Quebec City Winter Fun for Families
Founded over four centuries ago, Quebec City is one of the most romantic spots on the planet, especially when enveloped in a beautiful blanket of snow. But it’s also super kid-friendly. Bien sûr, this UNESCO World Heritage Site in French Canada appeals to all ages. From wintry outdoor adventures and cultural activities to a life-sized snowman mascot, you’re sure to have a (snow) ball in one of the safest cities in North America! Here’s a look at Quebec City winter activities for families.
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1. Quebec Winter Carnival
Not only is the Quebec Winter Carnival the world’s largest outdoor winter festival, but also it’s the most fun. The carnival typically takes place in late January and early February. Kids have a blast trying winter activities like snow tubing, hockey, and dog-sledding.
Bonhomme, a 7-foot-tall snowman, is the symbol of this frosty festival. No Quebec City winter visit is complete without spotting this dapper dude.
2. Musée de la Civilisation
A museum day provides a great way to warm up in winter in Quebec City. Tops for families is the interactive Musée de la Civilisation (Museum of Civilization).
Look for exhibits and rotating daily activities that explore science, culture, and history. Downstairs you’ll discover a play zone with a forest, dungeon, secret passageway, and ballroom where kids can bring fairy tales to life. Take a look at their virtual exhibits, which you can explore from home.
3. Valcartier Village Vacances Snow Tubing
About a 30-minute drive from the city lies Valcartier Village Vacances. With dozens of tube runs, this winter playground is a paradise for adventure seekers.
The runs range from easy to difficult, and it’s set up like a ski hill with the green, blue, and black diamond designation. You can reach speeds over 40 miles per hour on some tubing runs at Valcartier Village! There are smaller runs for preschoolers and a kid’s zone for toddlers to swoosh down mini slides.
Inside is an arcade and several restaurants. While tubing is the big draw, you’ll also find an ice skating trail and a maple taffy shack, where you can taste the wonders of icy Canadian sweets made from maple syrup. Open year-round, Valcartier Village also boasts more than 35 waterslides for summertime fun.
4. Old Quebec
Exploring Quebec City’s history can be fun for all ages. Just don’t tell your kids they’re getting a history lesson as they stroll through 400-year-old streets and squares.
Old Quebec is a charming mass of quaint cobblestone streets flanked by stone buildings. Pop into the many shops selling hot chocolate, maple syrup and touristy items that are sure to enthrall the kids.
5. Hôtel de Glace
While children are welcome to spend the night at Hôtel de Glace in Quebec City, an overnight isn’t the only way to see inside this ice hotel. Between January and March visitors can take a tour of this impressive chilly site. Rent snowshoes and trek around the property or simply marvel at the amazing murals and ice sculptures. There’s a café on-site and a fun ice slide to wow the kiddies.
Explore More of Quebec
For a heart-pumping winter activity, read about what it’s like to go dog-sledding in Quebec.
Find out what there is to do in sister city, Montreal with kids.
Relax at one of these amazing Nordic Spas in Canada, with or without kids.
Discover places that feel like Europe in North America.
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Are you up for some Quebec City winter fun with your family? Let us know in the comments below!
A Note from The Saucy Travel Mama: Merci beaucoup to Quebec City Tourism for hosting my visit. The host did not pay Travel Mamas any monetary compensation. As always, my opinions are my own.
I would love to visit Quebec, Canada and visit this place. Looks wonderful place to spend holiday with family.
I hope you can visit Quebec someday, Yudith!
Oh man, I’d love to get that history lesson too. Old Quebec is a place I’d definitely love to see.
Travel is the best way to learn, especially about a city as lovely as Quebec City!
A seriously cute place to visit! Another place that after seeing a post, I now must add it to my travel bucket list! Such a sweet looking place to visit.
Great bucket list destination!
Such a beautiful city Quebec. I love winter sometimes its bit hard but if you try to make fun out of it then winter is gorgeous.
Winter can be so pretty — especially in Quebec City!
I would love to visit Canada again when the pandemic is over. So sad that we can’t go because of the pandemic, but gives us something to look forward to after. Fun to be able to make the best of wintertime!
It’s always good to have something to look forward to! Maybe a trip to Quebec City next winter is in order?!
Quebec is on my list of places to visit! My kids would love the Winter Carnival and the snow tubing! But my husband and I would love the Ice hotel! We have talked about seeing one –just haven’t had the chance! Thanks for sharing!
So many fun wintry things to experience in and near Quebec City!
Hey, I am from Quebec. You are right Quebec is a lovely place to visit and perfect for families. Thanks for speaking so kindly of my home city.
So happy to share the wonders of your beautiful hometown!
Québec is definatly on my bucketlist!
I had a friend who passed away a few years ago, and I am taking over his bucketlist in his honor – so Canada is was up on the list 🙂
Such a bucket list worthy city!
Quebec City doesn’t get mentioned as much as other Canadian cities, but it looks like it has much to offer. I think I will stick with summer as a time to visit- those pictures look nice, but I prefer warm, sunny days!
Bryan – Quebec City is equally beautiful in summer!
Oh my, it’s been so long since I’ve been to Quebec City. I remember going with my family as a kid! Fun times.
Time to plan another trip! 🙂
I had no idea Quebec was so amazing! I’d love to go there. I’d stop in Old Quebec first. It looks like a European city!
Quebec City really does have such a European influence and flair! I hope you can visit someday!
Although I have never been to Canada, unfortunately, Quebec is undoubtedly the part that most attracts me and now after reading this blog post I found that my intuition was not wrong!
If you like French culture and cuisine, then you will love Quebec indeed! Hope you can safely visit someday!
I had no idea that Quebec was such a kid friendly destination. My kids would flip over the ice hotel and I love snow tubing. Adding it to our bucketlist!!
I don’t know why, because I detest winter, but I’ve always wanted to visit Quebec during the winter. I almost booked a trip for my family this winter just to experience the Hotel de Glace and then I chickened out. 🙁 Maybe next year.
What a lot of snow fun! The snow tubing looks great and I want to visit an ice hotel so badly!!
Your photos capture the fun! An ice hotel sounds like a once in a lifetime experience! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Susan, it really was a hoot. Hotel de Glace was definitely one of those bucket list items that you’ll want to check out even if you don’t stay overnight.