9 March Break Activities in Nova Scotia
If you have school-aged kids to keep busy during March Break and need inspiration for activities, look no further. These fun outings will help keep...
The whole family will love this list of fun summer activities in Nova Scotia!
Beaches
Nova Scotia is known as Canada’s Ocean Playground for a reason! Nothing is as Nova Scotian as a summer beach day. Pack the sand toys, a picnic, and head to the closest beach for a day of splashing in the waves and building castles in the sand. Challenge your family to see how many different beaches you can visit this summer. With more than 50 beaches across the province, you’re sure to find a new family favourite!
Boat Tours
Climb aboard a boat tour for a fun family adventure. Explore the Halifax Harbour on the Harbour Hopper or Tall Ship Silva, learn about the mysterious Oak Island with Salty Dog Tours, bring your camera to catch a glimpse of seals in their natural habitat with Nova Scotia Family Fun Boat Tours (minimum 6 years old), and sail the iconic Bluenose II around the Lunenburg Harbour. For a quick and inexpensive boat ride, catch a harbour ferry from Halifax to Dartmouth for awesome city views.
Museums
Nova Scotia is home to many engaging and interesting museums. Young, inquisitive minds will love exploring Sherbrooke Village Museum, Fundy Geological Museum, Ross Farm Museum, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Museum of Natural History, Baile nan Gàidheal | Highland Village Museum, Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, Museum of Industry, Memory Lane Heritage Village (check out their Clam Digging Experience).
Picnics
Whether you’re grabbing takeout from a local restaurant or packing a lunch from home, there are several different places to enjoy your meal with a view. Head to the beach or the day-use areas of a provincial park. Enjoy the green spaces of Point Pleasant Park, the Public Gardens or the Halifax Common for a city escape. Take a pit stop along the Cabot Trail at Ingonish Beach, La Bloc or Le Vieux Chemin du Cap-Rouge, Grande Anse or MacIntosh Brook.
Kayaking Tours
Nova Scotia offers spectacular coastal paddling. From the highest tides in the world in the Bay of Fundy to quiet and calm coastal inlets, paddle Nova Scotia’s waterways for unique perspectives of the coastline. You’ll experience incredible coastal scenery, cliffs and rock formations and maybe even marine or wildlife. Check out these operators to book your next kayaking adventure: NovaShores Adventures, Liverpool Adventure Outfitters, Cabot Trail Adventures, Pleasant Paddling, Cape LaHave Adventures, Coastal Adventures, Kayak Halifax, East Coast Outfitters.
*Some operators have a minimum age requirement of 12, but not all. Check ahead prior to booking.
Events
Kids of all ages will love these super cool events. Check out the Atlantic Kite Festival where attendees will be wowed by dozens of colourful and high-flying kites in the skies over the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site. The Halifax Busker Festival is always a crowd pleaser with incredible acrobats, magicians, fire performers, dancers and more from all over the world! Head to the beach to be amazed by the creativity and skill of sand artists at the Clam Harbour Sandcastle Competition. Step back in time during Sleepover At Fortress of Louisbourg where guests sleep overnight inside the fortress walls in a tent. All summer long Living Wharves shares the stories of the fisheries of the Yarmouth & Acadian Shores.
Walk on the Ocean Floor
Descend the staircase and take off your socks and shoes (or wear rubber boots or water shoes) to explore the ocean floor at Burntcoat Head Park. This experience could get a little messy so bringing a change of clothes along is a good idea. Take your visit to the next level by joining a knowledgeable guide on the Tidal Reveal: Ocean Floor Tour. A foot/shoe wash station is available after you’re done exploring. Pack a picnic to enjoy at the picnic tables afterwards.
Shubenacadie Provincial Wildlife Park
Head to Shubenacadie to check out wildlife of all descriptions. The wide trails are stroller friendly, and kids will love learning about and visiting with the animals that call this park home. Enjoy the interpretive displays and discover tanks of live wetland creatures in the Wetland Centre. After, eat a packed picnic lunch at the covered tables and time at the onsite playground.
OnTree Fun and Adventure Park
Kids 7 years and older can challenge themselves at the fun high ropes courses at OnTree Fun and Adventure Park. With a variety of courses for different age levels, this exciting family activity is sure to get everyone’s adrenaline pumping! From ziplines to obstacle courses to a wheelchair accessible course, this is sure to be an adventure to remember, no matter your skill level.
*Height restriction also in place, check ahead prior to booking.
Tidal Bore Rafting
If your Nova Scotia plans include experiencing the Bay of Fundy tides, tidal bore rafting is a must! Climb aboard a Zodiac boat as your experienced guide takes you on the ride of a lifetime! When the incoming tide reverses the flow of the Shubenacadie River your boat will feel like a roller coaster car riding the waves. Round out your experience by mud sliding on the river flats. Yes, you’ll need a change of clothes!
Age limits may be in place, check ahead prior to booking.
Family Hikes and bikes
Stretch your legs after a long drive, get your body moving, or simply experience Nova Scotia’s great outdoors on these family-friendly hiking and biking trails:
- Point Pleasant Park, 5530 Point Pleasant Drive, Halifax – 39km of easy, wide trails in the South end of Halifax
- Rum Runners Trail, various trail heads Halifax to Lunenburg – 119km multi-use trail along former rail bed
- Harvest Moon Trailway, various trailheads Annapolis Royal to Grand-Pré – 110km multi-use trail on former rail bed
- Le Petit Bois Trail, 1695 Highway 1, Church Point – 5km network of coastal and wooded trails
- Victoria Park, 29 Park Road, Truro (Main Entrance), 627 Young Street, Truro (Railyard Mountain Bike Park) – Climb Jacob’s Ladder, walk through the extensive trail network, or hit the Railyard Mountain Bike Park for a little more excitement
- Butter Trail, 24 Station Road, Tatamagouche – 25km multi-use trail on former rail bed
- Celtic Shores Coastal Trail, various trail heads Port Hastings to Inverness – 92km multi-use trail on former rail bed
- Musquodoboit Trailway, 90 Park Road, Musquodoboit Harbour – 15km trail on former rail bed
- Trails in National Parks – Whether you’re camping or day-tripping, explore the trails throughout Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site and Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Both offer numerous family-friendly trails for all ages.
Surfing Lessons
Surfing lessons are the stuff of core-childhood memories! Only 45 minutes from downtown Halifax, Lawrencetown and Martinique Beach both offer wonderful surf schools. Experienced instructors teach you surfing’s ins and outs before heading out to catch a wave. Lesson, wetsuit, and board rental are all included.
Parks Canada Xplorers Program
Pick up an Xplorer booklet at participating locations. The booklets include fun and engaging activities sure to engage curious minds to discover even more about the area! Xplorer activities vary from one site to another so make sure to request a booklet from each location you visit. This family-friendly program is included with regular Park entry fees.
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