Posted on
Just because winter is here, doesn’t mean you can’t get out and enjoy the sights and sounds of Toronto. Home to dozens of great attractions for kids young and old, Toronto is the perfect place to spend a day checking out a historical site or your favorite sports team.
Every parent has been there. The weekend arrives and the sound of ‘I’m bored’ is echoing through the house. You quickly grab your phone and search “things for kids to do near me”. But how do you know which attractions will offer the best value for your buck and provide your kids with the right activities for your child’s age and interests? Though there are plenty of fun places for kids in Toronto, you want to be sure you are heading to a fun place for kids.
Check out our helpful guide filled with ideas for what to do with kids this weekend or fun family things to do in Toronto.
Attractions
Toronto is home to many of Canada’s most popular tourist attractions. But did you know many of these places have regular children’s activities? From scaling the world’s tallest free-standing structure to stepping back in time, Toronto has you covered for fun activities to do with kids.
CN Tower
One of the most recognizable attractions in Toronto, the CN Tower welcomes more than 1.5 million people every year. Your ticket gets you a more than 1,100-foot ride to the top where visitors will find a host of fun and entertaining attractions including restaurants and gift shops. Talk a walk on the wild side by stepping onto the glass floor where you can see everything beneath your feet. For the extra brave, there is the SkyWalk, where you get the chance to walk outside of the CN Tower, strapped into a harness of course. Enjoy unobstructed views clear across Lake Ontario. Go to website
St Lawrence Market
Nestled in the heart of Old Toronto is St. Lawrence Market. This family-friendly market welcomes visitors from all over the world to enjoy the finest and most unique foods and gifts. Kids will love sampling baking and experiencing an old-fashioned market atmosphere. There is plenty to choose from with fresh produce and meats from traditional vendors. Try one of the many restaurants offering kid favorites like fresh-cut fries, pizza, and donuts.
Don’t forget to check the many toy vendors with fun and innovative toys from across the globe. Go to website
Distillery District
The Distillery District has been enchanting families for decades with its collection of unique shops, delectable restaurants, and fun activities for the kids. Stop by during the holiday season for a visit with Santa and a chance to pick up some cool toys for the kids. Don’t forget to stop by the many great food vendors offering treats that will satisfy any picky kid’s palette. Go to website
Casa Loma
Do you have a prince or princess in your household? At Casa Loma kids can live out their favorite royal fantasies with the chance to explore a real-life castle. Casa Loma offers a variety of kid-friendly activities from Halloween and Christmas festivities to concerts and workshops for kids. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for ghosts who are said to wander the halls. Go to website
CF Toronto Eaton's Centre
Spend the day shopping in Canada’s most popular mall. Kids will love exploring the shops and the many unique surprises found throughout the mall such as the art installation Flight Stop featuring Canadian geese that appear to be ready to land right in front of you. All season long Eaton Centre offers family-friendly activities and who can forget a visit from Santa Claus in December.
Check the events calendar for regular updates on activities for the whole family. Go to website
Kensington Market
Kensington Market has been welcoming families for more than 200 years with markets, shops, and activities designed to share different cultures and ideas. Each week the market welcomes musicians, artists, and performers that will get kids dancing and singing along. Check out a concert in the park or explore one of the many cool family-friendly restaurants.
Everyone is welcome in Kensington Market. Go to website
Nathan Phillips Square
Nathan Phillips Square is the place locals and visitors gather for events and celebrations. Every week the square hosts fun activities such as art fairs, concerts, and skating. Stop for a picture in front of the Toronto sign and then visit one of the tasty vendors that line the boulevard next to Old City Hall. Go to website
Canada’s Wonderland
Get ready to ride the roller coasters and meet your favourite superheroes at Canada’s Wonderland. Brimming with activities for all ages, there is something for everyone at Toronto’s favourite playground. Teens will love riding the largest roller coasters in Canada, while smaller kids can take a ride on the train at Kidzville Station. Finish the day off with traditional theme park funnel cake or a classic hotdog. Go to website
Toronto Islands
Hop on the ferry at Jack Layton Ferry Terminal and head over to Toronto Islands. One of Toronto’s most unique and family-friendly communities, Toronto Island is filled with activities for all ages. Check out Centreville Amusement Park where younger children can enjoy rides like spinning teacups and giant bumblebees. Then stop at Far Enough Farm where kids can get to know farm animals like goats, ponies, and rabbits. The Franklin’s Children’s Garden lets kids see their favourite literature characters up close before heading over the hedge maze. Don’t forget to leave a trail of breadcrumbs. Go to website
Medieval Times
Lords and Ladies can experience amazing jousting tournaments as they cheer on their favorite knight. The four-course meal fit for a king is only matched by the skill and suspense as jousters take part in sword fights. Kids will love the chance to meet knights afterward as well as pet the horses and view impressive falconry displays. Go to website
Sports
Is your kid a sports fanatic? Toronto is home to five championship teams, The Toronto Maple Leafs, The Toronto Blue Jays, The Toronto Argonauts, The Toronto Raptors, and Toronto FC who all offer great pre-game activities for kids that let them meet their idols and show off their skills.
Roger’s Centre
Home to the Toronto Blue Jays, Roger’s Centre is the perfect way to spend an afternoon with the kids. Enjoy one of the many pre-game activities, join the Junior Jays for a chance to get in the action on the field, or take home a piece of baseball history from one of the pro-shops. Go to website
BMO Field
Two great Toronto teams call BMO Field Home. The Toronto Argonauts and Toronto FC offer a fun-filled day of activities and action for kids and parents. Take part in the pre-game tailgate parties where kids have a chance to test their skills in one of the interactive demo booths. Get your jersey signed by one of the players or meet your favourite sports hero. Go to website
Scotiabank Arena
Scotiabank Arena is more than home ice for the Toronto Maple Leafs, it’s also the most popular concert venue in the city where top performers from Justin Bieber to The Wiggles have wowed crowds. For kids who love basketball, Scotiabank Arena is the home court for The Toronto Raptors. Before each game kids can show off their skills by dunking hoops and meeting with players in the activities areas. The action never stops at Scotiabank Arena. Go to website
Hockey Hall of Fame
The official home of the Stanley Cup, the Hockey Hall of Fame is hallowed ground for hockey fans of all ages who want to catch a glimpse of hockey history. Test your speed in the slap shot in the Goodyear Shout Out virtual experience where you go head to head with your favorite goalie. Step inside the Montreal Canadiens dressing room, then tour the NHL Zone featuring hockey greats Gordie Howe and Wayne Gretzky. Finally, make your way to the Lord Stanley’s Vault where kids….and kids at heart can have their picture taken with the Stanley Cup.
A day your future NHLer is sure to love. Go to website
Learning
Kids love to explore the world around them and Toronto is home to some of the most fascinating and unique ways to learn.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
Kids will find more than Nemo at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. In fact, they have 28 different types of species of clownfish. If you live in Toronto, this is one attraction that kids will never get tired of visiting. Ripley’s also offers a variety of children’s activities including Paint Night and Camps and Clubs. Go to website
Royal Ontario Museum
Walk with the Dinosaurs at the Royal Ontario Museum. Kids will love the countless interactive spaces throughout the museum that explore our history and discover how it shapes our future. Check out the infamous Bat Cave or learn about how kids can help take the world in a new direction in the fight against climate change. Go to website
The AGO
Is your child a budding Picasso? The Art Gallery of Ontario has lots of fun and interactive activities for kids of all ages designed to increase their appreciation for the arts and express their own inner artisan. Don’t forget to sign them up for one of the workshops or courses. A great way to encourage artistic learning even after you go home. Go to website
Toronto Zoo
Lions, tigers, and bears - oh my! The Toronto Zoo is the perfect day out for the family. Visit with animals from around the world and learn about how we can help ensure their survival in the future. Come face to face with some of nature’s most amazing creatures including pandas, giraffes, and exotic birds. The Toronto Zoo has plenty of interactive galleries and exhibits. Caregivers will love the great food and shops to explore. Go to website
Black Creek Pioneer Village
Learn about life in Toronto in 1867 at the Black Creek Pioneer Village. See how people lived, worked, and celebrated holidays in a time when electricity and cars were a distant dream. Kids will love the farm animals and learn about the role they played in everyday life. Make sure to stop by when Black Creek Pioneer Village shares stories and activities from life during the holidays such as Halloween and Christmas. Go to website
Evergreen Brick Works
Evergreen Brick Works has transformed an old brick manufacturing facility into a year-round learning space for kids and families. Every week the Evergreen Brick Works hosts kids' activities from planting workshops to nature tours to bike repair lessons. Evergreen Brickworks is all about hands-on learning and creating spaces that encourage young and old to work towards saving the environment. Kids can meet with farmers and learn about where food comes from at the weekly farmers' market then take in one of the nearby trails where they are likely to catch a glimpse of many of the animals that live within the Don Valley including hawks, beavers, deer, and even salmon.
Check out the weekly activities schedule. Go to website
Ontario Science Centre
Science Rules! See why science is cool at the Ontario Science Centre. Home to countless exhibits for kids, the OSC is the perfect place to let kids explore the world around them from the cosmos to the depths of the ocean. Check out one of the IMAX films where kids can learn about the wonders of the ocean or get up close with a volcanic eruption. Get to know the secret world of creepy crawlies up close in the Bug Lab then learn about how the ice age transformed the world around us in the Planet Ice: Mysteries of the Ice Ages exhibit.
Science has never been more fun than at the Ontario Science Centre. Go to website