Family activities are abundant in Ottawa. Besides all the Outdoor, Extreme and Children Activities such as biking, fishing and hiking, Ottawa offers many fun things to entertain children while visiting.

We have various playgrounds and a public swimming pool featuring a water slide! There is a movie theater featuring the latest blockbuster movies and Educational museums, such as the Ottawa Scouting Museum, to spark a child's interest in history. Ottawa is Fun! Fun! Fun!

3rd Annual Ice Odyssey - December 10, 2011 Downtown Ottawa | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | | jeremiahjoecoffee@gmail.com Make this spectacular Ottawa festival a new Holiday tradition for you and yours! This family friendly event offers something for everyone! Horse drawn carriage rides, live reindeer, a winter carnival,make-and-take ornament at C.H.A.O.S., Christmas mascots and Santa are sure to keep youngsters entertained while mom and dad enjoy live ice sculpting tours and a Holiday Farmers Market and Bazaar! See website for more information. Time: 10:00am - 4:00pm....Visit Website

Book Mouse 820 LaSalle St | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | 815-433-7323 | bookmouse@sbcglobal.net Come say "hi" to our kitty and our chinchilla while enjoying our children's section complete with a little table and chairs! Toddler Time, for children ages 2-5 is held every 3rd Saturday of the month from 10:30am - 11:00am. In addition, we offer a teen book group, a boys book group, and many family oriented events. We are a full service, downtown book store offering all types of new books plus toys, magazines, greeting cards and gifts for book lovers! Open Monday - Friday 9am - 7pm, Saturday 10am - 6pm, and Sunday Noon - 4pm....Visit Website

Dettore's Town Lanes, Inc. 714 Columbus St. | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | 815-433-0033 | Take your family out for a fun-filled game of bowling! Bowling Bumpers are available for the little ones!Dettore's Town Lanes is open from 10 a.m. - 12 a.m. Monday through Friday, 11a.m. - 12a.m. Saturday, and 11a.m.-6p.m. on Sundays. Snack Bar and Grill are located inside!

Disc Golf Fox River Park, 1025 Ontario St | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | | Get the whole family involved with an invigorating game of Disc golf! Enjoy the fresh air and scenic views along the Fox River while playing disc golf on our 9-hole course at Ottawa's Fox River Park. Test your precision at each hole as they weave around different obstacles or just toss for fun. No need to call a head for a "tee time" because Ottawa's disc golf course is FREE and open to the public. Free scorecards and course maps are available at the Ottawa Visitors Center. But don't forget your disc!

Illinois River Road Geocaching in Ottawa Throughout Ottawa, and other River Road Communities | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | 1-888-OTTAWA-4 OR 815-434-2737 | tourism@experienceottawa.com It's like a NEW AGE SCAVENGER HUNT and an incredibly fun, family-oriented activity! Geocaching (geo - cashing) is a great outdoor recreational activity that's similar to a scavenger hunt. You search for a hidden object using clues and GPS (global positioning system) coordinates. Ottawa is one of the six Gateway communities along the Illinois River Road, including the portal communities of Marseilles and Streator. Visit www.illinoisriverroad.org/geocaching.cfm for more details about this great adventure or pick up a log book and guide at the Ottawa Visitors Center....Visit Website

Land of OZ Corn Maze - August 27 thru October 30, 2011 3262 E. 1951 Road | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | 815-488-5000 OR 815-434-4409 | Get lost in some Corn! Camp Fire USA sponsors this fun and challenging maze set in acres and acres of corn! Children 5 and under are free. The corn maze will accommodate groups during the week. Night hikes are available by reservation only, with a minimum of six participants required. Pumpkin Patch opens later in the season. $5.00 per person and 7.00 per person for NIGHT hikes! Weather permiting Corn Maze will run weekends from August 27th - October 30th from Noon - Dusk . . . AND FOR THE FIRST YEAR EVER THE CORN MAZE WILL BE OPEN ON FRIDAYS FROM 5:00PM - DUSK!!!

Looking for Lincoln Wayside Exhibit - Rubbing Medallions Grab a piece of paper and your favorite color crayon and head out on your search for Lincoln! Ottawa has four Looking for Lincoln Wayside Exhibits which feature rubbing medallions! Place your piece of paper over the Looking for Lincoln Rubbing Medallion and carefully run your crayon over it. Be sure to locate each exhibit to collect all four rubbings! Stop in to the Ottawa Visitors Center to pick up your copy of the Heritage tour....inside you will find hints as to the location of Ottawa's four exhibits

Off The Bench (Indoor Sporting Facility) 711 1/2 West Joliet St, (1 block west of Paramount Skating Rink) | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | 815-992-9154 OR 815-992-9153 | marty@offthebenchottawa.com Looking for a family fun, weatherproof attraction?! Check out Ottawa's newest MULTI-SPORT INDOOR TRAINING FACILITY! Strengthen your athletic skills in our complete, up-to-date, spacious facility! Softball, baseball, soccer, volleyball, football, and more! Offering a large venue for birthday parties, clinics, special events, or just a place to have a good time! Individual and Group Hourly passes available as well as Monthly, Quaterly, Bi-Annual and Annual. Introducing Darsi Callaway's SWEATSHOP featuring spin, fitness, resistance training classes plus Insane Bootcamp and 5K Group Running Classes AND Don Beebe's HOUSE OF SPEED. Hours of operation: Monday - Thursday 3pm - 9pm, Friday 3pm - 6pm, Saturday through Sunday 9am - 8pm. Call for prices. ...Visit Website

Ottawa Scouting Museum 1100 Canal Street | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | 815 431 9353 | scouter07@hotmail.com Scouting memorabilia and mementoes of W.D. Boyce, founder of the American Scouting movement, fill this museum. The museum also sponsors a variety of activities for youths throughout the year. A series of hiking trails, with maps and directions available at the museum, are available to anyone interested in hiking, nature and history. And beginning June 11, 2011, the Scouting museum will present it's newest permanent exhibit, "Lord Robert Baden - Powell Memorabilia". This exhibit relates to the military and scouting career of Baden - Powell. It features many one of a kind items that can only be viewed here at the Scouting Museum! Graciously donated by Ken Kittelberger from Columbia, Maryland. COMING IN SPRING 2012 - THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE'S TRAVELING EXHIBIT "THE WAY WE WORKED" WILL BE FEATURED AT THE OTTAWA SCOUTING MUSEUM!!...Visit Website

Ottawa's Festival of Lights - November 25, 2011 at 6:00pm Washington Square Park, LaSalle and Jackson Streets or Columbus and Lafaye | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | 815-433-0161 | specialevents@cityofottawa.org Celebrate the holiday season with the lighting up of historic Washington Square Park! A visit from Santa, a Holiday Parade, Victorian Christmas at the Mansion and festive decorations make this Ottawa tradition a memory to cherish! Parade begins at 6:00 pm. All events are weather permitting. ...Visit Website

Paramount Skating Arena 1511 Chestnut St | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | 815-433-9463 | halllois@att.net A roller skating rink for people of all ages! Skate rental available. Youth Roller Hockey Clinic offered every Wednesday evening. Adult Hockey offered every Sunday evening. Hours: Friday from 7:30pm - 10:30pm, Saturday 2pm - 4:30pm & 7:30pm - 10:30pm, and Sunday 2pm - 4:30pm....Visit Website

Reddick Library 1010 Canal Street | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | 815-434-0509 | Fax: 815-434-2634 | manton@reddicklibrary.org Our library has a large selection of children's books, a Puppets "n" Stuff play center, and we host a number of family oriented events. Computers are available for both adults and children and we are a wifi hotspot. Hours of operation: Labor Day thru Memorial Day - Monday thru Thursday 9:00am - 9:00pm, Friday, Saturday 9:00am - 5:00pm, and Sunday 12:00pm - 5:00pm. Summer hours are Monday thru Saturday 9:00am - 5:00pm, Closed Sunday. Check out our website for more details at www.reddicklibrary.org Literature . . . Culture . . . Community...Visit Website

Reddick Mansion 100 W. Lafayette St | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | 815-433-6100 | contact@reddickmansion.com Take a trip back in time with a tour of the Reddick Mansion! Girls and boys can dress up in one of our Victorian period outfits and pretend to live in the 1860's. Find out what "chamber pots" were really used for . . . Check out our Kids' Day at the Mansion, Gingerbread House Contest during the holidays and many more family oriented events. Available for class field trips. Please call to receive regular hours or to schedule your class field trip. ...Visit Website

Riordan Swimming Pool 500 East Norris Drive | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | 815-433-4324 | Take a break from the summer heat and cool off at Ottawa's local pool! Enjoy fun water features such as a slide, umbrella fountains, and a wadding/baby pool. OPENING DAY MAY 28th (Weather Permitting)! Open 7 days a week from 11:30am - 6pm. Cost: $3 per person, 2 and under free. Concessions sold at pool. Available for rentals....Visit Website

Riverfest Celebration - August 3 - 7, 2011 Downtown Ottawa | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | 815-433-0161 ext 31 | riverfest@cityofottawa.org Celebrate summer with a bang at Ottawa's Riverfest Celebration! Carnival Rides and activities for the kids and shopping and entertainment for the adults! Riverfest has something to offer for everyone! Check out the website for specific events, times and places....Visit Website

Santa's House (Begins November 26, 2011) Southside of Washington Square Park, Corner of LaSalle St and Jackson St | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | 815-433-0161 | Experience Santa in a more authentic way! Visit him here in Ottawa inside his warm little cabin on the southwest corner of Washington Square Park! Children of all ages are invited to chat with him and Mrs. Clause beginning November 26, 2011. Check back for a full schedule or see our Events Calendar. Compliments of the City of Ottawa. See cityofottawa.org for a list of dates and times or click on our calendar of events....Visit Website

Splash and Play Water Feature at Fox River Park 1025 Ontario St | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | | The new water feature at Fox River Park is an ideal way for kids to splash, run, play, and cool off in the hot summer sun! While there take advantage of the newly installed playground equipment and Disc Golf! ...Visit Website

The Class Room 724 LaSalle St | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | 815-433-3734 | Fax: 815-433-3734 | info@theclassroominc.com Come play with our Thomas the Train Table while shopping for educational toys, games, and puzzles! We make learning fun! The Classroom is an educational toy store for children, parents and teachers. We build the skills that every child needs from pre-school through high school! Open Monday - Saturday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm and Thursdays until 6:00 pm....Visit Website

The Kidz Palace, Inc. (Now Open) 814 LaSalle St | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | 815-434-KIDS | kidzpalace@yahoo.com The Kidz Palace is the ultimate Indoor Inflatable Playground and Party Zone! Where a child can play in a clean, safe, family oriented environment - rain or shine! Your child's birthday party or special event is sure to be a bouncing big hit! Hours of operation: Thursday - 11:00am - 7:00pm, Friday - 11:00am - 9:00pm, Saturday and Sunday 11:00am - 7:00pm....Visit Website

Tobboggan Run Allen Park, Off RT 71 | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | 815-433-0161 | Bundle up and slide on down - the toboggan run is fun for the whole family! Bring your sled and enjoy a day in the snow at Ottawa's Toboggan Run - Located on the east side of Allen Park.

Toboggan Run Allen Park | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | | Bundle up and slide on down - the toboggan run is fun for the whole family! Bring your sled and enjoy a day in the snow at Ottawa's Toboggan Run - Located on the east side of Allen Park.

Tone's Cones 523 Main Street | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | 815-434-1488 | Fax: 815-434-6921 | SSUGAR1@aol.com Ice Cream! Just what every kid wants on a warm summer day! Come enjoy our premium soft serve treats that are sure to bring a smile to everyone's face! Outside and inside seating available as well as Drive-Thru service. SEASONAL. Open 11am - 10pm March through November.

Triple J's Ice Cream 101 Canal Avenue | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | 815-434-8888 | Ice cream! A perfect ending to a perfect day for any kid! Offering premium soft-serve ice cream, scrumptious sundaes and marvelous milk shakes! We are right next to the I&M Canal! Bring the whole family to relax at our Mom and Pop restaurant and enjoy our hand dipped corn dogs, homemade Italian Beef and Polancic's Pork Tenderloins! Open 11am - 10pm seven days a week. Outside and inside seating available plus Drive-Thru services! Closed Dec., Jan., & Feb.

Twinkels Ice Cream Trucks Look for our Twinkels Ice Cream Trucks in local parks and neighborhoods during the spring, summer, and fall! Our trucks are colorfully decorated and play rock and roll music offering a wide variety of ice cream bars, shake-ups, snow cones, and candy! Available for private parties and events for companies, churches, schools, and campgrounds. Call 815-228-9822 for more information!