What to do to entertain the kids during the Christmas holidays? Dress warmly, go outside and explore the different attractions and activities offered in Quebec City and the surrounding area.

Christmas may be different this year, but there's no need to stay indoors! Here are ten activities to help you have fun with your family outdoors.

Marvel at the light installations on Place Jean-Béliveau

Composed of interactive light works, the Plein les yeux et les oreilles walking tour invites visitors to have fun while becoming actors and musicians in a unique collective work.

The tour is accessible to all, free of charge. It's a meeting place at Place Jean-Béliveau until January 3, 2021. Psst! After the visit, stop at the Grand Marché de Noël to do some shopping and leave with a good hot chocolate!

Spot the Lutinescence elves in the Trait-Carré

Le Trait-Carré is bringing the magic of Christmas to life in a different way this year with the Lutinescence event . Take advantage of a shopping trip in the area to get the kids involved in hunting for giant elves. These mischievous characters are hidden along a path in Le Trait-Carré. Can you spot them?

Photo credit: Christmas at Trait-Carré Facebook page

Slide on the Dufferin Terrace

Have you ever experienced the famous slide, more than a century old, Au 1884 ? Located on the Dufferin Terrace, behind the Château Frontenac, the popular dizzying slide attracts many tourists from all over the world every year. It's your turn to experience some thrills!

Photo credit: Quebec Tourism Office

Meet Santa Claus in the Petit Champlain neighborhood

Did you know? The (real!) Santa Claus is in the Petit Champlain neighbourhood . Don't miss out on meeting him (from a distance) at Parc Félix-Leclerc (until December 24 only). He always makes a point of listening to the wishes of the little ones and taking note of them. With its garlands hanging above the streets, its choirs and its wacky elves, the Petit Champlain neighbourhood is a real Christmas tale in the open air.

Photo credit: Llamaryon

Skating on the Plains

Enjoy the great outdoors in the heart of downtown by skating around the Plains of Abraham ice rink . Located on the sports field, the refrigerated ice rink allows visitors to fully appreciate winter, completely free of charge. Bring your skates (there is no rental service this winter)! Please note that the capacity is currently reduced to 219 skaters, but the rink is accessible without reservation.

Hit the Valcartier or Tewkesbury tubing slides

Where to slide this winter? At Village Vacances Valcartier , which is the largest winter playground in America. Each visit offers pure moments of happiness (and thrills!), for young and old alike. Don't forget to reserve your places in advance and slide while respecting your family bubble.

Psst! Les Glissades Tewkesbury is also a favorite site for many families (my favorite!). To discover!

Photo credit: Village Vacances Valcartier

Visit the German Christmas Gardens in Old Quebec

At dusk or early evening, take a stroll through Old Québec to admire the lights of the Jardins de Noël allemand de Québec , located in the gardens of the Hôtel-de-Ville. Sparkling fir trees, magical lights, holiday melodies and a few wooden kiosks dedicated to the sale of little treats ‒ like the famous gingerbread! ‒ await you.

Need a break? Stop at one of the stations warm , scattered all over the city. There are about twenty of them this year that invite you to warm up by the fireplace.

Enjoy winter sports at the Sainte-Foy Outdoor Base

No need to leave the city to experience the pleasures of winter! Walking, sliding, learning cross-country skiing or trying out snow scooters: all these winter sports (and more!) are available for free at the Sainte-Foy Outdoor Center . Equipment rental is also free for everyone.

Photo credit: Sainte-Foy outdoor base

Learn to ski

The region's ski resorts are ready for the winter season! Wear your face covering (or put on your neck warmer!) and ski in a family bubble. Did you know? Access to the school slopes is free ( Stoneham and Mont-Sainte-Anne ) or offered at a low price ( Le Relais ), allowing you to introduce little ones to the joys of skiing!

Diving into the forest of the Duchesnay Station

With its vast playground covering some 89 km2, Station Duchesnay promises to take you into the heart of nature, for a day or a short family stay. Located less than 30 minutes from Quebec City, the four-season resort will entertain young and old alike with its hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trails, as well as its skating rink and more.

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Extra: get together around a board game

Don’t feel like going outside? Play as a family! Board games have never been more popular. You can even invite grandparents or friends to join you virtually for a Zoom puzzle or riddle night.

Put on your Christmas pajamas, make a nice hot chocolate and gather around a puzzle , a board game or a construction game.

Psst! If a child is too young to play, make teams! That way, everyone will have a chance to win!

Djeco Observation Puzzle

Warm, winter accessories!

So that your little ones can follow you in all your activities without freezing their noses, Charlotte and Charlie have selected accessories that have proven themselves. Don't leave without...

• Warm, waterproof and windproof mittens for babies and children from Stonz;
• Baby will follow us on your travels and activities, well wrapped up in his 7 AM winter envelope;
• or the timeless Petit Coulou winter cover (a sure bet!);
• Tutu knitted balaclavas , easy to put on thanks to their velcro. There are even models with ears!
• Or the soft knitted merino wool hats and neck warmers from Caribou , a Quebec brand (in the photo).

I wish you a happy holiday season with your family!

Get outside, have fun and take care of yourself.

xx

Please note that accessibility to various sites and activities may change. Check the schedule and COVID-19 conditions before traveling.

Cover photo: credit @fredemck