Quebec City family guide
Quebec City is a French-speaking walled town above the St Lawrence River that feels like a slice of old Europe in North America. In winter it is deep in snow, and from late January to mid-February the Winter Carnival brings Bonhomme the snowman, ice slides, night parades and canoe races on the frozen river. Summer is warm, green and full of street performers.
Create a Quebec City activity book
Best ages
Toboggan slides, snow play and Bonhomme delight children of 4-8; tubing at Valcartier and the canoe races appeal to 8-12 year olds, though tubing has height rules.
Stroller
Old Quebec is hilly with stairs between the Upper and Lower Town, and winter brings ice and snowbanks, so use a sledge or carrier and take the funicular for the steepest climb.
Take this guide on the trip
Signal and roaming are not guaranteed abroad. Print this guide or save it as a PDF, then add a Quebec City travel journal and packing list. All three are free and are made in your browser.
Travel journal for Quebec City Packing list for Quebec CityTop things to do in Quebec City with kids
Winter Carnival (Carnaval de Québec) Ages all ages
Late January to mid-February: meet Bonhomme at his ice palace, watch the night parades and snow sculptures; the Bonhomme effigy pass costs about C$20-25 (€12-16) for adults.
Terrasse Dufferin toboggan slide Ages 4+
A wooden slide in front of the Château Frontenac sends sleds racing down at high speed in winter; each ride costs a few dollars, and age rules for little ones are posted at the ticket booth.
Montmorency Falls Ages all ages
Waterfalls 30 m higher than Niagara, 15 minutes from town, with a cable car, a suspension bridge over the top and a frozen 'sugarloaf' of ice in winter.
Village Vacances Valcartier Ages 4+
Big snow-tubing park in winter and water park in summer, about 25 minutes north; the Hôtel de Glace ice hotel stands next door from January to March.
Maple taffy on snow Ages all ages
Warm maple syrup poured onto clean snow and rolled onto a stick; find it at the Carnival, sugar shacks in spring or shops on Rue du Petit-Champlain.
Rainy-day and cold-day options
Musée de la civilisation
Hands-on family exhibitions about Quebec life, nature and history in the Lower Town.
Aquarium du Québec
Polar bears, walruses and seals, with indoor halls for very cold or rainy days.
Morrin Centre
An old jail turned library where kids can see historic cells on guided tours.
A simple first day
- Morning
- Walk the city walls and the Plains of Abraham, then try the Dufferin toboggan slide.
- Afternoon
- Ride the funicular to Petit-Champlain and warm up with hot chocolate and crêpes.
- Evening
- Join a Carnival night parade or watch Château Frontenac light up from the terrace.
Getting around
Old Quebec is walkable and the funicular links Upper and Lower Town; RTC buses and the Métrobus cover the city, but you need a car or shuttle for Montmorency and Valcartier.
Food kids like
Kids love poutine (fries with cheese curds and gravy), crêpes, maple taffy and BeaverTails pastries; tourtière meat pie is a winter classic, and dinner starts around 18:00.
What Quebec City costs for a family
About C$300-450 (€185-280) a day for a family of four, excluding lodging.
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Carnival effigy pass (adult) | C$20-25 (≈ €12-16) |
| Dufferin toboggan ride (per person) | C$4-6 (≈ €2.50-4) |
| Valcartier winter tubing day (per person) | C$45-60 (≈ €28-37) |
| Poutine (regular size) | C$10-16 (≈ €6-10) |
Many Carnival activities are free with a single effigy pass, and the Place D'Youville skating rink is free if you bring skates. Prices are typical ranges checked for 2025–2026; confirm current prices before you book.
Safety notes
- Winter can drop to -20 °C with wind chill, so dress kids in thermal layers, waterproof mitts and face cover and go indoors to warm up often.
- Pavements and stairs get icy, so wear boots with good grip and consider slip-on ice cleats for parents carrying children.
- Cars drive on the right and turning traffic can be quick on slushy roads, so cross at lights; tap water is safe to drink.
What's inside the Quebec City activity book
A personalized printable book for one child (or up to three with Family), built around Quebec City: landmark spotting, a 12-item scavenger hunt, a local food tasting page, local phrases and a quiz. Print it at home before you leave and bring a pencil.
Missions
- Snow carnival scout
- Maple taffy taster
Landmarks to find
- Château Frontenac
- Old Quebec city walls
- Montmorency Falls
- Petit-Champlain
Foods to spot or taste
- poutine
- maple taffy
- crêpes
- tourtière
Words to try
- Bonjour Hello
- Merci Thank you
- S'il vous plaît Please
- Oui Yes
Mini €5.90 (10 pages), Adventure €9.90 (25–28 pages) or Family €14.90 (up to three children). One-time purchase, no subscription; the book is printed at home in English.
Create a Quebec City activity bookQuestions parents ask
Is Quebec City good for young children?
Toboggan slides, snow play and Bonhomme delight children of 4-8; tubing at Valcartier and the canoe races appeal to 8-12 year olds, though tubing has height rules.
Can you use a stroller in Quebec City?
Old Quebec is hilly with stairs between the Upper and Lower Town, and winter brings ice and snowbanks, so use a sledge or carrier and take the funicular for the steepest climb.
How much does a family day in Quebec City cost?
About C$300-450 (€185-280) a day for a family of four, excluding lodging. Many Carnival activities are free with a single effigy pass, and the Place D'Youville skating rink is free if you bring skates.
When is the best time to visit Quebec City with kids?
Best months: January, February, June, July, August, December.