Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Toronto
Every May and June, thousands of local parents, grandparents, and caregivers weigh in on their favorite local places to take kids. This page is where we showcase the 2023 list of winners for the area. (Click here for the full list of nominees.)
Of course, there are literally hundreds of wonderful places to take your kids in our area, not just this year's winners! After browsing the list below, check out our packed daily calendar, see what's happening this weekend, sign up for our weekly e-newsletter, and be sure to visit our Everything that's Free page! Plus we have comprehensive lists of birthday party venues, indoor play centers, classes, summer camps, and lots more!
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1. Toronto Zoo
Your Toronto Zoo is committed to connecting people, animals and conservation science to fight extinction. With over 3,000 animals, rides (including the NEW zipline!), splash park, facepainting and more, there is something for everyone to enjoy! Be sure to SWING by and visit the NEW state-of-the-art outdoor orangutan habitat and learn more about how you can help save orangutans in the wild! For more information, including hours of operation, or to book your next visit online, please visit the website.
2. Ontario Science Centre
The Ontario Science Centre delights, informs and challenges the communities we serve, enriching people's lives and understanding through engagement with science of local, national and global relevance. Since 1969, the Ontario Science Centre has welcomed more than 51 million visitors, with an interactive approach that was the model for Science Centres around the world. It is the public centre for innovative thinking and provocative dialogue in science and technology, aiming to inspire a lifelong journey of curiosity, discovery and action to create a better future for the planet. The Ontario Science Centre is an agency of the Government of Ontario.
3. Balls of Fun
Balls of Fun is North America’s ONLY children’s ball gym. Located in Mississauga, this 7,000 sq. foot gym is designed for children 6 months – 8 years of age. The gym space has two structures (with 7 slides), gym equipment, nets and a ton of balls to help children learn how to bounce, catch, throw, kick, and dribble. This is also a great space to practice ball sports with your children like soccer, basketball, and volleyball. This ball gym provides a large clean and safe space for children to run, play, socialize and have a ball! Book your play time and active parties at ballsoffun.ca.
4. Little Canada
Miniature World. BIG Wonder. Experience the Wonder of Canada in Miniature Little Canada is a celebration of all things Canada. It’s a unique journey of discovery through the sights and sounds of our great country in miniature scale. A unique Toronto attraction that will unleash your childlike sense of wonder, discovery, and curiosity. Best of all, you can live here forever by getting Littlized.
5. Royal Ontario Museum
The Royal Ontario Museum is Canada’s largest museum showcasing art, culture, and nature from around the globe and across the ages. The ROM is home to a world-class collection of 13 million artworks, cultural objects and natural history specimens, featured in 40 gallery and exhibition spaces. Explore special exhibitions, as well as the Museum’s permanent collections of dinosaurs, South Asian art and culture, gems and minerals, ancient Egyptian treasures, biodiversity, and much more.
6. African Lion Safari
African Lion Safari is dedicated to the conservation of declining wildlife species. We strive to ensure that all guests have an enjoyable and educational day, as well as an opportunity to gain a better appreciation of the animals in our care. You'll get closer than you ever imagined to over 1,000 exotic birds and animals from around the world including majestic lions, graceful giraffe, and a crash of rhino!
7. High Park Nature Centre
The High Park Nature Centre is a charitable organization that provides year-round outdoor education & stewardship programs for all ages in High Park, downtown Toronto’s largest city park! Our programs are designed to inspire a sense of wonder, knowledge and respect for High Park’s natural systems; restore human connections to local plants and animals; and engage participants in different activities that support a sustainable future for High Park for generations to come.
8. Centreville Amusement Park
Centreville Amusement Park, located on the Toronto Islands, is the ultimate summer destination for families with young children. With over 30 rides and attractions this amusement park offers up a full day of family fun. Getting to Centreville is almost as exciting as the park itself. Everyone will enjoy the scenic ride across Toronto Harbour on the Centre Island ferry!
9. My Local Library
Of course, the libraries in the Toronto area are not really ONE place, but MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication. They're proud that locals voted them #3 in best places to take kids this year!
10. Chudleigh's Entertainment Farm
Chudleigh’s Entertainment Farm was first opened to the public in 1967. In the beginning, it was a place where families could pick their own apples and savour a few hours of country life. Since then, visiting the farm has become an annual ritual for generations of kids and kids at heart throughout the region around our Milton, Ontario home. And it’s a fun way to learn more about how food is grown.
You can still pick apples here during the harvest season, and there’s no better way to lose yourself in nature and get close to where our food comes from. But today, there’s enough to do at Chudleigh’s Entertainment Farm to fill a whole day with happy memories.
11. 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.
12. Bird Kingdom: A Tropical Adventure
Bird Kingdom is the World’s Largest Indoor Free-Flying Aviary. Discover hundreds of tropical birds as you explore the pathways throughout the multi-level rainforest. Meet friendly parrots and exotic animals at Bird Kingdom’s Animal Encounters. Explore the ruins of the Night Jungle that is home to many fascinating nocturnal creatures. Lorikeet Landing provides an unforgettable experience where you may feed and interact with the playful lorikeet birds ($). Bird Kingdom is an exciting adventure that is fun for all ages.
13. Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
Epic battles of Steel and Steed - a two hour tournament and dinner with feasting, fighting, horses, knights, and more!
14. Reptilia
Reptilia Zoo is a collection of Canada’s largest reptile zoos and conservation centers. We focus on animal representation, conservation, education, and magical Guest experiences. Our unique facilities host over 250 species of reptiles, amphibians, and arachnids from all around the world, representing animals that cannot be found in other Canadian Zoos. Imagine a camp, where kids can hand-feed a gecko, help hold one of the world’s largest snakes, or cheer on their favorite hard-shelled competitor in our legendary turtle race!
15. Wet 'n' Wild Toronto
Wet 'N' Wild has SAFE, CLEAN, FAMILY FUN to cool off every summer! With tons of heart-pumping water slides and Big Surf, our half a million gallon wave pool, there is plenty to do all day. Looking for something relaxing? Try Muskoka Soakah - our lazy river! Take the little kids to the Jr. water slides so they can have fun like the big kids. Don't want to get wet? Make this summer the best yet at Wet 'N' Wild Toronto!
16. Royal Botanical Gardens
Designated as a national historical site, RBG is revered world-wide for its extensive 400 acres of display gardens. What makes RBG unique is that it also protects and stewards over 2300 acres of environmentally sensitive lands and diverse ecosystems that connect the Niagara escarpment to Lake Ontario.
17. Casa Loma
Visit Canada's Majestic Castle, Casa Loma and step back in time to a period of European elegance and splendour. The former home of Canadian financier Sir Henry Pellatt, Canada's foremost castle is complete with decorated suites, secret passages, an 800-foot tunnel, towers, stables, and beautiful 5-acre estate gardens. Self-guided multimedia tours are available to tour the castle as well as a free Casa Loma App. Open from 9:30am to 5pm enjoy the beauty and history of this iconic historic landmark.
18. Black Creek Pioneer Village
Immerse yourself in the 1860s and explore an authentically re-created country village of the Toronto region. At Black Creek Pioneer Village, visitors discover 40 historic buildings, 70 rare and heritage breed animals, 10 gardens growing flowers and plants from heirloom seeds, and exciting programs that engage people of all ages. They meet costumed educators who demonstrate and involve visitors with trades and crafts common in 1860s’ Ontario, tap their toes to music of the era, laugh at the hysterical antics of the History Actors, and have fun engaging in hands-on activities throughout the village!
19. Conservation Halton
20. Hockey Hall of Fame
Spread across 65,000 square feet, the Hockey Hall of Fame offers something for everyone: the finest collection of hockey artifacts at all levels of play from around the world; state-of-the-art games; themed exhibits dedicated to the game’s greatest players, teams and achievements; an extensive array of multimedia stations; theatres; larger-than-life statues; a replica NHL dressing room; an unrivaled selection of hockey-related merchandise and memorabilia within our store; and NHL trophies including, best of all, access to the STANLEY CUP.
Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in three categories. Here were their choices.Top Arts Educator: Winged Canvas
Winged Canvas is a renowned online art school that offers specialized art programs suitable for individuals aged 9 to 99. With a range of online enrichment options, they provide diverse opportunities for art education such as weekly live online classes, daily seasonal camps, art mentorship, portfolio prep, video courses and virtual workshops, all instructed by professional artists.
Recognized as Toronto's Top Arts Educator in both 2021 and 2022, the mission of Winged Canvas is to ensure that art education is accessible to everyone. Students have the flexibility to learn at their own pace through recorded lessons or join a live class instantly. Getting expert guidance on your artwork has never been easier, and you can start learning from anywhere!
Top Sports Educator: Balls of Fun
Balls of Fun is North America’s ONLY children’s ball gym. Located in Mississauga, this 7,000 sq. foot gym is designed for children 6 months – 8 years of age. The gym space has two structures (with 7 slides), gym equipment, nets and a ton of balls to help children learn how to bounce, catch, throw, kick, and dribble. This is also a great space to practice ball sports with your children like soccer, basketball, and volleyball.
Top STEM Educator: Ontario Science Centre
The Ontario Science Centre delights, informs and challenges the communities we serve, enriching people's lives and understanding through engagement with science of local, national and global relevance. Since 1969, the Ontario Science Centre has welcomed more than 51 million visitors, with an interactive approach that was the model for Science Centres around the world. It is the public centre for innovative thinking and provocative dialogue in science and technology, aiming to inspire a lifelong journey of curiosity, discovery and action to create a better future for the planet. The Ontario Science Centre is an agency of the Government of Ontario.