Melanie MoralesYou don’t always have to be a big spender to have fun and exciting quality time with your kids. Nowhere is that clearer than in Edmonton, where we have plenty of kid-friendly activities and attractions parents and their little ones can enjoy for free.
Below, we selected the best free activities for children in Edmonton so you can have a roster of places to visit with your kids throughout the year!
- Visit Edmonton Public Library (Claireview)
- Learn more about history at The Royal Alberta Museum
- View the sky at the University of Alberta Observatory
- Learn more about the University of Alberta Botanic Garden
- Take a stroll at the Art Gallery of Alberta
- Experience interactive exhibits at John Janzen Nature Centre
- Soak up the sun at Queen Elizabeth Outdoor Pool
- Explore nature’s beauty at the Edmonton River Valley Trails
- Explore the grounds of the Alberta Legislature Building
- Have a picnic at Rundle Park
Visit Edmonton Public Library (Claireview)
Website: https://www.epl.ca/events/#
Address: 7 Sir Winston Churchill Square NW Edmonton, AB T5J 2V4
Contact details: 780-496-7000
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 10 AM to 9 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 10 AM to 6 PM
- Sunday – 10 AM to 5 PM
The Edmonton Public Library (EPL) is an excellent gathering place to let children combine educational opportunities with fun and exciting activities. Here you can try out and experience lots of free drop-in activities and programs throughout the year.
Since it’s a non-profit organization, library cards are free to all residents of Edmonton. Moreover, it has 21 branches all over the city, so you can easily book a virtual or in-person visit at the library near your location.
Pro tip:
We checked out EPL’s event calendar, and here are some interesting activities and programs you can enjoy with your children. Make sure to register for the events beforehand to secure a spot.!
Kids (0 to 5 years old)
- (June 5, 2023 – 11 AM to 11:30 AM) – Sing, Sign, Laugh, and Learn: Zoom Edition is an inclusive online class featured in collaboration with the Edmonton Early Intervention program. It’s an enjoyable way for parents and kids to learn more techniques on how to interact with one another through singing, signing, and rhyming.
- (June 8, 2023 – 4 PM to 4:30 PM) – Family Storytime: Zoom Edition is a fun way to introduce storytelling in a virtual environment to parents and kids.
Kids (6 to 12 years old)
- (June 1, 2023 – 4 PM to 8 PM) – DISCOVER Free Online Tutoring offers free one-on-one help, tutoring, and academic guidance for children in Grades 4 to 12. This program is in partnership with college volunteers, EPL, and the university.
Teens (13 to 17 years old)
- June 1, 2023 – 3 PM to 4:30 PM) – Teen Lounge is a nice way to meet new friends and people of the same age or interests. Through this program, your teen can play video games, do DIY projects, and hang out with friends.
Learn more about history at The Royal Alberta Museum
Website: https://royalalbertamuseum.ca/
Address: 9810 103a Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 0G2, Canada
Contact details: 825-468-6000
Operating hours:
- Wednesday to Sunday – 10 AM to 4 PM
- Thursday – 10 AM to 8 PM
- Monday to Tuesday – Closed
With over 82,000 square feet of exhibition space, the Royal Alberta Museum is recognized as the largest museum in Western Canada.
The museum is home to a vast array of artifacts, including petroglyphs and prehistoric dinosaurs. It also features a live Bug Gallery, Children’s Gallery, and a Feature Gallery for international exhibitions and collections.
Note that daily admission and Mammoth Pass are totally free for children six years old and under, but an adult companion needs to pay $21 for daily admission and $35 for Mammoth Pass.
Pro tip:
The museum receives a lot of visitors, so it can take time to find a parking space. Besides that, the parking fee in the museum is quite expensive.
Fortunately, we found a cheaper and more spacious parking area under the city hall and across the road.
View the sky at the University of Alberta Observatory
Website: https://www.ualberta.ca/index.html
Address: Centennial Centre for Interdisciplinary Science, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9, Canada
Contact details: 780-492-5287
Operating hours:
- Thursday – 12 PM to 1 PM, 8 PM to 9 PM
- Friday to Wednesday – Closed
The University of Alberta Observatory is equipped with high-end telescopes that provide stargazers a splendid view of the night sky and the twinkling stars and constellations. It’s the perfect place for a free and short field trip for kids who wish to learn more about astronomy.
You see, the observatory prioritizes Grade 6 to 9 classes for field trip reservations because Alberta’s curriculum features astronomy components in these grades. The trip might be a good suggestion to make to your kids’ teachers!
Pro tips:
- The observatory is probably still not quite suitable for children six years old and younger since they can’t still look through the telescope’s eyepiece, and they won’t be able to comprehend the scheduled talks or lessons.
- Since the telescopes are outside and the domes are not heated, we recommend bundling up in warm clothes. It can get very cold, especially in winter.
Learn more about the University of Alberta Botanic Garden
Website: https://www.ualberta.ca/botanic-garden/index.html
Address: 51227 AB-60, Parkland County, AB T7Y 1C5, Canada
Contact details: 780-492-3050
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 5 PM
The University of Alberta Botanic Garden is the best outdoor getaway if you want to introduce your kids to different flora and fauna. It’s the largest botanical garden in Alberta!
However, free admission is only for children two years old and under. We think children will especially like exploring the Tropical Showhouse because it features various colorful butterflies and flowers.
You can also find various display gardens and showhouses inside, including the Kurimoto Japanese Garden, Aga Khan Garden, Alpine Garden, herb and sensory garden, arid plant house, flowers, ornamental vegetation, and more.
Pro tips:
- Regular admission onsite is available, but we recommend registering in advance since some areas have limited capacity.
- You can save more if you bring your family with you since two adults accompanying children under 17 years old only need to pay $44.75 in total. Meanwhile, if you want unlimited access to the botanical garden, we suggest you check out their Garden Passes offer.
Take a stroll at the Art Gallery of Alberta
Website: https://www.youraga.ca/
Address: 2 Sir Winston Churchill Sq, Edmonton, AB T5J 2C1, Canada
Contact details: 780-422-6223
Operating hours:
- Saturday to Sunday, Wednesday and Friday – 11 AM to 5 PM
- Thursday – 11 AM to 7 PM
- Monday to Tuesday – Closed
Teaching children to appreciate art at a young age is a good way to let them explore their own creativity, so consider adding the Art Gallery of Alberta (AGA) to your must-visit locations with the kids.
What’s great about this popular attraction is that admission is free to anyone under 18 years old and post-secondary students, regardless of age.
The AGA also features six galleries filled with artworks from the Renaissance period as well as exhibits of modern and contemporary artists. You can find the gallery dedicated to kids on level one.
Besides that, the galley also has a Family Studio that encourages parents and kids to play, create, and work together to produce art, depending on the theme of the week. This program may cost around $15, but all the materials needed are already included in the cost.
Pro tip:
Want to know the exciting exhibits worth checking out? Here are some of the current exhibits in the AGA that the whole family can enjoy:
- (May 20, 2023 to September 10, 2023) Dance Party is a nice way to destress after a busy week because the program showcases the blending of art, choreography, and dance.
- June 14, 2023 to October 15, 2023) From Warhol to Banksy features an exhibition of artists that showcased the Pop Art movement in Edmonton, and these vibrant and witty works are typically aimed at youth, so we think the kids can enjoy this exhibit.
Experience interactive exhibits at John Janzen Nature Centre
Website: https://www.edmonton.ca/john-janzen-nature-centre
Address: 7000 143 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6H 4P3, Canada
Contact details: 780-442-5311
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 4 PM
John Janzen Nature Centre works in partnership with the Edmonton Nature Centres Foundation (ENCF) to promote nature in urban settings. Hence, it’s a nice spot to appreciate natural attractions without traveling far.
We recommend visiting the Exhibit Room with your kids because it features exhibits and activities focusing on interesting plants and animals. The indoor and outdoor Honeybee Hive will also be a hit for youngsters who want to watch busy bees transport honey to their beehives.
After that, kids (10 years old and under) can burn excess energy at the indoor play area, the Tegler Discovery Zone. In this play area, they can crawl and climb structures that are built to imitate local wildlife habitats.
Pro tip:
Here are the admission fees to John Janzen Nature Centre for your reference:
- 0 to 23 months old – $3
- 2 to 12 years old – $8
- 13 years old and above – $8
- Additional parent – $3
- Family – $17
Although there’s an admission fee for children, each ticket includes free admission for one accompanying adult, so overall, this attraction is cheaper than we expected.
Moreover, you can save more if you visit with your family (all members of the same household) because a maximum of seven people only need to pay $17.
Soak up the sun at Queen Elizabeth Outdoor Pool
Website: https://www.edmonton.ca/queen-elizabeth-outdoor-pool
Address: 9170 Walterdale Hill NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 2V3, Canada
Contact details: 780-442-5311
Operating hours:
- Saturday to Sunday – 8 AM to 7 PM
- Monday and Wednesday – 6 AM to 8 AM, 11 AM to 8 PM
- Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday – 6 AM to 8 AM, 11 AM to 7 PM
The Queen Elizabeth Outdoor Pool is a go-to spot for residents of all ages, especially during summer. Of course, the main attraction is the six-lane outdoor pool, and admission is free for children 12 years old and under.
Aside from the pool, kids can also have fun and explore the surrounding attractions, including the Kinsmen Spray Park, playground, sports field, and picnic sites.
We think younger children, in particular, will enjoy the spray park because they can splash around and play with other kids. It’s also a safer place to play since it has a wading pool that is designed to provide a shallow swimming area for kids.
Pro tip:
Make sure to check the pool’s schedule before visiting because there can be potential changes or closures due to maintenance or weather conditions.
Explore nature’s beauty at the Edmonton River Valley Trails
Website: https://www.edmonton.ca/river-valley-parks
Address: 11037 97 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5K 2W3, Canada
Contact details: 780-422-5311
Operating hours: Depends on the park/site/trail location
Exploring the hiking and walking trails in Edmonton River Valley is an amazing way to enjoy the city’s parks and natural attractions.
The city features over 160 kilometers (99 miles) of maintained multi-use trails and pathways that are perfect for walking or jogging with your kids.
As per experience, paved pathways and designated bike paths are also great for cycling. Moreover, you can conveniently rent a bike from the shops near the trails.
Pro tip:
If your kid is into photography, we recommend visiting the wildlife trails where you can spot and snap a shot of local bird species, white-tailed deer, grazing animals, and more.
Here are some of the river trails that offer free wildlife viewing:
- Whitemud Creek Trail
- North Saskatchewan River Loop Trail
- Mactaggart Sanctuary Path
- Fort Edmonton Park Loop Trail
- Mill Creek Ravine Trail
Explore the grounds of the Alberta Legislature Building
Website: https://www.assembly.ab.ca/
Address: 9820 – 107 Street, NW Edmonton, Alberta T5K 1E7
Contact details: 780-427-2826
Operating hours:
- Wednesday to Sunday – 10 AM to 3 PM
- Monday to Tuesday – Closed
While the Alberta Legislature Building, or “The Ledge” as we like to call it, is the primary place for government affairs, kids can also enjoy a bunch of activities at this destination.
The grounds surrounding The Ledge are beautifully landscaped and feature ample space for kids to run, play, and explore the outdoors. Children also often find the large fountain in front of the building fascinating because of the mesmerizing water patterns created by the fountain’s jets.
This year, the former wading pool at The Ledge has been ripped up, and construction is underway for a new pool, so kids and kids at heart can look forward to a water feature upgrade next summer!
Pro tips:
- We suggest you pack some food, drinks, and a blanket so that after your stroll, you can relax and enjoy a simple picnic on the lawn with your kids.
- Sign up for a 45-minute free guided tour if you want your kids to gain insights about the building’s history and architecture.
Have a picnic at Rundle Park
Website: https://www.edmonton.ca/rundle-park
Address: 2909 113 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5W 0P3, Canada
Contact details: 780-422-5311
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 5 AM to 11 PM
Rundle Park is the perfect place to visit if your children love outdoor activities and attractions.
The park features a playground equipped with multiple play structures, such as slides and swings. Besides that, it also has a spray park where the youngsters can cool off after playing under the sun.
We also recommend having a picnic at Rundle Park. The park offers six picnic sites with 23 picnic tables that are available for reservations (with no drop-in fee!), so you just have to bring your snacks and relax!
Pro tips:
Rundle Park occasionally hosts special festivals and events, so we advise you to keep an eye out for their event calendar. Here are some upcoming family-friendly events you might want to check out:
- (June 8, 2023 – 6 PM to 8:30 PM) Tree Planting for Biodiversity is an event in honor of the annual Summer Biodiversity Challenge. Here you can enjoy a guided tree-planting volunteer experience with your whole family.
- (June 10, 2023 – 12 PM to 3 PM) Zulu Kids Challenge Edmonton 2023 is an outdoor challenge for children ages 4 to 13 years old. In this event, kids can compete, make new friends, and accomplish obstacles with varying difficulties based on age category.
