Niagara Falls With Kids: 11 Best Things To Do

You probably already know what to see and do at Niagara Falls, but do you know how to tailor your visit to the little ones in your family? Niagara Falls is a unique natural setting that will delight both adults and children alike. There are countless things to do with children in the surrounding area. We'll tell you everything you need to know to plan your trip!

Both cruises follow the same route, although the Maid of the Mist departs from the American side and the Hornblower from the Canadian side. You can tell them apart by the colour of the raincoats you are given when you board, which are very practical because during the twenty-minute trip you get so close to the falls that, as well as being left speechless by the grandeur of the spectacle, you also get wet.

Children (and adults too) have a great time. Both cruises have several decks and indoor areas, so you can enjoy the show even if the weather is not great. In any case, it's a good idea to bring a change of clothes to avoid catching a cold.

You'll find many places where the views of Niagara Falls are breathtaking, but at the bottom of the river there's a very special one: Cave of the Winds. If you book a visit, either as part of an organised tour or on your own, the children will travel in an elevator to a platform that leads to one of the most impressive views of the falls.

Watch out! You'll be right above the falls, so expect to get wet, although that will only add to the fun for the little ones, of course.

The heights have never been so close: in just fifty-two seconds, the Skylon Tower lift will take you to the top floor, which is... 230 metres high. And that's not all, as there is a restaurant on a revolving floor so you don't miss a thing while you dine. In fact, if you want to splash out and book a tour of Niagara Falls with a helicopter ride and lunch at Skylon Tower.

From the observation deck, you can see not only the falls, but also an extensive view of the United States and Canada. Especially recommended at the end of the day, when the city lights begin to come on. Impressive!

Never has this been truer: on Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays, the unique setting of Niagara Falls becomes even more special thanks to the fireworks displays.

Although the view from the Skylon Tower is spectacular, the fireworks can be enjoyed to the fullest at the foot of the falls. You can also take the opportunity to book a night tour of Niagara Falls. A treat for the senses, for children and adults alike, and the perfect end to your visit.

If your children are the type who like to be active and enjoy outdoor activities, this is the tour for you. Whirlpool State Park offers a breathtaking view of the falls. The climb to the top is a bit challenging, but the trail is well worth the effort, and at the top of the park there is space to enjoy a picnic while admiring the Niagara River. Don't miss it!

No need to book tickets or pay an additional fee: just follow the marked trails at your own pace until you reach the picnic areas and viewpoints.

Bird Kingdom is one of Niagara's most famous attractions, and no wonder, as it is the largest free-flight aviary in the world. Yes, you heard right: a huge building designed for birds to fly freely.

The visit includes an exhibition on Niagara Falls and birds, but the best-known part is where you can get up close to the animals. It's very exciting! Children love holding parrots and macaws, or seeing other animals such as snakes, turtles and even bearded dragons up close. If you do a little research before you go, you can explain to the children what animals they are seeing, making the visit educational as well as fun.

We've all felt that adrenaline rush when riding a zip line and leaving the ground behind, right? Now imagine that zip line travelling at 70 km/h on a spectacular descent towards Niagara Falls. An experience you'll never forget!

The zip line is suitable for children aged seven and above, but those under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Are you ready? Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office at the foot of Clifton Hill and cost around £45 per person.

There's a reason why Clifton Hill is known as "the most famous fun street in the world": it's an amusement park just ten minutes from the falls. Children will have a great time with the haunted houses, the dinosaur-themed mini golf course and the 54-metre Ferris wheel with views that, on a clear day, reach all the way to Ontario!

Whatever your kids' tastes, there's plenty to discover in Clifton Hill. For older kids, there are souvenir shops and museums for the curious, such as the Guinness World Records Museum and Ripley's 4D Museum and Theatre. A complete and ideal plan if you choose the two-day trip to Niagara Falls instead of the one-day trip.

We all know that when travelling with children, food can be a delicate issue. Don't worry! Clifton Hill also offers a wide variety of dining options. Although it never hurts to bring something to snack on or have your little ones' favourite snack on hand, in Clifton Hill you can find everything from fast food to quality cuisine.

And if you want to enjoy a unique experience as well as a meal, visit the Rainforest Café: a themed restaurant whose doors open onto the jungle. Inside, there is a tropical atmosphere with vegetation, animals, ambient sounds and the occasional storm. When it comes to eating at Niagara Falls, you also have many options. Check them out before you arrive at the park!

Nine kilometres north of Niagara Falls is the butterfly conservatory, where a multitude of species fly throughout forty hectares. You can see more than two thousand butterflies of sixty different tropical species.

If you want your children to have a complete experience, I recommend that they wear bright colours on that day, as the butterflies are more likely to be attracted to these colours and will come and land so that the little ones can observe them up close.

For a peaceful getaway with the little ones, there is a town north of the falls that offers a picture-perfect setting. It is called Niagara on the Lake, in honour of the lake it overlooks, and is surrounded by charming little houses that are a delight to wander among.

In this small town, children can stroll peacefully in a more relaxed cultural and natural environment than that which has developed around Niagara Falls. The small town's landscape is well maintained for a day of family sightseeing.

Plan your trip in advance

Coordinating the tastes of the whole family is not always easy, especially when travelling with children, but as you have seen, Niagara Falls has all kinds of attractions Preparing the trip together can be quite an experience, as you can all choose what you like best.

Tell them what they're going to see

To get the most out of your trip, you can give the children some context to help them enjoy their trip to the fullest, for example with films such as Pixar's "Up" or "Pirates of the Caribbean".

Buy tickets in advance

The most important thing is to book your trip to Niagara Falls in advance. Once you're there, it's also a good idea to book or buy tickets in advance for dinner at the Skylon Tower or a cruise on the Maid of the Mist.

Remember to bring appropriate clothing and footwear

A visit to Niagara Falls offers plenty of activities for both children and adults, but in the case of children, it is even more important that they wear comfortable clothing so they can enjoy themselves to the fullest. Of course, they should bring a change of clothes and not wear new shoes on that day.