The one lesson we’ve all recently learned is family time is precious. While Zoom lessons have taught young minds well, family vacations are still on the top of the list when it comes to fun things to do with kids.
With more restrictions being lifted, see what’s new in Niagara Falls, Canada, and find some fun kid-friendly activities. Make memories by exploring caves behind the Falls, visit a one-of-a-kind model train museum, hike nature trails, or ride the flume at a waterpark.
The Best Time to Plan a Vacation with Kids/Toddlers to Niagara Falls
As you plan your family vacation to Niagara Falls, there are points to ponder such as weather, and time allotted to visit attractions. Another big point to take in consideration may be the temperaments, or any sensory issues, of your children, and yourself.
Niagara Falls is a major tourist attraction at any time of the year, but summer draws the most tourists. If you and your family are more comfortable with less crowds, a spring, fall, or even winter trip may be best planned. The observation decks of the Falls are open all year.
Springtime offers spectacular colours as the floral attractions begin to bloom and the temperatures start to climb.
Just as you can imagine, summer brings out the tourists as more attractions open. From fireworks over the Falls, to boat tours and amusement rides, summertime has much to offer for all ages.
Fall brings bright orange hues along with dropping temperatures as many inside attractions keep their doors open until the winter sets in.
With temperatures dipping below freezing, the Niagara Falls region offers magical winter scenes, especially at the Falls. The snow and ice glowing with various coloured lights cast an enchanted wonderland on the amazing waterfalls that have not frozen since 1848.
Tips and Safety Precautions
Vacationing with small children can cause concerns over safety, especially in large crowds. The observation decks and walkways around the Falls are fenced in and signs are posted for no climbing. Attractions have their own safety rules and there are highly visible volunteers walking around the park to offer assistance.
Have meeting points, or safe spots to go to if lost (examples are security buildings or a ticket booth).
Stay together (wearing matching shirts or outfits may help stand out in a crowd if separated).
Never talk to strangers (some toddlers and young children love new faces).
Only pull out the cellphones for pictures (save updating social media pages and checking emails for downtime at the hotel).
Things to Do with Kids in Niagara Falls
There are fun activities in and around Niagara Falls to keep even the most reserved child occupied. From garden mazes to sky-high rides, your toddlers and young children will be smiling from sunup to sundown.
Many of the outdoor and indoor adventure spots are within walking distance of each other and others can be reached by using the free shuttle service available throughout the summer months.
Niagara Falls
The Niagara Falls Zipline offers amazing views from above the roar of the water for kids as young as seven years. Other sky-high views can be seen by zipping up the Skylon Tower in a glass elevator or “flying” over the water with the Whirlpool Aero Car or with Niagara Helicopters.
For those who like to stay closer to the ground, there is the opportunity to go behind the giant waterfall as you are guided through 130-year-old tunnels with the Journey Behind the Falls adventure. Or perhaps your family will want to “bathe” in the Falls with a ride on one of the Hornblower Niagara Cruise catamarans that cruise close to the base, causing riders to get soaked in the mist.
It’s hard to miss the sights and sounds of music, flashing lights, and laughing children at Niagara Falls’ fun centre, Clifton Hills. This neighbourhood hosts dozens of amusements rides and shops.
Niagara Glen and Botanical Garden
Take a break from the bustle of the action-packed fun with a calming walk in the Niagara Glen. This provincial nature park is located near the Falls and offers walking and hiking trails, guided educational tours, rock climbing, and spectacular views of the Niagara River.
Continue your exploration of nature with a visit to the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, located nearby. This 99-acre wonderland is the home to various flora and fauna species and is the site of the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture and Butterfly Conservatory.
Queen Victoria Park
Satisfy the hunger your family has worked up by enjoying a picnic in Queen Victoria Park overlooking the Falls. Not only does this park serve as a backdrop for pictures, but it also hosts plants and flowers from across the globe.
Follow the walking paths to learn about the unique flora or soak up the sunshine as you plan the next adventure of your day.
Fallsview Indoor Waterpark
If your kids need to cool down on a hot day, or the rain drives you inside, keep the fun going at North America’s largest indoor waterpark at Fallsview Indoor Waterpark.
The three-acre waterpark offers a splash area for toddlers and an adjacent water zone for young children. A wave pool, 16 waterslides, water activity play zone, and a playground offers hours of endless fun for all ages.
Locomoland: Model Train Miniature World
Calling all train enthusiasts, which usually means every small child and many “big” kids too! A trip to Niagara Falls would not be complete without a visit to Locomoland, “the only high-tech, remote-controlled miniature railway system in the world.”
Explore a model railroad museum where your kid can drive the model train like a train driver or drive slot cars on one of the coolest slot car race tracks in Canada. Experience more than 2,000 square-feet of fields, rivers, mountains, cities, and special world creations as you view the layout via the camera-equipped locomotive and other train cars. Go behind the scenes and learn first-hand the electronic systems of model trains.
If you have ever gone to local model train shows, you don’t want to miss seeing some of the most unique model trains in Canada. For more information about Locomoland, email us at info@locomoland.com or to schedule your visit to this fun world with an online train ride, visit our website to purchase tickets.
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