Whether you’re babysitting, proving you’re the best aunt, uncle, or godparent in the world, or just visiting Ontario’s capital with your family, it’s handy to have a list of things to do in Toronto with kids.
And hey, local parents, we haven’t forgotten about you either! Kids these days (like all kids in pretty much any era) need entertainment, and if you’re unfamiliar with Toronto or stuck for ideas, you can actually end up dreading spending time with your tiny humans.
But not anymore. We’ve put our heads together, asked around and collated our experiences to bring you a list of ideas of things to do in Toronto with kids – no matter how old they are.
Fear not grown ups – below are all the places, activities and things to do as recommended by us. Read on!
And just so you know, nobody pays us to be featured on this list. They’re just experiences we’ve had or activities we’ve enjoyed that we want to recommend to you, so you can find the best things to do in Toronto.
Go on a Quest for Historical Secrets & Quirky Places on a Scavenger Hunt
First up on our list of things to do in Toronto with kids, a total game-changer.
Persuading your kids to put down their phones, take their eyes off their screens or explore their surroundings is a notoriously difficult problem for caregivers. Here’s your solution!
Scavenger hunts like these are awesome for getting kids to engage with local history, urban surroundings and public spaces. The clues are sent straight to your phone(s) containing puzzles, riddles and challenges, and as a team, you work together to decode their meanings.
You’ll be taken on a journey around Toronto’s hidden secrets, weird historical quirks, and interesting details in an engaging and family-friendly way, and it’s a great way to squeeze in some exercise for all the family.
PRO TIP: If you’ve got tweens, teens, or a member of the TikTok generation to entertain, scavenger hunts are the perfect excuse to get them to exercise their creativity at the same time as their curiosity. Capture each clue and discovery on video to create a memorable family or “day out” vlog and enjoy the peace and quiet while they edit their footage and look back on the day’s events!
Practical information: Visit City Days to choose from various themed scavenger hunts. Tickets cost CAD 25 each and you can stop and start the game whenever you want.
Paint Pottery at The Clay Room
Taking care of kids that love to get creative? Bring ‘em to The Clay Room.
Honestly, this activity is so simple but it’s a total lifesaver. There’s nothing wrong with transforming your dining table into an arts and crafts station, but between the mess, picking up supplies and keeping the kids entertained, there’s a lot of pressure and organization that, let’s be real, we don’t always want to deal with.
At the Clay Room, everyone gets to paint their own pottery piece. Choose your item (they’ve got mugs, figurines, planters, you name it!), paint it however you’d like, and then come back a week later to pick it up fresh from the kiln. Job done!
Practical information: Open Tuesday to Sunday, with sessions from 10 AM to 6 PM. Prices depend on the pottery piece chosen, generally ranging from CAD 15 to CAD 50, including all materials.
Escape The City and go Island Hopping
If you’re looking for things to do in Toronto with kids that will coax the little ones outdoors, this is for you.
Just a ferry ride from downtown Toronto, Centre Island offers a refreshing escape with picturesque views, bike rentals, and ample green space for picnics, ball games, and whatever else your imagination can come up with.
Of course, it’s not all about Centre Island. Get out and explore the Islands together - there are 15 in total - so there’s probably at least one you’ve never visited before.
Practical information: Ferry service available from 8 AM to 10 PM daily during summer months, with reduced service off-season. Round-trip adult tickets are CAD 8, and kids are CAD 5.50.
Make Some Wellness Goodies at Let’s Make It (Stackt)
Similar to the Clay Room, Let’s Make It gives you and the little ones a chance to make something from scratch.
Perfect for families who are interested in DIY crafts, these workshops give you the chance to create your own wellness goodies, from bath bombs to foaming scrubs and lip balms.
Great for slightly older kids who are starting to show an interest in cosmetics (we all know how expensive their tastes get!) or just as a fun activity to do together on a rainy afternoon.
Practical information: Workshops are available on weekends. Prices start at CAD 35 per person. Pre-registration is required. Check more details and book at Let’s Make It.
Go on a Pirate Adventure Cruise
Ahoy there, adults!
Arr, it’s probably been a wee while since yer plundered a ship, or perhaps ye’ never ‘ave, but don’t let the pirate’s life put ye’ off.
Ok, enough of the pirate speak. In all seriousness, if you ask almost any kid if they want to go on a swashbuckling adventure, the answer is nearly always YES. The good news is that you totally can - and it’s super fun for adults too.
Children under 3 sail for free, but really, this activity will be most loved by kids aged 6-7 and over. Don costumes, sail in search of treasure, and enjoy the playful antics of your pirate crew.
Practical information: Cruises run from May to September, multiple times a day. Prices vary per person. Find out more at Pirate Life.
Fun Things to Do in Toronto with Kids
Visit Riverdale Farm
Looking for fun things to do in Toronto with kids that don’t drain your bank account? Get on over to Riverdale Farm.
If you ask me, this is one of the most underappreciated places in Toronto. Sure, it gets some hype but for real: it’s a working farm in the heart of one of Canada’s busiest cities, has heritage buildings, farm animals, vegetable and herb gardens and it’s TOTALLY FREE.
I mean, you can’t ask for better than that. Offer your urban kids a slice of farm life and a chance to learn about agriculture in a hands-on environment and bring a picnic (there’s also a wading pool for hot summer days).
Practical information: Open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. Admission is free.
Get a Taste of the Aquatic at Ripley's Aquarium of Canada
If I have to tell you this exists, I’m guessing you’re not from Toronto. But let me tell you, don’t write off aquariums as being the same everywhere you go.
I’m biased, but Ripley’s takes first prize in my opinion.
Perfect for sparking curiosity in marine biology among kids with its touch pools and interactive dives, Ripley’s is a great place to disappear into the mysteries of our oceans.
You don’t have to be a kid to appreciate walking through tunnels where sharks are swimming just centimeters away from you but, I’ve definitely seen young minds blown. And there’s not just sharks: fish, turtles, jellyfish and all kinds of marine life call the Aquarium home.
Practical information: Open daily from 9 AM to 11 PM. Tickets are around CAD 35 for adults and CAD 24 for kids, with family packages available.
Check Out TO’s Quirky Museums
Whether you’re a tourist or a lifelong Torontonian, it’s never a bad idea to check out Toronto’s museums.
Honestly, where you should go depends a little on how old the kids are you’re planning to visit with, what their interests are and where you’re located. But don’t rule out history museums or art galleries because you think they’ll be too boring - there’s nearly always a kids section or something that’ll capture their imagination, you’ve just gotta find it.
Here are my recommendations along with some practical info: Hours and admission fees vary by museum:
- Hockey Hall of Fame: A staple for any sports-loving kids and a Canadian classic.
Open daily, CAD 25 for adults, CAD 15 for kids. - Royal Ontario Museum: History, culture, animals, dinosaurs, you name it, all under one roof. An awesome place for curious minds to explore and wander.
Open daily, CAD 27+ for adults, free for kids under 19 on the third Monday of each month. Online prices vary by date so take a look online in advance of your visit. - Toronto Railway Museum: A fan-favourite with kids and awesome for adults too. Explore and learn about vintage locomotives and carriages, and there’s a miniature train ride too!
Open Wednesday to Sunday, CAD 5 for adults, CAD 3 for kids.
- Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO): The AGO is a classic and a great place to introduce kids to a creative and calm space. Older kids will probably enjoy this the most but strollers and slings are permitted if you’re bringing very young children.
Open Tuesday to Sunday, CAD 25 for adults, free for visitors 25 and under. - BATA Shoe Museum: Quirky, cool and there’s nothing quite like it! Great for fashion-oriented kids but also for history fans. Show kids the evolution of footwear and marvel at how generations past protected their feet (it’s honestly so much cooler than I could describe).
Open daily, CAD 14 for adults, CAD 5 for kids.
Go See The Animals at Toronto Zoo
Wherever you are in the world, going to the zoo is likely to be a hit with the kids. But I’d like to make a special case for Toronto Zoo.
Like any other zoo, Toronto Zoo is a sanctuary of biodiversity, featuring over 5,000 animals from various ecosystems around the world. Unlike other zoos, Toronto Zoo is absolutely huge (I’ve never yet had the time to see absolutely everything here) and it has so much to do for kids.
Pro tip: Bring some spare clothes for the kids. There’s an amazing splash pad that has a magnetic draw for kids and you really shouldn’t miss it! It’s also next door to the picnic area so make the most of nice weather and hang out there to rest.
Practical information:Open daily from 9 AM to 7 PM in the summer (shorter hours in winter). Tickets cost about CAD 29 for adults and CAD 19 for children.
Discover (or Rediscover) the Magic of High Park
Again, High Park is a kind of staple for Torontonians but even locals might forget about just how great this place is for kids.
First off, it’s a big park (339 acres to be exact) so there’s plenty of space to run around and play with the little ones. Secondly, there’s more to do here than just your typical park activities (although the playgrounds, hiking and bike trails, greenhouses and sports facilities are excellent).
A personal highlight for me is the mini zoo (which is totally free to visit!) and it contains peacocks, llamas, emus, sheep and, another personal favourite, highland cows. Depending on when you visit, seasonal blooms like cherry blossoms provide a perfect backdrop for family photos!
Practical information: Open 24/7 with no entry fee. Some attractions within the park may have separate hours and fees.
Go to The Legoland Discovery Centre
Step into a world of colour and creativity at the Legoland Discovery Centre! I need to mention that strictly-speaking, Vaughn is a little way out of Toronto so you’ll need a car to visit this place.
Logistics and travel aside, if you asked kids to design their idea of paradise, this would be the result for many of them. It’s everything you’d expect it to be: kid-focused, LEGO-filled and yes, dangerous for barefoot adults (we all know how that feels).
With themed rides, build and play zones, and a 4D cinema, it’s a brick-building paradise for the little ones. There’s a cafe where adults can get some much-needed rest from all the commotion but, as a LEGO-enthusiast myself, I still had an awesome time.
Practical information: Open from 10 AM to 8 PM daily. Tickets start at about CAD 20 per person, with online discounts available.
Chase Thrills at Canada's Wonderland
If you’re looking for fun things to do in Toronto with kids that involve some high thrills, check out Canada’s Wonderland.
Featuring over 200 attractions including roller coasters, a splashy water park, and Peanuts-themed rides for younger kids, Canada’s Wonderland is one of the most popular places for families in Toronto.
Accordingly, you can expect to pay a premium for entrance and parking (and, take it from me, do NOT forget to bring sunscreen, it’s expensive once you’re beyond the gate) but it’s totally worth it for kids who are old enough to enjoy rides.
Practical information:Typically open from May to September, 10 AM to 10 PM. Single-day tickets start at CAD 40.
Explore Nature at Evergreen Brick Works
Looking for fun things to do in Toronto that take you into the great outdoors without straying from the city? Look no further!
Evergreen Brick Works is an incredible former quarry and industrial site that was integral to the building of Toronto’s major landmarks, including Casa Loma, Massey Hall and Osgoode Hall. But these days, you’re more likely to find butterflies here rather than brickdust.
Now a city park primed for outdoor activities, with eco-themed tours and a bustling farmers' market, Evergreen Brick Works is a great place to burn off some steam with energetic young’ens.
Pro Tip: Check out the website before you visit! Indoor skateboarding programs are often held here and they’re super fun for active kids.
Practical information: Open daily. No entry fee for the site; prices for specific activities vary.
Pay Ontario Place a Visit
If you’re stuck for ideas of where to go with kids in Toronto, check out Ontario Place.
It’s kind of a blend of events venue and a park, so make sure you check ahead to see if something’s going on before you go. But - unpopular opinion incoming - I actually prefer this place when there’s nothing going on.
You can get some truly spectacular scenic views here and the waterfront trail is super nice. There’s ample space for kids to play and there’s a fire pit you can book if you’re planning a big family get-together.
Practical information:Open year-round, 24/7. No general admission fee; prices for special events vary.
Hang Out Together at Sugar Beach
It’s worth saying off the bat that you cannot swim at Sugar Beach - but honestly, you don’t need to.
This is more of a “hang out and enjoy ourselves” kind of beach, and it’s become a bit of an icon (those bright pink umbrellas are instantly recognizable). For kids who want to make a splash, there’s a maple leaf-shaped splash pad to cool down in (way cooler, and safer, than the ocean) and plenty of space to unwind, build sandcastles or enjoy a scenic picnic.
Practical information: Open year-round, 24/7 with free access to all. Located at the foot of Lower Jarvis Street beside the Redpath Sugar Factory, this beach does not offer swimming but is ideal for lounging and taking in the lakeside views.
Practical information: Open year-round, 24/7 with free access.
Find More Things to Do in Toronto with CityDays
So there you have it! 20+ things to do in Toronto with kids to shake up your family time or time spent with loved little ones.
Remember that no matter what you decide to do on your morning, afternoon or evening out with your family, there’s nothing like teamwork to make the dream work.
That’s why we at CityDays create fun, interesting and challenging trails around the world to help you immerse yourself in a city’s culture, history and curios.
Want to find out more?
Check out all our available activities in Toronto here and embark on an adventure in the city you’ll never forget: CityDays awaits!