Suffering from the late-summer “Been there, done that” blues?

If you, like many parents, are looking for something new and different to do with the family to enjoy what is left of the beautiful Montreal summer (and stave off end-of-holiday boredom) – without having to re-mortgage the house – read on. We can help.

Old Montreal Ghost Tours

Designed for children, a tour based on ghost stories, legends, and myths is waiting for you near the St. Lawrence River. “Fantômes Montréal” offers two nightly ghost tours: the traditional Ghost Walk tour of the historic Old Montreal area, led by a storyteller who shares the "hidden secrets of the cobblestone streets and the legends behind the haunted houses of Old Montreal", and a Ghost Hunt that is led by an actor who tells the story of his life ... and death!  http://fantommontreal.com/fr/

Le Musee des Maitres et Artisans du Quebec

This museum promotes traditional and modern art and crafts from the different cultural communities in Quebec and Canada.  Families are encouraged to get a feel for how artisans work by putting their hands to it in hour-long workshops. “Its artistic objectives are to increase awareness of traditional crafts and crafting practices, as well as contemporary crafts and contemporary art.” A great day out for artistic children!  http://www.mmaq.qc.ca/index.htm

Place des Arts free activities

Place des Arts hosts many free activities for families. These include ‘Discovery Zone’, where children can discover different instruments by trying them out as well as learn how Yamaha pianos are built; ‘Instrument Construction Workshop’ -- clarinet and percussion; and ‘Reading Centre for Little Ears’, where children can read about music and listen to it at the same time.  http://www.laplacedesarts.com/spectacles/evenement.fr.html?event.id=12286

Redpath Museum’s Sunday Discovery Workshops

You will find science-related arts and crafts workshops for kids at the Redpath Museum (reservations often required) on subjects like mummies, volcanoes, dinosaurs and meteorites. Workshops are offered in English or French, depending on the Sunday. Materials provided. $6 per child, free for parents. http://www.mcgill.ca/redpath/fr/whatson/discoveryworkshops

National Film Board (NFB) Student Workshops

For activities that promote collaboration, creative thinking, and communication, the NFB offers hands-on workshops for all ages including Stop-Motion, Seeing Sounds, Flipbook and Drawing, and Pixellation. Led by NFB education specialists, they provide an introduction to animation, documentary, and digital storytelling. http://www.onf.ca/education/ateliers/info/.

EcoMuseum Zoo

A wildlife preserve located on the West Island, the Ecomuseum has "family outing" written all over it.  Unlike a traditional zoo with exotic species from around the world, the Ecomuseum features over 100 species native to Quebec. The zoo also has animal care activities, fun workshops, and reading times in both English and French for kids.  Open every day from 9am – 4pm.  http://www.ecomuseum.ca/fr

Museum of Archeology and History (Pointe-a-Callière):

This is a wonderful museum showcasing the history of Montreal for the whole family. Highlights include a free guided tour called "Where Montreal Was Born – 600 years of Montreal's history”, and a multimedia show of great moments from the city’s past—its founding and development, the life of local first nations peoples, French and British regimes and the city's modern times.  http://www.pacmusee.qc.ca/fr/accueil

Indoor Skating at the Atrium

This is year-round family fun – indoor skating for all ages.  Right downtown and easy to get to via the Bonaventure metro, you can skate all day to energetic music. Skate rental available.   Two times available: 11 – 12:30 pm (Tiny Tots Time, 12 years and under and their parents), and 12:30 – 9 pm for all.  Reservations for groups suggested.  http://www.le1000.com/fr/atrium/index.php

Cote St. Luc Library free activities

Story-reading, gardening, reading with dogs, family movie nights, game-playing, and stroller derby are some of what the Cote St. Luc library has cooked up in free activities for the summer.  See the whole list here:  http://csllibrary.org/fr/enfants/nos-programmes/nos-activites/

Fort Chambly National Park

Just a 30-minute drive from downtown Montreal, the Fort Chambly National Park is a great place for the family to explore.  Using crafted models, 3D re-creations, sound clips, interactive terminals, artifacts, and video clips, the history of New France, the Richelieu River, and the archeological remains around the site are explained.  Open every day until Sep 02 from 10 am – 6 pm.  The cost is $14.20 for a family group up to 7 people.  http://www.pc.gc.ca/fra/lhn-nhs/qc/fortchambly/activ.aspx

Enjoy your new discoveries. We'll be watching for your photos.