March Break in Peterborough: 3 Fun Family Itineraries for Curious Kids

Planning March Break? Whether your kids are fascinated by dinosaurs, curious about canoeing history, or have a ton of that 'play-all-day' energy to burn. Peterborough has you covered!

Located just 90 minutes from Toronto, Peterborough makes an easy March Break getaway packed with museums, outdoor trails, games, and hands-on experiences.

To help families plan their visit, we’ve created three themed day itineraries based on kids’ interests. Pick the one your family will love most — or mix and match activities for a full week of exploration.

March Break for Dinosaur & Creature Lovers

Do you have a kid who is dinosaur-obsessed? You're in luck this March Break! The prehistoric period has taken over in a couple of spots, and plus, you can meet a modern day descendants of the dinos, as a fun continuation of this adventure.

Begin your day at Lansdowne Place, where dinosaur displays take over the mall during March Break. Animatronic dinosaurs - including fan favourites tyrannosaurus rex and raptors - are part of the prehistoric fun. Admission is $10 per person (free for kids under 3) and ticket fees support the continued operation of Canada's Dino Park and Reptile Sanctuary. And the exhibit runs until the end of March. 

Next, head up Armour Hill to the Peterborough Museum & Archives. Inside, kids can learn about theropods - meat-eating dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus Rex, Allosaurus, Albertosaurus, and Deinonychus - by checking out life-sized skeletons, dramatic skull displays and bilingual interpretive panels. Suggested admission is $20 per group. (This is also your last chance to visit them before they depart from the Museum on March 22).

In the afternoon, head over to Riverview Park and Zoo - where you can ask your kids if they think the dinos are more closely linked to the newly-hatched Sulawesi Forest Turtle or the emu.

Tip for families: Combine this itinerary with lunch - our Kid-Approved Eats post is a great place to start!

March Break for Kids Who Love Canoes & Adventure

Peterborough is at the heart of Canada’s paddling story, making it a perfect place to introduce kids to the world of canoes, waterways, and exploration. While we're still waiting for warmer days of summer to get out and paddle, this itinerary centers around historic Trent-Severn Waterway and Peterborough's urban waterfront.

Start your day at the world-renowned Canadian Canoe Museum. Home to the largest collection of canoes, kayaks, and paddled watercraft in the world, the museum’s interactive exhibits help families experience the stories of paddlers, explorers, and waterways.

From there, take head over to the Art Gallery of Peterborough. The gallery located on the shores of Little Lake in Peterborough, and their current feature exhibit Lithic Life by Cole Swanson focuses on an ephemeral shoreside mural.

In the afternoon, Continue the adventure by exploring Right of Way - The Chemong Portage Project - a local art installation that tells the story of the 10 kilometre footpath/portage that once ran through what is now downtown Peterborough and connected Nogojiwanong/Peterborough and gchi-maang (Chemong Lake). Ask kids who they would have help them in navigating carrying a canoe along this stretch.

Tip for families: Refuel with hot chocolate along the way as you check out the Right of Way Project

March Break for Kids Who Just Want to Play

If your kids want a day full of games and movement, Peterborough has plenty of indoor and outdoor options.

Start with some friendly competition at Peterborough Axe Club, where older kids and teens can try supervised axe throwing — a surprisingly fun activity for adventurous families.

Later in the day, head downtown to Boardwalk Board Game Lounge. With hundreds of board games available, families can settle in for snacks, drinks, and hours of game play.

Balance the indoor fun with some fresh air at nearby parks and trails such as:

• Jackson Park, known for forest trails, bridges, and scenic walks

• Beavermead Park, a lakeside park perfect for running, playing, and enjoying winter views of Little Lake

Tip for families: This itinerary works well on colder days when you want a mix of indoor fun and short outdoor adventures.

Plan Your March Break Adventure in Peterborough

With fascinating museums, interactive games, scenic trails, and one-of-a-kind attractions, Peterborough offers plenty of things to do with kids during March Break.

Whether your family loves dinosaurs, outdoor adventures, or friendly competition, you’ll find activities that turn a simple day trip into a memorable March Break getaway.

Start planning your visit and discover why Peterborough is one of Ontario’s best destinations for family-friendly adventures.