Toronto is a true centre of Canadian culture, with a vibrant art, sports and heritage scene. With a huge choice of things to do and places to see on your visit to Canada’s most populous and arguably most cosmopolitan city, it can be tough to narrow down where to go on your trip!
If you are planning a family break in this stunning city, you have come to the right place. We’ve picked out ten of the top family activities in Toronto, which will give you a great starting point in researching your trip so you can make the most of it without causing any unnecessary family squabbles!
Royal Ontario Museum
This Museum is among the world’s leading museums of natural history and world cultures, and offers a fantastic universal museum of cultures. Little ones will be enthralled by the world-class exhibits and the whole family is guaranteed to learn a thing or two! rom.on.ca
Ripley’s Aquarium
Ripleys Aquarium is Toronto’s newest must see attraction for families! The world class facility in the heart of downtown let’s all the family explore the worlds ocean flora and fauna all under one roof! Or for a more homebrewed experience explore 17 specially created habitats that display all of Canada’s marine life, from the Atlantic, to the Great Lakes Basin, and the expansive Pacific! ripleyaquariums.com/canada
High Park Zoo
Located High Park (a popular urban oasis in the city, offering a variety of outdoor recreation including ice-skating, baseball games, nature hikes and a park greenhouse), High Park Zoo is home to a variety of animal species from around the world including bison, llamas, peacocks, reindeer, highland cattle, wallabies, emus and sheep. The Zoo is free to the public and attracts over 600,000 visitors each year. highparkzoo.ca
Centre Island
Get away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Toronto – kids love the ferry ride! Ride a bike or take a turn on your blades on any of the many trails located on the island. Family bike rides are a great, healthy and inexpensive way to spend time together as a family, or visit Centreville with more than 30 rides and attractions, Centreville is a must-visit summer destination for families with young children! centreisland.ca
Hockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame is fun for everyone. Located inside Brookfield Place you will find interactive exhibits, life size statues, a replica dressing room, theatres, gift shop, broadcasting booth, a net for target practice and many precious artifacts. It’s also home to the Stanley Cup! A must-see for kids and parents alike. hhof.com
Casa Loma
Casa Loma is perfect for your little princes and princesses! With soaring battlements, secret passageways and underground tunnel, this pays homage to the castles and knights of days gone by. casaloma.ca
CN Tower
The worlds tallest building until 2010 is a must-see for visitors: on a clear day, the view from the top extends as far as Niagara Falls! cntower.ca
Toronto Zoo
The Toronto Zoo is Canada’s premier Zoo offering over 5,000 animals and incredible exhibits including the award-winning Gorilla Rainforest. Kids can learn about their favourite animals with daily Keeper Talks. torontozoo.com
LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Toronto
LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Toronto is an indoor, family experience with over 3 million bricks under one roof. Enjoy the Ultimate Indoor LEGO® Playground featuring 2 LEGO®-themed rides, a 4D cinema, Master Model Builder workshops, and more! Also check out Toronto’s iconic attractions made out of LEGO® in MINILAND. legolanddiscoverycentre.com/toronto
Ontario Place
Explore Toronto’s iconic waterfront location! Ontario Place features 155 acres of breathtaking waterfront property which serves as a venue for family activities, live music, festivals, events and more. The location is home to Cinesphere, Marina, Budweiser Stage and RBC Echo Beach. ontarioplace.com
Ontario Science Center
Temporarily Closed – Government Closure.
Visit Toronto’s premier science museum. Bring your kids and watch as they inspire curiosity and discovery about the natural world, space, physics, chemistry, and more. Visit KidSpark, the learn-through-play space for kids ages eight-years-old and under, see a show at the state-of-the-art planetarium, visit the indoor rainforest, and play in the Science Arcade. Families can also enjoy live shows, hands-on demonstrations, IMAX films, and an outdoor nature playground. ontariosciencecentre.ca
AGO
The AGO is one of Toronto’s most celebrated cultural destinations. It offers plenty of fun for kids and families with fun interactive exhibits, special events and kids art programs! See outstanding Indigenous, Canadian, and European art; cutting-edge contemporary work; and a renowned collection of prints, drawings, and photography. ago.ca
St Lawrence Market
Once housing city hall, this Victorian building is surrounded by other historically significant architectural gems. A fantastic way to spend a morning exploring together! stlawrencemarket.com
