What To Do With The Kids In Moncton
Here’s your one-stop list for ideas on what to do with the kids in Moncton, Dieppe, Riverview and surrounding areas in New Brunswick.
Please click through the links and research your options before heading out! (Updated July 2022)
This is a bare-bones list: we’ve left out hours & prices as these change more often than we can keep up with – but click through and you should be able to find all the details!
We also work to keep this post updated with the latest changes to local businesses; please let us know if you see something that is no longer operating or have an addition. This is a free resource we’ve curated; if you find it useful, we’d appreciate if you’d share it with your friends and family. Thanks!
A quick note: This list focuses on attractions. We’ve also got a great list of playgrounds, splash parks, and once a month we update our list of the best family-friendly events & activities taking place in the Greater Moncton Area.
We also have a post focused on Winter Fun, as well as other seasonal roundups updated each year. You’ll likely want to check out some of those, too. And remember, this list is focused just on the Greater Moncton Area and doesn’t tap into all the cool things in Shediac, Fundy, Alma, and so on. This is the tip of the iceberg, folks!
Looking to burn off steam? Here are some INDOOR OPTIONS for the family:
Hop Skip Jump! has spaces and activities that appeal to a variety of ages, from a toddler-only area to virtual reality, wall climbing, and laser mazes.
SkyZone is open on St. George Blvd; a great spot to burn off serious energy.
Laser tag your thing? Check out the options at Marco’s Clinic!
FitRocks Climbing Gym boasts Atlantic Canada’s largest indoor climbing wall – and they’ve got programs and courses for all ages!
Fairlanes in Moncton & Bowlarama in Dieppe both offer gutter blockers for kids, and Bowlarama has an awesome arcade section. Looking for an epic photo op & a fun time in Riverview? Make plans to visit The Marvelous Holy Bowly!
The Riverview Indoor Skatepark is a wonderful place for all ages. There are skate times for those under age 11 and designated teen times. Helmet rentals available!
The City of Moncton offers three outdoor areas where riders can bike, skate, or scooter for free: CN Sportplexe Bike Park (55 Russ Howard Boulevard), the Downtown Skate Park (by Riverfront Park), and the Renton All-Wheels Park (280 Noel Street).
Dieppe’s Rotary St-Anselme Park & Splash Pad offers awesome biking trails and options, too.
The City of Moncton also offers free drop-in gym times for families, including a toddler time on most weekdays, at the Crossman Centre. (You can find more free, drop-in toddler programming in this post; please note, it needs to be updated.)
Stretch your creative side at these local spots:
The Clayspace often holds drop in sessions, kid-friendly classes, and a retail gallery.
DIY Studio is a great paint-your-own pottery option for family fun, located on West Main Street in Moncton.
Plan a photography tour of the public art installations around our communities, thanks to Festival Inspire!
Love to play games?
Room Escape Atlantic is recommended ages 8 and up.
Mystery Moncton Mystere recommended ages 14 and up.
Families with adult kids might also want to check into the Wreck Room and Timber Lounge Moncton for some out-of-the-ordinary fun!
We’ve rounded up a list of arcades in the GMA; you can find that info here!
You might also want to plan a visit to a trip to Le Moque-Tortue in Shediac, which features a board game cafe and child-friendly escape rooms.
More Indoor Fun
Resurgo Place is a perfect space for hands on exploring, with many extra events often scheduled.
Doiron House an architectural & cultural landmark celebrating Acadian community life, opened in 2020 in Dieppe. The home was built in 1841 and retains its original masonry hearth, the only known one of its kind in the area. Families are sure to love the opportunity to explore the site through the eyes of Marie, a young girl on a hunt for a valuable object.
There are lots of ongoing activities at our local libraries, including great programming at the Moncton Public Library which is open seven days a week.
USVA Nordic spa sometimes offers a family experience (otherwise it’s for ages 16+).
Indoor Swimming
The Pat Crossman Aquatic Centre in Riverview offers weekday Parent & Tot swims and open swim times.
The Moncton YMCA at Vaughan Harvey holds public swims sessions; you do NOT need a membership to swim at these times. There is a children’s pool at the YMCA Vaughan Harvey.
The YMCA Moncton North (70 Twin Oaks Drive) welcomes non-members to use their indoor splash pad & playground! Children under 12 need a parent/guardian with them, but you’re not required to pay the fee – just the kiddos! Bathing suits & swim caps aren’t required.
There are preschool swim sessions at the Dieppe Aquatic Centre, as well as public swim times. A section of the pool has a sloped entry and a pirate ship water feature, making it ideal for little ones.
The public is also welcome to swim at certain times in the pool at Universite de Moncton.
Find more details in our Guide to Swimming in the GMA here.
Markets & More
The Moncton Market & the Dieppe Market are both open on Saturdays from 8am to 1pm, with fantastic options for local goodies.
Many smaller communities also have markets & great hidden eating gems, like Salisbury’s growing market/antique scene and the Green Pig Country Market, as well as the Old Church Farmer’s Market in Hillsborough.
A fun spot to shop & enjoy a riverside stroll is the Starving Artist Cafe in Moncton.
Treat your tastebuds with a walk along St. George Street for Halo Donuts, Lost and Found Ice Cream, and maybe even a Taco in a Bag from Notre Dame de Parkton or something from Dolma. You’re also super close to Co Pain Artisan Bread Company & oodles of great restaurants!
Magnetic Hill Wharf Village is open seasonally.
Movie Time
Cineplex has theatres in both Dieppe & Moncton.
Shediac’s Neptune Drive In & the Sussex Drive In are both operate seasonally; movies begin at dusk.
Ice Skating
Most rinks open mid-October and stay in operation until mid-March. You can find an updated list of rinks and skate times here.
Outdoor Ideas
There’s really no season that isn’t fun on our playgrounds! We’re on a mission to visit them all and share our thoughts; follow the link for our Playground Profiles! You can also go straight to the ones with splash pads and water features by clicking here.
Magnetic Hill Zoo is open most of the year, with lots of seasonal specials.
Moncton Paintball is a fantastic option with teens. A two-hour rental (birthday party package) available!
Looking to visit some animals or even enjoy a horseback ride? Check out Boyle Family Farm on Route 126, less than 20 minutes from Downtown Moncton.
East Coast Karting is an outdoor 600-metre track with options for all skill levels.
Farmer Brown’s Greenhouse is a great spot just about 15 minutes from Riverview, with lots of kid-friendly events happening. Check out their Facebook page for what’s happening.
Hopewell Rocks & our local national parks – Fundy and Kouchibouguac – are always worth the drive.
The New Brunswick Railway Museum in Hillsborough is close to a fenced-in playground, the Artisan Market, and the very cool twin Gypsum Silos and walking trail.
Another attraction worth the drive is Off Grid Adventure, with rock climbing, ziplining, ninja obstacle course, ropes course, cave simulator, slackline, and more available – as well as camping options!
Summer Attractions
Magic Mountain has lots of options with both the Fun Zone and the Splash Zone. Check the site for special rates in the afternoons – and remember that little ones (under 36 inches) are free.
Butterfly World & The Boardwalk includes batting cages, go-karts, mini golf, bumper boats, and lots more
Thomas Williams House offers tours and activities during the summer.
Outdoor Pools can be found in Riverview, Salisbury, Petitcodiac, Hillsborough, and in Moncton’s East End and Centennial Park. You can find more information about them all here, along with a list of all the local splash pads.
For information on public beaches, check out Tourism New Brunswick’s website: www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca/beaches
Something we forgot? Let us know! You can message us through our Facebook page.
Playgrounds with Splash Pads and Water Features in Moncton, Dieppe, and Riverview
Pumpkin Patches, Corn Mazes, and Apple Orchards in New Brunswick
Free Indoor & Outdoor Ice Skating in the Greater Moncton Area
The Best Christmas Lights, Hot Chocolates, & More in the Greater Moncton Area
Wow
This is a great list of things to do with kids in Moncton. We will share the link to this site with our ABConnect Travel clients looking for things to do in the area 🙂
Thank you so much! We often have visitors to the area reaching out for ideas & very appreciative of our Playground Profiles, as well!
I’m new in Moncton, and I really loved this list. Thank you so much!