1. Book a Fairy Door Tour - an enchanting experience for kids and kids at heart (personally, I enjoy it JUST as much!) discover fairy homes in the woods in the heart of St. John's (Pippy Park) with a guided tour.
2. Visit Freak Lunchbox on Duckworth Street in St. John's for a sugary candy rush!
3. Visit the Watershed Coffee Shop on the wharf in picturesque Petty Harbour - sit outside with a drink and a treat and watch the water traffic go by!
4. Ride the Trolley Line - a seasonal bus service that offers hop-on, hop-off service at various points throughout downtown St. John's, including Signal Hill, the Johnson Geo Centre, and the Railway Coastal museum. Our kids don't normally take public transit, so the bus ride itself is also a real treat!
5. Visit the outdoor community splash pads in St. John's at Bowering Park, Bannerman Park or in Paradise at Paradise Park. In winter, skate The Loop or go to a family skate at one of the many arenas.
6. Drive to the Southern Shore and take a hike to the LaManche Village suspension bridge - we love this hike and try to visit once a year. Take a picnic and stay awhile. There are often seals or otters lounging in the pools under the bridge.
7. Try indoor swimming and splash pads at the Mount Pearl Summit Centre, the YMCA of Northeast Avalon or the Paul Reynolds Community Centre.
8. Take part in a family activity at The Rooms (usually on the weekends). Children 5 and under are free! Our kids love to explore the exhibits, and there is always something new to see.
9. Go for a nature walk along Rennies Mill Trail - this is a great walk along part of the Grand Concourse Trail - look or bridges, waterfalls, ducks and other wildlife. Also a great spot to have a nature exploration walk.
10. Get ice cream at Bergs or Moo Moo's - there are now several Berg's locations, but as a local, the ONLY Bergs option is the original location in Manuels CBS. Or check out Moo Moo's ice cream on King's Road as another great option.
11. Join the Kid Friendly Activities in St. John's Area Facebook group for lots of great ideas, including a lot of date-specific events and activities throughout the year.
12. Visit Lester's Farm - see the animals, ride the mini tractors and take part in seasonal activities, like berry picking and the corn maze.
13. Get creative together at Clay Cafe Avalon,
14. Feed the ducks at Bowering Park or Quidi Vidi Lake.
15. Play family Mini Golf at Sir Admiral John's
16. For families with older kids - North Atlantic Ziplines is a fantastic family experience and a great day out for thrill seekers!
17. Spend a morning or afternoon at Topsail beach or Middle cove beach. Take a picnic, find the perfect beach rock, dip your toes in the ocean if you dare.
18. Take a day-trip to the Salmonier Nature Park - a wildlife sanctuary within an hour of the city
19. Visit the marine touch tank and watch the seals at the Ocean Sciences Centre in Logy Bay - this is one of my favourite free ways to spend an afternoon, and the kids love it!
20. Hike the North Head trail from The Battery to the top of Signal Hill - I just completed this trail with my 6 year old on a beautiful, sunny St. John's day! I definitely recommend an average or above fitness level, and arriving prepared! Parks Canada rates this trail as "strenuous/challenging" Adequate footwear is a must, as the trail is rocky and steep. Be sure to keep your children close, as there are a couple of points on the trail with precarious drops to the ocean. I have lived here my entire life and I never get tired of those views - magical.
Excited about an upcoming visit to St. John's with your kids, or just want a fun new way to read together? Experience a FREE Petit Mail e-postcard story "Oliver visits St. John's", delivered to your inbox and addressed with your child's first name.
Story postcards (including Oliver visits St. John's) are ideal for children ages 3 - early reader.
Oliver Visits St. John's is a short story featuring some of Oliver's adventures in Newfoundland, including:
- finding St. John's on a map,
- visiting a lighthouse and
- meeting a Newfoundland dog
Sign up to receive your free Oliver Visits St. John's story postcard.
Once it arrives in your inbox, read together with your child, and use the story as a starting point to learn other things about St. John's.
Happy Exploring!
