The Great Canadian Summer Bucket List for Kids
Canadian kids know that summer is fleeting. In Ontario, snow can linger into early May, and then suddenly, boots give way to sandals almost overnight.
School ends, the days stretch longer, and vacation mode sets in — hair wet from the pool, sandy towels, late bedtimes, and the kind of freedom that only July and August seem to allow.
For families, these months are about making the most of long days outdoors and the simple moments that turn into lasting memories. Across Ontario, resorts make it easy to step into that rhythm, offering space to explore, try new things, and slow down together.
Here’s a summer bucket list to help make the most of the season. We’ve grouped these ideas into three themes — Classic Summer Play, New Adventures, and Outdoor Explorations — each capturing a different side of a Canadian summer.
Classic Summer Play
The timeless activities kids gravitate to instinctively: swimming, biking, running around outside, and filling long afternoons with simple fun.
Lumina Resort
Lumina Resort
Spend an afternoon jumping off a dock — even if you hesitate the first time.
Try it at: Lumina Resort, Bondi Cottage Resort, Elmhirst's Resort
Beachwood Resort
Beachwood Resort
Swim before breakfast — take a dip in the pool to start your day.
Try it at: Beachwood Resort, Fern Resort
Rocky Crest Golf Resort
Rocky Crest Golf Resort
Bounce, climb, and slide your way through a floating water adventure park.
Try it at: Bayview Wildwood Resort, Rocky Crest Golf Resort
OWL Rafting
OWL Rafting
Play a family game of beach volleyball, badminton, or horseshoes.
Try it at: OWL Rafting, Fern Resort, Cedar Grove
Niagara-on-the-Lake/Destination Ontario
Niagara-on-the-Lake/Destination Ontario
Wander a charming small town and stop for ice cream, bakeries, and lakeside views along the way.
Try it at: Pillar and Post, Friday Harbour Resort
New Adventures
Summer is the perfect time to try something for the first time. Whether it’s paddling across open water, riding a trail through the forest, or tackling a new outdoor activity, these experiences build confidence and create stories kids will tell for years.
Living Waters Resort
Living Waters Resort
Paddle a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard and learn how to steer it yourself.
Try it at: Living Waters Resorts , Killarney Lodge
Hockley Valley Resort
Hockley Valley Resort
Try mountain biking on a proper trail and feel the thrill of riding through the forest.
Try it at: Hockley Valley Resort
OWL Rafting
OWL Rafting
Go whitewater rafting and work as a team to navigate the rapids.
Try it at: OWL Rafting, Wilderness Tours
Port Cunnington
Port Cunnington
Try a new outdoor activity like archery, fishing, or tennis.
Try it at: Port Cunnington Lodge, Lumina Resort, Big Moose Camp
Slow Summer Moments
The quieter side of summer — campfires, sunsets, rainy-day games, and small traditions that become the memories families talk about years later.
Pine Vista Resort
Pine Vista Resort
Roast marshmallows over a campfire and debate the perfect level of toast.
Try it at: Pine Vista Resort, JW Marriott, The Rosseau Muskoka
Elmhirst's Resort/Destination Ontario
Elmhirst's Resort/Destination Ontario
Stay up past bedtime to watch the sunset and see the stars come out.
Try it at: Elmhirst's Resort, Cobble Beach Resort, Algonquin Log Cabin & Cottages
Springwood Cottage Resort
Springwood Cottage Resort
Spend a rainy afternoon putting together a puzzle, or playing with a board game. Bonus points if you can do it on a covered deck overlooking the lake.
Try it at: Springwood Cottage Resort, Shamrock Lodge
Great Escapes Magazine is a publication of Resorts of Ontario, a not-for-profit organization that advocates for resorts, lodges and inns of Ontario's tourism industry.
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