Things to Do with Family in Toronto: A Local Guide to the Best Family Attractions
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We moved to Canada from India in 2019 and have spent the last five years exploring Ontario as a family from our home base in Toronto. These are the family activities we return to again and again.
Looking for fun family activities in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)? Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway, a school holiday trip, your parents visiting you in Canada or just looking for new adventures close to home, this guide is packed with kid-friendly, parent-approved experiences perfect for families of all ages.
From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, discover the best things to do with family in Toronto and beyond! Family attractions in Toronto offer something for everyone, and Southern Ontario has countless experiences within just a few hours of the city. Below, we cover our favourite things to do with family in Toronto, plus family activities Toronto locals love, from downtown icons to easy day trips just outside the city.
While you are planning, browse our Canada travel itineraries for more ready made trip ideas.
Burlington Waterfront & Village Square
Take a relaxing stroll along the top things to do in Burlington Waterfront Trail, enjoy the playgrounds, and stop for lakeside ice cream or coffee. The charming Village Square offers European-style cobblestone streets, quaint shops, and family-friendly dining. This destination ranks among the top family activities in Toronto’s surrounding areas, great for spring and summer afternoons!
We love biking the Waterfront Trail early on a Saturday morning before the Village Square patios fill up for brunch.
Address: Spencer Smith Park and the downtown core along Brant Street, Burlington, ON
Admission: Free
Parking: Metered street parking ($2/hour, weekdays and Saturdays, 9am to 6pm), free evenings and Sundays.
Confirm current parking rates before visiting.
Book a Cottage in Muskoka or Algonquin Park
Escape the city and reconnect with nature in Muskoka or Algonquin, two of Ontario’s most scenic cottage destinations. Enjoy canoeing, hiking, swimming, bonfires, and wildlife watching, perfect for multi-generational trips and making lasting memories.
We always book our cottage at least a season ahead since the best waterfront properties get snapped up fast for summer weekends.
More options: enchanting stays in Muskoka.
Blue Mountain Village
Only 2 hours from Toronto, Blue Mountain Village is a family paradise with mountain coaster rides, gondola views, tubing, ziplining, and more. During winter, enjoy skiing and snowboarding, while warmer months offer festivals and waterfront fun. It’s one of the most popular family attractions in Toronto’s extended region.
We have visited Blue Mountain Village in both winter and summer, and honestly enjoy the ziplining and patio season just as much as the skiing.
Address: 190 Gord Canning Drive, The Blue Mountains, ON L9Y 1C2
Parking: Village Base lot, first hour free, then $15 for up to 12 hours or $30 for 12 to 24 hours; free overflow lots available.
Confirm current parking rates before visiting.
Nearby: things to do in Collingwood, Ontario.
CN Tower
No visit to Toronto is complete without going up the CN Tower! Take in 360-degree panoramic views, walk the glass floor, and dine at the revolving restaurant. A bucket-list experience that wows both kids and adults!
Our kids still talk about standing on the glass floor, though it took a bit of convincing to get them out onto it the first time.
Address: 290 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, ON
Admission: From $47 adult, $34 senior/youth, $18 child (3 to 5); under 3 free. Taxes extra, prices subject to change.
Parking: No on-site lot; paid nearby options include the Metro Toronto Convention Centre South Lot and an Impark lot on Navy Wharf Court.
Confirm current hours and ticket prices before visiting.
Building a full weekend? See weekend trips from Toronto.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
Located at the base of the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium is one of Toronto’s top indoor attractions. Walk through an underwater tunnel surrounded by sharks, jellyfish, rays, and colorful tropical fish. Great for curious little minds! This educational yet entertaining venue is perfect for family activities in Toronto, especially on rainy days.
We try to arrive right when it opens, since the tunnel gets crowded quickly once the CN Tower crowds spill over after lunch.
Address: 288 Bremner Boulevard, Toronto, ON
Hours: Opens daily at 9:00am; closing time varies by day and season.
Confirm same day hours and ticket prices before visiting.
More detail: our Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada guide.
Explore Toronto’s Downtown Core
Stroll through Yonge Dundas Square, take a photo at the Toronto sign at Nathan Phillips Square, visit Queen Street West for fun shops, and hop on a streetcar ride – the city’s charm is best explored by foot or transit.
Our favourite way to explore downtown with the kids is on foot, stopping for a treat somewhere along Queen Street West before hopping the streetcar back.
Admission: Free to walk through; individual attractions and events may charge separately.
Also see: Santa Claus parades in Toronto and the GTA.
Niagara Falls and Adventure Add-ons
Make a day trip to Niagara Falls, just 1.5 hours from Toronto. For more thrills, take the: Whirlpool Aero Car across Niagara’s massive gorge, Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour, high-speed fun on the Niagara River! Walk Clifton Hill for arcades, mini golf & the SkyWheel.
We usually pair the falls with the Whirlpool Aero Car for a change of pace, since it gives the kids a break from walking without losing the views.
Address: Whirlpool Aero Car, 3850 Niagara Parkway, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 3E8
Admission: Adult (13+) $25, child (3 to 12) $16.50, infants free; Niagara Parks pricing, subject to change.
Parking: Free, on-site.
Confirm seasonal operating dates before visiting (typically April to November).
Full day plan: things to do in Niagara Region.
✨ Planning Your Toronto Family Adventure?
Stay close to top attractions like the CN Tower, Niagara Falls, and Muskoka. Book family-friendly hotels with free cancellation and exclusive deals.
Riverview Park and Zoo
A hidden gem, the Riverview Park and Zoo is completely free and features over 25 species, a splash pad, a train ride, and a beautiful riverside trail. A low-key but rewarding day trip from the GTA.
We were surprised how much ground Riverview Park and Zoo covers for a free attraction, and we always build in time for the splash pad in summer.
Address: 1300 Water Street North, Peterborough, ON K9H 7G4
Hours: Summer (May long weekend to Labour Day) 9am to 8pm daily; fall and winter 9am to 4:30pm daily.
Admission: Free
Parking: Free on-site lot with accessible spaces and EV charging.
Confirm seasonal hours before visiting.
Also see: Toronto Zoo and more family things to do in the GTA.
Wutai Shan Buddhist Garden
Discover peace and culture at the Wutai Shan Buddhist Garden near Bethany. The beautifully landscaped grounds, statues, and temple architecture offer a serene environment, perfect for slow paced exploration and reflection.
We treat this as our quiet stop on a busier day trip, since the grounds are peaceful enough for even a tired toddler to calm down.
More slow paced exploring: Ontario’s small towns, lift lock cruises and Paris’s enchanting streets.
Canada’s Largest Farmers’ Market: St. Jacobs
Explore St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market, just outside Waterloo, with fresh local produce, handmade crafts, food vendors, and pony rides! Open year-round, this market is a family tradition for many Ontario residents.
We try to arrive before mid morning on Saturdays, since the market and its parking lots fill up quickly once the day gets going.
Address: 878 Weber Street North, Woolwich, ON N0B 2N0
Hours: Thursday 8am to 3pm, Saturday 7am to 3:30pm (a Tuesday market is added seasonally in summer).
Admission: Free
Parking: Free on-site (lots typically fill by mid morning on Saturdays; overflow parking is available).
Confirm current market days before visiting.
More ideas nearby: fall activities in Waterloo Region.
African Lion Safari Ontario
Drive through open reserves where lions, giraffes, rhinos, and monkeys roam freely. The African Lion Safari, located in Ontario near Cambridge, also features a splash pad, parrot shows, and boat cruises. A hit with kids every time!
Our kids’ favourite part of African Lion Safari is always the drive through reserves, especially when the monkeys climb onto the car.
Address: 1386 Cooper Road, Cambridge, ON
Hours: Seasonal, generally 9am to between 4pm and 5pm; closed select dates in September.
Admission: 2026 online pricing roughly $27 to $48 by age and date, higher at the gate; under 2 free.
Confirm seasonal hours and current admission prices before visiting.
Seasonal Farms Across the GTA
Enjoy hands on fun at family friendly farms across the GTA: Downey’s Farm (Caledon), fall pumpkin fest and summer strawberries. Brooks Farms (Uxbridge), spring maple syrup, zipline park, and fall harvest. Whittamore’s or Chudleigh’s, apple picking, play areas, and fresh pies.
We rotate between these farms depending on the season, and Chudleigh’s apple picking day is one our family looks forward to every fall.
Address: Downey’s Farm, Caledon; Brooks Farms, Mount Albert; Whittamore’s Farm, Markham; Chudleigh’s, Halton Hills, all in Ontario.
Hours: Varies by farm and season; Downey’s Farm runs daily 9:30am to 5pm from late May through September.
Admission: Market entry is free at each farm; paid tickets apply to play areas and timed seasonal activities.
Confirm hours and admission for each farm before visiting.
More on Chudleigh’s: apple picking near Toronto at Chudleigh’s Farm.
Best Time to Visit Toronto with Family
Spring: We like exploring outdoor spaces like the waterfront trails and Riverview Park and Zoo before summer crowds arrive, as seasonal farms start their maple syrup season. Weather is mild but unpredictable, so we pack a light jacket.
Summer: Summer is peak season, with Blue Mountain Village, Niagara Falls and African Lion Safari running full hours and outdoor programming. Crowds and prices are higher, so we arrive early, and it is prime pick your own fruit season at GTA farms.
Fall: We head to St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market and the seasonal farms once pumpkin season and apple picking begin. Crowds thin out compared to summer, making it a comfortable time to explore downtown on foot, though some outdoor attractions start reducing hours.
Winter: Winter shifts our activities indoors, with the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium and downtown Toronto open year round, while Blue Mountain Village becomes a ski destination. Several outdoor attractions on this list close or reduce hours, so we always confirm ahead.
Things to Do with Family in Toronto by Area
- Downtown Toronto: Home to the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium and Yonge Dundas Square. The most walkable area on this list, with streetcars connecting everything.
- Halton Region: Burlington’s Waterfront Trail and Village Square make an easy half day, while Blue Mountain Village is worth a full weekend.
- Niagara Region: Niagara Falls, about 1.5 hours from Toronto, plus the Whirlpool Aero Car and Clifton Hill, usually take a full day.
- Waterloo and Peterborough Region: Jacobs Farmers’ Market and Riverview Park and Zoo are worth the extra drive for a relaxed family day.
- Cambridge and Caledon Area: African Lion Safari and Downey’s Farm sit close enough to combine into one outdoor focused day trip.
Extending your trip? See places to visit in Ottawa.
Free and No Reservation Family Activities in Toronto
Several of our favourite family activities in Toronto do not cost anything. Riverview Park and Zoo is free to enter, and the Burlington Waterfront Trail, downtown squares like Yonge Dundas Square and Nathan Phillips Square, and St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market are all free to walk through.
Most paid attractions do not require advance reservations for general entry, though we still check each website the same week we plan to visit since hours and ticket policies change. Specific rides or timed tours within a larger attraction may still need separate booking.
Our tip for visiting without booking ahead is to arrive earlier in the day, especially in summer, since free and low cost attractions fill up first with local families. We always keep a backup option in case something is closed or fully booked.
Tips for Visiting Toronto with Kids or Toddlers
With younger kids, we build in more downtime than we think we need, since a packed itinerary rarely survives a toddler’s nap schedule. We pick one or two attractions per day and always bring snacks, water and a change of clothes.
For overnight trips further out, like Niagara Falls or Blue Mountain Village, we look for accommodation close to the attractions so we are not driving during nap time or bedtime.
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Longer trip? See things to do in Niagara Region for family friendly routes and rest stops.
Toddlers tend to do best with attractions that let them move freely, so we prioritize outdoor and drive through experiences like African Lion Safari or Riverview Park and Zoo over sit down shows when our kids are very young.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some fun family activities in Toronto?
Our favourites include the CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium downtown, Riverview Park and Zoo, and a day trip to African Lion Safari. Free spaces like Yonge Dundas Square and Nathan Phillips Square work well for a shorter outing.
What free activities are in Toronto for kids?
Riverview Park and Zoo is completely free, and so are downtown squares like Yonge Dundas Square and Nathan Phillips Square. The Burlington Waterfront Trail is another free option just outside the city.
Is Toronto worth visiting with kids?
In our experience, yes. It combines walkable downtown attractions like the CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium with easy day trips to Niagara Falls, African Lion Safari and Blue Mountain Village.
What to do with a 12 year old in Toronto?
Older kids tend to enjoy active attractions like the CN Tower’s glass floor, the Whirlpool Aero Car in Niagara, and the outdoor reserves at African Lion Safari. We have found this age group also likes having a say in the itinerary.
What are some fun and unique things to do with parents in Toronto?
For a multi generational trip, we combine a downtown day around the CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium with a slower outing like St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market or the Wutai Shan Buddhist Garden. A Muskoka or Algonquin cottage weekend works well too.
Whether you’re local or visiting, these family attractions in Toronto and the GTA region offer an amazing variety of family activities. Toronto’s mix of urban adventures and outdoor escapes provides countless things to do with family in Toronto – from education and entertainment to unforgettable views, these activities will leave your family inspired, refreshed, and eager to explore more.
We hope this list gives you plenty of things to do with family in Toronto for your next visit.
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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