Village du Père Noël
Address: Autoroute 15, Exit 76 in Val-David, around 45 minutes north of Montreal
Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Dec. 19, 2009 to Jan. 5, 2010.
Cost: Age 0 to 1, free; age 2 to 65, $12.50.
Website: www.noel.qc.ca
Telephone: 819-322-2146

This family attraction has been around since 1953, based on the idea that its Val-David location is Santa’s “summer residence” – an outdoor play area and petting zoo where kids can feel the Christmas spirit year-round. Le Village du Père Noël is also open during the winter, and is a super place to take the kids during the school/day care break. It has all the bases covered, with a huge variety of activities to keep toddlers right up to 10-year-olds happy, in a beautiful outdoor setting. The weather will influence your decision to visit, but don’t worry about being stuck outside in the cold for hours – there are lots of places to go inside for a break or to warm up.

Playground and petting zoo
The rustic, gingerbread-style houses of the village are the first sign that you’re entering a fantasy land for kids. Next you’ll see a giant Christmas tree and candy canes towering over the outdoor playground. There are swings, playhouses, slides of various sizes and a small skating area. One of the main highlights for young ones will be the mini train, which circles a small track. Is that a llama over there? Yes, and there are also ducks, goats and reindeer to pet and feed in various enclosures. For an extra $2, children can do a pony ride.

Lots of action for older kids
Older kids will enjoy activities like tubing (they have the tubes, so no need to bring your own), sliding down a hill on gunny sacks, two zip cords, the skating rink and an area with giant building blocks. As you explore the village, you’ll notice cabins that house different activities: one is a fun-house-style maze, another is filled with xylophone-type instruments that kids can use to make their own music. In one of the cabins, you’ll find Santa, who is more than happy to have his picture taken with the kids.

Lunch is taken care of
For lunch, there’s a casse croute on the premises that sells hot dogs and hamburgers, as well as soup, sandwiches and fruit. You can eat in heated, enclosed tents that have picnic tables inside. The bathrooms are decent and there was a changing table in the one we visited.

We’ll definitely be back during the summer and the winter!

Have you visited Le Village du Père Noël? What did you think?

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3. Guided Tour: Mont Tremblant With Kids