The Easter holiday is right around the corner! For some it is a deeply religious time, for others it is a holiday to get together with family, or perhaps it is simply another excuse to eat chocolate! I fall into a little of all three of those categories. I have nice memories of celebrating Easter with my brothers and sisters – going to mass, eating hot cross buns and arguing over who had the better Easter basket.

It’s also a great time to celebrate spring and new life and get outside to enjoy the warming temperatures and greenery – that is finally creeping back into Ottawa.

There is a lot going on in Ottawa over the Easter long weekend, so I’ve put together a list of some of the best spots for families to go and enjoy some fun Easter activities (so much chocolate involved!)

Valleyview Little Animal Farm

During my family’s first Easter spent in Ottawa, we hit up Valleyview Little Animal Farm for their annual egg hunt. I love Valleyview Farm and I take my kids there multiple times over the summer and fall season. Easter weekend is the farm’s first weekend open after their winter closing, and it really does get busy. BUT it is also a great time, and although you may face a line up to get in, once you are inside I’ve found it doesn’t feel crowded (it’s a really big place).

Valleyview is an awesome place for kids. There are so many new baby animals to check out at this time of year. In addition to the baby animals and regular farm activities, there will be an Easter Egg Hunt which runs on April 14, 15, 16 and 17 from 9:30 am -4:00 pm. There are hundreds of coloured eggs all over the farm, kids can collect them and redeem them for a treat. No reservations are needed. The egg hunt is included with general admission. (I recommend bringing a bag for collecting the eggs).

WARNING: lol, we were such boneheaded and naive west coasters who showed up to the farm with our poor kid dressed in sweats and running shoes (we are idiots who have since learned our lesson). Of course it is SUPER muddy there at this time of year. Every other child was appropriately dressed in their rain gear and boots, and sure enough Lucas bailed and went face first into the mud. Despite the photo above, he still managed to have a great time. We certainly received a lot of questionable stares from other parents. LESSON LEARNED!

For more information check out Valleyview Little Animal Farm.

Canada Agriculture and Food Museum

The Agriculture and Food Museum is another great place to go to enjoy fun Easter activities, as well as see all of the new baby animals born this spring!

The barns have welcomed new lambs, calfs, goats,  bunny rabbits and fluffy newly-hatched chicks and ducklings.

Visitors to the farm will get a chance to learn about the transformation of cacao beans into chocolate while helping make chocolate cake or carrot cake and taste a delicious sample.

There is also an Easter Egg Hunt for children on every day from Good Friday through Easter Monday. They take place at 9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 1:30 and 2:30. The Easter egg hunt start will take place in the horse and cattle barn’s lobby for details where chocolate eggs will be all over the bales of straw in this barn. Children will be able to find 3 eggs each.

For more information go to Easter at the Farm.

Proulx Farm

If you are looking for an Easter experience complete with a yummy meal then you may want to hit up Proulx Farm.

From 9:00am-3:00pm this sugar camp is offering Buffet/Pancake meal seatings at: 9, 9:30, 10, 11, 11:30, 12:30, 1:00, 2:00. These are offered on Good Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Reservations are recommended for brunch. A la carte menu available Good Friday and Easter Monday only.

In addition to the meal, Proulx is offering an Egg hunt, face painting, and a clue hunt, from 11 am – 2 pm Good Friday, Saturday and Easter Sunday.

Minimum donation per child per activity is $2.00. All money collected is donated to the Orleans-Cumberland Resource Center. Since 2008, we have donated several thousand dollars to the CRC from our Easter weekend festivities.

Please note, Easter activities are not included in your farm admission.

For more information visit Proulx Farm.

Wheelers Pancake House and Sugar Camp

Wheelers Pancake House is another maple bush offering fun Easter activities. Wheelers is a bit more of a drive outside of Ottawa, but their restaurant makes it a great destination. They have a lovely log cabin style restaurant (very civilized and great with kids).

From April 14-17 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Wheelers will be open (extended hours).   All of the regular Spring offerings like maple taffy on snow, museums, hiking trails, animals in the barn, pancake meals, and hopefully boiling maple syrup will be on site.

There will be a free Children’s Easter Egg hunt through the Sugar Bush all day Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Numbered wooden eggs are placed in interesting locations along the 1KM Ridge Trail. Children work individually, or as a family, to identify the location of each egg and record it on a Hunt Form. When completed each child receives a maple sugar treat. Sounds like a lot of fun!

For more information visit Wheelers Maple.

Stanley’s Olde Maple Farm

Stanley’s Old Maple Farm has been running an Easter egg hunt for the past few weekends leading up to the holiday, and they are only offering it for one day over Easter weekend – on Saturday April 15.

Children and adults can meet the Easter Bunny and help him find his eggs. Pile aboard the wagon for a ride out to the Sugarbush. Hunt through the bush in search of the Easter bunny’s lost eggs, and add them to your basket. Everyone will then dump them all into the Bunny’s Giant Basket and head back to visit the baby animals in the barn. Each child leaves with something special!

You must book ahead online to take part in this fun. Visit Stanley’s Olde Maple Farm for more information and to book your spot.

Billings Estate National Historic Site

I’ve been meaning to check out this historical site along the Rideau River for some time. It’s a lovely building and location and I will definitely check it out at some point this spring/summer.

The Billings Estate is running an Easter celebration on Saturday, April 15 from 10 am to 4 pm.

Families are invited to complete crafts, explore the Estate, and try traditional egg dyeing. Bring along your camera to see if you can capture the Easter Bunny as he hops by! Activities will take place inside and on the grounds of the museum; please come dressed for the weather.

Cost: $6.30 for one, $10.45 for two or $16.75 for a family (two adults and children under 18)

For additional information check out Billings Estate.

Cumberland Village Heritage Museum

Cumberland Village Heritage Museum is another wonderful site run by the City of Ottawa. I really enjoyed visiting their Christmas display and it sounds like they have a lot of fun planned for Easter too.

The celebration takes place on Saturday, April 15 from 10 am to 4 pm.

Families are invited to spend time with the museum’s Curious Cottontail Easter Bunny, dye eggs and explore how people back in the day prepared for the warmer months.  April is also Kite Flying Month so you can enjoy that as well!  Activities take place both inside and outdoors, so be sure to dress for the weather.

Cost: $7.30 for adults, $5.25 for students and seniors, Free for children under 5 or $18.80 for a family (two adults and children under 18)

For more information visit the Cumberland Village Heritage Museum.

The Diefenbunker

For a unique Easter egg hunt head out to the Diefenbunker in Carp. The museum invites kids of all ages (and adults too) to help find all the eggs that have been bidden in the 100, 000 square foot bunker. Join the hunt and make an Easter craft in the historic cafeteria.

The egg hunt takes place on April 15 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm (box office opens at 10:30am). The hunt is included in the regular admission price. Children 5 and under get in free.

It’s worth noting the event is nut-free and operates on a first come, first serve basis. Consider bringing a baby carrier, if needed. The Museum is tough to navigate between floors (you’d have to carry the stroller up and down stairs).

For more information visit The Diefenbunker Museum.

Carlingwood Mall

The Carlingwood Mall is also offering plenty of fun Easter activities on Saturday April 15.

There will be an Easter Hat Parade and photos with the Easter bunny at Centre Court.

There is a craft table where kids can make an easter hat, then at 11:00 am children can wear their hats in a parade around the mall. There are prizes for best hats (17 prizes in total!).

After the parade there will be face painting and treats from Laura Secord. Children can meet and have their photos taken with the Easter bunny.

Carlingwood’s Spring Express train will also be running and for $3 kids and parents can ride the train around the mall.

Wishing everyone a very HAPPY EASTER! Enjoy!