Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Toronto - 2020
2020's Best Places for Kids in the Toronto area!
The best places to take kids in Toronto, based on KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey. Our Top 20 results page is an annotated list of the winners, both of the top 20 slots and of the category winners. But there is LOTS more to do in and around Toronto! 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!
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!
Toronto Zoo
Your Toronto Zoo is committed to connecting people, animals and conservation to fight extinction and we are excited to be welcoming back you and your families. Take a drive on the WILD side and experience our Zoo comfortably from your own vehicle with our Scenic Safari Drive-Thru or enjoy our new one-way walking routes. To further enrich your visit, why not add on a Wild Encounter to get up close and personal with some of our animals! For more information, including hours of operation, please visit our website.
Ontario Science Center
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
The Kortright Centre for Conservation
Situated along the Humber River on 555 acres with 16 km of beautiful nature trails, Kortright boasts some breathtaking views, diverse habitats and impressive biodiversity. Kortright offers a variety of flat and hilly trails providing appropriate terrain suited for different physical abilities. Kortright’s trails meander through expansive meadows, mature maple forests and wetlands teeming with wildlife.
Kortright Centre offers diverse program opportunities suited to a variety of user groups and ages. Whether you are looking for a festival, event, interactive school program, professional workshop, state of the art sustainable technology tour or demonstrations, green wedding, corporate event or an outdoor adventure in nature.
Come to Kortright and choose your adventure today!
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? Try out zip line and feel the wind in your hair. Make this summer the best yet at Wet 'N' Wild Toronto!
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.
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
Epic battles of Steel and Steed - a two hour tournament and dinner with feasting, fighting, horses, knights, and more!
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 in English, French, Japanese, German, Italian, Spanish, Mandarin, Korean and American Sign Language. Audio Descriptive Tours for the visually impaired are available in English and French.
Mirvish Productions
Mirvish Productions is a Canadian theatre management and production company, based in Toronto, Ontario Canada. From Mamma Mia to Henry V, Mirvish Productions has brought some of the greatest plays and musicals from around the world to their Theater stages for the people of Toronto to enjoy. Come to one of their four theatres in Toronto to experience the wonder!
Chudleigh's
Since 1957, we have become synonymous with delighting customers with innovative entertainment farming, apple picking and exceptional bakery products including the world-famous Apple Blossom®. Three generations of Chudleighs have brought apple farming to the mainstream, and we continue the tradition today. Our entertainment farm located just West of Toronto in Milton, Ontario is one of many exceptional tourist destinations along the Niagara Escarpment. Down the road from the Milton farm is our 82,000 square foot bakery, that employs over 150 full time staff and services the grocery and food service industries in North America and beyond.
Conservation Halton
Protecting the Natural Environment from Lake to Escarpment. Conservation Halton is the community based environmental agency that protects, restores, and manages the natural resources in its watershed.
Innovative Arts
Innovative Arts is a musical theatre training program for youth ages 8-18 located in Oakville and Toronto. We produce two musicals a year and focus on developing the skills of singing, dancing and acting while building confidence and having a blast!
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!
Reptilia
Reptile Zoo Toronto - Reptilia Reptile Zoo and Education Facility is Canada's largest fully indoor reptile zoo displaying over 250 reptiles.
Hockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame is located in the heart of downtown Toronto at the corner of Yonge & Front Sts. in Brookfield Place (formerly BCE Place) lower concourse level, a short walk from many Toronto attractions, including Air Canada Centre, CN Tower, Rogers Centre and Eaton Centre. Accessible from Union Station, King Station and Dundas Station through the underground PATH system.
Toronto Botanical Garden
The TBG offers a complete range of indoor and outdoor learning experiences for all ages including courses, lectures, workshops, special events, garden tours and an extensive horticultural library. Children’s programs for schools, community groups and individuals take place year-round in either The James Boyd Children’s Centre or outdoor Teaching Garden located within Edwards Gardens.
Toronto Botanical Garden (TBG) displays a series of contemporary themed gardens spanning nearly four acres. These unique green spaces are designed for visitors to enjoy and engage in the splendour of nature, while learning practical applications for their own gardens. The gardens reflect the scale of a typical urban setting, making it easy for visitors to translate the ideas presented into their own gardens. The gardens are open year-round from dawn until dusk and admission is free of charge.
Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in six categories. Here were their choices.Favorite Arts Education
Avenue Road Arts SchoolWith well over 100 virtual programs (on Zoom) being offered for a wide range of levels, abilities and age groups (kids and adults), we’re sure that you’ll find the right class to feel inspired, challenged and engaged. Students have been joining us from Scotland, Switzerland, British Columbia, Ottawa, Kentucky and cottage country and loving our online classes, finding them rewarding and highly effective.Led by Avenue Road Arts School faculty, you’ll engage with other art students, work on your own art from the comfort of your own home and receive direction and guidance from a professional artist/educator!
Favorite Arts Education
Electric Moon Theatre CompanyElectric Moon believes that live theatre and arts education are valuable contributors to childhood development. Through in-school guest artist programs, lunch-time & afterschool theatre classes and family touring shows, Electric Moon strives to support and encourage imagination, self-esteem, empathy and confidence. The only requisites are an open mind and the willingness to try something new. Whatever the age—from toddler to teen— we promise to captivate and enlighten with story, music, movement and spectacle.
Favorite Sports/Physical Education
YMCA of Greater TorontoThe YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity offering opportunities for personal growth, community involvement, and leadership.
Favorite Sports/Physical Education
Northern Karate SchoolLeaders in the field of martial arts education and personal development for more than four decades. At Northern Karate, we believe a martial arts education is a vehicle for self-discovery and positive change. We also believe it can improve the world - one person at a time. We're proud our students kick and punch so well. We're even more proud that through their martial arts training, they learn respect for themselves and others as they strive to achieve PERSONAL BEST.
