Ian CheesemanToronto for Kids: Must-Visit Spots with Your Little Ones
Toronto is a vibrant and multicultural city with plenty of fun attractions and educational entertainment, making it a fantastic place to visit with kids. Engage them in memorable programs and activities in the city’s unique theme parks, gardens, and museums.
Visiting Toronto with the kids? Here are some of the best spots in the city for child-friendly activities that they’ll never forget:
Toronto for Kids: Must-Visit Spots with Your Little Ones
Toronto Botanical Garden
Website: https://torontobotanicalgarden.ca
Address: 777 Lawrence Ave E, Toronto, ON M3C 1P2
Contact details: +1 416-397-1341
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Nestled within Edwards Gardens, the Toronto Botanical Garden is a beautiful and serene oasis in the heart of the city. It’s home to 17 themed massive gardens that showcase a diverse range of plants and flowers.
They also offer various educational programs, events, and workshops throughout the year. It’s a great place for kids to appreciate the beauty of nature and learn about the importance of plants.
Pro tip:
Admission is free but parking costs $2 per hour. The place gets busy on weekends so come early to secure a parking spot.
Riverdale Farm
— From: @e_learns_photo
Website: https://riverdalefarmtoronto.ca
Address: 201 Winchester St, Toronto, ON M4X 1B8
Contact details: +1 416-392-3188
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Riverdale Farm is a charming 7.5-acre working farm nestled within Toronto’s busy downtown area, offering a delightful escape from the urban landscape. Expect plenty of interactive activities, where your kids can engage with the farm’s daily operations.
Established in 1978, the farm pays homage to Ontario’s rich agricultural heritage and provides visitors with a unique opportunity to experience farm life firsthand. Apart from animals to interact with, the farm is also rich with luscious gardens to explore.
Pro tip:
There is a playroom near the small pond at the end of the tour with lots of toys for toddlers.
CN Tower
Website: https://www.cntower.ca
Address: 290 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 3L9
Contact details: +1 416-868-6937
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 9:30 AM to 9:00 PM
One of Toronto’s most iconic landmarks, the CN Tower is a result of human ingenuity and architectural brilliance. With its staggering height of 1,815 feet, it held the title of the world’s tallest freestanding structure for over three decades.
The tower has a KidZone, located right next to the gift shop, where kids can play family-friendly games and interact with other children. They can also explore the tower’s exhibits and learn about Toronto’s rich history and culture.
Pro tip:
This is one of Canada’s most famous attractions so expect long lines before you get to ride the elevator to the top.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
Website: https://www.ripleyaquariums.com
Address: 288 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 3L9
Contact details: +1 647-351-3474
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, located in downtown Toronto, is a captivating underwater world that showcases the wonders of marine life from around the globe. The aquarium’s exhibits are divided into ten distinct galleries, each representing a different habitat.
Home to over 20,000 aquatic animals, the aquarium offers an immersive experience for visitors of all ages. Journey through the depths of the Pacific Ocean in the Dangerous Lagoon or marvel at the vibrant colours of tropical fish in Rainbow Reef.
Pro tip:
They have a designated space for visitors who want to celebrate birthdays so inquire ahead of time if you’re interested.
Ontario Science Centre
Website: https://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
Address: 770 Don Mills Rd., North York, ON M3C 1T3
Contact details: +1 416-696-1000
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Friday – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Saturday & Sunday – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Monday – Closed
The Ontario Science Centre, nestled in Toronto’s Don Valley ravine system, is a captivating hub of scientific exploration and discovery. It’s renowned for its interactive exhibits that encourage visitors to engage with science creatively.
The centre’s eight exhibition halls, each dedicated to a different scientific discipline, offer a diverse array of hands-on activities and thought-provoking displays. Its daily schedule is also packed with exciting shows and demonstrations that bring science to life.
Pro tip:
Your kids need more than 3 hours to explore everything in the centre so keep that in mind before visiting.
Hockey Hall of Fame
Website: https://www.hhof.com
Address: 30 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M5E 1X8
Contact details: +1 416-360-7765
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, the Hockey Hall of Fame is a shrine to the sport of ice hockey. It was built to celebrate its rich history, honour its greatest players, and preserve its legacy for future generations.
The museum is like a time capsule, where the sport’s past, present, and future converge. Explore interactive exhibits that allow your kids to test their hockey skills, from shooting pucks at virtual goalies to experiencing the thrill of a penalty shot.
Pro tip:
There are plenty of options for food near the venue and once you have your stamp, you can leave and go back in after eating.
Toronto Zoo
Website: https://www.torontozoo.com
Address: 2000 Meadowvale Rd, Toronto, ON M1B 5K7
Contact details: +1 416-392-5900
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
The Toronto Zoo is a sprawling 287-hectare sanctuary in Toronto’s Rouge Valley that showcases the various wonders of the animal kingdom. With over 5,000 animals from around the globe, the zoo offers an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages.
The zoo’s exhibits are divided into seven regions, each representing a different part of the world and its inhabitants. They’re fully committed to conservation, inspiring kids to appreciate the importance of biodiversity and the need to protect endangered species.
Pro tip:
The Zoomobile is a ride that takes you to each section of the zoo. It helps if you want to conserve energy since you’ll be doing a lot of walking.
LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto
Website: https://www.legolanddiscoverycentre.com
Address: 1 Bass Pro Mills Dr, Vaughan, ON L4K 5W4
Contact details: +1 905-761-7066
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Sunday – 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto is an indoor family entertainment centre located in Vaughan, the fifth-largest city in the Greater Toronto Area. It has 10 LEGO build & play zones, 2 LEGO-themed rides, a 4D cinema, and a gift shop.
Your kids will enjoy a full-on immerision in a realm of creativity and imagination at the centre, where millions of LEGO bricks come to life, providing endless opportunities for fun and learning.
They can also explore MINILAND, a miniature replica of Toronto’s iconic landmarks.
Pro tip:
You can buy an annual pass for $53.99 which lets you enjoy LEGOLAND all you want for an entire year!
Canada’s Wonderland
Website: https://www.canadaswonderland.com
Address: 9580 Jane St, Vaughan, ON L6A 1S6
Contact details: +1 905-832-8131
Operating hours:
- Friday – 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Saturday & Sunday – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Also located in Vaughan, Canada’s Wonderland is the country’s premier amusement park, offering a thrilling and unforgettable experience for thrill-seekers, families, and everyone in between.
The theme park is abundant with attractions for families with children of all ages. Kids can cool off in Splash Works, the park’s water park, featuring water slides, wave pools, and splash zones that provide refreshing fun for the whole family.
They can also embark on a whimsical journey through the park’s Planet Snoopy section, where gentle rides, interactive play areas, and live shows featuring the beloved Peanuts characters await.
Pro tip:
They’re also known for their seasonal events, including Oktoberfest and Halloween Haunt.
Royal Ontario Museum
Website: https://www.rom.on.ca
Address: 100 Queens Park, Toronto, ON M5S 2C6
Contact details: +1 416-586-8000
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM
- Monday – Closed
The Royal Ontario Museum is a captivating journey through time and across continents, showcasing a vast collection of artefacts, specimens, and exhibits that encompass the natural and cultural world.
The museum’s extensive collections encompass a wide range of disciplines, from natural history and archaeology to world cultures and art. They go beyond static displays, offering interactive exhibits that bring the museum’s collections to life.
Let your kids explore the CIBC Discovery Gallery, a hands-on gallery that encourages kids to explore science and nature through interactive play. You can also join educational workshops specifically designed for families.
Pro tip:
You can save 42% on admission to the museum and other attractions by buying Toronto CityPASS tickets.
