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Family Fun in Toronto
This being spring break in Toronto, here is a list of places, published by where.ca, to keep kids of all ages — and their parents — amused.
0 TO 5 YEARS OLD
A DORA FIESTA Dora the Explorer and her cousin Diego are greeting their pint-sized fans at the CN Tower on March 8 and 9. After meeting these Nickelodeon superstars, more fun and games await with activity sheets and giveaways. Adults $21.49, seniors $19.49, and children (age 4-12) $14.49. 301 Front St. W., 416-868-6937.
FUN BOX Spoil your baby or toddler with a unique box of treats from Spotted Zebra. Known for its unique gifts, the store puts together a package that includes items like bibs, books and stuffed animals from popular children’s brands such as Dwell, Schylling and Alex. Open daily. 1062 Yonge St., 416-944-0251.
EE I EE I O Original puppets bring a classic childhood song to life on March 29 and 30 when the Solar Stage Children’s Theatre presents “Old McDonald Had a Farm.” Kid-friendly cushioned seats provide ample room for wiggling around. Tickets $13. 100 Upper Madison Ave., 416-368-8031.
PLAY HOUSE Children between the ages of one and six can “play house” at Mary’s Playland. Set up like a mini town, here little ones can stimulate their imaginations with trips to the pint-sized grocery store, beauty salon or auto-repair shop. The newly opened Tranquility Family Day Spa is perfect for parents in need of some R&R. $10 per child. Open daily. 2885 Bloor St. W., 416-236-KIDS.
BOOKWORMS At Mabel's Fables, the wonder of the written word is celebrated daily. Surrounded by cozy, starlit walls, kids can snuggle up for some cherished reading time. Explore the unknown with Canada’s newest favourite character, Scaredy Squirrel, in the latest book Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach ($16.95) by Mélanie Watt. Open daily. 662 Mount Pleasant Rd., 416-322-0438.
CLASSIC ITALIAN CUISINE For more than 35 years, The Old Spaghetti Factory has been offering customers a classic yet comfortable and family-friendly dining experience. Enjoy filling pasta options surrounded by the restaurant’s antique decor. An all-time favourite with kids is the classic spaghetti and meatballs dinner, which includes an appetizer, drink and ice cream ($5.99). Lunch and dinner daily. 54 The Esplanade, 416-864-9761.
6 TO 10 YEARS OLD
HAVE YOUR (CUP)CAKE AND EAT IT, TOO Drop by Lollicakes for a cupcake experience like no other. Baked fresh every day in a peanut-free kitchen, these delectable treats ($2 and up) combine the best of all sweet worlds from tasty frosting to hand-painted Belgian-chocolate toppers in an array of designs. Sunday to Friday. 559 Mount Pleasant Rd., 416-482-2253.
UPTOWN FUN One-stop shopping at Oink Oink is perfect for busy families. The shop carries trendy clothing lines like Burberry and DKNY as well as classic toy brands such as Lego and Brio. Open daily. 352 Eglinton Ave. W., 416-322-8255.
MAGICAL MARCH For an enchanting March Break, take the family to Wizard World, an indoor family fun-park extravaganza, from March 9 to 15. The entertainment is never-ending, with rides (all-day pass $15) and shows like Reptilia; plus the Poynters, Canada’s first family of magic. Admission $8; call 416-858-WAND for details. Exhibition Place, Better Living Centre, 416-263-3600.
NECTAR OF THE TREES Help the Kortright Centre for Conservation celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival. The March Break program, which runs from March 10 to 14, includes wagon rides, sap and syrup samplings, as well as entertainment by Bubba the Clown and all-day crafts. Adults $8, seniors, students and kids $5, children age four and under free. 9550 Pine Valley Dr., Woodbridge, 416-667-6299.
GOLDILOCKS ROCKS Children’s entertainers Judy and David dazzle audiences with their show GoldiRocks at Mississauga's Living Arts Centre on March 12. A musical mix ranging from rock and roll to Gilbert and Sullivan show tunes, this lively update of the classic tale Goldilocks and the Three Bears is entertainment for the whole family that is just right. Adults $17, children $14. 4141 Living Arts Drive, Mississauga, 905-306-6000.
LUNCH IN THE JUNGLE Make lunch an Amazonian adventure at the Rainforest Cafe, where a gentle mist lingers in the air and exotic animals are tucked amid leafy decor. A variety of tasty themed menu options, from Jurassic Chicken Tidbits to Castaway Kids Pizza ($7.99 each), will please palates of all sizes. The entire family can dig into the famous Sparkling Volcano, a large chocolate brownie cake stacked with warm vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, and chocolate and caramel sauces ($14.99). Open daily. Yorkdale Shopping Centre, 3401 Dufferin St., 416-780-4080.
11 TO 17 YEARS OLD
SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP The Toronto Eaton Centre is one of the busiest malls in Canada, and with four levels and more than 285 retailers, it’s no wonder! You won't go home empty-handed either. Drop by the Apple store (647-258-0801) and check out the latest in iPod technology, or visit Sephora (416-595-7227) for makeup from such coveted brands as Cargo or Juicy Couture. Open daily. 220 Yonge St., 416-598-8700.
IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT Boredom is highly unlikely at Playdium, Mississauga’s famous arcade, where there are more than 200 interactive games. Teens can get behind the wheel of a full-size Ferrari in Outrun 2 Deluxe, a one-of-a-kind virtual driving experience—no license necessary. Open daily. 99 Rathburn Rd. W., Mississauga, 905-273-9000.
SLAM DUNK Check out the NBA’s Toronto Raptors as they battle it out on the b-ball court at the Air Canada Centre. Have some time before the game? Head over to the Bank of Montreal Fan Zone and test your foul shot in one of the interactive displays. Tickets $25 to $925; call 416-366-DUNK to buy. Air Canada Centre, 40 Bay St., 416-815-5500.
ICE CAPADES Families shouldn’t miss out on a favourite winter tradition of ice skating at Nathan Phillips Square. No skates? No problem! Adults can rent skates for $9 while kids can get theirs for $7. 100 Queen St. W., 416-392-1111.
STYLE ME PRETTY For the latest in affordable teen fashion, head over to Forever 21 and browse through the stylish yet affordable assortment of blouses, skirts, accessories and much more. Get a jump start on spring with a ruffled floral top ($22.80) or a spring eyelet dress ($29.80). Open daily. 302 Yonge St., 416-260-9019.
SNACK TIME The relaxing and casual environment of Jack Astor's Bar and Grill is a perfect cap off for a day of shopping or sightseeing. Kids and parents alike can doodle on the paper tablebloths while pondering the menu options from pasta to pizza. And for a special treat, kids can enjoy the Sassafraz, a non-alcoholic specialty drink of fruit juices and Sprite ($2.99). Lunch and dinner daily. 144 Front St. W., 416-585-2121.
Have a safe and happy spring break Toronto.
March 11, 2008 in Toronto Landmarks | Permalink
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