Visit these interactive science museums in Ontario

Canadian Museum of Nature

Set in a 19th century Gothic Revival ‘Scottish Baronial’ architectural style mansion known as the Victoria Memorial Museum Building, the Canadian Museum of Nature has been around since 1912. This national treasure covers over 18,000 square metres of exhibits and displays all aspects of natural history in Canada. Find a large collection of fossils and dinosaur skeletons, 500 taxidermies and numerous dioramas of native wild birds and mammals. Check out rocks and minerals, and the marine life exhibit boasting a blue whale skeleton. And don’t forget to visit the Animalium house filled with live insects and arachnids.

Location: 240 McLeod Street, Ottawa  

Science North & Dynamic Earth

If you’re not a huge science enthusiast, you will be after visiting Science North and Dynamic Earth. The 50+ exhibits throughout 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 year old and features two preserved 70 ton 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 the Live Steamer 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. There are three distinct aquarium lake, river and shore habitats to visit, each with exploratory information on the ecosystems.

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