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If you’re looking for activities to do with your parents in Ottawa, this article is for you! After all, you don’t get to see them as often as you’d like. This is when the importance of spending quality time together becomes clear. Staying active and engaging with our surroundings helps us stay healthy, while also contributing to a sense of well-being. And staying connected with our loved ones helps us stay happy and upbeat—something we all want as much as possible!

Go for a walk

It’s a fact that walking is one of the most efficient exercises around. Not only does it burn calories, but it also helps build endurance, strength, and flexibility. Follow a trail with your parents and see for yourself how easy it is to get fit. Pick a few places close to your house, and explore the streets together. You may even want to try a neighbourhood walk if you all live in the same city. What’s more, walking with your family is a great bonding exercise.

Play games with your family

Anything goes when it comes to games! You can choose from a wide selection, or even create your own.

Here are a few ideas to get you started: Pick a family activity and have everyone join in.


For example, if everyone likes sports, you can decide on a street walk. If everyone loves puzzles and games, you can have a family game night. And if you have a young crowd, you can even do activities related to preschool or kindergarten.

Enjoy a picnic in the park

Picnics are great for families. Not only are they relaxing, but they also make for cheap activities. You can also invite your parents for a picnic at the park. If you live close to a park, why not go there for lunch? You can also plan picnics for the weekends when you all have more time. Alternatively, if you and your parents don’t live close by to a park, why not go on scavenger hunts, play games there, or even have a picnic in your backyard?

Go to a museum or art gallery

The museums in Ottawa are really worth a visit. From the Nepean to the Canadian War Museum and from the Bytown Museum to the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, you’ll find something that appeals to everybody. Your family may not be art fans, but why not try something new together? You can also visit museums outside Ottawa, such as the Musée des Civilisations in Quebec City, the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Montréal, or the Museum of Jurassic Technology in Los Angeles.

Make healthy food together

Couples who spend time together have a 35% lower risk of divorce, according to a study. Food is a great way to bring people together and make lasting connections. You can also try making healthy food together at home. There are lots of healthy recipe blogs out there, or you can even try a few food delivery services, such as Just Eat or Foodora. What’s more, you can make healthy food deliveries to your parents’ home—it’s a great option if they live alone.

Take a cooking class together

Couples who cook meals together report feeling more in love consistently. Cooking is also a great way to spend quality time with your parents. If they love to cook, why not take them to a cooking class together? You can also choose a class that appeals to the whole family. For example, you could take a class on healthy eating together, or one that focuses on food for special diets.

Stay connected through volunteering

Volunteering is a great way to spend time with your parents. You can even pair up with your siblings, too. Why not look for volunteer opportunities that give you as a family? For example, you could volunteer at a children’s museum, a library, a homeless shelter, a food bank, or a seniors’ centre. Volunteering allows you to help people in need, while also strengthening your family bonds.

Bonus activity

If you’re feeling adventurous, why not check out mountain biking in the Gatineau hills? You’ll be in a beautiful, natural setting, while also getting some exercise. Mountain biking is a great way to get your heart pumping and burn calories while bonding with your loved ones. And you can do it in the Gatineau hills, a beautiful natural setting that’s also close to Ottawa and Gatineau. What are you waiting for? There are tons of activities you can do with your parents in Ottawa. All you need is a little inspiration and a few of your free days!