Play Free is back with more in 2024

Beginning Monday, January 1, children and youth of Ottawa can participate in the 2024 lineup of Play Free activities. These free drop-in activities include gym sports, swimming, museums and skating.

Last spring, Ottawa City Council approved an initiative to offer a selection of free drop-in programming for children and youth, aged 17 and under, in order to make recreation and cultural programming more affordable and accessible for everyone.

These free programs allow more children and youth to participate in City programs and appreciate the associated health and social benefits of these activities. The City of Ottawa also offers financial support through the Ottawa Hand in Hand participant subsidy program.

Swim Saturdays

Free drop-in swimming sessions on Saturdays for children and youth, aged 17 and under, and accompanying adults. Fees still apply for wave swims.

View a list of recreation and community centres with pools on our webpage.

Drop-in sports

Free for children and youth, aged 17 and under, and accompanying adults. Drop-in sports will vary by location and include: badminton, table tennis, basketball, floor curling, kindergym, open gym, indoor skateboarding, roller-skating, soccer, volleyball and more. Fees still apply for specialized activities such as rock wall climbing and squash or racquetball.

View a list of all drop-in sports activities on our webpage.

Museums

Children and youth, aged 17 and under, and accompanying adults have free daily access to Cumberland Heritage Village Museum and Billings Estate National Historic Site, seasonally when they are open.

View more information about museums and historic sites on our webpage.

Skating

Free public and family skating sessions for children and youth, aged 17 and under, and accompanying adults. Fees still apply for specialty skates such as shinny hockey games, pick-up hockey games and figure skating.

View a list of facilities that offer skating on our webpage.

Play Anywhere

Additionally, at facilities that do not offer drop-in sport activities, we will be creating other free drop-in programming opportunities throughout the year.

Stay up to date on these new free drop-in activities and the City’s other recreation and culture programs by subscribing to DiscoverRec.

Summer camp 10% discount

Also in 2024, the City will offer a 10% discount on select summer camps, including Ottawa Adventure, Fun and Friends, and Bout d’choux.

View more information about summer camps and courses on our webpage.

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. You can also connect with us through Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.