Fun for All: The Best Family Friendly Activities in Oakville, Ontario

mum and dad swinging happy daughter in the air as they walk

Are you planning a trip to the town of Oakville, Ontario? Or, perhaps you’re lucky enough to call this beautiful spot home year-round. In either case, it helps to know which events and activities are available to enjoy!

Whether you’re staying for a few days or putting down roots for years, you’ll find there’s a ton to see and do around town. This includes lots of places to explore with little ones in tow!

Not sure where to begin? Today, we’re sharing some of the top family friendly activities to enjoy in Oakville and what makes each one so special.

Oakville Museum

Every great family day should include an educational element! If you’re looking for a way to immerse yourself in the town’s local history, there’s no better place to visit than the stately Oakville Museum.

Located at the famed 19th-century Erchless Estate, the museum’s building was once home to the founding family of Oakville. Now, it’s a community museum that’s open to the public from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.

As you stroll the grounds, you’ll have the opportunity to take in various exhibits that tell the story of Oakville through the years, including:

Period costumes
Fabrics and textiles
Decorative and fine arts
Ethnological artifacts

While you’re exploring, be sure to check out the former carriage house, now dubbed the Coach House. As Oakville’s latest gathering spot, it’s available for rent and would make a grand impression at your next event!

Admission to the Oakville Museum for groups of 10 or fewer is by donation only. If you’re looking for things to do with kids when it’s raining out, this is an especially popular pick.

Trampoline Parks and Indoor Playgrounds

If the weather works against you, there are still lots of kid-friendly events and activities around Oakville. The town is home to an array of spaces designed to help kids burn a little energy and make some special memories. These include indoor playgrounds and trampoline parks, such as:

Aerosports Trampoline Park
Playcious Oakville
Amazing Adventures
We Rock the Spectrum
Aladdin’s Adventures Indoor Playground

These parks include various sections for kids of all ages to explore and enjoy. Be sure to check out the bumper cars at Playcious Oakville and the Ninja Warrior obstacle courses at the Aerosports Trampoline Park!

Outdoor Parks and Trails

When the sun comes out and the days warm up, there’s nothing like visiting one of Oakville’s outdoor parks with your family! Throughout the town, you’ll find natural areas that are perfect for hiking, skating, biking, or just taking a casual walk with your loved ones.

The best part? These parks also include bright and colorful playgrounds! Before you head home, plan to spend a little time relaxing on a bench as your kids swing and slide to their hearts’ content!

Some of the best parks in Oakville include:

Coronation Park
Bronte Creek Provincial Park
Bronte Heritage Park
Lions Valley Park
Lakeside Park
Glenashton Park
Shell Park

If you have a few days to spend here, take your time and try to see more than one park. They’re each unique in their own way, offering special features and amenities that invite you to stay and play for a while.

For instance, the Children’s Playbarn at Bronte Creek Provincial Park will delight even your youngest kiddos, giving visitors an up-close look at some of the park’s resident barnyard animals plus a cool play loft that’s ideal for climbing and jumping!

If water views are what you’re after, you can’t miss Coronation Park, situated by picturesque Lake Ontario. When the temperatures get too hot, you can cool off like the local ducks and wildlife by taking advantage of the on-site splash pad! Families looking for leisurely trails

iFly Oakville

You might not dream of jumping out of an airplane, but you can channel your inner daredevil right in town, thanks to iFly Oakville! This state-of-the-art indoor skydiving facility lets you experience how it feels to free-fall from thousands of feet in the air only without the nerve-wracking part.

With experts on hand to keep everyone safe and comfortable, you can feel the joy of skydiving in a controlled environment. The wind tunnel, which is incredibly fast and cool, has wheelchair access and is available to thrill-seekers of all abilities.

Remember to arrive an hour before your check-in time so everyone in your party can attend the thorough pre-flight briefing lesson. During this time, you’ll learn how to “fly” in the best position and which hand signals to use as you soar through the tunnel.

Gairloch Gardens

After a few days of family travel, you’ll be ready to rest and unwind once you reach Oakville. If you’d rather meander through a gorgeous meadow than seek out adventure, be sure to add Gairloch Gardens to your itinerary.

The gardens are small but ultra-sweet, with great views of Lake Ontario. Your little ones can run and play or walk the dog while you sip a coffee and enjoy the on-site art gallery. The best time to come is spring or summer when the flowers start to bloom and the grounds truly come alive.

Horseback Riding at the Ranch

The Ranch has been the place to go horseback riding in Oakville since 1980. Whether you’re looking for a place to ride or a spot to take lessons, you’ll find it all here. They offer a few different options depending on your skill level and desired experience, including:

One-hour Trail Ride Experiences
Private and group rides (seasonal)
Membership program to ride on your own

Note that participants need to be at least eight years old to attend lessons and 10 years old to attend a Trail Ride Experience. Pack a picnic and remember to bring your camera along. You’ll want to capture these memories forever!

Delicious Kid-Friendly Restaurants

Oakville is home to lots of great eateries and most are casual enough to bring the whole crew. Some of the top local favorites include:

The Firehall: Laidback spot with yummy pizza and pasta. On Mondays after 4:00, up to two kids can eat for free with the purchase of an adult entree!
Mo’s Family Restaurant: A community mainstay that’s been around for decades, with a long menu of scrumptious comfort foods. Breakfast is available all day long, so plan to mix things up with pancakes for dinner!
The Works Craft Burgers and Beer: What’s not to love about a place that lets you build your own gourmet burgers? Vegan and vegetarian options are available for even the pickiest eaters.
Goodfella’s Pizza: Another great spot for delicious pizza, with an extensive list of specialty options for a little extra flair.

Of course, there’s also a Dave & Buster’s in town! This is the go-to spot for anyone looking to spend a few hours having an absolute blast. Not only can you grab a great meal here, but the premium arcade games are the icing on the cake.

Arts and Crafts

After filling your bellies with some delectable grub, why not enjoy an evening in Oakville by engaging in a little art therapy? Kids of all ages will adore the two pottery studios in town: Crack Pot Studio and Pottery N Paint Cafe.

Both spots keep a full calendar replete with activities and events for your family to enjoy. There are also art classes for children, teens, and adults, led by expert instructors using quality materials.

If you have enough time, choose a pre-made ceramic bisque item from the collection. You can paint it there in the studio or purchase a take-home paint kit to work on it on your own time. As an added perk, the team will fire any item you make there for free!

If you have kids who enjoy any type of arts and crafts, they’re sure to get a kick out of making and sharing their own creations.

The Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts

Do you have a child who loves to perform? Whether they’re banging the drums, dancing a solo, or delivering a monologue, there’s nothing like the arts to bring out the creative side of our little ones!

The Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts is the perfect place to bring your aspiring star! All year, they offer shows, concerts, and performances that appeal to different ages and interests, including:

Circus and magic shows
Musical performances
Comedy shows
Dance recitals
Musical theatre
Orchestral concerts

If you can’t make an in-person show for any reason, you can purchase a ticket to live-stream the event from the comfort of your home or hotel! If you live nearby and anticipate visiting often, consider investing in a Big Ticket Membership!

Kid-Friendly Hotels

If you’re visiting Oakville from out of town, you’ll have the chance to enjoy some of the region’s most comfortable and luxurious hotels! Many local spots are filled with kid-friendly features and amenities, such as:

Indoor swimming pools
On-site restaurants
Exercise facilities
Pet-friendly lodging

If you need a crib, rollaway bed, or even separate bedrooms for your brood, you can find accommodations to suit your needs. Some of the most prominent hotels in Oakville include:

Fairfield Inn by Marriott Toronto-Oakville
Sandman Hotel
Holiday Inn and Suites Oakville @ Bronte
Hilton Garden Inn Oakville
Homewood Suites Oakville
Holiday Inn Oakville Centre

Events for the Whole Family

There’s no wrong time to visit this town. Throughout the year, it plays host to an array of different events that truly offer something for everyone. Most Oakville events are ideal for families, even those with tiny travellers!

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular ones.

Maple Syrup Festival: March

Do your kids like drenching their pancakes in maple syrup? If so, then they’ll love attending the Maple Syrup Festival! Held every weekend in March, this event takes place at Bronte Creek Provincial Park, with fun activities that include:

Taking a guided tour of Maple Lane
Touring the historic Spruce Lane Farmhouse dating back to 1899
Watching as candy-makers create maple candy or taffy
Visiting the farm animals
Taking a wagon ride
Browsing the maple treats in the gift shop
Buying a few jugs of maple syrup from the express shop

When you’re ready to refuel, just hop on a wagon and head back to the centrally located Pancake House. There, you can indulge your sweet tooth with pancakes, sausage, and, you guessed it — syrup!

Weekend Art Smarts: April through June

For a few weeks out of the year, the Oakville Galleries, located in the Gairloch Gardens, provides a wonderfully interactive series of hands-on art workshops held specifically for budding artists.

Participants between the ages of six and 10 can attend classes that incorporate a range of different tools and mediums. The classes are small and personal, allowing children to hone their skills and work on their techniques in a supportive environment. Experienced instructors can tailor their teaching approach to fit each child’s interests and abilities.

Oakville Mayor’s Historical Picnic: June

Each year, Oakville holds a historical picnic at the beautiful Lakeside Park. This is a wonderful, family-friendly event filled with live music, activities, and dancing. Grab a takeout lunch from a nearby restaurant or stock a picnic basket with your favourites, and head out!

Urban Pumpkin Patch: October

Located on the Town Square, the Urban Pumpkin Patch is a pop-up event that allows visitors to choose their favourite pumpkin to carve or display at home! When you find the one you want, all of the proceeds will go to the local Humane Society.

Enjoy These Family Friendly Activities in Oakville

Whether you’re staying for the weekend or life, Oakville is a great place to be! This town is filled to the brim with cultural opportunities, gorgeous green spaces, and premium entertainment venues.

These are only a few of the top family friendly activities and events in Oakville. There are plenty more, and we’d love for you to experience them in person! If you’re ready to discover everything this town entails, we’ve got lots of guides, tips, and advice for you!