The secret to a good day out with kids is matching the plan to the energy you actually have. So we sorted these by time: a quick win when you have an hour, a half day of play, and a big day for when everyone has slept well. Every pick links to its official page, and each has a note on who it suits.
Riverdale Farm is a historic working farm with 7.5 scenic acres, including wooded areas, ponds and gardens. Domesticated waterfowl, chickens, turkeys and pigs are found in and around the Pig and Poultry Barn. The Francey Barn was built in 1858 on a farm in Markham Township and donated to the City in 1977.
The farm has its own story, too. When the Metro Zoo opened in Scarborough in 1974, the site was restored as a farm to give children the chance to see how a farm works. The City asks visitors not to feed the animals.
Good to know for little ones: the Meeting House has baby changing facilities, public washrooms and first aid on its main floor. In winter, the Simpson House has a resting and warming area with public washrooms.
The Dr. Mariano Elia Hands-On Centre offers art-making and creative play activities for the whole family, from the youngest learner on up. It is on the concourse level in the Weston Family Learning Centre, and its admission is included in general admission. Programs change frequently, so repeat visits feel fresh.
Good to know: adult supervision of children in the centre is required at all times. Ontarians under 25 enjoy free admission to the AGO.
Admission is free for everyone on Sundays. The nearest subway station is St. George.
ROM welcomes families to a reimagined play-based learning space that invites young children to experiment and connect with the museum in a playful, interactive environment. Earth Rangers Studio, on Level 2 in the Life in Crisis: Schad Gallery of Biodiversity, is open most weekends. The team helps learners of all ages look closely at topics such as biodiversity, bird migration and coral reefs.
The museum also lists stroller-friendly access among its visitor comforts.
The Science Centre lists Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West, as its current public location. KidSpark is a learn-through-play experience for curious kids and their families. Space Deck invites visitors to launch themselves into the wonder of space. Innovation Station is a creative space for all ages.
For school-age kids, Kids’ Night Out is an evening of science fun for children ages 5 to 12. And the centre says work has officially begun on its future home at Ontario Place, on track to open in 2029. Check their site for current dates.
Harbourfront Centre lists its Jumpstart Community Pitch as an accessible space for kids and families to come together through play. The centre says its art exhibitions are free and on view. Its main building is at 235 Queens Quay West, at the same address as the Science Centre.
These are 10 City-run museums with stories, exhibitions and events about the histories of Toronto’s communities. General admission is free. The list includes Colborne Lodge, Fort York National Historic Site, Gibson House Museum, Mackenzie House, Montgomery’s Inn, Scarborough Museum, Spadina Museum and Todmorden Mills. Our pick is to choose the one closest to home, since you can drop in without a big commitment.
Ferries to Toronto Island run year-round from Jack Layton Ferry Terminal. From mid-April to mid-October, service runs on three routes to Centre Island, Hanlan’s Point and Ward’s Island. The City’s Island page lists Centre Island, Hanlan’s Point, Ward’s Island, Olympic Island, Algonquin Island and Snake Island among the park areas. In summer, Far Enough Farm, operated by Centreville, is a free hobby and petting farm where kids meet ponies, rabbits, sheep and chickens.
Buy tickets in advance to save time, since online ticket holders use an express line at peak times. The winter schedule runs from October 14 to mid-April. Schedules can change because of weather or mechanical issues.
The City says the Toronto Zoo has over 5,000 animals representing more than 450 species and is an agency of the City of Toronto. The zoo posts a schedule of Meet the Guardians talks. Wild Encounters let visitors meet animals up close and run year-round. Seasonal events come and go, so check the zoo’s home page for what is on, including Glow In The Wild, an illuminated animal lantern experience.
In winter, a City rink is an easy outing. Outdoor artificial ice rinks typically open in late November and close for the season in March. At City indoor rinks and outdoor artificial ice rinks, all drop-in programs are free.
For the youngest visitors, our shortlist is the AGO’s Hands-On Centre, which welcomes everyone from the youngest learner on up, and the ROM’s WonderWorks, which invites young children to experiment. For school-age kids, the Science Centre’s Kids’ Night Out is for ages 5 to 12. The farm, the Island and the zoo work for most ages, and the right pick often depends on naps. Plan the big day for a morning when everyone is rested, and keep a quick win in your back pocket for the afternoon.
Send this to the parent who needs a plan by Saturday morning.
.jpg){kind=link}
