A short list of exciting things to do with teens in Toronto & GTA.
Visiting Toronto with teenagers and want to make the trip extra special? You might find some interesting activities to add to your itinerary in this article.
Ranging from fun outdoor adventures, to a combination of entertainment and learning, there are tons of great activities in the city of Toronto for teenagers. Get excited about the multitude of interactive games such as room escape games, cool destinations like the Ripley’s Aquarium, special events relating to holidays, and weather-specific fun such as skating.
1. Canada’s Wonderland
Home to North America’s largest variety of coasters, and Canada’s largest outdoor wavepool, Canada’s Wonderland is truly ‘Teen Fun’ headquarters. . Other experiences include live entertainment such as acrobatics, relaxation at a cabana, and fun events such as the Brew and BBQ Fest and a taste of many cuisines.Details9580 Jane Street, Vaughan
Tickets start from $39.99 online
2. iFly
Experiencethe thrill of indoor skydiving in the wind tunnel and defy the law of gravity in the first recirculating indoor free fall simulator in Canada. Details
iFly Toronto, Whitby &
Oakville
3. Tree Top Trekking
Test your monkey skills, manoeuvre across swaying logs and scramble along cables above the forest floor at Treetop Trekking. Details
April to September- Hours Vary depending on season.
June – August : Open 7 days a week
Treetop Trekking Stouffville,3291 Stouffville Rd, Whitchurch-Stouffville
Heart Lake Conservation Area,10818 Heart Lake Road ,Brampton
Experience treetop canopy walking and zip cable gliding at Scenic Caves Nature Adventures. Southern Ontario’s longest Suspension Footbridge offers the most spectacular views of Georgian Bay and surrounding countryside as you start your guided tour.Explore a self-guided trail of caves, caverns and crevasses carved millions of years ago by glacial ice, and savour the breathtaking lookouts from the highest point of the Niagara Escarpment, set in one of Canada’s sixteen UNESCO biosphere reserves.
4. CNN Tower Edgewalk
Walkaround the circumference of the roof of CN Tower with your teen for an extreme adventure. EdgeWalk is world’s highest full circle hands-free walk.Details
April to November – Hours Vary.
CN Tower,301 Front St W,
Toronto
5. Canoeing the Toronto Islands
Go for a relaxing2 1/2 hour guided sunset voyageur canoe or Tandem Kayak tour around Toronto’s must visit summer attraction, the Toronto Islands. No experience required. Details
Late Spring to Early Fall.
Harbourfront Canoe and Kayak Centre,
283A Queen’s Quay West,Toronto
6. Chill out at the Science Centre
See inspiring and educational movies at the OMNIMAX thatare projected on a giant domed surface with a 180 degree optical system that envelops the viewer and enhance your knowledge throughhighly interactive world renowned science exhibitions. Details
Year Round, closed on Dec 25.
Ontario Science Centre,
770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
7.Attend a Ribfest
Enjoy finger-licking good ribs from the best ribbers in North America. Details
Almost every single weekend
from Mid May to Labour Day
Various Locations, GTA
8. Escape Casa Loma
Escape from Canada’s foremost castle! Enjoy Escape Games based on true historical facts at Casa Lomathat blends facts with fiction and theatre with gaming. Details
Year Round,
Wednesdays – Sundays, after 5:00 PM
Casa Loma,1 Austin Terrace, Toronto
9. Car Racing & Outdoor Go-Karts
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park: Experience heart pounding action atCanadian Tire Motorsport Park. Enjoy an action packed weekend featuring the most varied and exciting racing line-up in Canada, highlighted by the only Canadian appearances for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Details
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park,
3233 Concession Road #10, Bowmanville
Also check out Honda Indy , annual IndyCar Series race held @ Exhibition Place , Toronto.
Enjoy the thrill of racing at outdoor go-karting.Checkout
- Goodwood Kartways @Whitchurch-Stouffville
- Go-Karts @ Polson Pier, Toronto
- Go Karts Toronto Mini-Indy at Centennial Park
- Go-Karts @Playdium, Mississauga.
- 401 Mini-Indy Go-Karts ,37 Stoffel Dr, Toronto
10. Cheer Toronto Home Teams
Choose your favourite sport and cheer Toronto’s home team as they battle it out for the next champions’s cup. Details
Various sports round the year.
Downtown Toronto Stadiums
11. Go on a Scavenger Hunt
Work in teams of two to six and head on an exhilarating scavenger hunt. Collect information, crack codes, and follow clues at one of Toronto’s scavenger hunt events such as the Murder at the ROM, Intrigue at the AGO, and the Secrets of St. Lawrence. Details
Round the year on select days.
12. Go on a Guided Tour
The best way to experience Toronto will be to take a guided tour of Toronto’s diverse neighbourhoods! Whether you want to go bar hopping, or treat yourselves to best chocolate from award winning chocolatiers, delicacies from across the world from Jewish bagels, to Goat Curry, or want to discover the spookiest corner of Toronto, you will find a guided tour that suites your budget.
Go on a Waterfront Cruise
or a Guided Toronto Tour.
You may also like: Food Tours & Foodie Road Trips in Ontario
13. Flight Simulators
Experience flying a full size commercial jet simulator. Sit in the pilot’s seat and fly the world without ever leaving the ground. Details
Year Round, Various Vacations in Mississauga
14. Indulge at a food event
Toronto is quite famous for its year-round food events that satisfy the palates of everybody. From Caribbean Board Games and Brunch, to events surrounding specific foods like Mac and Cheese, and events focused on particular ethnic cuisines, these events are an opportunity to try new foods, check out twists on old classics, and enjoy a buzzing atmosphere.
15. See a live production at the Lower Ossington Theatre
16. Have fun at a festival
Check out one of many festivals in the city, such as the Canadian National Exhibition for a traditional fair experience, the creative Winter Light Exhibition and Toronto Light Festival, an incredible film festival, or a music festival. Details
17. Tour and taste St. Lawrence Market
Immerse yourself in the culinary world at the St. Lawrence Market, where you can simply browse the market stalls for fresh fruit and vegetables, charcuterie components like meats and cheeses, or have fun at a cooking class to learn new skills and cook new dishes.
18. Visit the Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
Marvel at the underwater galleries of ocean wildlife at the Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada and learn about the ocean at several exhibits. Planet Jellies is complete with four species of jellyfish, Rainbow Reef recreates the coral seas and houses tons of colorful fish, while the Discovery Centre offers a hands-on experience to engage with the animals. Details
19. Hop on a Ferry to the Toronto Islands
Explore the Toronto Islands by enjoying the Centreville Amusement Park and its rides and attractions, meet the animals at the Far Enough Farm, the 11 beaches around the islands, and go through the stunning William Meany Maze at Centre Island Park.
20. Bounce around at the Sky Zone Trampoline Park
Spend hours at the Sky Zone Trampoline Park and challenge a friend at the SkySlam and Battle Beam, play around at the Foam Zone, and enjoy the many other features of the park. Programs for teens like the Senior Dodgeball League for ages 11-15 are available for those who want that extra something.
21. Get artsy at the Art Gallery of Ontario
Tour the phenomenal 90000 works of art at the Art Gallery of Ontario, attend artist talks and feature events, or even get hands-on at a youth program that focuses on building community, making art, and a space where young adults and teens can get creative. Details
22. Play indoor or outdoor mini golf
23. Lay around at one of Toronto’s beaches
Toronto may not be known for its beaches, but there are a number of wonderful beaches to lay out and enjoy the sun. Sunnyside beach is known for its historic charm and as a destination to participate in some recreational activities like beach volleyball, while Sugar Beach is known for its visual beauty with its pink umbrellas. Details
24. Hike the Scarborough Bluffs
The Scarborough Bluffs is a scenic escarpment with nine parks along the bluffs. This standout destination is a stunning place for a relaxing hike and to reconnect with nature, and is also a conservation area that protects the waterfront area and its habitat.
25. Enjoy the outdoors at High Park
High Park is a city favorite, and it’s no wonder with its sheer size and green spaces. It also features hiking trails, sports facilities, a wonderful lakefront, a zoo, playgrounds, an abundance of flora and fauna, and more. It is known for hosting year-round events and boasts the blooming of Cherry Blossoms in the spring.
26. Go to the Evergreen Brick Works
This hub of innovation focuses on sustainability. There’s always tons going on at the Evergreen Brick Works, including the weekly Saturday Farmers Market for sustainable produce and goods, holiday events such as the Evergreen’s Winter Village to celebrate Christmas, and guided tours to investigate the history of the Brick Works.
27. Go ice skating at one of Toronto’s rinks
Grab your skates and venture out onto one of the city’s most beloved skating spots, from The Bentway Skating Trail under the Gardiner Expressway for Friday DJ nights and free figure skating lessons, to Ontario Place’s new rink, to quaint Grenadier Pond in High Park for picturesque views, there is something for all tastes.
28. Play games at The Rec Room
Immerse yourself in 40,000 square feet of games, entertainment, and food by the waterfront’s Rec Room. Classic arcade and video games like Pac Man, racing games, and first-person shooters complement new features like VRX car simulation and VR games.
29. Rent a paddle boat or kayak at Ontario Place
Explore iconic Ontario Place at the waterfront and participate in activities and events, as well as rent a paddle boat or kayak to explore the lake from new perspectives. Head over by the Cinesphere to choose from a one-person kayak or 2-3-person pedal boat. Details
30. Go back in time at the Riverdale Farm
The Riverdale Farm is a working farm located in the Cabbagetown neighborhood in Toronto. This 7.5-acre property allows you to get a taste of authentic farm life with its flower, vegetables, and herb gardens, wooded areas, livestock, and ponds. You can also walk over three kilometers of trails that surround the farm and enjoy a break from the city.
31. Get competitive at a board game café
Play hours of classic fun at a board game café. Test your skills and competitive streak at Snakes and Lattes – one of the biggest board game franchises in the city, head to Mana Pool for games and an interesting selection of international snacks, or Spielhaus for added trivia.
32. Go bowling
Bowling has been a classic outing for decades. With venues like the Danforth Bowl for a retro environment and weekend disco bowling, to the large 10-pin bowling entertainment venue of The Ballroom, and the boutique/upscale bowling destination of Playtime Bowl, choose your bowling environment with countless spots around Toronto.
More Things to Do with Teens
Visit a Toronto Attraction
Go on Niagara Cruise
Hike Toronto Conservation Areas
Bike the Waterfront Trail