We go out as a family | La Presse

To take full advantage of the last weeks of school vacation, regardless of the family budget, here are our suggestions for free activities to discover in August in Montreal and elsewhere in Quebec.

Celebrating outdoor reading

The summer literary event not to be missed for young readers? The Montreal Youth Literature Festival, which will be held on Sunday, August 11 at Noël-Spinelli Park, on the shores of Lake Saint-Louis in Lachine. In addition to meeting their favourite authors, children will be able to, among other things, participate in the creation of a collective mural with illustrator Nátali de Mello, attend Alex A.’s drawing workshop or learn more about the history of Quebec rap with Niti Marcelle Mueth. This edition will pay tribute to the author and co-founder of the festival Caroline Dawson, who was taken by cancer last May. At 2 p.m., author Simon Boulerice, actress Marie Eykel, playwright and actress Nathalie Doummar and bookseller Sayaka Araniva-Yanez will read her children’s book simultaneously on the festival’s four stages Starting from afar.

Montreal Youth Literature Festival, at Noël-Spinelli Park, in Lachine, on Sunday, August 11 from 9 a.m.

Visit the festival website

Traditional music at La Fontaine Park

With its traditional music, the Bon Débarras group will make young and old dance at Parc La Fontaine. The trio will take to the stage of the Théâtre de Verdure on Saturday, August 3, at 7 p.m. Thanks to the show for young audiences I’m coming to your place!families will be able to learn more about this musical style through anecdotes and songs. All to the rhythm of the violin, harmonica and many other instruments.

Bon Débarras at the Théâtre de Verdure, at La Fontaine Park, in Montreal, on Saturday, August 3 at 7 p.m.

Visit the Bon Débarras website

Olympic fever

If Olympic fever has gripped your family, join the Team Canada festivities taking place August 9-11 in the courtyard of Windsor Station in Montréal. Hosted by former freestyle skier Maxime Dufour-Lapointe and two-time Olympic speed skating champion Catriona Le May Doan, FestiFan is a family-friendly event where fans will not only be able to watch the Games and cheer on the athletes in a group, but also attend sports demonstrations, meet Olympians and listen to musical performances. A great way to experience the final weekend of competition.

Team Canada’s FestiFan, in the courtyard of Windsor Station, in Montreal, from Friday August 9 to Sunday August 11

Visit the Team Canada website

Featured Carnivorous Plants

Since Parc Marie-Victorin is not a museum, it is easy to forget that it is one of the institutions that opens its doors to Quebecers for free on the first Sunday of each month. However, it is a great opportunity to visit this botanical garden located in Kingsey Falls, in the Centre-du-Québec region, with your family. Especially since June, a new greenhouse with over 1,000 carnivorous plants has been accessible to the public. These mysterious plants are also featured in the exhibition The teeth of the earthdedicated to their presence in popular culture. Also inspired by this theme, a new outdoor play area awaits children.

Marie-Victorin Park, in Kingsey Falls, free entry on Sunday August 4

Visit the Marie-Victorin Park website

Theatre and history

The magnificent historic site of Île-aux-Moulins, in Terrebonne, hosts many activities throughout the summer, many of which are free. This is the case for the play Eating vegetables by the root, a vegetable garden storypresented outdoors on Sundays August 4, 18 and 25. The characters in this musical theater piece try to find the perpetrator of a bloody crime. Can you identify him?

Eating vegetables by the root, a vegetable garden storySundays August 4, 18 and 25 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Visit the Île-aux-Moulins website

Quests in the four corners of Quebec

We like the circuits punctuated with puzzles and games developed by Parcours ludiques. Thanks to a mobile application and geolocation, a walk in the forest or in the city turns into a slightly fantastic adventure. A few locations in the province are hosting the experience this summer. Each location offers a different story. Examples? In a wooded area in Louiseville, we take on the challenges set by the sons of a big wolf. In Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu, on the banks of the river, we look for a mysterious box left by the captain of a boat. In Montreal, on Plaza Saint-Hubert, we discover historical facts about the commercial artery. Most of the circuits are free.

Visit the Fun Trails website