An Urban Playground: Your Guide to Family Fun in Charlottetown

Charlottetown’s small size makes it easy to get from point A to point B, all while remaining open to the wonder that can happen during all those moments in between. Your children will love the variety of kid-friendly offerings available throughout the city. Whether it’s hitting the pool, searching for hidden treasures, or creating an art piece that’s as unique as they are, there is so much family-friendly fun in Charlottetown just waiting to be discovered. Let the adventure begin!

BE AMAZED AT THE BUSKER FESTIVAL
This three-day festival is held across pitches in and around Founders’ Food Hall & Market. It features up to 18 jaw-dropping performances daily that will have your children in awe. Taking place at stages located at the main entrance to Founders’ and on the newly expanded outdoor patio, this is not a festival to miss. August 5 – 7th.

THE ART OF WONDER
Spend a couple of hours exploring the three levels of the Confederation Centre’s National Art Gallery and watch as your little ones have their minds blown over and over again. Art in the Open takes place the last Saturday of August (Aug 27) and is always a magical time for children to experience contemporary art in the great outdoors. Additionally, the all-new Van Gogh PEI immersive art experience hits the Delta Prince Edward on Aug 5th – Sept 5th, where your kids can explore the work of one of the most famous and influential figures in the history of western art.

SPLASH THE DAY AWAY
Due in part to its tranquil nature, Victoria Park is a hub of outdoor activity for everyone, but the west end is a kid’s dream come true. There you’ll find a pool, splash pad and brand new, accessible playground with 9,000 square feet of fun. Plan a post-play stop in the park at the Kiwanis Dairy Bar for ice cream treats!

EXPLORE CHARLOTTETOWN, KID STYLE
Eckhart in the City is a scavenger hunt featuring Eckhart the Mouse, the main character in Island author David Weale’s beloved book, The True Meaning of Crumbfest. Follow clues around the city to find nine little bronze Eckhart statues. Get the map at downtowncharlottetown.com. Or, check out the Fox Story Walk, telling the story of Ringo the Fox. Nine boards across the city consists of a section of Ringo’s story, illustrations, fox facts, hints to the next board and a map. Start your adventure at the Giant Sunflower just outside of Founders’ Food Hall & Market.

A COTTON CANDY LOVER’S DREAM
Old Home Week is a quintessential Charlottetown experience that celebrates the Island’s deep agricultural roots and its rich history of harness racing; it’s sure to be loved by all ages. The event typically features amusement park rides at the exhibition, many children’s entertainers, a kids’ zone, livestock shows, and much more. August 12 – 20th.

GAME ON!
The Hive + Honeycomb, located within the Confederation Court Mall, features hundreds of board games to choose from, fancy drinks/sundaes, classic snacks, and pottery painting. On the lower level of the Confed Mall, you’ll also find a three-hole mini-putt golf course. And just steps away is Charlottetown’s only glow bowling alley, The Alley, featuring a full-service restaurant and plenty of fun for the kids.

HISTORY COMES TO LIFE
The Story of Confederation replica chamber both offer immersive experiences with Indigenous and colonial histories, including self-guided visitation or guided walking tours. It’s the perfect way to add educational elements to your family vacation. Visit confederationcentre.com for full listings, tickets, and more.

A DAY ON THE FARM
Farm Day in the City is BACK! Celebrate the Island’s bountiful harvest and the ‘buy local’ culture at this open-air market in the heart of historic downtown Charlottetown. Plan to spend your day exploring the market and enjoying the many free activities taking place throughout the day, including live music & dancing, a petting zoo, balloon twisting, arts & crafts, a good ol’ fashioned pie-eating contest, and many more family-friendly to-do’s. Oct 2nd

A NOT-SO-SCARY SCARECROW HUNT
From Water Street to Rochford Square and all the way in between, your family won’t want to miss checking out the hundreds (yes, hundreds!) of weird & wonderful scarecrows scattered throughout downtown Charlottetown this October during the Charlottetown Scarecrow Festival. You can also look forward to haunted ghost walks, live music, scarecrow making workshops, costumed stilt-walkers, harvest dinners, psychic readings, and so much more! October 7th – 23rd.

INSPIRED OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT
The Outdoor Amphitheatre at the Confederation Centre of the Arts comes alive every noon-hour in the summer with high-energy, family-friendly productions.

• Mi’kmaq Heritage Actors are back with a new show Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq Voices (July 6 – 22).
• Munschables (July 29 – Sept 3) brings the exciting and silly world of beloved children’s author Robert Munsch to life with members of the cast of Anne of Green Gables—The Musical.
• The Xclusiv Dance Crew also returns with the new show Island Vibe (Aug 5 – Sept 3), which explores hip-hop, afro-jazz, contemporary movement, break dancing and tap.

And there you have it! There are endless family-friendly ways to enjoy our little city, and we just got the ball rolling! Charlottetown is a true urban playground- so get to explorin’

Need a place to stay in Charlottetown? Check out our amazing selection of accommodations. Curious what else to do around Charlottetown? Don’t miss a beat over on our events page.

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