Niagara Falls With Kids: 11 Best Things To Do

You probably already know what to see and do in Niagara Falls, but do you know how to adapt the visit to the youngest members of the family? Niagara Falls is a unique natural enclave that will delight young and old alike. There are plenty of things to do with children in the surrounding area, and we'll tell you in detail how to plan your trip!

Both cruises sail the same route, although the Maid of the Mist departs from the American side and the Hornblower from the Canadian side. You can tell them apart by the colour of the mackintoshes they give you when you get on, which are very practical because in the twenty minutes it takes to get so close to the waterfalls that in addition to being left with your mouth open at the grandeur of the spectacle, you get wet.

The children (and not so children) have a great time. Both cruises have several decks and indoor spaces, so you can enjoy the show even if the weather is not good. In any case, a change of clothes to avoid catching a cold is not a bad idea.

You'll find many places where the views of Niagara Falls will be breathtaking, but at the bottom of the river you'll find a very special one: Cave of the Winds. If you book a visit, either as part of an organised tour or as self-guided access, the kids will ride a lift up to a platform that leads to one of the most breathtaking views of the falls.

Be warned, you'll have the waterfalls above you, so expect to get wet, although that will only add to the fun for the little ones, of course.

Heights have never been so close: in just fifty-two seconds, the Skylon Tower lift will take you to the top floor, which is... 230 metres up. And that's not all, because there's a restaurant on a rotating floor so you won't miss a thing while you dine. In fact, if you want to go all out and book a Niagara Falls tour with helicopter ride and lunch at Skylon Tower.

From the observation deck you can see not only the falls, but an extensive view of the United States and Canada. Especially recommended at the end of the day, when the city lights start to come on - breathtaking!

On Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays, the unique setting of Niagara Falls is made even more special by fireworks displays.

Although the view from the Skylon Tower is privileged, the fireworks can be fully enjoyed at the foot of the falls. You can also take the opportunity to book a night tour of Niagara Falls. A treat for the senses, for children and adults alike, and a perfect way to round off your visit.

If your kids are the outdoorsy type, this is the tour for you. Whirlpool State Park offers a breathtaking view of the falls. The climb to the top is a little steep, but it's well worth it and there's room at the top of the park for a picnic reward overlooking the Niagara River. Not to be missed!

There's no need to book tickets or pay extra - just follow the marked trails at your little ones' pace to picnic areas and viewpoints.

Bird Kigdom is one of Niagara's most famous attractions, not surprisingly, as it's the largest free-roaming aviary in the world. Yes, that's right: a huge building set up for free-flying birds.

The tour includes an exhibition about Niagara Falls and birds, but the most popular part is the part where you can get up close and personal with the animals. It's very exciting! Kids love to hold parrots and macaws, or see other animals like snakes, turtles and even bearded dragons up close. If you do a bit of research before you go, you can explain to the children which animals they are seeing and the visit becomes educational as well as fun.

We've all felt that adrenaline rush when we ride a zip line and stop touching the ground, right? Just imagine that the zip line in question travels at 70 km/h down the spectacular descent towards Niagara Falls. You'll never forget that experience!

The zip line is suitable for children aged seven and over, but up to the age of thirteen they must be accompanied by an adult. Are you looking forward to it yet? Tickets are available from the ticket office at the foot of Clifton Hill and cost around €50 per person.

Clifton Hill is known as "the world's most famous amusement street" for a reason: it is an amusement park ten minutes from the falls. Kids will have a blast with the haunted houses, the dinosaur-themed mini golf course or the fifty-four metre Ferris wheel with a view that on a clear day stretches... all the way to Ontario!

Whatever your little ones' tastes, there's plenty to discover at Clifton Hill. For the grown-ups, there are also souvenir shops and museums for the curious: the Guinness World Records Museum, the Ripley's Museum and 4D Theatre of Oddities. A complete and ideal plan if you choose the two-day Niagara Falls tour instead of the day trip.

We all know when travelling with children that food can be a tricky subject, but don't worry, Clifton Hill's food scene is also very varied. Although it never hurts to bring something to snack on or to have your children's favourite snack on hand, at Clifton Hill you can find everything from fast food to quality cuisine.

And if you want not only to eat, but also to have a unique experience, visit the Rainforest Café: a themed restaurant whose doors open onto the rainforest. Inside there is a tropical atmosphere with vegetation, animals, ambient sounds and the occasional thunderstorm. When it comes to dining at Niagara Falls, there are plenty of options too - check them out before you get to the park!

Nine kilometres north of Niagara Falls is the Butterfly Conservatory, where a multitude of species fly across forty hectares. You can observe over two thousand butterflies of sixty different tropical species.

If you want your children to have the full experience, I recommend that they wear brightly coloured clothes on the day, as the butterflies are more likely to be attracted to these colours and come to perch for the little ones to observe them up close.

For a quiet getaway with the little ones, there' s a town just north of the falls that offers a picture-perfect setting. It's called Niagara on the Lake after the lake that overlooks it, and is surrounded by cottages that are a joy to wander through.

In this small town, children can wander around in a more relaxed cultural and natural environment than the one that has formed around Niagara Falls. The landscape of the small town is well cared for a day of sightseeing with the family.

Plan your trip ahead of time

Coordinating the tastes of the whole family is not always easy, especially when travelling with children, but as you've seen, Niagara Falls has all kinds of attractions. It can be an experience to plan your trip together so that you can choose what you like best.

Explain what they will see

To get the most out of your trip, you can give the children a context to make the most of their trip, for example with films such as Pixar's "Up" or "Pirates of the Caribbean".

Get tickets in advance

The most important thing is to book the Niagara Falls tour in advance. Also, once there, whether dining at the Skylon Tower or sailing on the Maid of the Mist cruise, it's best to book or get tickets in advance.

Remember to wear appropriate clothing and footwear

A visit to Niagara Falls offers plenty of activity for both children and adults, but for children it is even more important that they wear comfortable clothes that they can enjoy themselves to the fullest, and of course, that they wear change of clothes and do not wear new shoes on the day.