Weekend Activities for Families in Oakville | Local Guide 2025
Oakville isn’t just one of Ontario’s most desirable places to live — it’s a weekend playground for families. Whether your crew loves nature trails, lakeside strolls, sweet treats, or hands-on fun, Oakville delivers a mix of indoor and outdoor experiences that are as enriching as they are enjoyable.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through family-friendly things to do in Oakville every weekend — from well-known attractions to local hidden gems.
🏞️ 1. Explore Oakville’s Outdoor Treasures
Oakville is built for weekend wanderers. With over 200 parks and 1,400 hectares of parkland, there’s no shortage of green space to roam.
🌳 Bronte Creek Provincial Park
A family classic. With five nature trails, a children’s farm, and an outdoor pool open in summer, Bronte Creek is an all-seasons destination. Pack a picnic and make a full day of it. Winter brings cross-country skiing and tobogganing.
📍 Location: 1219 Burloak Dr
🎯 Best For: Kids of all ages
💡 Pro Tip: Arrive early on sunny weekends — it fills up quickly!
🚴♀️ Lions Valley Park
Tucked away in North Oakville, Lions Valley Park is perfect for bike rides, stroller walks, and creekside adventures. The bridges, winding trails, and gentle river make it feel like a secret forest.
📍 Location: 1227 Lions Valley Park Rd
🎯 Best For: Nature walks and quiet mornings
💡 Bonus: It’s a local favourite for family photos!
🧁 2. Sweet Stops and Treat Adventures
Oakville is home to some amazing bakeries and dessert spots that make weekend errands feel like an outing.
🍦 La Dolce Vita Gelato
This authentic Italian gelato shop in Bronte Village serves up creamy, handcrafted scoops. Bonus: It’s just steps from the waterfront, making it the perfect end to a lakeside stroll.
📍 Location: 74 Lakeshore Rd W
🎯 Best For: Afternoon snack breaks
💡 Try: Their pistachio or tiramisu gelato — both are crowd-pleasers.
🧁 Sweet! Bakery and Tea House
This whimsical Kerr Street spot feels like a step into a fairy tale. Cupcakes, macarons, and a cozy tea menu make it an ideal spot for “treat day.”
📍 Location: 282 Kerr St
🎯 Best For: Tea parties and cupcake fans
💡 Book ahead for their kid-friendly High Tea!
🧗 3. Indoor Fun for Rainy Days
Not every weekend in Ontario is sunny — thankfully, Oakville has a roster of engaging indoor activities for when the weather won’t cooperate.
🛝 Kidsapia Indoor Playground
Located inside the Oakville Place mall, Kidsapia offers safe, clean, and colourful play zones for younger kids. It’s a lifesaver during the colder months.
📍 Location: 240 Leighland Ave
🎯 Best For: Toddlers and kids under 8
💡 Parents can relax in the lounge area while kids play.
🧱 LEGOLAND Discovery Centre (nearby in Mississauga)
Only a 15-minute drive away, this immersive indoor LEGO world offers rides, a 4D cinema, and building zones. It’s a weekend favourite for ages 3–10.
📍 Location: Vaughan Mills Mall
🎯 Best For: LEGO fans and birthday parties
💡 Book online to skip the line.
🎨 4. Arts, Crafts, and Creative Fun
Want something hands-on? Oakville’s creative scene is welcoming and family-focused.
🖌️ Crock A Doodle Paint-Your-Own-Pottery
Let the kids get messy in the best way. Choose your piece, paint it, and they’ll glaze and fire it for pick-up later. It’s a perfect blend of art and keepsake.
📍 Location: 146 Lakeshore Rd W
🎯 Best For: Rainy days, creative play
💡 Themes like "Mommy & Me" or "Daddy Date Day" run on weekends.
🎭 Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts
This downtown theatre regularly features family-friendly productions, including children’s plays, musical acts, and cultural performances.
📍 Location: 130 Navy St
🎯 Best For: Ages 6+
💡 Look out for holiday performances and free family events throughout the year.
🐾 5. Animal Encounters
What child doesn’t love meeting animals? From hands-on farms to butterfly encounters, Oakville delivers.
🐐 Bronte Creek Children’s Farm
Nestled within Bronte Creek Park, this charming animal farm includes goats, cows, pigs, and chickens. It’s interactive, educational, and perfect for younger kids.
📍 Location: 1219 Burloak Dr
🎯 Best For: Ages 2–8
💡 Don’t forget quarters for the animal feed dispensers.
🦋 Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory (day trip option)
If your family is up for a scenic 45-minute drive, this indoor tropical paradise features thousands of butterflies in a lush environment.
📍 Location: 2500 Kossuth Rd, Cambridge
🎯 Best For: Ages 3+
💡 Plan for a half-day visit with lunch onsite.
🎾 6. Sports and Rec All Weekend Long
If your kids have energy to burn, Oakville has no shortage of weekend sports, camps, and open gym time.
🏀 Oakville Trafalgar Community Centre
This brand-new, state-of-the-art facility has a pool, gym, walking track, and programs for every age.
📍 Location: 325 Reynolds St
🎯 Best For: All ages
💡 Drop-in swim and play times are posted weekly.
⚽ Glen Abbey Community Centre
Popular with local families, Glen Abbey offers skating, swimming, sports courts, and play zones.
📍 Location: 1415 Third Line
🎯 Best For: Active family mornings
💡 Book early for weekend skating — it fills up fast.
🛍️ 7. Local Markets and Festivals
Weekends in Oakville often mean community markets, pop-ups, and cultural celebrations.
🧺 Oakville Farmers’ Market
Located downtown on Saturdays, this market is the perfect way to start your weekend — fresh fruit, live music, and friendly vendors.
📍 Location: Towne Square, Lakeshore Rd E
🎯 Best For: All ages
💡 Let kids choose a fruit or flower to bring home!
🎉 KerrFest, Midnight Madness & More
From summer block parties to winter light festivals, Oakville’s event calendar is packed. Look out for:
KerrFest (September): Live music, food trucks, rides
Midnight Madness (July): Street festival with vendors, food, and performances
Oakville Children’s Festival (Summer): 100% family-friendly entertainment
📍 Location: Various throughout Oakville
🎯 Best For: Community lovers
💡 Subscribe to the Town of Oakville events calendar to stay in the loop.
📚 8. Weekend Library Adventures
Yes — the library is cool again. Especially in Oakville.
Oakville Public Library (OPL) — All Branches
Every weekend, OPL runs kid-friendly activities: storytimes, scavenger hunts, coding clubs, and art sessions. And it’s all free.
📍 Top Picks: Iroquois Ridge, Glen Abbey, Central
🎯 Best For: Infants to preteens
💡 Grab a “Family Fun Pass” to get free admission to select GTA attractions.
🚣 9. Lakeside Adventures
Living in Oakville means having Lake Ontario as your backyard. Use it.
🛶 Canoe, Kayak, or Paddleboard
Bronte Harbour and Oakville Harbour both offer rentals in spring/summer, perfect for calm paddling.
📍 Location: Bronte Outer Harbour Marina, Oakville Harbour
🎯 Best For: Ages 6+
💡 Book ahead online — weekend rentals go fast.
🐟 Fishing on the Pier
Teaching your child to fish? Bronte Pier is a safe, scenic spot with benches, railings, and views for days.
📍 Location: Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park
🎯 Best For: Early mornings, ages 6+
💡 Ontario's "Licence-Free Fishing" weekends (Feb/May/July) are perfect for beginners.
🍳 10. Family Brunch Spots
Because let’s face it — a good weekend starts with brunch.
🥞 Stoney’s Bread Company
A Kerr Village institution. Their French toast, paninis, and brunch boards are legendary.
📍 Location: 325 Kerr St
🎯 Best For: All ages
💡 Arrive before 10 a.m. to avoid the wait.
🧇 The Olive Press
A family-friendly Italian eatery with hearty weekend brunch, including breakfast pizzas and waffle towers.
📍 Location: 2322 Dundas St W
🎯 Best For: Big eaters and picky palettes
💡 They offer coloring menus and high chairs.
💡 Planning Your Family Weekend in Oakville: Sample Itineraries
Here are a few mix-and-match schedules to inspire your next two days of family time:
🍃 Nature & Chill Itinerary
Saturday AM: Lions Valley Park walk
Saturday PM: Cupcakes at Sweet! + pottery painting
Sunday: Bronte Creek Farm + family BBQ
🎭 Culture & Creativity Itinerary
Saturday AM: Library storytime
Saturday PM: Show at Oakville Centre + brunch
Sunday: Paint pottery + play at Kidsapia
⚽ Action-Packed Itinerary
Saturday AM: Community Centre drop-in swim
Saturday PM: Bike ride + Bronte gelato
Sunday: Paddleboarding + pier fishing
🧭 Final Thoughts: Oakville Weekends Are Built for Families
From lakeside walks to indoor playgrounds, from farmer’s markets to French toast feasts — Oakville offers families an easy, accessible blend of fun, food, and fresh air. Whether you’re new to the area or a long-time local, weekends here are anything but boring.
So the next time someone in your house says, “What are we doing this weekend?” — you’ve got answers. And probably a cupcake or two.
