News release details

Free admission all week for children 12 and under

Families and young visitors can connect with themes of freedom of expression and language rights during spring break at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR), through art projects, storytelling, music and crafts.

Children aged 12 and under get free admission from March 24 through April 1 (Easter Sunday).

A week of activities kicks off Saturday, March 24, with our Speak Freely activity, which invites children to reflect on the language their family speaks through an interactive art activity. Another activity will explore Métis beadwork, while another craft activity, Expression Wall, deals with bilingualism in Canada.

Younger children (aged 2–8) will love our Little Defenders Guest Performances. TiBert le Voyageur shares his passion for culture and history through traditional music, storytelling and song in his performance on Wednesday March 28. Madame Diva and her puppets will deliver a colourful and high‐energy performance on Friday, March 30 (Good Friday). 

We're also offering a guided tour entitled Little Walk, Big Talk: A Family Experience on Sundays (March 25 and April 1). All spring break activities, including the performances and the guided tour, are included in the cost of admission.

During Spring Break and throughout the year, our Boutique offers a great selection of toys, clothes, books and treats suitable for kids of all ages. Stop by during your visit and check out our Sasquatch collection, which includes a lightweight and collapsible nylon backpack, ideal for a family on the go.

Throughout the week, ERA Bistro will be offering a special kids menu with tasty options sure to satisfy even the pickiest eater! Pic‐a‐Pop floats will also be featured for $4.50.

Schedule of events

• Saturday, March 24: The CMHR will once again recognize Earth Hour, shutting off all its lights on March 24 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 28 and Friday, March 30 (Good Friday), 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – "Little Defenders" performances for children aged 2 to 8, Stuart Clark Garden of Contemplation, Level 3. TiBert le Voyageur (Robert Malo) presents in French and English on March 28 while Madame Diva and her puppets perform in French on March 30.
• March 24, 25, 31 and April 1 (weekends), 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. (English) and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. (French) – Expression Wall: English and French languages have both shaped Canada and contributed to the multicultural country we live in today. Discover some key moments from the history of both languages in Canada. Decorate your own wooden block in celebration of bilingualism and add it to a wall of blocks left behind by others who have shared their thoughts. On the Kaplonski and Moore Knowledge Commons Terrace, Level 5.
• Sunday, March 25, and Sunday, April 1 (Easter Sunday), 11 a.m. (French) and 11:30 a.m. (English) – The 45‐minute tour Little Walk, Big Talk: A Family Experience is the perfect way for your family to explore the Museum.

Daily, March 24 to April 1

• Speak Freely, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Canada has two official languages, English and French, while hundreds of others are spoken by people across the country. What's your first language? How are language rights important to you? Share your thoughts in this interactive art activity for families. In the Canadian Journeys gallery, Level 2.
• Explore Métis beadwork, 11 a.m. to 12 noon (English) and 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. (French) Discover the history and meaning of Métis beadwork patterns and then colour in your own floral pattern to take home. In the Indigenous Perspectives gallery, Level 2.