Cheap outings for large families

Should we stop ourselves from going out because having more than two children no longer fits into the conventional packages for families? Let's just say that we often have to look harder to fit into our budget! Here are some ideas for summer outings that cost no more than $50, for a family of five or more. Some are even free, at least for the kids!

Festivals (of course)

The outdoor scenes, during the hunt for free activities, are a prime target. Even after the Jazz Festival and the Francos, there is still plenty of music to be heard during family Sundays and musical picnics on Tuesdays in Old Saint-Jean or, in July, during the Festival Nuits d'Afrique . This festival, which will be in full swing from July 18 to 23 in Montreal's Quartier des spectacles, will also include a space, near the stage, reserved for music workshops and African board games for children. Adding to the music is a touch of light, with the Loto-Québec fireworks, in Montreal until August 1, then in Quebec City until August 24.

Heritage sites

A longer-term festival, Archaeology Month , is creating free or low-cost activities in libraries, museums, and several national historic sites under the auspices of Parks Canada . Their themes are often military, but the Xplorateur program helps adapt these great strategies of yesteryear to the tastes of 6- to 11-year-olds. On the museum side, Pointe-du-Buisson , in Beauharnois, and the Centre d'histoire et d'archéologie de la Métabetchouane (CHAM) , in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, which have made archaeology their vocation, await the crowds, trowel in hand, throughout the month of August. The same goes for Archéo-Topo , on the Côte-Nord, and the historic sites of Obadjiwan–Fort-Témiscamingue or Commerce-de-la-Fourrure-à-Lachine , where history also passes through reconstructed trading posts.

Museum and science

Free admission is available on the first Sunday of the month to several other museums, such as the Musée Pop in Trois-Rivières, where Les enfants font la fête is held every day . In Laval, the Musée de la Santé Armand-Frappier , which is geared toward younger children, and the Cosmodôme, which is aimed more at 8- to 10-year-olds, also apply this policy. Scientifically-minded 6- to 12-year-olds will also be particularly spoiled at the Électrium in Sainte-Julie, which offers workshops specially designed for them every Monday. Finally, the Musée maritime de Charlevoix combines an immersive experience with a visit to boats, both in the flesh and on the hull. Walking trails, mazes, and even an escape game complete the visit.

Walking tour

National parks also know how to satisfy families with a great need for movement and varied activities. What's more, only adults pay daily entrance fees. Some municipal and regional nature parks also meet the needs of families free of charge. For example, there is no need to pay to tackle the slopes of Mont Morissette in Outaouais or Mont Owl's Head in Estrie, both of which have lovely loop trails. The Sentiers de Mandeville , also free but much flatter, surround a lake and run alongside Lanaudière waterfalls. Similarly, in Chaudière-Appalaches, the short trails and footbridges overlooking the marsh of Parc Domaine Taschereau easily accommodate strollers.

Bike ride

Several longer wooded trails in Estrie make you want to cycle there, including the Parc régional du Marécage-des-Scots , in Scotstown, and the Boucle familiale du lac Boivin which leads to the Centre d'interprétation de la nature du lac Boivin . For its part, the new Circuit des trois lacs de l' Estriade now connects, by 16 km of off-road trails, the municipal beaches of Douglass , Lac-Brome and Waterloo . The 234 km of cycling path of the P'tit Train du Nord crosses the Plage du Lac Raymond , near Val-Morin, but the charm of this section also lies in its historical and green aspect, especially near the Ancienne Pisciculture in the town of Mont-Blanc.

Beaches, swimming and resorts

Other beaches are worth their weight in gold, including those managed by municipalities, without charging swimmers a penny. Among these, one of the big darlings remains the Centre du Lac Leamy , in Outaouais, particularly because of the services of its outdoor pavilion, its barbecue areas, its trails and its nautical equipment, rented at a reasonable price. The range of services offered by the national parks goes even further than these expectations with its economical accommodation solutions, in tents or ready-to-camp, and its various activities. The Parc d'Oka and the Centre touristique du Lac-Simon have thus created many fans among families who love beautiful beaches. The first shines with its games for children, on the water (like Aquazilla ) or on the site, where there is a climbing wall, among other things. Lac-Simon melts the heart even more with its 2 km of sandy shores.

Water sports

However, in parks or elsewhere, when you ask to rent boats and jackets, you should expect to go over the $50 per day budget. There are still a few creative options for enjoying the flow of water. River shuttles , the longest of which go from Montreal to Varennes, are one of them. To keep your paddle in hand, the royal solution is the $10 per person canoe or kayak initiations at the Lachine Canal National Historic Site . Better yet, a historical and scripted touch is added by choosing the Rabaska Experience , also at $10 except for 3 and 9 year olds, who are too young to really paddle.

Fun activities

For a modest price, take a seat on the four-person pedal boats at the Base de plein air Sainte-Foy , where you can also challenge yourself to disc golf. Other vacation camps, such as Plein Air Ville-Joie in Trois-Rivières, provide their equipment and beach for visiting families. There is also an obstacle course and a disc golf trail. The Montagne du Diable regional park in the Laurentians combines hiking, mountain biking, obstacle course and zip line trails, in addition to accommodations. It also has a beach and access to Lake Windigo for paddlers.

Agrotourism and animals

For young city dwellers, picking in the fields can also be a form of play. At the same time, the different stages of summer provide opportunities to discover more unusual species, such as blackcurrants, gooseberries, haskap berries, redcurrants, currants and morello cherries that grow in the fields of the Paradis des fruits in Dunham or in the Jardins de Vieuxpont in Trois-Rivières. Little-known animal species also arouse fascination, such as the 400 emus at the Centre de l'émeu de Charlevoix who, to our great delight, come and eat out of our hands. These different sites have play areas and tables that allow you to transform picking into a country tasting.

With all these suggestions, let's hope that everyone can find a way to stretch out their time without looking too worriedly at the savings meter!