Fun Activities for a Small Budget

Canada has so many incredible activities and the best news is that you don’t even need to spend a dollar to enjoy them. The entire family can now enjoy the great outdoors, local events, and a touch of culture while sticking to the crucial budget. 

Outdoor activities

Canada is the second-largest country in the world, so there is plenty of space to really get into nature and the outdoors. Mountainous terrain, pristine lakes, and endless stretches of land mean that you don’t need to drive far out of the major cities to explore the outdoors. 

If you are an outdoor enthusiast or just hope to try something new, you can always try hiking in the mountains or choose to make your way along the winding rivers in your kayak. Avid fishermen can also catch an array of local fish in the bountiful lakes and rivers while enjoying the beauty of their surroundings. 

Winter brings cold temperatures and snow, which are perfect for skiing and snowboarding or just sledding and building snowmen with the family.

There are many free parks in Canada, filled to the brim with unique plant and birdlife, as well as some small animals. You can enjoy a picnic in the park before taking a casual stroll beneath the trees. Some of the best parks include High Park in Toronto, Stanley Park in Vancouver, and Nose Hill Park in Calgary. 

Click here to read more about Canada's outdoor activities.

Museums

There are many interesting museums and art galleries that often offer free access to visitors at certain times of the day. The National Gallery of Canada houses over 40,000 pieces of art and offers free admission on Thursdays from 5 pm to 8 pm. This allows you to explore one of the biggest and best galleries in the country with 13,300 Canadian and European prints and 8,450 drawings that are available for research and viewing. 

The Canadian Museum of Nature offers the same free access (Thursdays from 5 pm to 8 pm) and hosts impressive displays of rare specimens and the most impressive of all, a 19-meter skeleton of a blue whale which is the largest animal on the planet.

Community

Your local community center may have some exciting events to keep you entertained including farmers' markets and live shows. To find out what is coming up in your area, follow the bulletin boards and get involved in local clubs.  

One of the most exciting free festivals every year is the Parliament Hill Sound and Light show in Ottawa. This impressive display is illuminated on the parliamentary buildings in the Capital of Canada from July to September. The lights tell the story and history of Canada with thousands of local and international admirers flocking to the buildings every evening to take in the overwhelming display.

If you are living on a strict budget, why not try one of these free activities with the family. For the latest free activities and specials in Canada, visit Free Activities Canada.