Moncton with Kids
Family travel guide for parents planning with children
Top Family Activities
The best things to do with kids in Moncton.
Magnetic Hill Zoo & Magic Mountain
Feed giraffes at Atlantic Canada’s largest zoo in the morning, then slide into New Brunswick’s biggest outdoor water-park next door in the afternoon. Combo tickets save money and the free shuttle between sites keeps little legs fresh.
Tidal Bore & Hopewell Rocks Day Trip
Watch the Bay of Fundy push a single wave up the Petitcodiac River at Bore Park, then drive 45 min to walk on the ocean floor among flower-pot rocks before the 40-foot tide returns. Perfect mix of science and photo-ops.
TreeGo Moncton Aerial Adventure Park
Zip-line courses set in old-growth pines right inside Centennial Park. Kids’ circuit hangs only 2 m off the ground, while teens tackle the 12-m black route with a 150-m zip across Jones Lake.
Resurgo Place (Moncton Museum & Transportation Discovery Centre)
Interactive exhibits let kids drive a virtual 1920s Model T and create their own tidal wave. The toddler corner has foam blocks and story time twice daily.
Chocolate Museum (Dieppe)
Ten minutes from downtown, this sweet little museum offers free samples and a hands-on truffle-making class. Teens love the selfie station shaped like a cocoa pod.
Centennial Park Splash Pad & Playground
Free splash pad with motion-activated fountains plus a shaded toddler playground and paved loop for scooters. In winter, the same area becomes a free sledding hill—borrow sleds at the park office.
Best Areas for Families
Where to base yourselves for the smoothest family trip.
Downtown Moncton
Flat sidewalks, cheap metered parking, and the Avenir Centre arena make downtown a hassle-free base. Riverfront Trail offers stroller-friendly walks to outdoor fitness equipment kids can’t resist.
Highlights: Resurgo Place, Tidal Bore viewing platform, weekly farmers’ market with face-painting, indoor pedway system for rainy days
Magnetic Hill Area
Zoo, water-park, and the famous hill illusion line up along a single strip—perfect if your kids like to cram activities. Large parking lots make car-seat transfers easy.
Highlights: Magic Mountain Water Park, Magnetic Hill Zoo, Casino New Brunswick’s arcade (non-gaming section welcomes kids), Irving Nature Park 5 min drive for sunset
Dieppe
Just across the Petitcodiac River, Dieppe offers bilingual charm and the closest public beach (Parlee Beach is 20 min). Residential streets are quiet for bedtime, yet downtown Moncton is a 7-minute drive.
Highlights: Chocolate Museum, Dieppe Farmers’ Market on Saturdays, free outdoor skating oval in winter, bike path to Moncton
Shediac (30 min east)
The "Lobster Capital of the World" delivers warmest waters north of Virginia and the famous giant lobster statue for selfies. Day-trip or overnight for a classic Maritime beach day.
Highlights: Parlee Beach Provincial Park, calm warm water, lifeguards, food trucks, touch-tank interpretive centre
Family Dining
Where and how to eat with children.
Moncton’s food scene is casual and accommodating—kids’ menus appear everywhere, and high-chairs stack by the door. Expect poutine, fresh seafood, and surprisingly good ramen. Most restaurants open at 11 a.m. and kitchens close by 9 p.m., so plan accordingly.
Dining Tips for Families
- Order the small lobster roll for kids at Catch 22—it’s split in half and served with fries.
- Many downtown restaurants honour the "Kids Eat Free" deals on Tuesdays; check signs in the window.
Seafood shacks near Parlee Beach
Paper trays of fried clams and haddock eaten at picnic tables while seagulls circle—no dress code, lots of napkins.
Poutine and burgers
Local chains like Greco and Big Burgers serve mini poutines and plain burgers that picky eaters accept.
Food-hall style markets
Café 1912 food hall in Dieppe has stalls for pizza, sushi, and crepes plus high-chairs and a microwave for warming bottles.
Tips by Age Group
Tailored advice for every stage of childhood.
Moncton is stroller-friendly but winter slush can clog wheels. Sidewalk cafés welcome breastfeeding; change tables appear in almost every public washroom.
Challenges: Short nap windows conflict with 45-min drives to Hopewell Rocks
- Book hotels with separate bedroom so nap schedule stays intact
- Bring swim diapers—Magic Mountain sells out fast
Kids grasp tidal science and love climbing the nets at TreeGo. They’ll beg to stay up for the 9 p.m. tidal bore—pack pajamas for the car ride home.
Learning: Interactive exhibits at Resurgo Place teach Acadian history and physics of the Fundy tides
- Download the free Tidal Bore app to get real-time alerts
- Rent bikes on Riverfront Trail—child trailers available
Teens enjoy urban murals for Instagram shots and the mild thrills of Magic Mountain’s new Skybox drop slide. English-French bilingualism makes ordering food a fun language challenge.
Independence: Safe to wander downtown until 10 p.m.; free Wi-Fi on Main St keeps them connected
- Buy a day-pass at Crandall University climbing gym for rainy days
- Let them pick the playlist for the Hopewell Rocks drive
Practical Logistics
The nuts and bolts of family travel.
Getting Around
Moncton’s Codiac Transpo buses accept strollers unfolded but routes are limited outside downtown. Taxis provide car seats if booked 24 h ahead; Uber has no seat policy—bring your own. Rental-car seats cost CAD $15/day; book in advance during summer.
Healthcare
Moncton Hospital (135 MacBeath Ave) has 24-hour ER and pediatric unit; walk-in clinics on Mountain Road stock basic diaper brands and formula. Shoppers Drug Mart stays open until midnight on Main St.
Accommodation
Ask for ground-floor rooms near exits if you use a stroller; elevators in older downtown hotels are small. Pool hours are 6 a.m.–10 p.m.—great for tiring kids out before bed.
Packing Essentials
- Compact rain jacket for sudden Bay of Fundy drizzle
- Reef-safe sunscreen (packaging must be in French & English for airline carry-on rules)
- Portable booster seat for restaurant booths that lack boosters
Budget Tips
- Buy a City of Moncton Family Recreation Pass (USD $65) for discounted zoo, museum, and pool entries.
- Hit grocery store breakfast instead of hotel buffet—save ~$10 per kid daily.
Family Safety
Keeping your family safe and healthy.
- Bay of Fundy tides rise fast—keep kids within arm’s reach on ocean floor and obey ranger whistles.
- Apply SPF 30 even on cloudy days; the water reflects sun and burns happen quickly.
- Sidewalks downtown are well-lit, but Maritime dusk arrives early—carry reflective tags on strollers after 8 p.m.
- Tap water is safe; still, pack a refillable bottle—public fountains are scarce.
- All beaches have sudden drop-offs; school-age swimmers should use life jackets beyond knee-deep water.
- Winter roads ice quickly—rent cars with winter tires from October onward; it’s legally required in NB.