Guide to Montreal’s Museums for Children and Families

TL;DR

Montreal’s museums transform rainy days into adventures for kids and parents. The Montreal Science Centre sparks curiosity with robotics and dinosaur exhibits, the Biodôme brings ecosystems to life, and Pointe-à-Callière unearths history through interactive digs.

Most offer free entry for young children, stroller access, and workshops such as art-making or fossil hunts. Hit weekday mornings for quieter visits, pack snacks, and look out for seasonal events like knight workshops or butterfly releases.

Budget-friendly passes and transit ease the way, making these spots perfect for creating family memories.

Guide to Montreal’s Museums for Children and Families

Montreal’s museum scene buzzes with energy, turning a simple family outing into an adventure of discovery. Imagine kids racing through a replica ship, pretending to be pirates, or staring wide-eyed as a robotic arm whirs to life.

These aren’t the hushed galleries of old; they’re lively hubs where history, science, and art collide in ways that stick with kids long after the car ride home. Tucked into neighborhoods from Old Montreal’s cobblestone lanes to the Olympic Park’s modern sprawl, these spots weave the city’s French-English heartbeat into every exhibit.

With 2025 rolling out fresh displays such as medieval armor workshops or glowing insect trails, there’s always a new story to uncover.

Families find these museums perfect for balancing fun with learning. Kids might build a circuit one minute, then marvel at a penguin waddle the next. Parents love the practical perks: stroller-friendly paths, cozy cafes with poutine on the menu, and ticket prices that won’t break the bank.

Many spots offer free entry for children under 5, and the Montreal Museums Pass bundles access for bigger savings. Whether it’s a chilly March morning or a sunny July afternoon, these places deliver hands-on thrills that turn “I’m bored” into “Can we come back tomorrow?”

The city’s knack for blending old-world charm with cutting-edge tech shines here. Museums sit steps from metro stops, making them easy to reach even with a double stroller in tow.

Each venue feels like a love letter to Montreal’s layered history—indigenous roots, colonial echoes, and modern creativity all share the stage. From digging up 17th-century relics to coding a virtual spaceship, kids don’t just visit; they dive into worlds that spark questions and stories to share at dinner.

Montreal Science Centre: Explore & Discover

Perched along the Old Port’s waterfront, the Montreal Science Centre hums with kinetic energy. Its glassy exterior reflects the St. Lawrence River, hinting at the whirlwind inside—over 100 exhibits begging for kids to poke, prod, and play. This isn’t a place for quiet contemplation; it’s a chaotic symphony of buttons, levers, and lights that turn science into a game.

The robotics zone steals the spotlight. Kids as young as 6 can piece together gears and wires to make a bot scoot across a track, their grins widening with every successful tweak. For dino fans, the 2025 T. rex: The Ultimate Predator exhibit, on loan from New York, brings Jurassic giants to life with towering skeletons and touchable fossil casts.

It’s the kind of thing that turns a casual visit into a week-long obsession with velociraptors. The IMAX dome adds cinematic flair, screening 20-minute dives into coral reefs or Martian landscapes that hold even the squirmiest toddlers spellbound.

Practical details keep stress low. Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (later in summer), tickets run $24 for adults, $17 for kids 4-12, free for under-4s. Weekend workshops, like crafting mini wind turbines, come with admission. The cafe slings kid-friendly bites—think grilled cheese or apple slices—while wide halls welcome strollers.

Families swear by early arrivals to beat the midday rush, when school groups turn the place into a joyful zoo. It’s a spot that delivers equal parts chaos and wonder, leaving kids buzzing with ideas and parents relieved by the seamless setup.

Biodôme and Insectarium: Explore Nature

Over in the Olympic Park, the Biodôme and Insectarium offer a wild escape without leaving the city. The Biodôme, that iconic dome from the ’76 Olympics, packs five ecosystems into one walkable space.

Tropical rainforests drip with mist, maple forests rustle with chipmunks, and Arctic zones hum with puffins bobbing in icy pools. Kids trail monkeys swinging through branches or press faces to glass as otters twist through water. The underwater tunnel, lined with darting fish and lazy sharks, feels like stepping into a National Geographic special.

Next door, the Insectarium flips bugs from icky to awesome. Over 150,000 critters—from glittery beetles to fuzzy tarantulas—fill the space. The revamped immersive zone lets families “shrink” into an ant colony or watch live bees build honeycombs.

Brave kids can hold a hissing cockroach (gloves on, naturally), while seasonal butterfly releases add a fluttery thrill. In fall 2025, maple-themed tours tie in Quebec’s syrup season, complete with tastings that sweeten the deal.

Both run 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Mondays outside summer), with combo tickets at $27 for adults, $16 for kids 5-12, free under-5s. The Espace pour la vie pass includes the nearby Botanical Garden and Planetarium for a full day’s adventure. Picnic spots and wide paths make it easy to linger. Families often start with the Insectarium’s high-energy vibe, then wind down in the Biodôme’s calmer trails. It’s a masterclass in showing kids nature’s raw magic and no hiking boots required.

Pointe-à-Callière: History That Feels Like Time Travel

In Old Montreal, Pointe-à-Callière unearths the city’s roots with a flair that captivates kids. Built over actual archaeological digs, it opens with tunnels where holographic fur traders and indigenous leaders recount 1642’s founding. The effect is like stumbling into a living history book—kids gape as ghostly figures flicker to life.

The pirate exhibit, Come Aboard! Pirates or Privateers?, hooks young adventurers. They climb aboard mock ships, decode treasure maps, and fire foam cannons in pretend battles. The archaeology zone lets kids sift through sand for “artifacts,” uncovering bits of colonial life. Through fall 2025, a medieval knights display adds armor try-ons and mini-catapult builds, blending grit with glee. Workshops like pottery-making tie crafts to history, keeping hands busy and minds engaged.

Open Tuesday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Thursdays later), tickets cost $24 for adults, $14 for kids 6-12, free for under-6. Family packs cut costs, and the colonial-style Lunch Room welcomes packed sandwiches. Audio guides in kid-friendly tones narrate tales of shipwrecks and markets, while the Old Port’s gelato stands beckon post-visit. It’s history without the yawn—every exhibit feels like a story kids can step into, leaving them curious about the city’s past.

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts: Where Art Becomes Play

Sprawling across downtown’s Golden Square Mile, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts turns high culture into kid-friendly fun. Free for under-20s, it’s a budget win for families. Galleries range from ancient mummies to bold Canadian abstracts, but the real draw is the interactive edge.

BMO Family Saturday Mornings (10 a.m.-1 p.m.) transform the lobby into a craft haven. Kids might paint surrealist scenes inspired by the 2025 Worlds of Wonder exhibit or carve clay figures tied to Inuit art. Guided tours simplify masterpieces—think spotting sneaky foxes in Renaissance paintings. The Bourgie Hall’s kid concerts weave flutes and drums into fairy-tale retellings, perfect for restless listeners.

Open Wednesday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Thursdays later), adult tickets hit $23, with family deals aplenty. Cafes serve hearty soups and kid snacks, and the grand atriums feel like a castle to explore. It’s a place where a toddler’s scribble feels as valid as a Picasso, sparking creativity that families carry home.

McCord Stewart Museum

Downtown’s McCord Stewart Museum tells the city’s story through everyday treasures—think vintage toys or beaded moccasins. The Indigenous Voices of Today exhibit uses activity booklets to guide kids through stories of resilience, ideal for ages 6-11.

Street photography shows inspire collage workshops, while 2025’s fashion exhibit lets families “try on” 1800s outfits via digital screens.

Free for under-18s, open Tuesday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., adult tickets are $17. Its cozy size suits shorter visits, and the gift shop’s retro postcards make cheap keepsakes. It’s like rifling through Montreal’s attic—kids connect with the city’s soul in ways that feel personal and grounded.

Quick Hits: Museum of Illusions and SAT

For a lighter vibe, the Museum of Illusions in Old Montreal dazzles with mind-bending tricks—mirrors that stretch bodies or rooms that tilt gravity. It’s $21 for adults, free under-4s, open daily 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

The Société des Arts Technologiques’ Satosphère dome blasts immersive shows, from starry skies to jungle pulses. Tickets are $19 for adults, $14 for kids, with hourly screenings. Both are short, sensory bursts that recharge a museum-packed day.

Espace pour la vie Extras: Botanical Garden and Planetarium

The Botanical Garden’s trails and treehouses thrill explorers, with fall 2025 pumpkin mazes adding seasonal fun. $21 adults, $10 kids, open daily. The Planetarium’s star shows, like cosmic voyages for ages 7+, cost $24 for adults, $14 for kids. Bundle with the Biodôme for savings and a multi-day adventure.

Planning the Perfect Visit

Hit museums early to avoid crowds; metro apps like STM’s Chrono streamline transit. Dress for cool interiors and pack snacks—most allow small bites. Check mtl.org for events like March break craft fairs or summer stargazing. Budget $80-120 for a family of four, less with passes. Kids under 6 ride transit free, and bike racks dot Old Port stops.

Final Thoughts

Montreal’s museums aren’t just buildings—they’re portals to wonder, where kids dig for relics, code robots, or chase butterflies. They blend the city’s past and present into experiences that feel like play but teach like school. Grab a pass, lace up comfy shoes, and let these spots turn a weekend into a family legend. The adventure’s waiting.