Canada Strong Pass: How Families Can Take Advantage of Summer Learning Adventures Across Canada

The Canada Strong Pass may be one of the best kept secrets for families looking for affordable and accessible ways to explore and learn together this summer. First launched in summer of 2025, this federal summer tourism initiative offers free or discounted access to participating national parks, historic sites, museums, galleries, and VIA Rail travel, as well as discounts on camping fees and accommodations through Parks Canada. After all, summer vacation is the perfect time for families to relax, recharge, and make lasting memories together. But learning does not have to stop when the school year ends. Some of the most meaningful educational experiences happen outside the classroom, through exploring new places, asking questions, and discovering the world around us. From walking through nature trails and visiting museums to exploring historic sites and learning about Canada’s diverse landscapes, summer adventures can help children strengthen curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and real-world connections. Keep reading to discover how families can take advantage of the Canada Strong Pass to turn summer adventures across the country into meaningful learning opportunities.

This year, families have even more opportunities to explore with the Canada Strong Pass, a national initiative running from June 19 to September 7, 2026. The program offers free and discounted access to participating museums, galleries, national parks, historic sites, and travel experiences across Canada. The best part? No physical or digital pass is required. Families can simply enjoy savings directly through participating locations, making it easier to discover meaningful learning opportunities with kids close to home or while travelling this summer. Keep reading to discover how families can use the Canada Strong Pass to turn summer outings and travel across the country into meaningful learning adventures, with ideas and inspiration for planning your own experience.

What is the Canada Strong Pass?

The Canada Strong Pass is designed to help families and young people explore Canada’s incredible natural, cultural, and historic destinations. From museums and galleries to national parks and travel experiences, the program makes it easier for families to enjoy memorable adventures while discovering new opportunities for learning. The Pass is available to all visitors, whether they live in Canada or are visiting from abroad, making it a wonderful way to include family and friends visiting from out of town in the fun. It is an invitation for everyone to experience Canada’s cultural and natural richness together. Families can take advantage of participating Canada Strong Pass offers as many times as they like from June 19 to September 7, 2026, inclusive.

Some Canada Strong Pass benefits include:

• Parks Canada: Free admission to national parks, national historic sites, and national marine conservation areas, along with discounted camping opportunities.
• Museums and galleries: Free admission for children and youth ages 17 and under, and discounted admission for young adults ages 18 to 24 at participating locations.
• VIA Rail Canada: Free travel for children and youth ages 17 and under when travelling with an adult, plus discounted fares for young adults ages 18 to 24 on eligible trips.

No application or registration is needed to participate. Families can simply visit participating locations or review booking details directly with attractions and travel providers to take advantage of Canada Strong Pass savings.

Beyond the discounts, the Canada Strong Pass is also an invitation to explore. Whether families are discovering a new exhibit, hiking a trail, visiting a historic landmark, or watching Canada’s landscapes pass by from a train window, these experiences can inspire curiosity and help children see learning in the world around them.

Canada Strong Pass and VIA Rail: What Families Need to Know About Travelling by Train

The learning opportunities with the Canada Strong Pass can begin before families even arrive at their destination. Through participating VIA Rail offers, children and youth can experience Canada’s geography, communities, and landscapes from a new perspective while travelling across the country.

A train journey can become a learning experience of its own, encouraging children to read maps, learn about different provinces, observe changing environments, and discover the connections between communities across Canada.

As part of the Canada Strong Pass, children and youth ages 17 and under can travel free in Economy class (Escape and Economy fares) when accompanied by an adult using the discount code CANADAFAM. Young adults ages 18 to 24 can save 25% on eligible Economy class (Escape and Economy fares) by using the discount code CANADA1824. These offers are available on VIA Rail routes across Canada for travel between June 19 and September 7, 2026.

Before booking, families should visit VIA Rail's Canada Strong Pass page to review the full eligibility requirements, booking instructions, and fare conditions, as some restrictions apply and seats are subject to availability.

Canada Strong Pass Featured Learning Destination: Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Ontario

One exciting example of the Canada Strong Pass in action is Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) in Burlington, Ontario. As the largest botanical garden in Canada, RBG offers families the opportunity to explore nature while discovering important connections to science, conservation, and the environment.

Through the Canada Strong Pass, families can enjoy special admission savings at RBG from June 19 to September 7, 2026, including free admission for children and youth ages 17 and under, and 50% off admission for young adults ages 18 to 24. Families are encouraged to check RBG’s website before visiting for the most up-to-date details and planning information.

With beautiful gardens, nature trails, wetlands, and wildlife habitats to discover, a visit to RBG can become an outdoor classroom where children see STEM concepts come to life. From learning about plant science and biodiversity to observing ecosystems and understanding the importance of environmental stewardship, there are endless opportunities for young learners to ask questions and explore.

Adding to the experience this summer is ANCHORBALL, a limited-time outdoor art installation that transforms the gardens with colourful, oversized inflatable sculptures. Designed to encourage exploration, creativity, and interactive play, the exhibit invites visitors of all ages to experience RBG through a fresh perspective while connecting art, nature, and imagination.

"ANCHORBALL brings a bold and playful new experience to the Royal Botanical Gardens, blending larger‑than‑life art, digital discovery and natural beauty in a way that's innovative and inspiring," said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. "This immersive spectacle is a visual, interactive treat for people of all ages. I invite everyone to visit RBG this summer, explore ANCHORBALL and enjoy an unforgettable, imaginative experience."

Parents can help extend the learning experience by encouraging children to think like scientists during their visit. What plants and animals do they notice? How do different species adapt to their environment? Why is protecting natural spaces important for the future? Experiences like these show children that learning is all around them, whether they are inside a classroom or exploring the natural world.

Canada Strong Pass Inspiration: Learning Destinations and Ideas Across Canada

One of the exciting parts of the Canada Strong Pass is that it encourages families to explore learning opportunities across the country. Whether staying close to home or planning a summer trip, parents can use museums, parks, gardens, galleries, and historic sites as starting points for meaningful conversations with children.

British Columbia: Explore Nature, Science, and Indigenous Learning with Free Admission

In British Columbia, families can connect summer outings to lessons in geography, ecology, environmental science, and culture from Vancouver and beyond. Visits to coastal parks, forests, museums, galleries, and historic sites can help children learn more about Canada’s natural landscapes, Indigenous history, marine ecosystems, and conservation.

Ideas to inspire your next family adventure in British Columbia:

• Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site (12138 Fourth Avenue, Richmond, British Columbia, V7E 3J1) – Discover coastal ecosystems, Canada’s fishing history, and connections between communities and the environment. Free admission for all with the Canada Strong Pass.
• Fort Langley National Historic Site (23433 Mavis Avenue, Langley, British Columbia, V1M 3R6) – Step into Canadian history while learning about trade, exploration, and early communities in British Columbia. Free admission for all with the Canada Strong Pass.
• Pacific Rim National Park Reserve (British Columbia) – Explore coastal rainforests, ocean ecosystems, wildlife, and environmental conservation. Free admission for all with the Canada Strong Pass.

Alberta: Dinosaurs, Mountains, and Natural Wonders With Free and Discounted Admission for Families

Alberta offers many opportunities for children to explore science and history through real-world experiences. From learning about dinosaurs and fossils to discovering mountain landscapes, wildlife, and national parks, families can connect summer adventures to paleontology, geology, ecosystems, and environmental stewardship.

Ideas to inspire your next family adventure in Alberta:

• Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology (1500 N Dinosaur Trail, Drumheller, Alberta T0J 0Y0) – Bring science to life through fossils, dinosaurs, evolution, geology, and Earth’s history. Get free admission for those 17 & under and get 50% off for those aged 18–24.
• Banff National Park (Banff, Alberta - only 110 km from Calgary) – Explore mountain landscapes, wildlife, ecosystems, and the importance of protecting natural environments. Free admission for all with the Canada Strong Pass.
• Cave and Basin National Historic Site (311 Cave Avenue, Banff, Alberta T1L 1K2) – Learn about conservation, natural history, and the creation of Canada’s national parks system. Free admission for all with the Canada Strong Pass.

The Prairies: Big Skies, Wildlife, and Canadian Stories With Free and Discounted Admission for Families

In Manitoba and Saskatchewan, summer adventures can introduce children to Canada’s prairie landscapes, wildlife, agriculture, history, and cultural stories. These experiences can spark conversations about food systems, habitats, astronomy, geography, and how people interact with the land.

Ideas to inspire your next family adventure in Manitoba and Saskatchewan:

• The Manitoba Museum (190 Rupert Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 0N2) – Explore science, history, astronomy, and the stories that have shaped Manitoba and Canada. Get free admission for those 17 & under and get 50% off for those aged 18–24.
• Western Development Museum Saskatoon (2610 Lorne Avenue, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7J 0S6) – Explore Saskatchewan’s history through interactive exhibits highlighting innovation, technology, agriculture, and life on the Prairies. Get free admission for those 17 & under and get 50% off for those aged 18–24.
• Prince Albert National Park (969 Lakeview Dr, Waskesiu Lake, Saskatchewan S0J 2Y0) – Discover prairie and forest ecosystems, wildlife habitats, conservation, and outdoor science. Free admission for all with the Canada Strong Pass.

Ontario: Museums, Gardens, and Hands-On Discovery With Free and Discounted Admission for Families

Across Ontario, families can find opportunities to explore science, art, history, nature, and culture through participating museums, galleries, parks, and historic sites. Whether visiting a botanical garden, exploring an exhibit, or spending time outdoors, children can build curiosity and make connections between classroom learning and the world around them.

Ideas to inspire your next family adventure in Ontario:

• Royal Botanical Gardens (680 Plains Road West, Burlington, Ontario L7T 4H4) – Discover plant science, biodiversity, conservation, and the natural world through hands-on outdoor exploration. Get free admission for those 17 & under and get 50% off for those aged 18–24.
• Royal Ontario Museum (100 Queens Park, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2C6) – Explore science, history, cultures, dinosaurs, biodiversity, and stories from around the world. Get free admission for those 17 & under and get 50% off for those aged 18–24.
• Ontario Science Centre (newly located at 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2G8) – Spark curiosity through interactive science experiences where children can explore STEM concepts, ask questions, and discover how the world works. Get free admission for those 17 & under and get 50% off for those aged 18–24.

Atlantic Canada: Oceans, Coastlines, and Canadian Heritage With Free and Discounted Admission for Families

In New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador, families can explore Canada’s coastal environments, marine life, geology, and rich history. From ocean ecosystems to historic sites and cultural attractions, Atlantic Canada offers many ways for children to learn through observation, storytelling, and discovery.

Ideas to inspire your next family adventure in the Maritime Provinces:

• Fundy National Park (Alma, New Brunswick) – Explore tides, coastal ecosystems, geology, wildlife, and the powerful forces that shape our planet. Free admission for all
• Green Gables Heritage Place (8619 Cavendish Road, Cavendish, Prince Edward Island C0A 1N0) – Connect literacy and history by exploring the setting that inspired one of Canada’s most beloved stories. Free admission for all with the Canada Strong Pass.
• The Rooms (9 Bonaventure Avenue, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador A1C 5P9) – Discover art, history, culture, and stories that highlight Newfoundland and Labrador’s unique heritage. Get free admission for those 17 & under and get 50% off for those aged 18–24.

Simple Ways Parents Can Turn Summer Adventures into Learning Opportunities

Whether visiting a museum, exploring a garden, hiking through a national park, or discovering a historic site, parents can help children make deeper connections by encouraging curiosity along the way. Some of the best learning happens when children have the chance to ask questions, share observations, and explore topics that spark their interest.

Before your visit, build excitement by learning about the destination together. Look at a map, research an interesting fact, or ask your child what they hope to discover. These simple activities can strengthen reading comprehension, geography skills, and critical thinking.

During your adventure, encourage children to think like explorers and scientists. Ask open-ended questions like, “What do you notice?”, “Why do you think that happens?”, or “What would you like to learn more about?” These conversations help children practice observation, communication, and problem-solving skills.

After your visit, keep the learning going through creative activities. Children can write about their favourite part of the day, draw something they discovered, share new facts with family members, or research a question they still have.

By connecting summer experiences with curiosity and conversation, families can help children continue building important academic skills while making memories together.

Keep Curiosity Growing All Summer Long

Summer learning does not have to look like a traditional classroom lesson. Some of the most memorable educational experiences happen when children have opportunities to explore new places, ask questions, and connect what they learn in school to the world around them.

Programs like the Canada Strong Pass make it easier for families to discover museums, parks, gardens, historic sites, and cultural experiences that inspire curiosity and lifelong learning. Whether your child is learning about ecosystems during a nature walk, discovering Canadian history at a museum, or practicing literacy skills by reading about a new destination, every adventure can become an opportunity to learn.

At Teachers on Call, our professional tutoring team understands the importance of keeping children engaged and confident throughout the summer months. By encouraging curiosity, creativity, and continued learning, families can help students build skills, explore new interests, and prepare for a successful transition into the upcoming school year. Whether exploring close to home or travelling across the country, the Canada Strong Pass offers families another way to make the most of summer by exploring, learning, and discovering Canada together.