Family Day Weekend in Toronto – GTA | 2017 Events & Activities

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1. James and the Giant Peach

This rollicking musical version of the beloved children’s classic returns due to overwhelming demand after a nearly sold-out run in 2014. A wonderfully whimsical journey to warm up the winter months. Look for the giant peach on YPT’s roof! Details

2. The Next Wave – Film Festival

The TIFF Next Wave Film Festival, programmed for youth aged 14–18, brings the best in film from around the globe, along with an exciting slate of special guests, interactive workshops and a 24-Hour Film Challenge for young filmmakers! Details

3. Ontario Science Centre

Join us on Family Day Weekend for lots of science FUN, special programs, IMAX films and more! Explore the new installation – Canada 150: Discovery Way. Through amazing artifacts, ranging from the lightbulb to the flight recorder, you’ll gain a better understanding of Canada’s unique scientific achievements – and you may be inspired to be Canada’s next great innovator!  Details

4. Mary Poppins

One of the most popular Disney movies of all time is capturing hearts in a whole new way: as a practically perfect musical! Based on the classic Walt Disney film, Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins received nominations for nine Olivier and seven TONY Awards, including Best Musical! Details

5. TIFF Kids presents: digiPlaySpace

Toronto’s interactive playground where kids and grownups alike can control a robotic arm, paint with light, learn to code using physical blocks, and more!  Details

6. Disney-Pixar Ratatouille in Concert

One of Disney and Pixar’s most enchanting animated fables tells the hilarious story of a rodent’s quest to become a top Parisian chef. Hearing Michael Giacchino’s sprightly score performed live by the TSO boosts the film’s charm to a new level. A perfect part of your Family Day weekend! Details

7. Big Bad Wolf vs Lord Underwearface

Big Bad Wolf vs. Lord Underwearface von Schtinker is a hilarious musical romp that takes a new look at this children’s classic. Framed for heinous crimes by the evil von Schtinker, our unlikely hero, Big Bad Wolf, must enlist the help of his fairy tale friends to prove that things aren’t always as they seem. Details

8. A Merry Munsch Pyjama Party

A Merry Munsch Pyjama Party. Put on your PJs and jam with us! Solar Stage’s annual Munsch show tradition continues! This brand new play is based on five books: Get Out of Bed; Roar; We Share Everything; No Clean Clothes; and Pyjama Day. This performance promises Mr. Robert Munsch’s signature sense of humour that even makes grown-ups feel like kids. This show will make your heart giggle and be as much fun as staying up past your bedtime.  Details

9. AGO Family Fun Day

The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) once again transforms into the Kids’ Gallery of Ontario (KGO), with a jam-packed line up of artful activities. Programming highlights include kite-making and bubble wrap-bursting, Gallery tours, family yoga, exciting interactive performances by the SOAR children’s skipping team and a screening of Small Cave, Big Cave, a new short film written by two Toronto seven-year-olds.. Details

10. Family Day @ Hockey Hall of Fame 

Try your hand at goaltending, shooting, play-by-play calling, and even hosting your own sports broadcast. Catch hockey’s first 3D film. Revel in the world’s greatest collection of hockey artifacts. Catch the Toronto Maple Leafs Centennial Exhibit in its final weeks. And best of all, get your family portrait with the coveted Stanley Cup! Plus, each guest visiting on Family Day will receive an Upper Deck collector’s pack of recent releases! Details

11. Scarborough Museum Family Days 

Join the museum for lots of fun activities for the whole family. Go on a scavenger hunt, try a craft, sample baked goodies and wash them down with some delicious hot chocolate.     Details

12. Family Fun Fest

Family Day weekend’s FUN FEST is Toronto’s Largest Indoor Inflatable Display. This ultimate Kids FUN fest allows kids to bounce, play and be entertained with North America’s largest indoor inflatables. Voted one of the best family day weekend activities in Toronto three years in a row! Details

13. Toronto Zoo 

Bring your family to meet ours this Family Day weekend! Meet Canada’s only giant panda cubs, Jia Yueyue and Jia Panapan, enjoy over 10 km of walking trails and explore five indoor tropical pavilions. Plus, don’t forget about our daily animal keeper talks. Details

14.Beauty and the Beast Exhibit

On Family Day weekend, Walt Disney Studios Canada invites fans of the tale as old as time to be our guest at Casa Loma for a very special look at the exquisite costumes from Disney’s upcoming film, “Beauty and the Beast.” Guests to the Castle will have the exclusive opportunity to see nine costumes from the film, as well as participate in themed activities and view special performances over the course of the weekend. Casa Loma is the only location in Canada where fans can see the costumes, many of which were used in the production of the film. Details

15. HarbourKIDS North

This Family Day we celebrate our northern winter landscape, its mighty expanse, ever changing terrain, and those that call the tundra home. Come down to the lake, have a skate and immerse yourself and your family in the intersection of nature, science and contemporary art. There will be art-making, performance and interactive activities designed to send our imaginations north with the whole family. Details

16. Toronto Light Festival

Visitors will be taken on a new visual journey and cerebral adventure, designed to entertain and inspire. The Festival will transform the picturesque historic neighbourhood into one of the largest open-air galleries in North America, lighting up the long winter nights with distinctive works from local and international light artists. Details

17. The Monkey Bunch Family Series

The Monkey Bunch makes music specifically for kids and parents to be able to enjoy together—what better way to spend the holiday, grab brunch in the lounge and head downstairs for a 3PM family concert. Details

18. RBC Family Skate Day

Four- time Olympic Gold Medallist, seven-time World Champion hockey player, RBC Olympian Jayna Hefford along with local RBC employees will be hosting the Toronto RBC Family Day skate. Details

19. Fort York Family Day

Explore the history of Toronto and Fort York. Visit the Fort’s historic kitchen and sample some baking from the hearth. Hot chocolate and a roaring fire will make this a heartwarming and memorable visit. Kids can try an 1812 drill class, Officers’ Sword Drill and some old-fashioned games, as well as a fun-filled kids’ activity book. Details

20. Montgomery’s Inn Family Day

Bring the family to Montgomery’s Inn for an Irish Ceilidh! Maureen O’Leary of Maureen’s Reel Irish Dancing will teach a dance workshop and then host a ceilidh at 2:00 and 3:30. Join the cooks in the historic kitchen while they prepare tasty treats over the fire and try your hand at the traditional French Canadian lumberjack dancing man and learn to play the spoons with our resident fiddler at 1:30 and 3:00. Drop-in activities, no pre-registration required. Details

21. Mackenzie House Family Day

Scottish Dance troupe, Guthrie School of Dance, will be sharing Scottish Highland and Scottish Country dances and the history and stories that inspired them with visitors of all ages. Details

21. Spadina Museum Family Day

Come and enjoy a family-friendly tour where you will play games, and have hands-on fun in the historic kitchen – all set in this beautifully restored 1920s environment. Details

22. Todmorden Mills Family Day

Join us on Family Day for fun family crafts, tours of our historic homes and more! Details

23. Family Day at Purina PawsWay

Celebrate Family Day at Purina PawsWay with performances by the Woofjocks Canine All-Stars. Winter funderland activities include special games, crafts and activities for the whole family, pets included! Details

24. Family Day at Evergreen Brick Works

Spend Family Day at Evergreen Brick Works! Enjoy free skating and outdoor activities with the family, then refuel with Family Day Brewers’ Backyard and local food options.  Events include
Skating, Family Fun in the Children’s Garden, Fat Bike Rides, Nordic Pole Walking, Walk the Don , CBC Kids Photo Booth, Brewer’s Backyard. Details

CBC Kids in Toronto on Family Day: Come meet Janaye, Tony, Victor, Dot and Scout at Evergreen Brickworks! There will also be a special appearance by two of the voice actors from our brand new show “Ollie The Boy Who Became What He Ate.”

25. MNJcc’s Fun Family Day

Family Day at the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre offers a jam-packed day of activities. From a Jungle Gym and face painting, to Disney princesses, to a recreational swim in the MNjcc’s recently renovated accessible saltwater pool, Family Day at the MNjcc has fun in store for everyone. Details

26. Bata Shoe Museum Family Day

Enjoy arts & crafts, hands-on demos, ISpy in the galleries, try-on shoes and so much more! A special viewing of The Snow Queen will complete your afternoon – join Ellie on an incredible journey as she tries to rescue her brother Tom from the clutches of the evil Snow Queen and save the world to boot! Based on the Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairytale. Details

27. Family Day Fun Portraits

Get your family outdoors for a one-hour fun photoshoot in the snow to capture loving memories this Family Day! This event is a great way to force your family outdoors, to spend time playing and interacting with each other. Details

29. Family Sunday & Family Day @ Gardiner Museum

Inspired by the artist Janet Macpherson: A Canadian Bestiary exhibition unique visual language, we’ll be holding a Family Sunday “Bestiary” series throughout the exhibition. Create hybrid animals, mythical creatures, and more! Ceramic artist Janet Macpherson uses toys to make her amazing hybrid creatures. She creates slip-cast moulds from different plastic animals and then assembles them. Joins us for this special Family Day activity and use this technique to create clay toys using Play-Doh moulds. Details

30. Kids Learning Code

Using Scratch, a beginner level programming environment, imagination will come to life in a new and digitally engaging form. Kids will also be introduced to Scratch’s amazing online community, sloganed: “Imagine, Program, Share,” where they will have the opportunity to upload their game for anyone on the web to download and play! At the end of the workshop, each kid will also have a chance to beta test their game with their peers!! Details

31. TPASC Open House

For the third consecutive year, the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre will welcome the community on Family Day for a free open house. The Centre has a whole lineup of family oriented programming scheduled in addition to other activities that everyone can enjoy. For families, there is Family Gym including bouncing castles and sporting activities. There will also be an international friendly between the Canadian National Men’s Wheelchair Basketball team vs. Japan at 1:00 pm.  Details

32. Drop in Activities & Events

PA Day Family Fun! Drop in for family fun! Join us for a winter craft and a guided tour of our historic homes. – 

Friday, February 17, 2017 | 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM @ Todmorden Mills Heritage Site – 67 Pottery Road, Toronto,

Family Open House at The Second City: Join us February 17th from 10:30am – 12:30pm to learn about The Second City’s wide range of programming for children and their families offered throughout the year. Get information on March Break and Summers Camps, Arts Focused Youth Training Programs, Family Friendly Performances and more! Early registration discounts will be offered, along with workshops, raffle prizes and fun activities. Details

Visit Ripley’s Aquarium over the weekend.

ROM Family Events – Details

City of Toronto Drop in Programs & Activities including skiing, skating, swimming, Riverdale Farm visits & more!

Family Day leisure swimming will be available at City-run indoor pools on Family Day. – See here for details

High Park Zoo: See llamas and bison, yaks and emus, and more at the High Park Zoo. Free admission. Open 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Riverdale Farm: Come by and see your favourite barnyard animals up close, in the heart of the city. Free admission. Open 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Conservatories and Greenhouses: Warm up and enjoy the sights and smells at Toronto’s beautiful conservatories. Free admission and wheelchair accessible.

Allan Gardens Conservatory, 10:00 AM. – 5:00 PM
Centennial Park Conservatory, 10:00 AM– 5:00 PM

1. Ajax Winterfest

Enjoy the winter season with your family at the Town of Ajax’s Family Day Winterfest! Located at the Audley Recreation Centre, families will enjoy winter themed activities including: ice painting, making delicious s’mores, horse drawn wagon rides in the snow, and more! There will be live entertainment throughout the day, food vendors, and community group displays. Nominal fees apply for food. Details

2. Pickering Family Day

Lots for fun family activities including  Balloon Twisting, Family Fit Yoga, Drums Alive, Family Dance, Family Kindergym, Swimming, Balloon Archery, Squash, Tennis, Racquetball, Handball & more!  Details

3. Family Day @ RMG

Drop in from 1-3 pm and join the fun at the RMG on Family Day! It is a big birthday year for the RMG so let’s make BIG artworks! We will design and construct a large collaborative city, make oversized figures, draw on a magical wall mural, make goofy birthday hats, and use our big imaginations to invent strange creatures. With stories, songs and blocks for tots, this big day of fun is for the whole family.  Details

4. Oshawa Museum

 Discover the story of Oshawa’s past through interesting artifacts and then take a tour through three of Oshawa’s oldest buildings.  Details

5. The Canadian Automotive Museum

The CAM is a perfect place for families with young children to spend the day. Crafts, activities, and guided tours will be available throughout the day and are included with admission. Special guest Steve Fisher from Balloons with a Twist will be making balloon cars for visitors between 11am and 2pm.  Details

6. Winter WonderLearn

This Family Day, your family can enjoy a free day of fun at a festival designed to get you active, learn something new, and enjoy time together! This year’s theme is going wild! You and your family can enjoy interactive activities and learn about animals and nature! Enjoy free interactive shows with special guest, Zoo to You, and bring your swimsuit for the Municipal free swim, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.!!  Details

1. Tales by a Winter’s Fire

When you think of winter in the country do you imagine the sound of the snow crunching under the runners of a horse-drawn sleigh, or sharing stories around the warmth and  crackle of an outdoor bonfire?  Perhaps rosy cheeks after the excitement of a hike on a snowy trail comes to mind.  Experience all this and more at the ‘Tales by a Winter’s Fire’ program. 

2. Snowflakes and Snowsnakes

Celebrate the magic of Canada’s most unique season at Crawford Lake’s Snowflakes and Snowsnakes event. Event activities include: legends in the longhouse, snowshoeing and snowsnake (a traditional Iroquoian winter game) demonstrations, marshmaw roasts, craft making and much more!  Details.

3. Evening Family Snowshoe Hike

An evening hike designed for families with children ages 5-13! Discover the magic of winter at night, the snow illuminated by moonlight and the stars bright in the night sky. Your guide will lead you on a snowshoe hike through this beautiful landscape. The evening will end fireside with some tasty hot chocolate.  Details

4.  Oakville Museums Family Day

Join us for fun Family Day activities for all ages.
Craft a birthday wish for Canada (11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.)
Enjoy a fun family search through Erchless Estate (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Explore current exhibits (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and view the “Underground Railroad: Next Stop Freedom!” multimedia presentation (30 minute show starting at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m.)
Visit the Oakville Historical Society and discover the “Pleasure Boating in Oakville: Fun on the Water” exhibit (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)! Details

5.  Oakville Family Day

The Town of Oakville, Oakville Public Library and the YMCA of Oakville welcome you and your family to the eighth annual Make Your Move Family Day, presented by Genworth Canada. Try something new! Swimming, skating, yoga, bubble soccer to name a few – over 100 activities to choose from!

Celebrate Canada’s 150th Birthday with special birthday activities  at Glen Abbey Community Centre, Iroquois Ridge Community  Centre, Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre and
Oakville Museum. Details

6. The Big Freeze

When did the ice age start? Is it over now or will the ice return? And what happened to all those ice age mammals? All of these questions are answered this winter at RBG. The Big Freeze is a cool exhibit experience with two special exhibitions and daily, family-friendly activities where visitors of all ages can explore the past and learn about the future. Details

7. Milton Family Day

Get together with your family this holiday at Town of Milton facilities and enjoy swimming, skating, fitness, art workshops and more.  Details

8. Winter Fun Bronte Creek

Tour the various barns and outbuildings to see your favorite farm animals.  Pellet feed stations available (funds support the Friends of Bronte Creek Park).  Children’s Playbarn – kids 10 and under can climb, jump and explore tunnels ’til their hearts content.  Allowing kids to be kids. Live animals and hands on displays showcasing Bronte Creek Provincial Park’s natural world. Hands-on nature and heritage crafts will be offered inside the nature centre.  Details

9.  Ireland House Museum

Join us at Ireland House Museum for our Family Day Heritage Open House. Enjoy tours of the home, sample food cooked on the historic Rumford hearth, and participate in outdoor activities. Details

1. Kids Fest

Kids Fest Toronto is designed to make your kids bounce, laugh, run and play. The three-day show has something fun for every child, including slides, bouncy houses, educational activities and show as well as musical stage shows. New this year is the Teen Zone with fin stuff for kids 10-16 years old. At KidsFest, the more than 30 themed inflatable rides range from large slides to toddler appropriate rides. Details

2. Wild Winter Wildlife Hike

Join our resident naturalist Dave Taylor for a winter hike through Riverwood. Along the way we will hand-feed our chickadees, look for signs of wildlife and take in the beauty of this natural wonderland.  Details

3. Mississauga Celebration Square Family Day

Lace up your skates, get the family together, and head to Celebration Square this Family Day for an afternoon full of winter fun! Explore the Winter Canadian wilderness at Mississauga’s largest outdoor skating rink with Birds of Prey Demos, nature themed story-telling, face painting in the Great Hall, and roaming “wild” animals’ outdoors. Don’t forget to bring your skates and hit the ice at Mississauga’s largest outdoor skating rink, and warm up with a perennial Canadian treat, Beavertails.   Details

4. Mississauga Family Day 

Make time for family fun. Enjoy FREE swimming and skating on February 20 at your local recreation facility.  Details

5. Brampton Family Day 

Chinguacousy Park will be hosting a range of family-friendly activities. A fun filled day has been planned with activities and entertainment dispersed throughout the park, with highlights centered around the new skating trail and Mount Chinguacousy.
This year’s theme builds on Canada’s 150th celebration. Classic winter activities like skating, tubing, skiing and snowboarding will continue to be highlight attractions for visitors (weather permitting). Adding to the fun will be Mountie and hockey player stilt walkers, interactive ice sculpting, on- and off-ice jugglers, a photo booth, inflatable games and wagon rides  Details

6. Family Day Extravaganza

Join Mississauga Kids for a busy day of family shows and activities on Family Day. Don’t miss reptiles from Safari Science, Children’s Entertainer Q-Mack and his Crew, Children’s Musical Entertainer Suzie Sunshine, Bouncy Castles, Princesses, Superheroes, Face Painting and more! Details

7. PAMA Family Day

Help us kick off our celebration of 150 years Canada, Peel County and PAMA’s Courthouse and Jail! Explore exhibitions, take part in fun activities and performances. Details

8. Caledon Family Day

Various free recreational activities – Free swimming, skating and more! Details

9. Teen Ranch Family Day

Family Day is a great day to spend bonding with the ones you love! Come skating (indoor), snow sculpting and snow tubing (outdoor & weather permitting) for free! Hot chocolate and snack bar items available for purchase. Details

10. Family Day Wassailing Festival

Bring your skates and sleds for lots of outdoor fun!
Wagon rides to the pond and toboggan hill, make a noisemaker and join in the procession, get your face painted and roast marshmallows on the bonfire.  Details

11.Winterlude

Bring your family out for a day of winter fun at Scott Mission Camp! The day will be full of tobogganing, skating, building snowmen as well as some indoor activities and chilli will be provided to help you stay warm!!  Details

12. Mississauga Museums Family Day

Come celebrate Family Day at the Museums of Mississauga, Bradley Museum and Benares Historic House! Activities include guided tours of of each facility, children’s crafts and more.  Details

13. Living Arts Centre Family Day

Start off the day by warming up with some free hot chocolate from the LIVE Restaurant, and then make your way to the numerous activities and performances we have going on. Events include: Stage Performances, Storytelling, Dance workshops, Ice sculpture carving demonstrations, Fire building demonstrations and marshmallow roasting, Face Painting, Short film viewings
Stilt performers, Photo opportunities at our photobooth, Crafts tables, Learn about Winter Birds & Animals with South Peel Naturalists Club
… AND MUCH MORE! Details

1. Kidapalooza Family Festival

Kidapalooza is an indoor Family Festival. Kidapalooza has expanded and will feature over 45,000 square feet of activity stations, play zones, interactive inflatables, a performance stage, dance parties, and vendors – this three day long celebration of the imagination will have families creating, exploring and playing together.. Details

2. Family Fun Day

Come spend some quality family time sampling fresh local maple syrup & other treats, enjoy snowshoeing in the park (bring your own or borrow ours! – weather permitting!) and check out the activities in the heritage buildings. Details

3. Family Day Fun 

Follow a nature hike, try out snowshoeing and kick-sledding, create nature art, and enjoy self-guided family-friendly games and activities. You can also sit by the campfire and enjoy a warm cup of hot chocolate. Activities are included with the price of general admission. Details

4. YMCA Cedar Glen

YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre invites you and your family to spend an afternoon participating in outdoor activities and touring our facility! Join us for lunch by donation to enjoy a hot chocolate while roasting a hot dog over the fire. Activities led by our staff will include our outdoor maze, high ropes course, climbing wall and tobogganing.  Details

5. Legoland 

Visit Legoland and have an indoor, family experience with over 3 million lego bricks under one roof. Rides, 4D cinema, Master Model Builder workshops and more! (More details)

6. BRENT and SARAH

By Citi Play House Theatre  theatre  Details

7. Arctic Adventure

Join family, friends and neighbours for and enjoy professional Ice Carving, Outdoor Winter Games, Snow tubing, ice fishing, snow shoeing, Live Entertainment, Arctic Golf and more! Vendors will be selling BeaverTails®, hot dogs, hamburgers, hot chocolate and coffee. Details

8. Winterfest

Explore the science of snow, and try snowshoeing and ice block building. There will be lots of activities, crafts for the kids, music, and great food!  Winterfest.

9. A Canadian Superheroes Film Festival!

Join us this afternoon for a family-friendly viewing of some of your favourite Heritage Minutes from Historica Canada, up on our big screen. Test your knowledge with our trivia quiz!
Family-friendly art projects round out the offerings. Details

10. Winterfest

Slide on in for an exciting winter adventure and discover all that Cold Creek offers. Enjoy a delicious hot soup and fresh bread and take part in a variety of fun activities such as Fat Bike Demos, Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides, Guided Hikes, and Free Snowshoes & Cross-Country Ski Rentals. Details

11. Family Day Canvas Challenge

Guided by an art educator, families will team up to experiment with a variety of materials to create their own mixed media canvases. Materials are generously sponsored by Above Ground Art Supplies. Details

12.  Family Fun Day

Join us for fun family day activities and free skating. Events include  Zoo to you, Face painting & balloon twisting, Bugs Bugs Bugs puppet show, Arts & crafts, Complimentary hot chocolate & cookies  Details

13. Pete the Cat

Pete the Cat never loses his cool and the boy, Jimmy Biddle, never strays from his routine. All of that changes when the groovy blue cat moves in with the Biddle family. Can cat and boy ever be friends? This Family Day, come meet the grooviest cat of them all in this new musical from Theatreworks USA and join Jimmy and Pete on an adventure of friendship, all the way to Paris and back in a VW Bus. As an extra bonus, come early to enjoy a special Family Fun Fair in the RHCPA lobby complete with face painting, popcorn and other surprises.  Details

See the following articles for a comprehensive list of family attractions and free family activities in Toronto.

Family attractions in Toronto

Free Activities in Toronto

Things to do in Scarborough

Indoor Family Fun Attractions in Toronto 

Indoor Attractions in Mississauga

10 Places to visit with Toddler in Toronto

Family Festivals in Toronto 

Family Fun Activities in Niagara Falls.

Canada Day in GTA

Bruce Peninsula National Park