toddler building a sand castle at a Kawarthas cottage resort

8 Kawarthas cottage resorts ideal for young families

The Kawartha Lakes region is a treasure trove of family-friendly cottage resorts that cater to the needs of parents with young children. From sandy beaches and playgrounds to kid-centric activities, these resorts provide everything needed for a fun and relaxing getaway. Here are 8 Kawarthas cottage resorts suggestions for you and your young family.

1. Pine Vista Resort: daily children’s programming

Location: Stoney Lake, 932 Gilchrist Bay Rd, Douro-Dummer, ON K0L 2H0

On-site Restaurant: No.

Young families come back to Pine Vista Resort year after year for a variety of reasons. The kid-friendly amenities available at this Kawarthas cottage resort include a sandy beach, heated pool, canoes/kayaks, playground, shore fishing and hiking/biking trails.

Best of all, to give mom and dad a break there is a supervised children’s recreation program for two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon.

2. Bell Haven Park: heated pool, convenience store and laundry

Location: Pigeon Lake, 544 Peterborough County Rd 36, Bobcaygeon, ON K0M 1A0

On-site Restaurant: No.

Bell Haven Park makes it easy to getaway with the kids for some summer fun and relaxation. Amenities at this Kawarthas cottage resort for young families includes a sandy beach, heated swimming pool, canoe/kayak/paddle boat, playground, baseball field, basketball pad, ping pong table, and more. The resort also offers a variety of organized activities for kids too.

After a busy day in the fresh air, you and the kids can retire to your cottage and take in your lakeside view from your own picnic table or outdoor fire pit.

And, if you forgot to pack something there’s an on-site convenience store, plus a coin laundry if you need to do a load.

3. Beachwood Resort: water playground

Location: Lower Buckhorn Lake, 3043 Beachwood Dr, Lakefield, ON K0L 2H0

On-site Restaurant: Yes.

At Beachwood Resort there are so many options to keep your kids busy and happy.

Start with the awesome water playground complete with a climber, slide and trampoline! The sandy beach area is perfect for sandcastle building. For swimming, there are two choices—the refreshing waters of the lake or the heated outdoor pool. There’s also equipment available for various outdoor activities including tennis, volleyball, badminton, croquet and more.

If the kids decide they want to go exploring there are canoes, kayaks and pedal boats available at this Kawarthas cottage resort, plus you can go hiking or biking on the resort’s trails.

When it’s time to head back to your cottage, you and the kids can try your hand at fishing from your very own dock or chill while making smores over your private campfire pit.

4. Elmhirst’s Resort: two heated pools

Location: Rice Lake, 1045 Settlers Line, Keene, Ontario K0L2G0

On-site Restaurant: Yes.

Elmhirst’s Resort is a Kawarthas cottage resort that will definitely allow Mom and Dad to gain a little “me” time. There’s everything you could want here to keep your kids happy and engaged.

Down on the waterfront there’s a nice, sandy beach and a giant floating playground with slides. There are also kayaks, canoes and paddleboards available for them to use.

If the lake’s a little chilly there are two heated swimming pools—one outdoors and one indoors.

When they’re not in the water there’s a variety of ways to have fun. Options include a playground, basketball and tennis courts, volleyball and badminton nets, a life-size chess board and fishing from the dock.

One last thing–don’t forget to pack their bikes as the resort also features nature trails and mountain biking paths.

5. Birch Bend Cottage Resort: swimming platform

Location: Chemong Lake, 2554 Buckhorn Road, Lakefield, ON K0L 2H0

On-site Restaurant: No.

Birch Bend Cottage Resort refers to itself as a family cottage rental resort. With that in mind it’s no wonder that it offers so much to meet the vacation needs of young families.

The beach at this cottage resort in the Kawarthas is sandy and the water is weed-free. Water toys are available, including water guns. There’s a swimming platform to jump into the water from and a variety of water activities to try including kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding and pedal boating.

When your kids want a break from playing in the water, they can head over to the kids playground or try their hand at lawn games including corn hole. If they need a little quiet time, they can borrow a book or a game from the resort’s lending library.

And, after dinner, the grounds of the resort feature a bunch of kid-friendly catch and release fishing spots.

6. Scotsman Point Cottage Resort: children’s programming everyday

Location: Upper Buckhorn Lake, 467 Six Foot Bay Road, Buckhorn Ontario K0L 1J0

On-site Restaurant: No.

In existence for over 100 years, Scotsman Point Cottage Resort prides itself on being a family-oriented Kawarthas cottage resort.

Everyday they have organized activities and events for kids. These include things like: a free pancake breakfast, tie-dye t-shirt making, a sandcastle building contest, a scavenger hunt, kids fishing derby and movies under the stars.

In addition there’s a sandy beach area, kayaks/row boats/paddleboards available, and a large fishing dock. And when the kids are ready to for a break from the beach there’s an outdoor playground just steps away.

7. Balsam Resort: games hall for rainy days

Location: Balsam Lake, 21 Lila Street, Fenelon Falls, ON K0M 1NO

On-site Restaurant: No.

Situated on the scenic shores of Balsam Lake, Balsam Resort caters to young families with its family-centric amenities and welcoming vibe.

The resort’s sandy beach area is ideal for young swimmers, featuring a gradual entry and warm, clean water. For added fun there’s a water trampoline, as well as canoes, kayaks and even a water bike.

Away from the water there’s a nice kids playground and the resort also has a games hall which is perfect for rainy days.

8. Viamede Resort: water tubing every afternoon

Location: Stoney Lake, 595 Mount Julian, Viamede Road, Woodview, Ontario K0L 3E0

On-site Restaurant: Yes.

Viamede Resort is a family resort in the Kawarthas that will please both kids and parents alike.

For swimmers there’s the sandy beach and beautiful Stoney Lake to take a dip in. There’s also a water trampoline and if your kids are really up for a thrill, water tubing is available every afternoon during the summer months. Right beside the beach there’s also a playground area the kids will appreciate.

Lake water a little cool for swimming? You and your kids can opt for one of two heated swimming pools—there’s one indoors and one outdoors.

If you want to take the family on a tour of the lake there are kayaks, canoes and paddleboards available, complimentary.

Being up north there is lots of outdoor exploring to do. If your kids come across a bug, turtle or other critter and have questions that you can’t answer, they can speak to one of the resort’s on-site naturalists.

Want to hit the trails with your kids? You can. Viamede Resort has 9 km of trails. Hike or bike–if you didn’t bring your own wheels you can borrow a set from the resort.

The perfect Kawarthas cottage resort awaits you and your family

These Kawarthas cottage resorts cater to young families with amenities to ensure a fun and relaxing time for kids and parents. Whether your preference is sandy beaches, water trampolines, kids’ programs, or hiking and biking trails, you’ll find it at a Kawartha Lakes cottage resort. Enjoy your family getaway.