There are a couple of things to keep in mind about Toronto. One is the weather. While Toronto has a pretty mild climate for a Canadian city, and it does experience four distinct seasons, its winters can be a bit harsh. You can expect snowfall from November through mid-April. Second, Toronto is expensive. It’s often rated as the most expensive city in Canada in which to live.
So while there’s plenty for your family to do in Toronto, you’ll need to pay attention to the weather and to your budget. That’s why our list of “Things to Do with Your Kids in Toronto” includes several indoor activities, and few inexpensive ideas. If it’s at all possible, we recommend visiting Toronto in the summer.
When the weather is nice, Toronto reveals itself as one of North America’s most beautiful cities. To ease any financial concern, we suggest picking one of the activities listed below and sparing no expense. That should be far more cost effective, and far more enjoyable, than trying to visit several locations on a tight budget.
The CN Tower 301 Front Street, West
Toronto’s CN Tower, which protrudes 1,815 feet into the air, is the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere and a defining feature of the city’s skyline. You and your kids can ride an elevator 147 building-stories above the Ontario ground to a glass-floored observation deck. Teens will enjoy the Horizons Cafe (prices are reasonable) but keep an eye on the little ones as taller adults may in advertently squeeze them out of prime viewing spots. Even if it’s a warm day in Toronto, temperatures at the top of the tower can be 10 degrees cooler.
Toronto Islands
The Toronto Islands are located in Lake Ontario just offshore from the city. Exploring these three Islands is an all-day summertime activity. To reach them, you and your kids will take a 15-minute ferry ride, which is a good time in its own right. The islands have plenty to offer families including bike rentals, wading pools, tennis, volleyball, a playground, and walking trails.
The main attraction, at least for kids under 12, is the Centreville Amusement Park. It contains over 30 rides and games, a miniature railway, and a petting zoo. Centreville was built in 1967 but is designed like a turn-of-the-century Ontario village. Teenagers might enjoy the islands as a whole but will probably be bored with the amusement park.
Hockey Hall of Fame 30 Yonge Street
The Hockey Hall of Fame is a great place to take your kids even if hockey isn’t their favorite sport. Besides the prerequisite shrines to the game’s greatest player, the hall of fame has plenty of interactive activities that will test your kids’ hockey prowess. At the TSN Broadcast Zone, your kids can record themselves doing play-by-play of a real hockey game then e-mail the recording to whomever they like.
Kids can play Table Hockey ($1 a game) as well as video game hockey (free on the Xbox 360). It will take about four hours for you and your family to thoroughly explore everything the hall of fame has to offer. The hall is open every day except for Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Induction Day. Check their Web site for exact hours.
High Park 1873 Bloor Street West
The 400-acre High Park contains a bevy of recreation opportunities for families. There are hiking, biking, and walking trails, a mini-petting zoo, an outdoor pool, playgrounds, six tennis courts, and since it is Canada, an ice rink. Admission to the park is free but you’ll have to buy a ticket to ride the 25-minute “Trackless Train.” In the summer, the Canadian Stage Company performs at the park’s outdoor theatre. Kids generally enjoy these productions and admission is pay what you can. High Park is open 24 hours day, but the mini-zoo closes at dusk.
Famous People Players 342 Evans Avenue
The Famous People Players is a stage production that features brightly colored puppets set against a blacklight stage. Young children really enjoy the Famous People Players even if the songs they use are from their grandparents’ era. Tweens and Teens probably won’t be as thrilled as their little brothers and sisters but they should enjoy it nonetheless. Keep in mind that at least a few of the puppets are likely to interact with anyone sitting in the first couple of rows. This interaction, while playful, has been known to scare young children. The Famous People Players is also a dinner theatre. Dinner-or lunch if it’s a matinee-is served before the show while dessert is served after.
Toronto Zoo 361A Old Finch Avenue
The Toronto Zoo is located in the northeast corner of the city on 710 acres. It’s the third largest zoo in the world. Over 5,000 animals from 500 species live in the zoo’s six zoogeographic regions: Indo-Malaya, Africa, Americas, Australasia, Eurasia and the Canadian Domain. One of the zoo’s most popular attractions is the Discovery Zone. This area features the Kids Zoo, a two-acre water park, Shark’s Stingray Bay, and the Waterside Theatre. Families can also enjoy the Zoomobile, the Conservation Carousel, camel rides, and pony rides. Bring a lunch as there are plenty of picnic areas. The facility is open year around but outdoor exhibits are closed during the winter months.
Ontario Place 955 Lakeshore Blvd West
Ontario Place is perhaps the best all-around family destination in Toronto. It has something for everyone. For the really young ones, there’s the Creativity Centre and the Power Wheels race track-the vehicles are the perfect size for toddlers. For elementary school age kids, they can watch a movie about dinosaurs at the Cinesphere and teens will get a kick out of the venue’s several thrill rides. The entire family can cool off at Ontario Place’s water park, Soak City. Check their Web site for a schedule of special events and concerts. Ontario Place is open from May through September and is an all day excursion.
Ontario Science Centre 770 Don Mills Road
Kids will have so much fun at the Ontario Science Centre that they will forget they’re actually learning. The centre features year-round exhibits, limited-run displays, special shows, a planetarium, and of course, an IMAX theatre. Some of the activities your kids will enjoy include climbing on the beaver dam, making a music video, participating in the bobsled simulator, and using the lie detector machine. The centre is geared towards elementary school age children but there is a surprising amount to do for both the younger and older sect. The centre is open year-round but check their Web site for a schedule of events and exact operating times.
Royal Ontario Museum 100 Queens Park Circle
Entrance to the Royal Ontario Museum, or Rom, is called the “Crystal” and it’s the newest Toronto landmark. Inside, the ROM offers tons of hands-on exhibits, dress-up stations, touch screen displays, and interactive activities. There’s a working beehive, live animal exhibits, a real mummy, a realistic bat cave, and a dinosaur collection. The ROM is open every day of the year but Christmas. Visit their Web site for specific hours and for a schedule of special events. Seeing everything the ROM has to offer will take about half a day.
Canada’s Wonderland 9740 Jane Street Maple, Ontario L6A 156
We’re cheating a little bit as Canada’s Wonderland isn’t exactly in Toronto. It’s a 20-minute drive from the city but well worth the trek. Canada’s Wonderland is widely regarded as one of North America’s best amusement parks. There’s something to do for every member of the family. For your toddlers and kindergarten age children, there’s Planet Snoopy. For elementary school age kids, there’s the water rides, Timberwolf Falls and White Water Canyon.
For tweens and teens, the Wonderland offers the best selection of roller coasters anywhere on the continent. And for the whole family, there’s the 20-acre water park, Splash Works. The entire park contains over 200 attractions and 65 exciting rides. Visit their Web site for dates of operations and a schedule of special events.
Author’s Note: This article published here.
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Ryan Hogan contributes to http://www.TorontoSmarts.com/ where you can find all sorts of Toronto entertainment information, such as listing the Best Things To Do With Your Kids In Toronto or cool downtown photos of Toronto.
Read more articles written by Ryan Hogan
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