Fun Things to Do in our City with Small Kids:
If you have some free time and are looking for some ideas on things to do (especially with kids) in our awesome city, here are a few:
- Wychwood Barns Greenhouse – They have awesome plants from all over the world (think Papaya, Fig, etc). The Greenhouse is open to the public and has
plenty of watering cans and dirt lying around, so the kiddies can get dirty and experiment. It feels like an oasis in there.
- Karma Food Co-op – A hidden amazing grocery store and co-op at the back of a house in the middle of Seaton Village. Such treasures there.
- Dufferin Grove Farmers Market on Thursday afternoons – try the outdoor pizza oven pizza! The park has an amazing children’s garden and often
in the summer on Thursday evenings one person or another has a bonfire going. Such a great spot in the city!
- Bloordale Strip (if you have some “kid free” time) – Zebu store (lots of Canadiana stuff!), Homebaking Café (such a great and cute cafe!), Ransack the Universe store (amazing finds, real wood restored furniture and
treasures and toys from the 80s), Haven Café (on a little side street off the main strip), Burdock Resto + Bar, 3 Speed and SO much more!
- Bloor Gladstone Library – You are probably thinking why hang out in a library? In addition to being a great rainy day activity, this library is just different. It is a retrofitted library and the
building is part modern (with full multi media capabilities) and part cozy traditional. It also has an amazing children’s section with a mini “submarine” water theme activity centre. Its great!
- Evergreen Brickworks – Saturday mornings at the Brickworks are awesome. In addition to the great farmers market, the there is a wonderful outdoor children’s spot full of amazing “treasures” and Canadiana activities – think: YURTS, greenhouses, wheel barrels, hay, crafts, fire-pits, logs to play on
and more. On Wednesday nights starting in May, the children’s garden will also be hosting Libretto pizza nights, where you can bring your kids and friends and have pizza made by Libretto in the outdoor pizza oven as well as some beverages (they are licenced), all while the kids play outside and are entertained by the Brickworks staff. Sounds like a great combo! The Brickworks also has a bustling “container” marketplace on Saturday mornings with awesome local food being cooked, funky retailers, with bon fires and muskoka chairs surrounding. - Trinity Bellwoods Park – splashpads, guitars, greengrass and good coffee. What could be better.
- Spadina House – The Spadina House gardens have the most amazing apple orchards and flower gardens right in the heart of the city! There is also a huge grassy area for great secluded picnics and running around.
- Kensington Market – Kensington in the summer rocks. Especially on pedestrian Sundays. Check out Jumbo Empanada for great vegetarian and non vegetarian Chilean empanadas on the patio in the sun and the new Scandinavian coffee shop on Augusta with the secret garden patio in the back. They have couches, hammocks and awesome coffee and treats! If you have kids, they can play in the backyard while you chill with your coffee.
- Brunch Ideas with Kids – Free Times Café Saturday Mid-day music brunch and Sunday Bella’s Brunch, Dakota Tavern Blue-grass brunch, Wychwood Barns Farmers Market, and the AGO.
- Ward’s Island – such a great nearby beach for parents and little ones and SO accessible. You can be there in minutes from your Toronto home. Just go to Union Station and take the streetcar to Queens Key. Your kiddies will love it and I promise you will love it too! And if you forget or don’t have time to bring lunch, they have the cutest island café on wards (the blue building beside the ferry docs) with great ice-cream and wood lawn chairs for an after beach treat! Check out some of the pics at the bottom of this page.
