We made it to March you guys! Spring is actually just weeks away and I can’t wait! Admittedly, I am pretty DONE with this cold, snow and all the ice all over the ground! March is a great month to head out to a sugar bush, so be sure to check out my guide to Ottawa’s Sugar Shacks, and there are a few more opening this weekend. Here is the list of family friendly events taking place around Ottawa for the weekend of March 2-3.

Saturday:

• Rideau Sports Centre Open House – 1 Donald St, 7:00 am – 8:00 pm (free access to everything including open gym, yoga, kids face painting and photo booth, family drop in sports, tennis and more)
• March Melt Down – Beckwith Park, 8:30 am – 2:00 pm (fun for all ages, pancake breakfast, group cross country ski, horse drawn sleigh, scavenger hunt, bonfire, free public skate in the afternoon)
• Woodroffe Ave Public School Book Sale – 253 Woodroffe Ave, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm (great selection of kids and adult books, games and DVDs, book prices range from $1-3, cash only)
• Sugar Bush Opening Weekend at the Log Farm – 670 Cedarview Rd, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm (admission is $6, wagon rides, farm animals, explore the farm, buy a Beavertail and taffy on the snow)
• Barnyard Break – Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm (included with admission fee, baking with maple syrup, demonstrations, story time for children at 11:30 am, crafts, maple taffy on the snow)
• March Break: Brain Boost – Canada Science and Technology Museum, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (included with admission, hands on coding event where you can make your own digital games using simple coding programs)
• Inclusive Recreation Camp Fair – Jim Durrell Recreation Centre, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (discover local opportunities for people with special needs to participate in community recreation, the city offers over 40 programs, get your questions answered, free admission)
• March Break: Your Place in Aerospace – Canada Aviation and Space Museum, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (included with admission, daily demonstrations and guided tours, explore different careers in space and aviation)
• Awesome March Break – Canadian War Museum, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (family friendly tours, use Imagination Playground blocks to create, challenge your family to a game of giant chess, learn to play strategy board games with a variety of classics.)
• KidsFest Ottawa – EY Centre, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (parent and child expo featuring live entertainment from Splash N’Boots and more, Zoo Crew, inflatables, vendors)
• Seedy Saturday Ottawa – Ron Kolbus Centre, Britannia Park, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (if you want to look ahead to spring, come enjoy this annual seed exchange and sale featuring a mini market, garden talks and workshops and organic snacks)
• Animal Tracking on Snowshoes – Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, 10:30 am in French, 1:30 pm English (Snowshoes are provided for this free, two-hour activity. Make sure you dress warmly for an outdoor activity. Recommended for children of age 8 and older.)
• The Snow Queen – Shenkman Arts Theatre, 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm shows (presented by the Missoula Children’s Theatre, tickets are $10, enjoy this musical adaptation)
• Mary Poppins Returns – Ottawa Family Cinema, 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm (this critically acclaimed sequel to the classic movie)
• Tamal Festival – Horticulture Building, Lansdowne, 2:00 pm – 9:00 pm (family friendly festival celebrating the food of Latin America, free admission, cash recommended for purchasing food, get ready to dance and see some crazy costumes)
• Ottawa Community Dance – Churchill Rec Centre, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm (great for all ages and families, live music, dances taught and guided by callers, no experience required, optional community potluck before at 5:15 pm)

Sunday:

• Barnyard Break – Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm (included with admission fee, baking with maple syrup, demonstrations, story time for children at 11:30 am, crafts)
• March Break: Brain Boost – Canada Science and Technology Museum, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (included with admission, hands on coding event where you can make your own digital games using simple coding programs)
• March Break: Your Place in Aerospace – Canada Aviation and Space Museum, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (included with admission, daily demonstrations and guided tours, explore different careers in space and aviation)
• KidsFest Ottawa – EY Centre, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (parent and child expo featuring live entertainment from Splash N’Boots and more, Zoo Crew, inflatables, vendors)
• Awesome March Break – Canadian War Museum, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (family friendly tours, use Imagination Playground blocks to create, challenge your family to a game of giant chess, learn to play strategy board games with a variety of classics.)
• Animal Tracking on Snowshoes – Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, 10:30 am in English, 1:30 pm French (Snowshoes are provided for this free, two-hour activity. Make sure you dress warmly for an outdoor activity. Recommended for children of age 8 and older.)