It’s St. Patrick’s Day weekend! Will you be wearing green? This weekend also marks the end of Spring Break for most…I hope all you parents survived, and you teachers enjoyed a much deserved break! If you haven’t (or even if you have) visited a sugar bush yet, this weekend could be a great opportunity. Check out my guide to Ottawa’s best sugar bushes. And, for more on what’s going on around town, here is my list of family friendly events in and around Ottawa for the weekend of March 16-17.

Saturday:

• St Patrick’s Day Race – TD Place, 8:00 am (same day registration opens at 8 am, but 1 mile and 2 mile race begin at 10:30 am, family and kid friendly, St.Paddy’s day costumes and colours encouraged, after party at Aberdeen Pavilion)
• Spring Break at the Museum – Canadian Museum of Nature, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (get up close with live animals at the Survival of the Slowest exhibit, wander through butterflies at the Butterflies in Flight exhibit, see a 3D adventure movie)
• 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, and special for this weekend enjoy pancakes and syrup while they last!)
• 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)
• Spring Vendors Market – Stanley’s Sugar Bush, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (a selection of local crafters, bakers and gift ware vendors, admission is free)
• St. Patrick’s Day Parade – downtown Ottawa, 11:00 am (from City Hall down Laurier Street to Bank Street to Lansdowne Park where the party is)
• March Break Fun – Goulburn Museum, Stittsville, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm (kids can come play in the General Store and at the craft corner they can decorate a wooden yo-yo to take home)
• 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 Secret of Kells: OFC St.Patrick’s Day Party – Ottawa Family Cinema, 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm (Oscar nominated animated classic Irish tale plus door prizes, come dressed in green!)
• Scholar’s Choice Slime Event – Scholar’s Choice locations around Ottawa, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm (free event, children will be able to choose from four different colours of slime as well as four different sensory slime mix ins, while supplies last)
• Volleyball Canada vs Cuba – Centre Sportif de Gatineau, 2:00 pm (entrance is free to this exhibition game between younger members of the Canadian Mens Volleyball Team and the U21 Cuban mens team)
• Potted Potter – Algonquin Commons Theatre, shows at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm (the perfect show for Harry Potter fans, this production combines all all 7 books into 70 hilarious minutes)
• Family Dance – Churchill Rec Centre, 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm (everyone is welcome, specifically aimed at smaller kids, cost is $20 a family)

Sunday:

• Spring Break at the Museum – Canadian Museum of Nature, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (get up close with live animals at the Survival of the Slowest exhibit, wander through butterflies at the Butterflies in Flight exhibit, see a 3D adventure movie)
• 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)
• 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)
• Spring Vendors Market – Stanley’s Sugar Bush, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (a selection of local crafters, bakers and gift ware vendors, admission is free)
• 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.)
• St.Patrick’s Day Celebrations – Saint Brigid’s Centre for the Arts, 11:00 am – 11:00 pm (free entry, different performers including Irish dancers and live music throughout the day, all ages welcome)
• Indigo Kids Presents: Princess Meet and Greet – Indigo Barrhaven, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm (Rapunzel will be at the store for a story-time and meet and greet! All welcome. No registration required.)
• March Break Fun – Goulburn Museum, Stittsville, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm (kids can come play in the General Store and at the craft corner they can decorate a wooden yo-yo to take home)