A Family Weekend on Sand Lake with Kids
5 min read
A family weekend at Birch Island Cottage means swimming off the dock, paddling the canoe and kayak on calm water, roasting s'mores at the fire pit, and easy fishing right off the deck — all from a secluded, boat-access island that sleeps up to seven. With a loft, two bedrooms, and a pullout couch, there's room for the kids, and the lake is right outside the door.
- Sleeps up to 7 — two bedrooms, a loft bed, and a queen pullout couch
- Swim, paddle and fish right off your own dock (life jackets provided)
- Fire pit for s'mores — firewood and kindling all on hand
- Rainy-day backup: Netflix, Prime, Disney+ & Apple TV+ on the smart TV
Is the cottage a good fit for a family?
Yes. Birch Island Cottage sleeps up to seven, so there's room for kids without anyone sleeping on the floor. Bedroom 1 has a queen, Bedroom 2 has a double plus a single loft bed that kids tend to love, and the living room has a queen pullout couch. Twin air mattresses are available on request if you need a little more.
The whole point of the place is that it's secluded and boat-access only — a 3-to-5-minute ride from Sand Lake Marina. Once you're across, the kids can roam the deck and dock without traffic or crowds, and you can actually relax. There's high-speed internet and a smart TV when you need a quiet hour, and a fire pit and a lake when you don't.
One honest note for planning: this is an island with stairs, a deck, and a dock, all close to deep water. It's a wonderful spot for families, but young kids need an adult's eye on them around the water, the same as any waterfront cottage.
Swimming off the dock — and a beach for a change of pace
Swimming is the heart of a family weekend here. You can swim straight off the private dock, and there's a swim ladder at the end to make getting in and out easy for kids. The water is clean, the spot is calm and uncrowded, and you're never far from a towel and the deck.
A few simple rules keep it easy. Life jackets are provided, so put the little ones in them whenever they're near the water, and keep an adult close — the water gets deep off the end of the dock. Sand Lake can pick up a chop in the open stretches on a windy afternoon, so the sheltered water right by the cottage is the best place for kids to swim.
If you want a change from the dock, Westport Sand Lake Beach is a public beach near Westport with a gentle, sandy entry that suits toddlers and strong swimmers alike. It's a short drive once you're back on the mainland — a nice half-day option, especially if a few families are travelling together.
Easy paddling and low-key fishing
The cottage comes with a canoe and a kayak, and paddles and life jackets are included. These are human-powered and easy to handle, which makes them ideal for short, low-pressure outings with kids — a slow loop along the shoreline, a paddle into a quiet bay, or just bobbing near the dock while someone learns the strokes.
Keep everyone in a life jacket, stay close to the island and the protected shoreline, and pick the calm parts of the day — early morning is usually glassy and perfect for a first paddle. Save the open water for the adults.
Fishing here is about as low-stakes as it gets. Sand Lake and the wider Rideau system are known for bass and pike, and you can cast right off the dock — no boat, no early alarm, no pressure. It's a great way to give a kid their first catch. Adults need a valid Ontario fishing licence; check the current Ontario rules before you go, since kids' licensing and limits are set by the province.
Evenings: the fire pit, s'mores and the smart TV
Evenings are easy to fill. The fire pit is set up and ready — firewood and kindling are all provided, so all you need to pack is the marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers for s'mores. The dock lights stay on through the night, which makes the after-dark trips down to the water feel safe.
When the kids are tired or the bugs come out, head inside. The smart TV is logged in to Netflix, Prime, Disney+ and Apple TV+, so a movie night is one click away, and the high-speed internet means a download or a video call works fine if you need it.
Bring a deck of cards or a board game, too. With the cottage tucked into the trees and the lake going quiet, a slow evening on the deck or around the fire is usually the part of the weekend the kids remember.
What about a rainy day?
Weather happens, and a boat-access island is a fine place to wait it out. Inside, the smart TV, high-speed internet, and an open living space give the kids somewhere to settle in, and a rainy afternoon is exactly what board games and a fire are for.
If everyone needs to burn off energy, Elgin Bowling Lanes is a fun, small-town backup about 15 minutes from the marina once you're back on the mainland. It's an easy call when the lake isn't cooperating.
A bit of planning makes rainy days smoother. Bring everything you need before you cross — there's no store on the island — and if you'll be using the marina water taxi, remember to call ahead during business hours and arrange your crossing before 5pm.
Ready to stay?
Book direct with the owners — no commission fees, instant confirmation, and a real person on the other end. Open June through September.