In a February 2026 release the City said admission to Riverdale Farm is free. It is a historic working farm on 7.5 scenic acres, with farm animals and buildings such as the pig and poultry barn. When the Metro Zoo opened in Scarborough in 1974, the site was restored as a farm, which gives you a fun fact for the walk home.
Weekend DeskList
Free Things to Do in Toronto With Kids, by Age Band
A farm, a farmhouse, a fort and a skating van: free Toronto outings sorted by age, from under-fives to teens, each tied to an official page.
Some of the best kid days in Toronto cost nothing, and they start at a farm in the middle of the city.
What does free mean in this list?
Each pick below is free where the official page says so: general admission at a City museum, a free day or evening at an institution, or a free event. A museum can still charge for a special exhibition or event, so we link to each page and you can read the fine print first. We sort by age as editors, not as experts, and nearly every pick works for more than one age. That is our opinion, so use it as a starting shuffle.
What can kids under 5 do for free?
The library promotes free programs for children, from storytimes and magic shows to crafts and coding. Ready for Reading is a stories, songs and rhymes session for children under 5. Check the page for the branch near you and the current schedule.
The second weekend of the Holiday EcoMarket is December 18 to 20, 2026, and admission is free. The event page also mentions a bonfire, free marshmallows from the Children’s Centre to roast, and free drop-in winter-themed crafting on Saturday and Sunday.
What suits ages 5 to 8?
The City calls Gibson House a homey 19th-century farmhouse that offers hands-on historical experiences, and general admission is free. It sits between the high rises of North York, which makes it a fun surprise.
This 1836 Regency-era cottage in High Park is where the vision for High Park was born, and general admission is free. Pair it with a High Park wander.
Four heritage buildings make up the museum in Thomson Memorial Park, and general admission is free. It shows how Scarborough developed from land farmed by Indigenous peoples and settlers.
At City indoor rinks and outdoor artificial ice rinks, all drop-in programs are free. The Skate Lending Library is free for all ages with no prior reservation, and lends skates, helmets and skating aids. The City says its van will visit rinks starting November 20, 2026, with dates and times subject to change.
What suits ages 9 to 12?
Fort York is where British soldiers, First Nations warriors and Upper Canadian militiamen stood together in the War of 1812 to defend the Town of York, and general admission is free.
The City describes it as a cross-section of Toronto history layered through centuries of industry and art, and general admission is free. In 1821 the Helliwell family settled here and set up a brewery and distillery.
The City calls it an historic inn just as lively now as it was in the 1830s. It stands on the southeast corner of Dundas Street West and Islington Avenue, and general admission is free.
The museum says admission is free for everyone on Sundays. A museum full of shoes is a reliable way to get a restless nine-year-old to look closely.
What about teens?
Cavalcade of Lights runs from November 28, 2026 (Opening Night) to January 7, 2027, and free public skating to music remains until January 7.
The museum offers free admission to its galleries during extended hours every Wednesday evening. Tickets are only available in person at its Guest Services Centre, so plan to arrive early.
Play Mobile is a free touring City sports program for all ages and skill levels, and no registration or reservations are required. Check the City page to see where it is touring.
Is there a free pick for the whole family?
The Distillery Winter Village runs from November 12, 2026 to January 3, 2027, with admission free all day Monday to Wednesday through December 13. Kids aged 9 and under are always free to enter and do not need a ticket. The village’s FAQ lists the times a ticket is required, so check it before you go.
How do you string a free day together?
Pick one anchor and one add-on, and you are done. Try Riverdale Farm in the morning, where the City’s February 2026 release said admission is free. Take the skates to a City rink that afternoon, where drop-in programs are free. On a Sunday, swap the rink for the Bata Shoe Museum’s free day. On a Wednesday evening, the Aga Khan Museum is the move.
If you are heading east, Scarborough Museum and its four heritage buildings make a calm stop after the skating. If you are west, Colborne Lodge is a good stop on a High Park day. Either way, bring a thermos and treat the museum as the warm-up room.
What should you know before you go?
Free here always means free general admission or a free event. Hours and tour times change by season, so every entry links to its official page. The library’s After School Clubs for kids 6 to 12 are listed on the same page, but the page does not say whether they are free, so confirm the cost for any club before you sign up.
Looking for more? Our pillar guide to free things to do in Toronto collects them all, free museum days lines up the calendar, things to do in Toronto with kids covers the big days out, free winter activities adds the cold-weather picks, and free outdoor skating rinks maps the ice.
Send this to the friend you would bring: the one with a car seat, a scooter and a free Saturday.
Sources (17)
- Celebrate Family Day weekend with a range of activities, City of Toronto
- Riverdale Farm, City of Toronto
- Programs for Kids & Families, Toronto Public Library
- Holiday EcoMarket, Toronto Botanical Garden
- Gibson House Museum, City of Toronto
- Colborne Lodge, City of Toronto
- Scarborough Museum, City of Toronto
- Fort York National Historic Site, City of Toronto
- Todmorden Mills, City of Toronto
- Montgomery's Inn, City of Toronto
- Visit Us, Bata Shoe Museum
- BMO Free Wednesdays, Aga Khan Museum
- Drop-in Skating, City of Toronto
- Skate Lending Library, City of Toronto
- Cavalcade of Lights, City of Toronto
- Play Mobile, City of Toronto
- FAQ, The Distillery Winter Village
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