Finding a way to entertain your kids or grandkids during a poorly planned spring break can quickly itself turn into a full-time job. Montérégie has everything you need to organize a fun week that’s just perfect, filled with enriching activities and quality family time. Check out our suggestions!
Indoor activities
Free science workshops at the Électrium in Saint-Julie
March 2 to 8
Workshop times: 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
The Profaqua team is back again this year with their science workshops*. The electricity interpretation centre welcomes visitors to learn about different scientific themes as a family. The schedule includes egg parachuting, robot building and liquids with surprising electric properties. In addition to the workshops, your budding scientists can visit the restructured installation spaces, learn all the secrets of Watson the electric eel and have truly hair-raising fun with the Van de Graaff generator.
*Kids 6 and up
Reservation required, places limited
Free guided tours of the Beauharnois generating station
February 29 to March 8, 2020
Tour times:9:30 a.m., 11:15 p.m., 1:15 p.m. and 2:45 p.m.
The generating station has a special spring break schedule for guided tours.
Learn more about this activity on our blog.
Exporail in the movies and new simulator at Exporail, the Canadian Railway Museum in Saint-Constant
February 28 to April 26, 2020
The Canadian Railway Museum is offering a unique inside look into the film world. A number of passenger cars, streetcars and locomotives in the Exporail collection were used in scenes of major films like The Rocket, Bittersweet Memories, Brooklyn and La Bolduc. On the guided tour, you’ll enjoy the magic of the movies while learning more about the filming of these scenes and the vehicles themselves. After your visit, make sure to test your conductor skills aboard the museum’s brand new train simulator.
New virtual games at RécréOFUN in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville
Do you and your kids or grandkids love playing video games? Spring break is the perfect time to try out RécréOFUN’s new facilities with the youngsters. Who knows, you may even leave them impressed! The VR Maze features three different games for ages 5 and up that offer a thrilling way to test your reflexes. The 7D Multisensory Cinema – XD Dark Ride offers three different movies with captivating 3D animations and special effects. Embark on a one-of-a-kind adventure through a virtual world!
Special activities at the Musée régional de Vaudreuil-Soulanges in Vaudreuil-Dorion
February 29 to March 8
The Musée régional de Vaudreuil-Soulanges invites DIYers ages 3 to 12 to take part in their spring break activities. Young artists can get inspired by the exhibit L’eau au cœur de ma vie… by Les artistes en herbe to create their own art incorporating the museum’s famous mouse Cyprienne. In addition to this art activity, kids can make their own Cyprienne pin and participate in an observation game, following clues through the installation’s three rooms. There will also be a recycling-themed enviro-DIY* activity on March 3 at 2 p.m.
*The DIY materials, snacks and self-guided tours of the museum’s exhibits are included.
Themed activities at the Maison nationale des Patriotes in Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu
March 1,3 and 5
The Maison nationale des Patriotes is offering themed activities for history buffs. On March 1, after tasting some tire d’érable, families are invited to enjoy free entry to the museum and take part in a lantern-making workshop. On March 3, there will be a guided tour of the village of Saint-Denis, and on March 5 there will be a screening of the animated Asterix and Obelix film Le secret de la potion magique.
Ceramic decorating workshop at the Musée du Haut-Richelieu in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
March 2 to 6
1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
The Musée du Haut-Richelieu offers a perfect way to spark the kids’ creativity: a special ceramic decorating workshop for spring break, Relâche tes couleurs.* Whether you’re a parent, grandparent or godparent, you’re invited to participate in this fun and original activity with the family. Choose your own ceramic item to decorate however you like! A workshop leader will show you the basics of glazing and how to paint on ceramic, among other techniques. Get in touch with your inner artist!
*Kids 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
As the pieces will have to be fired, participants can pick up their finished products two weeks after the event.
Reservations required
Plaisirs Relâche in Saint-Hyacinthe
March 1 to 5
Missing the fairs and amusement parks of summer? Plaisirs Relâche is here to help you recapture the feeling of summer fun with friends or family. The temporary amusement park with rides, inflatable attractions and games of skill is the perfect destination for an exciting day out!
Outdoor activities
Special spring break activities from Chouette à voir! in Saint-Jude
February 29 to March 2 and March 6 to 8
10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
These activities hosted by Chouette à voir! are a spring break must as it’s the one time in the winter they run on-site activities. You can visit the rehabilitation complex, walk along the snowy paths, meet the ambassador birds and attend demonstrations of birds of prey in flight. On the Saturday evenings (February 29 and March 7), dress warm and set out on a nocturnal safari in the forest. A guide will take you under their wing on a tour of the owl aviaries while regaling you with stories about these birds of prey. You’re sure to encounter some feathered friends, as they are most active after nightfall. Don’t forget to dress warmly and bring a flashlight for the nocturnal safari. New this year: Chouette à voir! is offering VIP photo shoots with the ambassador birds before opening hours. Reservation required.
Spring Break Festivities at Ski Saint-Bruno
March 2 to 6
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Crédit photo : Patrick Palmer
March usually brings milder weather ideal for skiing at Ski Saint-Bruno. With their Spring Break Festivities in full swing from March 2 to 6, what more reason do you need to hit the slopes with the family! With inflatable attractions, sledding, a treasure hunt, activities in the Enchanted Forest and a mascot show, there are tons of ways to play outside. If your gang enjoys night skiing, then they’re sure to be enchanted by the magical ambiance of the Enchanted Forest’s illuminated shows that run from March 1 to 15, from 5 to 10 p.m.
Activities included with the day pass.
Information kiosk and storytelling at parc national du Mont-Saint-Bruno
March 1 to 8
- Booth: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Storytelling: 1:30 to 3 p.m.
You can’t do spring break without at least one outing in the great outdoors, and Parc national du Mont-Saint-Bruno is a perfect place to get your fill of fresh air with the family. After walking the trails, snow tubing or taking an energizing fatbike ride, drop by the information kiosk (near the Discovery and Visitors Centre). A naturalist park warden will tell you about the different winter adaptation strategies used by the region’s animals. How do they protect themselves from freezing temperatures? And where do they find food? Your kids will have a chance to satisfy their curiosity. If you’re around in the afternoon, head to the outdoor fire (near the sledding hill) for a storytelling activity about the park’s mysterious forest.
Day camps
Unable to take vacation, the daycare’s closed or the grandparents are unavailable to help take care of the kids? The region’s day camps are a perfect solution. Fun for the kids—and peace of mind for you!
Sur la piste des Amérindiens at La Maison amérindienne in Mont-Saint-Hilaire
March 2 to 6
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Traditional Stories of the First Nations will feature prominently throughout this themed day camp. Over the week, kids aged 6 to 12 will take part in different creative workshops highlighting animals of significance to Indigenous Peoples. They will learn lots of new facts about the Great Turtle, the wolverine, the whale and the deer. On March 6, visitors with a sweet tooth will particularly appreciate the traditional maple tapping activity. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about the traditional methods of collecting our ever-popular maple syrup.
- Half day: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 1 to 4 p.m.
- Daycare service available: 8 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 5 p.m.
Cartoons in Danger! at the Centre Notre-Dame-de-Fatima in Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot
March 2 to 6
9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The Centre Notre-Dame-de-Fatima has a whole range of activities, including a forest obstacle course, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snow tubing, to keep your kids aged 4 to 14 active during spring break. For added fun, the week’s theme is Cartoons in Danger! On this theme, the kids are encouraged to help famous illustrator Walt Disney write a new story. This activity will spark their creativity while also getting them moving. One thing’s for sure: your high-energy kids will be tuckered out by the end of the day. 😉.
Day camp at Colonie des Grèves in Contrecoeur
March 2 to 6
9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Colonie des Grèves in Contrecoeur has been welcoming children and their families for over a century as the oldest Francophone vacation camp in the Americas. This spring break day camp reflects the organization’s mission to promote healthy lifestyle habits with outdoor sports activities and stimulating culinary workshops.
*Daycare service available between 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.
