Barrie’s Best: 50+ Summer Adventures Your Kids Will Love!

Summer is just around the corner, and the kids are getting excited. Are you wondering what to do with all that energy, all that free time, and all those long, sunny days? Look no further! The Barrie, Ontario, area is a treasure trove of family-friendly activities, from outdoor adventures to educational experiences. In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of over 50 engaging activities to keep your kids entertained all summer long. Let’s dive in!

Outdoor Adventures

1. Barrie Waterfront Festival: Enjoy fun-filled family activities, live music, and food vendors at this annual festival.
2. Barrie Adventure Park: This outdoor park offers a range of activities like paintball, airsoft, and low-impact paintball, ensuring a fun-packed day.
3. Hiking in Ardagh Bluffs: With 17 kilometres of trails, it’s an ideal spot for nature walks, bird watching, and outdoor education.
4. Picnic at Sunnidale Park: This park features beautiful flower gardens, playgrounds, and a picnic area for a perfect family outing.
5. Centennial Beach: This urban beach offers a splash pad, beach volleyball, and a beautiful waterfront walkway.
6. Fishing at Kempenfelt Bay: Teach kids the joy of fishing at Kempenfelt Bay, which is abundant in various fish species.
7. Bike ride along the Waterfront Trail: Enjoy a family bike ride while soaking in the scenic views of Lake Simcoe.
8. Water sports at Minet’s Point: Rent paddle boards, kayaks, or canoes for an exciting water adventure.
9. Visit Springwater Provincial Park: This park offers walking trails, picnic areas, and wildlife viewing for a day immersed in nature.
10. Bird watching at Bear Creek Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary: Home to various exotic animals and birds, this sanctuary is a must-visit for animal lovers.
11. Visit Johnson’s Beach: Perfect for swimming, sunbathing, or picnicking, it’s a great summer spot.
12. Go-karting at Shanty Bay Go-Karts: Perfect for adrenaline seekers, enjoy a day of thrilling go-kart races.
13. Horseback riding at Horse Power Sports: Learn to ride or perfect your skills with professional equestrian lessons.
14. Camping at Earl Rowe Provincial Park: Enjoy fishing, hiking, bird watching, and stargazing in this scenic park.
15. Tubing at Snow Valley Ski Resort: Even in the summer, the resort offers fun activities like tubing and aerial adventures.
16. Visit Wasaga Adventure Park: With a wide variety of activities, from paintball to escape rooms, it promises a fun-filled day.

Museums and Historical Sites

17. Simcoe County Museum: Learn about the local history through various exhibits and interactive displays.
18. Visit the Base Borden Military Museum: Glimpse Canadian military history and the country’s contribution to global peace.
19. Visit Sainte-Marie among the Hurons: This historic site is a recreation of a French Jesuit mission to the Huron Wendat nation, the first European community in Ontario.
20. Barrie’s self-guided Heritage Walking Tour: Discover the city’s historical sites and architectural gems on this self-guided tour.

Educational Activities

21. Visit Elmvale Jungle Zoo: Over 300 species of animals, a petting area, and a playground make this a perfect educational and fun outing.
22. Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre: Explore the wildlife centre to learn about various species of plants, birds, and animals.
23. Tiffin Centre for Conservation: Educational programs about nature and conservation make this a fun learning experience.
24. Barrie Public Library: Join summer reading programs and workshops, or spend an afternoon reading your favourite books.
25. Base Borden Military Museum: Learn about Canada’s military history through extensive indoor and outdoor displays.
26. MacLaren Art Centre: A leading art gallery in Barrie offering workshops and exhibitions for kids and families to explore art enjoyably.
27. Perplexcity Escape Rooms & Board Game Cafe: A fun and challenging activity where kids can test their problem-solving skills.
28. Alt. Rock: Indoor rock climbing offers a fun, challenging, and physically active way for kids to spend a day.

Sports and Fitness

29. Barrie Soccer Club: A fantastic opportunity for kids to learn teamwork, enjoy physical activity, and develop soccer skills.
30. Attend a Barrie Baycats baseball game: Enjoy a family-friendly baseball game and cheer for the local team.
31. Join a tennis club: Tennis is a fun sport that offers great physical activity and helps improve coordination.
32. Allandale Recreation Centre: Offering a range of summer programs and activities from swimming lessons to fitness classes.
33. Disc Golf at White Spruce Disc Golf Course: An exciting sport that combines frisbee and golf, perfect for kids of all ages.
34. Barrie Disc Golf Club: Offering workshops and games for kids to learn and enjoy the sport.

Arts and Crafts

35. Art classes at MacLaren Art Centre: Enroll your child in art classes where they can explore their creativity and learn new techniques.
36. Canvas and Cabernet: This painting class offers a fun, relaxing environment for kids to create their own masterpieces.
37. Pottery painting at Creative Café Art Studio: A fun-filled activity where kids can paint their own pottery, providing a creative outlet and a unique memento to bring home.
38. Barrie Art Club: Check out the summer exhibits and workshops aimed at cultivating creativity and appreciation for art in young minds.
39. Farms and Food Adventures
40. Chappell Farms Summer Festival: Enjoy a day of outdoor fun with animals, a corn maze, and a play area.
41. Strawberry picking at local farms: An enjoyable and educational experience teaching kids where their food comes from.
42. Huronia Food Trail: Taste local flavours by visiting farms, markets, restaurants, and breweries that showcase locally produced food and beverages.
43. Barrie Farmer’s Market: A great place to introduce kids to a variety of local produce, artisan goods, and freshly prepared food.
44. Ice cream at Kawartha Dairy Barrie: Enjoy some of the best ice cream in town with a wide range of flavours to choose from.
45. Visit Georgian Mall: The largest enclosed shopping centre in Barrie offers a variety of stores and dining options.

Nature and Wildlife

46. Visit the Barrie Arboretum at Sunnidale Park: Explore a wide variety of trees and plants in this beautiful arboretum.
47. Bird Watching at Bear Creek Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary: A unique opportunity to see a variety of exotic birds and animals.
48. Visit the Elmvale Jungle Zoo: This zoo is home to a variety of exotic birds, primates, big cats, reptiles, and more.
49. Explore the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre: It provides interactive exhibits and trails, offering kids an opportunity to connect with nature.
50. Learn about nature at the Tiffin Centre for Conservation: Kids can participate in various activities to learn about the natural environment, conservation, and biodiversity.
51. Festivals and Events
52. Barrie Boat Show: A fun event where kids can see a wide variety of boats and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
53. Attend the Chappell Farms Summer Festival: This annual festival offers a variety of fun activities, including a petting zoo, hayrides, and corn maze.
54. Visit the Serendipity Princess for a scenic boat ride: This unique event offers beautiful views of Kempenfelt Bay, making for a memorable experience.

And there you have it! A comprehensive list of over 50 fun-filled activities for kids in the Barrie, Ontario, area to enjoy this summer. Whether your kids are thrill-seekers, budding artists, nature explorers, or sports enthusiasts, there’s something in Barrie for everyone. So, get out there and start making some unforgettable summer memories! Remember, the goal is not to do everything but to enjoy whatever you do. Here’s to a summer of fun and discovery in beautiful Barrie, Ontario!