Toronto is not just one of the most popular places for Canadians to visit but an internationally recognized destination for sports, music, food, and outdoor fun.
If you plan on visiting the area with your little ones and aren’t sure if it’s kid-friendly, we have news for you: there are over a dozen different entertaining activities that will make your children smile for weeks after your trip.
14 Things to Do in Toronto With Kids
A city with the sheer size of Toronto not only has plenty of amazing adult-oriented activities but many fun kid-friendly experiences.
Thankfully, the city has also recently expanded its options in recent years, looking to attract even more families to its already bustling environment.
While tourism in the area can sometimes be intense, it’s still a great place to visit, and here are several spots that you and your kids are likely going to love if you visit Toronto any time this year.
1. Edward Gardens
During the summer, Toronto is a beautiful area and provides many gorgeous outdoor destinations for you and your kids.
One of the most popular of these is Edwards Gardens, which is about 20 minutes from the city’s downtown center.
It’s a year-round destination that features gorgeous flora and a seasonal cafe throughout the summer.
You can also take guided tours throughout the years to learn more about plants, trees, and flowers and highlight unique outdoor adventures.
2. Toronto Botanical Garden
After visiting Edwards Gardens, you can also check out Toronto Botanical Garden if you need a little more outdoor fun.
It’s very similar to Edward Gardens in that you’ll experience a fun and interesting time learning about plants, flowers, trees, and much more.
It also features beautiful guided trips that can make your experience even more memorable and enjoyable.
It’s the kind of place that reminds you that true beauty can exist in even the busiest parts of the world.
3. Legoland Discovery Centre
LEGOs have not only remained intensely popular in recent years but have even expanded, building a whole universe on a simple premise.
Legoland Discovery Centre is just one more example of its universal appeal.
It includes play areas where your children can build with almost unlimited LEGO blocks, as well as two rides and a 4D theater where they can watch movies and get step-by-step help.
There are also shopping and dining options available.
4. Toronto Zoo
At the Toronto Zoo, you and your children will walk across 710 acres and check out animals from all around the world.
These include species from Eurasia, Africa, and Australasia, as well as North and South American species.
There are many gift shops in the zoo, as well as various restaurants, fun toys, and activities that will keep you and your children entertained.
There are very few kids in the world who can resist the chance to see a giraffe or elephant close up!
5. Casa Loma
Traveling about 10 minutes north of Toronto will take you to Casa Loma, a popular tourist destination that features a 64,700-square-foot castle!
Built-in 1914, it features elegant art, gorgeous architecture, a collection of historic rifles, and guided tours that discuss the Canadian Depression and prohibition during a very challenging period of history.
This information is liable to pique the interest of the history buffs in your family and even young children.
6. Ripley’s Aquarium
If your children love aquatic life or are interested in studying it, it’s not a bad idea to visit Ripley’s Aquarium!
There are over 20,000 different animals to check out here, including the chance to touch dolphins, seals, and other friendly species.
Furthermore, other hands-on activities will keep your kids engaged.
You’ll probably learn something new about sea life that you didn’t know, which makes this a great place for the whole family to visit.
7. Professional Sports Games
Are you and your kids into sports, and plan on visiting Toronto during your favorite sports season?
Well, it’s hard not to check out at least one great game because there are only a few days on the calendar when a sports season isn’t in action.
Toronto has professional basketball, baseball, hockey, football, lacrosse, and even rugby: some unique sports you simply don’t see elsewhere.
8. Canada’s Wonderland
Though you might not know of Canada’s Wonderland, it’s one of the most popular amusement park destinations in North America.
It features amazing roller coasters (like the Yukon Striker, which is the world’s fastest, longest, and tallest dive roller coaster), as well as kid-friendly sections.
These include KidsVille and Planet Snoopy, the latter of which has a Peanuts-based theme.
It also hosts Halloween and Christmas events throughout the year!
9. CN Tower
A fear of heights is a natural human aversion to death that can be conquered through exposure therapy.
For example, you could take your kids to the CN Tower in Toronto to visit one of the highest places in North America.
It’s an architectural wonder that includes two observation floors, a glass floor that might not be for the faint of heart, and an outdoor sky terrace.
You’ll get 360 views of the city and can see far into the surrounding area and even the United States!
10. Niagara Falls
There’s no way that you can go to Toronto without experiencing the amazing sight of Niagara Falls from the Canadian side!
While the American view is nice in its way, the Canadian angle gives you a full look at the front of the falls and is hard to top!
There are boat tours that take you as close to the falls as you can safely go and which will drench you to the bone as you experience the pure power of falling water.
You can also shop and enjoy some tasty foods as well.
11. Levelup Virtual Reality Arcade
Virtual reality has become the next big movement in video games, and Toronto has embraced this revolution fully!
There are multiple VR arcade options throughout the city, meaning that it should be easy for you to find one that makes sense for you and your kids.
For example, Levelup Virtual Reality Arcade includes comfortable and easy-to-use VR helmets, as well as hands-on help fitting them, to ensure that you and your kids get the help that you need.
12. Black Creek Pioneer Village
Toronto was one of the earliest-settled parts of Canada and remains the primary cultural area of the country.
At Black Creek Pioneer Village, you can go back to the heady days of the 1860s to experience a fun costumed adventure.
Educators will discuss the times, provide tours, show real demonstrations of what it was like to live in the area at the time, and showcase 70 rare animals and over 40 buildings that will immerse you in Canadian history in a hands-on way.
13. Skyzone Toronto
Skyzone Toronto is a fun and exciting way to have fun with your kids in this amazing city.
You’ll play indoors in a variety of activities, such as ultimate dodgeball, sky ladder climbing, battle beam fun, sky slam activities, and foam pits.
There are also activities more appropriate for younger children, such as jumping pits and much more.
These different attractions should make it easier for you and your little ones to have fun and get some exercise to stay healthy.
14. Swimming Fun
Toronto is something of a water wonderland and includes places where your kids can learn how to swim, enjoy outdoor pool-based swims, splash across various water pads, relax in wading pools, or even jump into a lake and get wet.
This diverse array of options makes it a great place to come in the summer when the temperatures start getting warmer.
There’s nothing quite like a relaxing day at the beach to unwind your cares and feel a bit more relaxed about life.
Toronto Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Toronto Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Just how big is Toronto?
Toronto is basically the cultural center of Canada and has a population of nearly 6.5 million (when you include the suburbs).
That makes it not only the largest city in Canada by a country mile but the fourth largest in North America in general!
Amazingly, about 25% of all of Canada’s population lives within 100 miles of Toronto: it’s that important to Canadian culture.
Is Toronto a rainy city?
The one thing you’re going to have to watch for when visiting Toronto is its rainfall.
Typically, this city gets around 32 inches of rain year-round, which means there are lots of days with light rain and several with heavy rain.
Thankfully, the summer is usually a fairly rain-free season, which makes it a good time to visit this city.
In winter, expect snow and very cold temperatures.
What are the Toronto Islands?
The Toronto Islands are a part of the city located just off the shore that features an extensive and exciting community.
In fact, it’s the largest car-free residential destination in North America, which makes it a great place to visit if you love outdoor fun.
Your kids will be surprised that there’s a place that doesn’t use cars, especially one so close to a major city like Toronto.
Are there many parks in the area?
While it’s true that Toronto is a very urban area, there are also plenty of urban destinations in the city.
In fact, there are over 1,500 parks in the city, which take up an astonishing 18.1% of the city’s total acreage.
As a result, there should be plenty of fun and entertaining outdoor options for you and your kids, including camping, hiking, picnicking, and much more.
Toronto offers a wide range of activities for both adults and children, making it an ideal destination for families.