowy peaks, emerald lakes and coast for all the adventure sports on offer. Culture vultures will embrace the historical sites, colonial towns, world-class museums and fantastic (and safe) big city vibe. Foodies will happily snack their way through the dim sum of Vancouver’s Chinatown and the BeaverTail pastries of Quebec.

Make a splash in the lakes and inlets of Vancouver Island

Why take the kids to Canada?

A Canada family holiday works brilliantly for children of all ages. Wildlife viewing and adventure activities generally take top billing, but there’s endless variety to ensure the perfect blend of adventure for your family.

Our top activities on Canada family holidays include:

Bear and whale watching on Vancouver Island
Walking on a glacier on the Icefields Parkway
Kayaking with dolphins at Tofino
Heli-hiking in the Rockies
Howling with wolves in Algonquin
Making a splash at Niagara Falls
Swimming in a pristine mountain lake
Cheering teams at a baseball game

The opportunities for wildlife viewing are phenomenal and a real highlight of any Canada family holiday. You can hike into the wilderness to see black bears foraging on a lakeshore or canoe past moose grazing by a river. Perhaps spend an evening listening to wolves howling at dusk or watching beavers building their dams. Or enjoy a hike along the Pacific Rim to spot sea lions, dolphins and otters.

Which part of Canada to visit?

As the second largest country in the world, you are not going to be able to cover all of Canada in one visit. The eastern part of the country offers the urban buzz of Toronto and the genteel charm of Quebec City and Niagara on the Lake. You’ll be able to visit the thundering cascade of water at Niagara Falls and enjoy the peace of cabin-living amongst the forests and lakes of Algonquin National Park.

Over in the west, Vancouver is one of the world’s most liveable cities, and begs to be explored on foot or on two wheels. Vancouver Island offers some of the country’s best wildlife spotting opportunities, with bears, dolphins, whales and more. And the Rockies are an adventure playground for children of all ages. Tackle a challenging Rocky Mountain hike or take the cable car option depending on how active you are feeling.

Canada family holidays - Niagara Falls with visitor boat

Take a thrilling boat trip to the base of the Niagara Falls

We will recommend an itinerary that will work for your family, bearing in mind the ages of your children. Younger kids will love the stroller-friendly trails, all you can eat menus and double-bedded hotel rooms. Older ones can absorb the lively North American street scene, portage a canoe between lakes in Ontario or hit the Pacific surf. And all ages will love loading up their hot dogs from a city corner street stand – surely the most fuss-free dining option ever…

Spot bears in Banff National Park on Canada family holidays

Spot bears, elks and bighorn sheep in the stunning scenery of Banff National Park

Example Canada family holiday itineraries

All of our Canada family holidays are bespoke which means that they are tailor-made for your own specific family, taking into account the ages of your children, your interests, your budget and so on. We will be able to guide you on which part of the country will suit your family, but to give you an idea, have a look at our sample itineraries, Western Canada for families and Lakes, Falls and Cities of Ontario.

Also, check out some of the other places that you might like to visit on a Canada family holiday, and if you need further inspiration, have a look at our gallery.

See When to go to Canada to find out more about the weather and what it will be like at the time that you want to travel. Or simply give us a ring and we’ll be delighted to advise you on the best Canada family holidays for your family.