- 16.10.2026
Ottawa’s English public and Catholic boards share most of their 2026–27 PA days: Friday November 20, Friday January 29 and Friday June 4 are PA days at both the OCDSB (elementary) and the OCSB. The OCDSB also closes on Monday November 23 and Friday April 16, the OCSB on Friday April 23 and Friday June 25. Below are all remaining dates by board, a plan for a cooking day at home, and how to book a private kids cooking class at your place on a PA day in Ottawa or Gatineau.
Remaining PA days, 2026–27
Dates from the calendars each board published for the 2026–27 school year (OCDSB news post “2026-2027 School Year Calendar (Ministry approved)” and the OCSB “Approved 2026-2027 School Year Calendar”). Boards can update a calendar during the year, so check your school’s page before booking.
| Date | OCDSB elementary | OCDSB secondary | OCSB (all grades) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, Nov 20, 2026 | PA day | – | PD day |
| Mon, Nov 23, 2026 | PA day | PA day | – |
| Fri, Jan 29, 2027 | PA day | PA day | PD day |
| Fri, Apr 16, 2027 | PA day | PA day | – |
| Fri, Apr 23, 2027 | – | – | PD day |
| Fri, Jun 4, 2027 | PA day | – | PD day |
| Thu, Jun 24, 2027 | – | PA day | – |
| Fri, Jun 25, 2027 | – | PA day | PD day |
Longer breaks for both boards: winter break from Monday December 21, 2026 to Friday January 1, 2027, and March Break from March 15 to 19, 2027. For the March week, see our guide to March Break activities in Ottawa. French-language boards (CEPEO, CECCE) and Gatineau schools publish their own journées pédagogiques.
A cooking PA day at home: a plan that fills the day
A PA day goes smoothly when the main activity has a clear start and end. Cooking does that: kids measure, wait for dough, eat what they made, and there is a natural break while things rise or bake.
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 9:30 | Pick the lunch recipe together and write the list of ingredients |
| 10:00 | Make pizza dough or a simple bread dough; it rests for an hour |
| 10:15 | Outdoor time or a walk to the grocery store for toppings |
| 11:30 | Shape, top and bake; kids cut vegetables (knife work from about 7 with an adult beside them) |
| 12:15 | Lunch: eat what they made |
| 1:30 | Afternoon bake: cookies or muffins for school snacks the next week |
| 2:30 | Cleanup crew: everyone washes, dries or wipes |
Recipe ideas by PA day
- November 20 and 23: soup with homemade croutons, or pasta with a meat sauce.
- January 29: pizza from scratch; the dough rests while the kids play outside.
- April 16 and 23: spring rolls with a dipping sauce, or a lemon loaf.
- June 4, 24 and 25: no-bake recipes for a hot day: fruit skewers, parfaits, a smoothie.
For more ideas sorted by age, see recipes a child can cook on their own and fun breakfasts for kids.
Book a private cooking class for the PA day
Parents often split a PA day between two or three families: one house hosts, the kids cook together for two hours, and everyone goes home with lunch eaten and a recipe card. We bring the ingredients, tools, aprons and portable equipment, run the class and leave the kitchen clean.
- Where: your home anywhere in Ottawa or Gatineau, including Kanata, Stittsville, Nepean, Barrhaven and Orléans.
- Ages: 4 to 15; tasks are split by age inside the group.
- Group: up to 10 children per instructor, an assistant from the 11th child.
- Menus: pizza, fresh pasta, mini burgers and fries, chicken nuggets, cupcakes, mini bento cakes or brownies, plus a drink each child makes.
- Kitchen: a table with power and water is enough for a no-cook menu; a stove and oven only if the menu needs them.
PA days fill early because every family in the board is off on the same date. Send your date, address and the number and ages of the children, and we confirm availability and the price for your group. The travel fee is arranged individually depending on location.
Frequently asked questions
When is the next PA day in Ottawa?
For OCDSB elementary schools and the OCSB, the next PA day is Friday, November 20, 2026. OCDSB elementary and secondary schools are also closed on Monday, November 23, 2026.
Are OCDSB and OCSB PA days the same?
Partly. OCDSB elementary schools and the OCSB share November 20, January 29 and June 4. The OCDSB adds November 23 and April 16; the OCSB adds April 23 and June 25.
Can you run a cooking class at our home on a PA day?
Yes. A private 2-hour class at your home works on any PA day, for your kids and their friends, in Ottawa or Gatineau. Book early: PA days are the first dates to go.
How many kids can join a PA day class at home?
One instructor works with up to 10 children, and we add an assistant from the 11th child. For a birthday, the package covers 8 children and goes up to 11.
What do the kids need to bring?
Nothing. We bring aprons, ingredients and tools. Kids should have their hair tied back and wear closed-toe shoes.
Do you have a PA day camp?
Camp dates are announced on our camps page. For a date you choose yourself, a private class at your home is the most flexible option.
What about Gatineau and French-language schools?
Their journées pédagogiques follow their own calendars. We run classes in English and French, so the same at-home class works on those dates too.
Ready to cook with us?
We bring a 2-hour kids cooking party to your home in Ottawa or Gatineau — ages 4–15, $485 for 8 kids.
Check your date