Centreville Amusement Park Review: A Toronto Island Day Out With Kids
We moved from India to Canada in 2019 and have called Toronto home ever since. Centreville on Toronto Island quickly became one of our favourite summer days out with our toddler.
Looking for things to do with toddlers and kids in Toronto? Add Centreville Amusement Park on Toronto Island to your summer bucket list!
Located on Centre Island, just a short trip from downtown Toronto, Centreville Amusement Park is one of those family outings where you can easily spend an entire day riding attractions, enjoying a picnic, exploring the island and letting the kids burn off some energy.
And the best part? You get a mini amusement-park getaway without actually leaving Toronto. In this Centreville Amusement Park review, we share what the rides are like for little ones, what it costs and why it is still one of our favourite things to do in Toronto with kids.
Planning a bigger Canada trip around your Toronto visit? Browse our ready-made travel itineraries and let us do the planning for you.
Getting to Centreville Amusement Park
You have a few ways to get to Toronto Island, including the Toronto Island ferry and water taxis.
We chose a water taxi, and with a toddler, we honestly found it incredibly convenient. It was quick, we avoided waiting in the longer ferry lineup, and water taxis frequently operate from the Toronto waterfront.
If you’re travelling with young kids and want to minimize waiting around, it’s definitely an option worth considering.
Once you arrive at Centre Island, Centreville is just a short walk away.
Our toddler was still in a good mood when we arrived, which made the water taxi worth it for us. If you take the ferry, aim to cross before the 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. peak.
Address: Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, 9 Queens Quay West, Toronto, ON (foot of Bay Street)
Admission: Ferry tickets are round trip. Children under 2 ride free and junior tickets (ages 2 to 14) are $4.51
Parking: Nearby lots charge between $25 and $40 per day
Confirm the current ferry schedule and adult fares on the City of Toronto website before visiting.
Our guide to things to do with family in Toronto has more ideas to pair with your island day, and staying near the waterfront makes an early crossing easier.
30+ Rides & Attractions
Centreville has more than 30 rides and attractions, with plenty designed specifically for younger children.
You’ll find classic amusement-park fun including:
- Carousel rides
- Train rides
- Family rides
- Thrill rides for older kids
- Water and splash activities
- Games and attractions
The park is particularly great for families because children of different ages can find something to enjoy.
We found the park compact and easy to get around with a toddler, so we could move from one ride to the next without long walks in between.
If your kids love a full day of animals and adventure, our African Lion Safari guide covers another family favourite in Ontario.
Is Centreville Good for Toddlers?
Absolutely!
Centreville isn’t only about big roller coasters and thrill rides. There are several attractions aimed at younger children, making it a great option for a toddler day out in Toronto.
Some rides have minimum height requirements, so check the restrictions before getting in line. Depending on the ride, younger children may also need to be accompanied by an adult.
This is where Centreville works really well for families: parents aren’t just standing on the sidelines. There are rides where you can hop on and enjoy the experience together.
One tip from us: Centreville’s ticket page notes that young children may need to ride with someone over 4 feet tall, so plan for at least one adult to be ready to hop on.
For another toddler-friendly day in the city, see our Toronto Zoo family guide.
Pack a Picnic
One of our favourite things about visiting Centreville is that you’re not restricted to rides all day.
Toronto Island has plenty of beautiful green spaces where you can slow down between attractions.
Pack:
- Snacks
- Lunch
- Water
- A picnic blanket
- Sunscreen
- Extra clothes for little ones
You can enjoy a picnic, let the kids run around and then head back for another round of rides.
Packing our own lunch meant we could take breaks whenever our toddler needed one, instead of planning the day around food lineups.
If you love a day outdoors with a picnic, our guide to things to do in Durham Region has more green spaces to explore.
Cool Off at the Splash Pad
Travelling with toddlers during the summer can mean one thing: water breaks are essential!
There’s a splash pad area where kids can cool off and play between adventures.
If your little ones love water, pack swimsuits or a change of clothes. You’ll thank yourself later.
The island has two splash pads, one inside Centreville and one near the William Meany Maze, both running May to September. They are unsupervised, so we always keep a close eye on our little one.
Need more summer water fun? Our Sauble Beach Ontario guide is perfect for a bigger beach day.
There’s More to Toronto Island Than Centreville
This is what makes the outing even better.
You’re not simply visiting an amusement park. You’re spending the day on Toronto Island, surrounded by greenery, beaches, walking paths and spectacular views of the Toronto skyline.
You can combine Centreville with:
- A walk around Centre Island
- A picnic
- Beach time
- Cycling
- Skyline photography
- Exploring the island’s trails
So even if your toddler eventually declares, “NO MORE RIDES!”, you still have plenty to do.
We would add Far Enough Farm, right beside the rides, where kids can meet ponies, rabbits, sheep and chickens for free in summer.
For more lakeside days close to the city, check out our guide to things to do in Burlington.
Why We Loved It as Parents
What we loved most was that Centreville felt like a proper little adventure without leaving Toronto.
You can arrive by boat, spend the day on rides, grab something to eat, have a picnic, cool down at the splash pad and explore the island.
It’s also an outing where parents can participate instead of simply watching the kids have fun.
And honestly, that’s a win.
The day felt relaxed rather than rushed, because we could step away from the rides whenever our toddler needed a break.
If you enjoy easy escapes close to home, you will like our perfect getaway in Halton Hills.
Centreville Amusement Park
Centre Island, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- 30+ rides & attractions
- Rides for younger children
- Options for older kids
- Picnic areas
- Splash pad
- Plenty of outdoor space
Pro tip: Check current ride height requirements, operating hours and ticket pricing before you go, particularly if you’re travelling with toddlers.
We would pencil in a full day, because once you add the crossing, rides, picnic and splash pad, the hours fly by.
Address: Centre Island, Toronto Island Park, Toronto, ON (mailing address: 9 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON M5J 2H3)
Hours: Weekends in May, daily from June to Labour Day (weather permitting) and weekends in September
Admission: Free entry to the grounds. All Day Ride Pass $35.18 plus tax (under 4 feet) or $44.25 plus tax (over 4 feet). Ferry not included
Parking: Nearby mainland lots charge between $25 and $40 per day
Confirm daily opening times and the season closing date on the Centreville calendar before visiting.
Once Centreville closes for the season, our guide to the most magical holiday lights in Ontario has plenty of winter family fun.
Our Honest Centreville Amusement Park Review: Pros and Cons
What we liked: there is no entrance fee, the compact layout works for small legs, parents can ride along with their kids, and arriving by boat makes the day feel like a real adventure.
What to keep in mind: costs add up for larger families once you include ride passes, transport and food, so decide in advance who needs a pass. The City of Toronto warns of 30 to 60 minute ferry waits at peak times, and families with teens chasing big thrill rides may find the park small.
Best Time to Visit Centreville and Toronto Island
Spring
Centreville opens on weekends in May, so late spring is a quieter time to visit before the summer rush. Spring is also a great season for bird watching on the island, so pack layers for the lake breeze.
Summer
From June to Labour Day, Centreville runs daily, weather permitting, with supervised beaches and both splash pads open. It is also the busiest season, so we recommend crossing early.
Fall
Centreville stays open on weekends in September before closing for the season, making early fall lovely for a calmer visit. Migrating birds and quieter trails are a bonus.
Winter
Centreville is closed in winter, so there are no rides. The Gibraltar Point Lighthouse and the Franklin Children’s Garden are open year-round, so we would treat winter as a quiet island walk and check the ferry schedule first.
Beyond Our Centreville Amusement Park Review: Toronto Island by Area
- Centre Island: Home to Centreville, Far Enough Farm, the Franklin Children’s Garden and the William Meany Maze, a hedge maze of 1,200 black cedars. Centre Island Beach is close by, making this the easiest area for young kids.
- Ward’s Island: Ward’s Island has its own ferry dock and a beach supervised in summer. It is roughly a 35-minute walk to Centre Island, so it suits families who enjoy a longer stroll.
- Hanlan’s Point: Hanlan’s Point is known for its beach and its bird watching. A portion of Hanlan’s Point Beach is clothing-optional, which is worth knowing before you head over with kids.
- Gibraltar Point: Here you will find the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse, over 200 years old and described by the City of Toronto as Canada’s oldest standing lighthouse. There is also a beach and good spring and fall bird watching.
- Toronto waterfront: Your day starts at the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal at the foot of Bay Street. Water taxis leave from docks at Yonge Street and Bay Street, the option we chose with our toddler.
Free and No-Reservation Things to Do at Centreville and Toronto Island
There is no entrance fee at Centreville. You only need tickets or passes for rides, so you can wander the park and let the kids use the splash pad inside without paying admission.
Beyond the park, Far Enough Farm is free in summer, and the Franklin Children’s Garden, the beaches, the William Meany Maze and the trails cost nothing to enjoy, with no reservation needed. Picnic sites can be booked from May to September, but unbooked spots are first-come, first-served.
Planning without booking? Ferry tickets can be bought online or at the terminal on the day, and individual ride tickets are sold at the park. We would still check Centreville’s calendar that morning, as hours can change.
Tips for Visiting Centreville with Kids or Toddlers
Timing makes the biggest difference with little ones. We recommend crossing before the late-morning rush and heading back before the 5 to 9 p.m. return peak. Strollers and wagons are welcome on the ferry, so bring whichever one your child naps in best.
Pack sunscreen, hats, swimsuits or spare clothes, snacks and water. Check height requirements on arrival, and build in breaks at the farm or a shady picnic spot so the day stays fun for everyone.
Visiting from further away? Make Centreville part of a longer family trip, and for a different kind of overnight, see our guide to glamping in Ontario.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Centreville Amusement Park worth it?
We think it is, especially for families with toddlers and younger kids. With around 30 rides and attractions and free entry to the grounds, it pairs easily with a picnic and beach time.
How long should you spend at Centreville Amusement Park?
We recommend at least half a day for the rides and a full day to explore more of Toronto Island. Allow extra time for ferry lineups at peak times.
Is Centreville Amusement Park free?
Entry to the park grounds is free. You only pay if you go on rides, using individual tickets, ticket sheets or ride passes. The ferry or water taxi to the island is a separate cost.
How many rides are at Centre Island?
Centreville has around 30 rides and attractions, including a carousel, a train ride, a log ride, bumper boats and a Ferris wheel. Some rides have height requirements, so check them when you arrive.
How do you get to Centreville Amusement Park?
Take the ferry from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal at 9 Queens Quay West to the Centre Island dock, or a water taxi from Yonge Street or Bay Street. Centreville is a short walk from the Centre Island dock.
When does Centreville Amusement Park open for the season?
Centreville is open on weekends in May, daily from June to Labour Day (weather permitting) and on weekends in September. Hours can change, so check the official calendar before you go.
Is Centreville Worth Visiting?
If you’re looking for family-friendly summer activities in Toronto, especially things to do with toddlers and young children, we’d definitely put Centreville on the list.
It’s colourful, outdoorsy, easy to combine with a Toronto Island day trip and packed with enough attractions to keep the family busy for hours. We hope our Centreville Amusement Park review helps you plan a fun, stress-free family day on Toronto Island.
We have done the planning so you do not have to. Browse our tried and tested Canada travel itineraries and start your adventure.
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