fun things to do with kids in quebec   Travel for Kids
canada
   
     
   

Quebec

Quebec was founded as a French colony in 1608, but the name comes from the Algonquin word Kebec, which means “ where the river narrows.” The capital of New France was Quebec City, a historic city in the conflict between the French and British, and the British won out in 1760. The province is the largest in Canada, extending all along the St. Lawrence River and up into the far north and Hudson Bay. As you travel through Quebec, kids will have fun hearing French spoken everywhere and eating French-inspired food.
    Quebec City
    Montreal
      Tip: The winters are quite long here, and it’s easy to imagine the hardships the first settlers endured with months of snow and cold. We visited Quebec on spring break in early April, and there were piles of snow drifts for kids to play in. Summers are nice and warm, but at other seasons, dress warmly.
   

Fun food

     

Maple trees grow in abundance in Quebec – the Algonquins tapped the trees to make maple syrup and sugar. Quebec is the largest producer of maple syrup, and throughout the province, you'll find delicious maple treats and snacks. Our favorites were maple "cornets," little cones filled with thick syrup, also called taffy (tire) or maple butter (sucre), but kids will also want to sample maple sugar pie, candies, cookies, fudge and ice cream.

family hotels quebec

Travel for Kids has so many fun things to do with kids in Quebec, but you'll need a fun place to stay.

Here's our own Travel for Kids hand-picked list of family hotels, all styles and price ranges, in neighborhoods that are comfortable for families, and near to places you'll want to explore:

Family hotels Montreal
Family hotels Quebec City
kids books quebec
     
sugaring off party  
The Sugaring-Off Party
Jonathan London, Gilles Pelletier

In March, everyone goes to Tante Loulou’s for a sugaring-off party in the maple woods. The kids play in the forest, sap is boiled down to make syrup (la tire), the family enjoys a big feast, and for dessert there's maple snowsicles. Glowing illustrations capture the warmth and sweetness of this Quebec tradition. (Picture book)

 

     

In 1535, Jacques Cartier sailed into Hochelaga, the site of Montreal today. Read about Cartier’s explorations up and down the St. Lawrence River, encounters with the Iroquois, and his quest for riches for France. (Picture book)

 

 
explore with jacques cartier
     
Samuel de Champlain biography kids Quebec City  
Samuel de Champlain
Adrianna Morganelli

Samuel de Champlain founded a trading post at Quebec City in 1608. Read about the hardships in the early settlement, blockades by the English, life in the colony, and Champlain's explorations. (Picture book)

 

 
TfK Blog
TfK Blog