Planning a family trip to Ontario’s capital? You’re in for a treat. Toronto is an incredibly welcoming, diverse, and vibrant city with endless activities to keep children of all ages entertained. Whether you have toddlers obsessed with animals, teenagers looking for massive rollercoasters, or sports-loving kids ready to cheer on a home team, Canada’s largest city delivers.
To help you map out your perfect family itinerary, here are the 10 best things to do in Toronto with kids that will ensure your trip is absolutely unforgettable.
1. Get Your Adrenaline Pumping at Canada’s Wonderland
If your family loves high-energy thrills, Canada’s Wonderland is a mandatory stop. Located just north of the city in Vaughan, this massive 300-acre theme park boasts over 200 attractions.
- For Big Kids: Brave the “Big Three” rollercoasters—Leviathan, Behemoth, and Yukon Striker.
- For Little Kids: Head straight over to Planet Snoopy and KidZville for gentle, pint-sized rides.
- Pro-Tip: If you are visiting during the summer, pack swimsuits! Admission includes entry to Splash Works, a massive 20-acre water park perfect for cooling off.
Want to learn more about Canada’s Wonderland? Read our detail review here.
2. Walk Among the Sharks at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
Conveniently located right at the base of the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is an absolute crowd-pleaser for all ages. The crown jewel here is the Dangerous Lagoon—a football-field-length underwater tunnel equipped with a moving sidewalk. As you glide through, massive sharks, sea turtles, and sawfish swim right over your head.
- Don’t Miss: The hands-on touch pools where kids can safely pet smooth stingrays and horseshoe crabs.
3. Stand Above the Clouds at the CN Tower
No trip to the city is complete without visiting Canada’s most iconic landmark. Riding the glass-walled elevator up the CN Tower is a thrill in itself, taking just 58 seconds to reach the LookOut level. Kids will love testing their bravery by walking across the famous Glass Floor, staring straight down at the city streets hundreds of feet below.
4. See the Skyline on a Toronto City Cruise
Get a fresh perspective of the city by taking the family down to the Harbourfront for a City Cruise. These family-friendly boat tours glide through the Toronto Inner Harbour and the scenic Toronto Islands. It offers the absolute best panoramic views of the skyline (perfect for family photos) while providing entertaining, live-narrated history that keeps kids engaged without dragging them through a dry history lesson.
5. Catch a Toronto Blue Jays Game at Rogers Centre
Introduce the kids to the electric energy of a Major League Baseball game! Catching a Toronto Blue Jays game at the newly renovated Rogers Centre is an incredible, budget-friendly family tradition.
- Family Tip: Keep an eye out for Jr. Jays Sundays, where kids under 14 get to run the bases after the game and participate in special youth-focused stadium activities and entertainment.
- Seats in the 500’s usually range from $30-$50 depending on where you sit, which makes for a very affordable professional sporting event.
6. Touch a Real Dinosaur Bone at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
Think museums are too stuffy for kids? Think again. The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is a world-class institution that masterfully caters to younger minds. Children will gasp at the massive skeletons in the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal dinosaur galleries, explore the interactive Bat Cave, and burn off steam in WonderWorks—a play-based learning space complete with puzzles, light tables, and blocks.
7. Travel the World at the Toronto Zoo
Spanning over 700 acres in the beautiful Rouge Valley, the Toronto Zoo is Canada’s largest zoo and home to over 5,000 animals. The zoo is brilliantly divided into seven geographic regions, allowing you to walk from the African Savanna (to see giraffes and rhinos) straight into the Tundra Trek (to visit polar bears).
- Summer Essential: Bring a change of clothes so the kids can splash around in the Splash Island water play area to beat the afternoon heat.
8. Explore a Real-Life Castle at Casa Loma
Give your kids a taste of European royalty right in midtown Toronto. Casa Loma is a stunning, 98-room Edwardian castle complete with soaring towers, secret passages, an 800-foot underground tunnel, and beautiful stables. Kids love exploring the winding staircases and pretending they are knights or princesses in a fairytale.
9. Get Creative at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)
The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is wildly family-friendly. Beyond looking at iconic works by the Group of Seven or European masters, the AGO features dedicated hands-on spaces like the Dr. Mariano Elia Hands-On Centre. Here, younger kids can paint, build, create, and interact with art installations designed just for them. Plus, admission is always free for anyone 25 and under!
10. See the Stanley Cup at the Hockey Hall of Fame
Whether your kids play minor hockey or have never laced up a pair of skates, the Hockey Hall of Fame is pure fun. It houses the largest collection of hockey memorabilia in the world, including the real Stanley Cup.
- Interactive Fun: The NHL Zone features state-of-the-art simulation games where kids can test their skills by shooting real pucks at a virtual goalie or donning pads to block shots from legends like Wayne Gretzky.
🏆 Top Tips for Planning Your Toronto Family Trip
- Consider a CityPASS: If you plan on checking off the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium, City Cruise, ROM, AGO, Toronto Zoo, and Casa Loma, buying a Toronto CityPASS can save you up to 35% on admission fees.
- The Toronto CityPASS gets you admission to the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium + your choices of 3 other activities like: City Cruise, ROM, AGO, Toronto Zoo, and Casa Loma. Learn More here.
- Use the TTC: Traffic in Toronto can be tough. The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) subway and streetcar system is incredibly easy to navigate, and children 12 and under ride free!
Which of these attractions is at the top of your kids’ wish list?
The Snowboard Mom 