Visit these interactive science museums in Ontario

Ontario Science Center

The Ontario Science Centre brings science to life with fun, hands-on experiences. Families can check out two temporary exhibits, one at Harbourfront Centre and the other at CF Sherway Gardens.

At Sherway Gardens, Survival: The Exhibition lets you climb, build, explore, and test your survival skills in an interactive setting. You can also dive into the wonders of nature at the Earth Matters exhibit.

At Harbourfront Centre, KidSpark offers three interactive exhibits where kids can get curious and creative with STEM—science, technology, engineering, and math.

Locations:

• CF Sherway Gardens, 25 The West Mall Unit 1150A, Etobicoke
• Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto

Canadian Museum of Nature

The Canadian Museum of Nature has been around since 1912. It is housed in the iconic Victoria Memorial Museum Building, a stunning mansion built in the Gothic Revival Scottish Baronial style. This national treasure covers over 18,000 square metres of exhibits and displays all aspects of natural history in Canada.

Explore a vast collection of fossils and dinosaur skeletons, 500 taxidermies and species of native wild birds and mammals. Discover rocks and minerals, then visit the Pacific Discovery Tank to see live sea creatures

Location: 240 McLeod Street, Ottawa  

Science North & Dynamic Earth

The immersive programs at Science North inspire and captivate young minds. The 50+ exhibits explore aspects of many scientific disciplines. From the Butterfly Gallery with 400 free-flying tropical butterflies to the Flight Simulator, experience and learn much more about the physics of flight. Visit the escape room, planetarium, IMAX theatre and activities centre for more hands-on and engaging learning. Next door, dive into earth science and the history of mining, complete with a guided underground tour.

Location: 100 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury  

Canadian Science & Technology Museum

In the nation’s capital, the incredible Canadian Science and Technology Museum is a fascinating collection of virtual, visiting and current exhibits. Favourites include Steam: A World in Motion, a look at steam transportation in Canada from 1900 to 1960, and Artifact Valley with over 700 artifacts in many facets of technology and science.

Location: 1867 St. Laurent Boulevard, Ottawa  

Earth Sciences Museum

Located within the University of Waterloo, the Earth Sciences Museum is open to the public, of all ages. Numerous displays and walking tours take you through the history and exploration of our planet through the sciences. A geological garden, opened in 1987, holds over 80 donated specimens representing various geological formations from Ontario, and throughout North America.

Explore fossils, minerals, ice age animals, crystals, animal life and mastodons and journey through the Mining Tunnel to experience what a miner’s life was like in days past.

Location: 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo  

Entomica Insectarium

If your child is obsessed with creepy crawlies and insects, you’ll definitely want to bring them to this museum. The interactive, exploratory non-profit science centre seeks to reveal the hidden world of insects to children of all ages with hands-on experiences and exotic displays of creatures from around the world. Explore the wide wonderful world of insects, their impact on our us, and our impact on them. Entomica is located within the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre.

Location: 50 Pim Street, Sault Ste. Marie  

Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology National Historic Site

This attraction is housed in a heritage waterworks building that’s over 160 years old and features two preserved steam power water pumping engines, some of the oldest surviving Canadian-built engines.

Book a guided tour through permanent and changing exhibits, attend special events like Train Days and enjoy hands-on experiences and demonstrations.

Location: 900 Woodward Avenue, Hamilton  

Aquatarium at Tall Ships Landing

Dive into all things aquatic at this unique facility along the St. Lawrence River. Get a ‘fish’s eye view’ of the world at the 1000 Islands aquarium, offering an underwater experience with hands-on learning. From otters, beavers and reptiles, there are many exhibits to explore. 

Location: 6 Broad Street, Brockville  

Miller Museum of Geology

Inspire young minds to aim high at this geology museum located on the grounds of Queen’s University, one of Canada’s most prestigious places of learning. Several interactive exhibits offer the opportunity to dig for dinosaur fossils. Explore the Augmented Reality Sandbox and check out the extensive display gallery of crystals, minerals, fossils and more.

Location: 36 Union Street, Kingston, Queen's University, Miller Hall