Sure it might be winter and the days might be shorter though Montreal offers lots of winter fun for families. With indoor activities paired with outdoor festival fun, spend the perfect day in Montreal during the winter with kids.
What to do in Montreal in Winter with Kids
Breakfast at Maison Christian Faure
Kids Cooking Class at Maison Christian Faure
Afternoon Tea at Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel
Enjoy a Montreal Winter Festival with Kids
Breakfast at Maison Christian Faure
First, start your day with a French petit dejeuner at the Maison Christian Faure for its heavenly croissants, butter or chocolate. And sample a brioche with butter and house-made jam. Then order a café au lait or chocolat chaud.
Family Cooking Class at Maison Christian Faure
For a family cooking class head upstairs for a pastry class taught by Chef Christian Faure, MOF–or Meilleur Ouvenir de France, or one of the other instructors. Though widely known in the U.S. the MOF is special culinary designation of the highest rank in France. With a selection of classes for families, kids 8 and older can learn how to bake a masterpiece.
With 6-hour classes, families can bake a proper French macaron, a gingerbread house, or viennoiserie and brioche, including croissants. Or choose a tart class or summertime ice cream and sorbet class.
Most importantly each family gets a professional workstation outfitted with pro tools and constant instruction. Then take home what you make.
Located in the Old Port section, find Maison Christian Faure at 355 Place Royale. Classes start at 9:30 and end at 3:30. Reservations required.
Afternoon Tea at Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel
After learning the fine art of French pastry celebrate with afternoon tea at Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel. With views of the main dining room of the Rosélys Restaurant, find china teacups and an attentive staff.
Since kids enjoy fruity flavors order the Flora’s Berry Garden Herbal Tea. Additionally adults can savor a bolder tea, like the Grand Bazar Spice. For nibbling The Queen Elizabeth Hotel offers a special tea menu for guests under 12.
As one expects the tea treats are served on a silver three-tier stand. Start with the savory offerings and taste the influence of the French with a foie gras macaron. Likewise the Japanese make a mark with an maki cucumber sandwich that raised the bar on the quintessential tea time favorite with a hint of citrus.
Then find a plate of scones and clotted, or Devonshire cream. Though traditional and satisfying for Anglophiles, the scones taste like an oil-based scone recipe instead of a butter recipe.
So the delicately prepared desserts anchor the teatime stand and find a fusion of classic tea favorites with new flavors. First I eye the matcha tea and chocolate cake. Of course the thimble-sized fruit tart garnished with an edible flower tempt me. Lastly sample a lemon meringue tartlet and a chocolate, milk foam and maple plaquette featuring delicate flavors as well.
Located in downtown Montreal at 900 Boulevard René-Levesque Quest. And afternoon tea is served Thursday through Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Montreal Winter Festivals with Kids
After a day inside play outside as the sun sets. From late November and through mid-March Montreal is famous for its outdoor winter festivals. So layer up and head outdoors.
Luminothérapie—Located in the Quartier des Spectacles it’s Montreal Light Therapy Festival. For the shortest days Montrealers enjoy a festival dedicated to light.
The Luminothérapie runs from late November to early January.
IglooFest—Located in Old Port section of Montreal this a popular music festival. With a solid line-up of electronic music it’s a must do for music-loving kids.
The IglooFest runs from mid-January to February.
Montreal en Lumiere—Located in the Quartier des Spectacles this festival features live music, a ferris wheel and an ice slide all for free. And bring some marshmallows to toast at the numerous fire pits across the site.
The Montreal en Lumiere starts in late February and runs until mid-March.
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