Angrignon Farm (LaSalle)
Atrium indoor skating rink (Downtown)
Biodome (Hochelaga-Maisonneuve)
Cosmodome (Laval)
Ecomuseum (Ste. Anne de Bellevue)
Insectarium(Hochelaga-Maisonneuve)
Montreal Botanical Gardens(Hochelaga-Maisonneuve)
Montreal Children’s Museum (Laval)
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (Downtown)
Montreal Science Centre (Old Montreal)
Parc Safari (Hemmingford)
Planetarium (Downtown)
Shed 16 Labyrinth (Old Montreal)

Montreal Children’s Museum (view map)

Your child can pretend to be a police officer, fisherman, astronaut, cook or grocery store at the Montreal Children’s Museum. Located on a highway in Laval, it doesn’t have the look or feel of a traditional museum, but it’s a great concept. This two-storey attraction has several environments set up to let kids make believe. They can get on a boat, wear a raincoat and do some fishing, mop the deck or steer. They can sit in a real police car and wear the hat, or play with tools and tires in the auto body shop. Upstairs there’s the opportunity to try a microphone and be a rock star, serve food in a restaurant, or use a construction digger. One of the most popular areas seems to be the “grocery store”, where kids can wheel a mini cart around, pick up some plastic food, and take it to the cashier (who could be mom or dad). Although there’s a big choice of activities, the museum will keep them occupied for about an hour. For parents, although there’s nowhere to sit down once inside, it’s fairly easy to keep track of where kids are. Plan to eat elsewhere or bring your own food.
Note: The Montreal Children’s Museum is next to Funtropolis
Other services: They offer birthday parties and group rates.

Address: 3805 Curé Labelle Blvd., Chomedey (view map)
Cost: Free for babies 18 months and under; children $12.40, Adults $7.10.
Hours: Mon. to Thurs. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Fri. to Sun. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Telephone: 450-681-4333
Website:
Montreal Science Centre
The Montreal Science Centre targets children age 9 and up with a number of hands-on, interactive displays. Some examples of recent exhibits: the life-cycle of a T-shirt is used to illustrate the need for sustainable development; you can pretend to be a science reporter, form an opinion and develop a news report, Although there was once a section appropriate for children from about 3 years old (called Dynamo’s Lair), it has closed. One of the more popular attractions at the Science Centre is the IMAX theatre, which often shows nature or environment-related 3-D features. These films really show the majesty of nature and the world around us, but for young children (under 5) it may be scary to have wild animals or sharks jumping out at them. The science centre offers no age guide for its features, so ask whether the film you’re interested in is potentially frightening. There are also some animated features for younger children, like Santa and the Snowman and Fly Me to the Moon. IMAX films typically last around 40 minutes. There’s a nice little restaurant on-site, with homemade salads, sandwiches, snacks and fresh fruit. There’s also a gift shop, which has some unusual (but pricey) children’s toys.

Changing table: Yes, in both men’s and women’s washroom
Cost: To see an IMAX only: $12 adult, $11 for teens, $11 for seniors, $9 for age 4 to 12, $38 for a family. Prices are the same for the exhibitions. To see IMAX and exhibitions: $20 adult, $18 teens, $18 seniors, $15 age 4 to 12, $63 for families.
Coffee/food: Yes.
Hours: Mon. to Fri. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sat. and Sun. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Address: King Edward Pier (which is the extension of St. Laurent Blvd.), off de la Commune St., Old Montreal. (view map)
Parking: Pay parking in lot outside, or metered parking on de la Commune St.
Website: http://www.centredessciencesdemontreal.com/

I Spy Montreal comment: There’s nothing at the science centre for babies (except changing tables) or toddlers. The best bet for younger children (age 4 to is an animated IMAX film. But, even then it’s a pricey option. You’ll pay $15 per child and $20 per adult to see a 40-minute film, plus you’ll probably have to pay for parking. So, consider whether you want to shell out $35 for your child to see a movie that’s not particularly science-related, rather than renting a DVD or seeing an IMAX at Scotiabank Theatre.

Montreal Botanical Gardens(view map)
One of the best bets at the Botanical Gardens for younger children is the Butterflies Go Free exhibit. This annual event offers families a chance for a tropical mini-getaway in the dead of winter (it usually starts in mid-February and runs through April). It takes about 10 minutes to walk through various greenhouse “environments” before getting to the butterfly exhibit. Once inside, you’ll be treated to a room full of live butterflies, fluttering around the tropical plant life. It’s typically crowded and warm, so take your coat off, relax and walk the path slowly, observing how the butterflies sip nectar from flowers and plates of orange slices. The butterflies do come close and often land on their observers: this may scare some small children. If you wear red, they’re more likely to come land on you. In the middle of the room there’s an information booth where educators show how butterflies develop from caterpillars to cocoons. The Botanical Gardens is stroller-friendly, and rents strollers at the front desk.

Changing table: Yes, in the women’s washroom
Cost: Adults: $13.50, children 5 to 17 $6.75, children 2 to 4, $2, free for age 0 to 2.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday
Address: 4101 Sherbrooke St. E. (view map)
Parking: Pay parking in lot outside; $5/hour, $10/day.
Telephone: 514-872-1400
Website: http://www2.ville.montreal.qc.ca/jardin/en

I Spy Montreal comment: Babies under one year probably won’t have much of a reaction to Butterflies Go Free; my 20-month-old son was very interested in watching the butterflies, as was my four-year-old son. It doesn’t take long to get around the butterfly exhibit, and it’s warm so you probably won’t want to spend longer than 20 to 30 minutes there with kids. The other indoor plant life in the greenhouses – although interesting to adults – isn’t that interesting to kids. The Botanical Gardens has a very nice gift shop with lots of toys, where we actually ended up spending more time (and money) than with the butterflies.

Insectarium (view map)

The Insectarium is on the same grounds as the botanical gardens – it’s about a five-minute walk away. There are lots of large, creepy, dead insects on display here, as well as many live ones (in glass cases). Smaller children will be impressed by the variety and size of bugs, and can see how live ants, termites and bees build their colonies. The Insectarium probably won’t hold their attention for long (not more than 20 to 30 minutes). Older kids who can read the displays will get more out of it. There’s a gift shop here, where small kids (well, boys, anyway) will delight in a large selection of rubber bugs, snakes and other creepy crawlies.
Website: http://www2.ville.montreal.qc.ca/insectarium/en

Biodome (view map)
The Biodome is the closest thing there is to a zoo in the downtown area. It features six ecosystems, starting with a hot and humid tropical forest – so take your coat off! Watch the trees for birds, snakes, lizards and monkeys. In the Laurentian forest there are Canadian favorites: otters, beavers, wood turtles, fish, ducks and birds. In the St. Lawrence marine environment, you get to go “underwater” to see fish, starfish, crabs, anemones, as well as birds like herons. In the arctic, you’ll see birds like puffins and in the Antarctic there are various kinds of penguins. Kids from about 18 months will have some (although varying) appreciation for the animals. Children aged 7 and up may like the audioguides (headphones you can wear while walking through the Biodome), which are available in French, Spanish and English. There’s an on-site restaurant with fresh, homemade sandwiches and lots of seating. The Biodome is all indoors and fairly easy to navigate with a stroller; free stroller rentals are available. The large gift shop offers some great toys and kids T-shirts. The Biodome runs 10-day summer camps for children aged 7 and up.

Address: 4777 Pierre de Coubertin Ave. (view map)
Changing table: Yes, in the women’s washroom
Cost: Adult $16, age 5 to 17 $8, age 2 to 4, $2.50, age 0 to 2, free. If your child likes the Biodome, you may want to consider an annual family pass, which is $55.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Summer 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; March break 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Parking: Pay parking in lot outside; $5/hour, $10/day. You can also park under the Olympic park (indoors) for $12/day.
Telephone: 514-868-3000
Website: http://www2.ville.montreal.qc.ca/biodome/site/site.php?langue=en

Montreal Planetarium (view map)

The Planetarium, located right smack downtown, offers kids a glimpse of stars, moons, planets and galaxies far, far away. Although the displays inside the Planetarium will not be of interest to children under 10, there are shows directed at children as young as four. Inside the theatre, which is circular and domed, images are projected on the ceiling. Note that these are not live-action movies: images of stars and story characters are beamed on the ceiling while a staff member tells a story that helps kids recognize and identify constellations. The shows, which last about 45 minutes, give various age groups an introduction to astronomy and are definitely more educational than entertaining. There’s a gift store that has lots of interesting toys related to astronomy and space.

Cost: Adult $8, children age 5 to 17, $4, children under 5 free.
Hours: Depends on time of year. Check website.
Address: 1000 St. Jacques St. (view map)
Parking: There’s a metered parking lot behind the Planetarium, and metered parking on the surrounding streets.
Telephone: 514-872-4530
Website: http://www.planetarium.montreal.qc.ca/index_a.html

I Spy Montreal comment: I took my four-year-old son to see Draco, the dragon feature at the Planetarium. He was interested for about 75 per cent of the show, but needed encouragement to stay till the end. We were disappointed that none of the displays outside the theatre section of the planetarium were of any interest to young children. The gift shop had lots of toys that he wanted, but all were overpriced. It’s an outing better suited to a child over four years old.

Cosmodome (view map)
The Cosmodome explores space travel and technology, targeting children from about 10 and up. There are some hands-on and interactive activities, as well as replica rockets and spaceships. There’s also a film about the first moon landing (narrated by Tom Hanks), that captures the awesomeness of space. It feels modern, well looked after and thought out. Under fivers will have limited interest; it may be hard to keep smaller children interested for more than half an hour. They’ll be most interested in the gift shop, with lots of rocket-themed toys, but parents may not be interested in shelling out more money! Even for older kids, a visit would probably not last more than an hour. The Cosmodome hosts birthday parties for children age five and up, as well as a summer space camp.

Hours: From Sept. to June, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday, open 7 days a week from June 24 to first week of September.
Address: 2150 Laurentian Highway, Laval (view map)
Cost: age five and under, free; student age 6 and up, $7.50; adult, $11.50; family (2 adults and 1 to 4 children) $29.50.
Parking: Free parking in front
Telephone: 450-978-3600
Website: http://www.cosmodome.org/

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (view map)

The museum offers “family Sundays”, which are free, bilingual activities from 1 to 4 p.m. on scheduled Sundays. Check the website for dates. Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis. The activities are typically hands-on craft or art sessions; all the materials are provided. Since the museum opens at 11 a.m., the workshops may not be a great idea for children under 4 or 5, who tend to get up early and eat lunch around 11:30 a.m.

Address: 1380 Sherbrooke St. W. (view map)
Hours: Tue. to Sun. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wed. to Fri. 11 a.m. till 9 p.m.
Cost: Permanent collection, free; temporary exhibits: adults $15, children $12 and under, free, families $30.
Parking: Metered parking on the surrounding streets.
Telephone: 514-285-2000
Website: http://www.mbam.qc.ca/en/activites/activite_32.html

Ice Skating at The Atrium (view map)
This bright, indoor rink is a great place to introduce kids to skating. Located on the ground floor of a downtown office building, the rink is surrounded by a food court. Absolute beginners (you too, parents), can rent skates and helmets. During “tiny tots” sessions, there’s music playing, and often a life-size mascot on the ice. There are also walkers for little skaters to lean on while they’re learning, and a small, separated area to practise scoring mini hockey goals. Beginner children’s classes are offered early on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Hours: From Easter to Thanksgiving, Mon. to Fri. 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. for all, Saturday and Sunday 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. tiny tots, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., for all.
Cost: Adults, $6, Children 12 and under, $4, family (2 adults, 2 children) $17. Skate rentals $5.50, locker rentals $2.
Address: 1000 de la Gauchetiere St. (view map)
Parking: There’s pay parking under the building and meter parking on the street.
Telephone: 514-395-0555
Website: http://www.le1000.com/

Shed 16 Labyrinth (view map)
A maze of corridors and obstacles, located in a shed in the Old Port. It takes 75 to 90 minutes to get through the labyrinth. Strollers are not admitted in the maze, but can be left at the ticket counter. As long as toddlers can walk, they are old enough to get through the maze, but will not understand the “mission”. Pregnant women should note that bending, climbing and sliding are part of the maze. There’s a special event for Halloween.

Address: Clock Tower Pier, south of de la Commune St. in Old Montreal. (view map)
Open: May 16 to June 19, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; June 20 to Aug. 23 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Aug. 24 to Oct. 9, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Cost: under 3 years, free; 4 to 12, $10.50; 13 to 17, $13; 18 to 59, $14. Family packages range from $34.50 to $53.50.
Telephone: 514-499-0099
Website: http://www.labyrintheduhangar16.com/en/index.html

Ecomuseum (view map)

Kids get the chance to see wild animals that are native to the St. Lawrence Valley area at the Ecomuseum in Ste. Anne de Bellevue. This private, nonprofit wildlife park, operated by the St. Lawrence Valley Natural History Society, is home to reptiles and amphibians, birds and mammals. Beyond the main museum building (where there are some educational displays) you can walk the scenic grounds visiting porcupines, red foxes, wolves, caribou, a turtle pond, deer, black bears, butterflies and birds of prey. A major highlight for kids: getting an underwater view of how river otters twist, turn and play through a glass-panelled tank. Plan on spending an hour minimum to see all the animals. You’ll end up back at the main centre, where there are tables for having lunch or snacks (bring your own); you can also eat on picnic tables outside. There’s a small playground near the entrance. The Ecomuseum hosts activities for kids of all ages: mom and tot story time, annual Easter Egg hunt, frog call nights, and breakfast with the otters.

Address: 21125 St. Marie Rd., Ste. Anne de Bellevue (view map)
Cost: Adults (age 16 to 64), $12.50, age 3 to 15, $7.50, free for age 2 and under.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, closed Dec. 25
Parking: Free parking lot in front.
Telephone: 514-457-9449
Website: http://www.ecomuseum.ca/

Angrignon Farm (view map)

Angrignon Farm – an outdoor “petting zoo” in the city – is closed until 2010. Traditionally open June through Labor Day, it has animals including Llamas, horses, miniature ponies, rabbits, chickens, cows, ducks and sheep. There’s also a picnic and play area for children age 1 to 5. Since admission is free, it’s a great place to take toddlers; they get to see some animals without going all the way to Granby Zoo. The farm is located at Angrignon Park, which is a beautiful green space with two playgrounds (geared to younger and older kids).

Address: 3400 Trinitaires Blvd., Lasalle (view map)
Telephone: 514-280-3744

Parc Safari (view map)

This Hemmingford attraction is well worth the 30-minute drive and the cost at least once a summer. Parc Safari caters to a wide range of ages and interests, and the grounds are easy to navigate. One part of the park is the drive-through safari, where you can see elephants, camels, giraffes and many other exotic animals. You can buy feed, roll down the windows and feed the animals. Note: It takes at least an hour to get through the safari – once you’re in the queue, cars go slowly. Children under age four and babies (unless they’re asleep) may get impatient. The great news is that there’s so much else to the park, that you don’t even have to do the drive-through to have a great time and see some animals. Once you’ve parked and entered the main grounds, you can visit monkeys, bears and white tigers (in various enclosures) on foot. For younger children the pool complex, with its toddler-friendly water slides, fountains, a sandy “beach” and inflatable boats, will be a highlight. There’s also a super playground area (with climbing structures, ball pits, etc.) and a theatre for kids’ shows. Older kids can rent an inner tube and float down the lazy river. Did we mention the deer farm and elephant and camel rides? There’s also a fair area with a ferris wheel, mini train and other standard rides. There are lots of picnic tables, and a few restaurant/snack bar options to choose from.

Address: 850 Route 202, Hemmingford (view map)
Hours: From May to October, opens at 10 a.m. Closing time varies in the summer.
Cost: Adults: $37, age 2 to 17, $22, under 2 years, free.
Telephone: 450-247-2727 or 1-800-465-8724
Website: www.parcsafari.com