The same goes for our toddlers, preschoolers, school-aged kids and even teens who go in and out of fashion trends. Add that to the pile of stuff we gather (toys, books, games) and we may feel overwhelmed by the number of children’s items hanging around the house.

Luckily, there is a way to purge our closets and make a little cash on the side, while also restocking our growing children’s wardrobe. Consignment stores and sales in the Ottawa area help us to not only turn in our baby equipment and items to make a little extra money, but they can also help us save money on the next set of items we need for our kids.

Tip: Consignment stores are wonderful places to stock up on new-to-you children’s books. There are often full series of popular books available!

Here are a few of our favourite spots where you can consign or shop second-hand in the Ottawa area.

Best Consignment & Secondhand Shops in Ottawa for Kids Stuff

Boomerang Kids

With stores across the city, Boomerang Kids has second-hand clothing for your kids, plus they also have maternity clothes for expectant parents. Boomerang also has a wide variety of new products including rain gear, winter gear, toys, and new baby items. There used to be more however we love that there are still locations in Kanata and Barrhaven.

Fabrick Collective

Located at 1130 Bank St. (also online/store pickup), Fabrick Collective specializes in kids’ clothes size newborn through 16, outerwear, toys, books, and baby gear. And it follows a social‑enterprise model (donation‑based, with proceeds partly supporting charity).

Lullabuys Consignment

Lullabuys is an online shop with pick‑up options in Carp and Westboro. It features preloved items for babies (0‑24 months) through big kids; toys, gear, shoes included. It’s a great option if you prefer ordering, or want specific sizes/conditions.

Once Upon a Child

Located in Orleans, Once Upon a Child provides quality second-hand clothing and equipment with a twist on how they accept their consignment clothing. Instead of earning a percentage of a sale you’ll be paid out a lump sum on the spot. No appointment is necessary. We love how Once Upon a Child has items for older children, as well as little babies. The racks are lined with name brands you love and trust, as well as stylish and cute outfits the kids will be thrilled to wear. There is also a Once Upon a Child in Kanata.

Plato’s Closet

Your teen will be thrilled to know they can find high quality and stylish second-hand clothing at Plato’s Closet in Merivale, Hazeldean, Orleans, and another location on St. Laurent. Check out their style blog for fashion inspiration, and encourage your teen to rummage through their own closet to discover pieces they no longer love that they can sell to Plato’s Closet – they’ll purchase items you bring in on the spot, with no appointment necessary.

The Thrifted Mini

Located at 1465 Merivale Road in Nepean, The Thrifted Mini is a curated kids’ consignment experience. The items are arranged by size, with both in‑store and online/Instagram sales. There’s a good mix of unique pieces and basics.

Thrive Select Thrift (Boys & Girls Club of Ottawa)

Also located in Nepean at 1547 Merivale Road (unit 3), Thrive Select Thrift has a children’s section alongside adult items. Its social enterprise model sees profits go towards youth programs. It’s definitely worth checking out for bargains and supporting local.

Remember to consider the Health Canada safety regulations (they have a handy guide on their website!) when buying second-hand, but for so many items, why buy new when you can save money and buy new-to-you?

The post Best Consignment Stores for Babies & Kids in Ottawa appeared first on SavvyMom.

We’ve collected a list of some shops where you can find amazing products while supporting local. You’ll find everything you need at one of these shops (in person, or order online for delivery! We know how busy you are.)

Best Places for Back-to-School Shopping in Ottawa

Tag Along Toys

Packing lunches can be stressful; not only planning and deciding what to pack that the kids will eat, but also finding the best containers for packing everything too. You’ll be able to stock up at Tag Along Toys at the Blue Heron Mall on Bank Street. For example, the YumBox has many compartments to pack favourite snacks and an easy to open lid. Then, grab the perfect reusable water bottle with a wide lid they can fill up at the water fountain. Don’t forget to browse the back packs!

Hintonburg Kids

Hintonburg Kids stocks a variety of lunch bags to put all of your containers in. Shop in-person for their full variety or online. Their stainless steel bento containers are easy to clean and dishwaster safe. The Dabbawalla lunch bags come in fun designs like dinosaurs, flowers and elephants.

Kiddie Kobbler

There are multiple Kiddie Kobbler locations across Ottawa and for years they have been helping parents stock up on indoor and outdoor shoes for the kids who seem to always grow a size or two over the summer. Shop for brand names like Blundstone, Vans and ensure the perfect fit with help in-store.

The Village Quire

Older students with aspirations to stay organized (or who just love gorgeous stationery) will want to shop at The Village Quire (online or in-store) for agendas, journals and accompanying stickers, markers and pens to personalize everything.

Boomerang Kids

When looking to stay on track with your back to school budget, second-hand and gently used will help you save money, and give clothes new life for your kids. At Boomerang Kids (several locations are in Ottawa), you can shop second-hand, or find new school items like bookbags, winter gear, lunch kits and everything you need to make the shopping experience easier.

Once Upon a Child

In Kanata and Orleans turn to Once Upon a Child for your stress-free back-to-school shopping experience. Stock up on new-to-them school clothes in whatever style, comfort and colours they love. The bonus is you can bring last year’s outfits from your own kids’ closets for cash too!

Readi Set Go

On Bank Street we know parents will love browsing the selection at Readi Set Go. They keep school shopping on the mind year round and always stocks up on helpful lunch bags, containers and watter bottles to make planning and packing school lunches, even for the youngest of school-goers, easier for students and parents.

One final tip!

When looking for back to school supplies, start with last year’s stuff or what’s in your craft bin. You may save some money by reusing items again and it’s always surprising how long glue sticks and erasers last.

The post Best Bets for Local Back-to-School Shopping in Ottawa appeared first on SavvyMom.

We have the scoop on where to take the kids for a bike ride, and a few other biking bits of information that will help you plan your outings. Tune up your bikes, grab your helmets, and enjoy the ride!

Bike Helmets & Learning to Cycle

Every year, the kids seem to need a new helmet as they grow. Before heading out (but not right before) double check that their helmet still fits. Fall is a good time to replace old, too-small helmets as they are often on sale.

Many parents might not know how to teach a kid to ride a bike. The City of Ottawa also has a cycling program where kids and adults can learn about bike safety and how to cycle. In partnership with CAN-BIKE, kids of all ages can learn how to ride their bike, the rules of the road and how to feel more comfortable when you hit the paths together.

There is also a camp offered in Ottawa by Pedalheads for young riders to learn during a summer camp week! Registration details can be found on their website.

Family Bike Paths in Ottawa & the Surrounding Areas

There are many different paths in the Ottawa area, many of which you can discover by downloading the bicycle map from the NCC. We’ve highlighted a few of these areas for you below, with reasons why we think your family will enjoy spending time on these paths.

Nokia Weekend Bike Days

Perhaps one of the most well-known events for cycling in the city, on the Nokia Weekend Bike Days various Ottawa and Gatineau parkways close off to vehicles from May to October to welcome cyclers to the car-free route for a specific amount of time. Because of special events happening across the City and on those parkways, there may be cancellations some weeks. It’s best to visit the website to confirm which weekends (the event is now offered Saturdays and Sundays) the paths will be free from vehicles. With each parkway offering two to nine kilometers of biking paths, the distance is just right for many families.

Family Bike Paths in Ottawa:

Ottawa River Pathway

The Ottawa River Pathway (which follows along the Ottawa River, in front of Parliament Hill, past the Canadian War Museum and ends just past, and below, Tunney’s Pasture) is winning a lot of points with riders for the scenery along the way. In addition, families will appreciate the many green spaces and areas to stop along the way for a water break or even a picnic, and if you want to spend time grabbing a bite to eat at a local restaurant. Read more about the pathway, including a suggested route, here.

The Experimental Farm Pathway

Ottawa is already fortunate to have a working farm in the middle of the City, so it’s no surprise that a favourite biking trail cuts you right through it. The Experimental Farm Pathway, which will lead you between Woodroofe Avenue and the Canadian Agriculture and Food Museum, offers a varied path between field and farm and City. The kids will likely want to make a detour to the Museum along the way!

Download a Bike Trail Map!

The NCC has a cycling map on their website to help you determine where the Capital City Pathway trails are in your part of the City! There are locations around Ottawa that also have a hard copy of the map if you prefer.

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We all scream…

Top Spots for Ice Cream in Ottawa

The Beachconers Microcreamery
Where: Britannia Beach

Beachconers is a great spot for a family walk-and-lick. Homemade scoops in fun flavours like cold brew coffee and raspberry lemon that are perfect after a beach day.

Brett’s Ice Cream

Head out to Kanata for a scoop (or two!) of classic deliciousness from Brett’s Ice Cream. This beloved local gem serves handcrafted ice cream in a wide variety of flavours in a cozy and classic small town environment. A trip to Brett’s is perfect for a summer family outing or just if you’re in need of a sweet treat on a summer’s day.

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Safety Is a Priority on Ottawa Toboggan Hills

Before we share those with you, we did want to mention sledding safety. The City of Ottawa has information and disclaimers on its website that you should check out before you go. It’s important to note that the hills aren’t frequently maintained and that certain conditions (like ice) may make your sledding trip more hazardous than fun. Luckily, there are hills of all sizes for your family to check out all winter long because the family that sleds together… has a lot of fun together!

The Best Ottawa Toboggan Hills

Apollo Crater Park

This man-made location is popular for those living in Orleans (it’s officially listed as Cumberland on the City of Ottawa website). It’s a storm pond drain area with a gradual dip that will still provide plenty of thrills. There’s no direct parking, so you’ll need to find something along the street.

Green’s Creek

This one is a popular hill is in the NCC land off of Bearbrook Road. It features a nice tall hill with wide-open runs for good speed, but it’s also safely protected from the river with a high embankment. It’s lit at night so early sunsets are not a problem, and there’s both parking and outhouses in the parking lot nearby. Find other NCC hills on their website.

Carlington Park

If big thrills are what you’re after, we recommend Carlington Park…if you dare. A retired ski hill, Carlington has the steepest, fastest runs in town, plus a cool old chairlift to explore. Local sledders often carve out jumps and twists and turns for extra fun. Park at the nearby Dulude Arena on Clyde and prepare for a (well rewarded) hike up.

Walter Baker Park

If you’re located in the west end, the big hill in Walter Baker Park rules the sledding world and should not be missed. It’s a big man-made hill with one of the longest runs in town, and if you’re skilled on the sled, you can take your toboggan halfway across the park before stopping. We especially love the steep start that makes it a perfect launching place for multi-passenger sleds—so don’t just wait at the bottom, climb on up and hop in the back. Parking is plentiful at the Kanata Rec Centre next door, and the hill is lit so you can keep sledding until long past dinnertime.

Craig Henry Park

Located in the heart of Nepean, Craig Henry Park offers a smaller hill that’s a great choice for young families that don’t want to trek out to the ‘burbs. The hill isn’t too hard to climb for little legs but still offers a fairly long and nicely open run to the west. Parking is available onsite at the high school but there’s no evening lighting.

Queenswood Heights Centennial Park and Community Centre

Families with younger children may want to check out the hill at Queenswood Heights Centennial Park and Community Centre (near the ball diamond). There’s a gradual slope with quite a bit of space at this smaller man-made hill in Ottawa’s East End.

Mooney’s Bay

Tobogganing was officially banned at Mooney’s Bay and a young girl tragically died there in 2021. However, this was a popular toboggan hill in Ottawa probably because it’s one of the tallest hills around. Watch for further updates with the city.

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