toronto: what to do, what to do?
Filed Under Events | December 30, 2010
With the flurry of Christmas behind us, and many schools and daycares still closed, we know kids still have some leftover holiday energy to burn off. This weekend’s theme in T.O. is all about saying “Goodbye!” to 2010, and “Hello!” to 2011, in family-friendly fashion. Visit the Toronto Zoo for the annual Family Countdown, drop by the ROM for a final viewing of the Terracotta Army, or take the kids to enjoy The National Film Board’s animation workshops. We hope you have a very happy New Year!
ROM For The Holidays
Friday, December 31st – Sunday, January 2nd, 11 am – 4 pm, Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park, Toronto
The Terracotta Army is marching out of the city on January 2nd and the ROM is giving them a proper send off! Go for a scavenger hunt through the Chinese Gallery, hear the story of the Monkey Queen, make your own warrior out of clay, or put together a life-size jigsaw puzzle of a Terracotta Warrior. There’s also mixed martial art shows with free beginner classes after each show, and the Earth Rangers live animal show, Bring Back The Wild. The kids go wild over all of the exotic animals in this show including Cosmo, the ring-tailed lemur, Sammy the African Serval cat, and birds of prey that fly right over their heads: www.rom.on.ca
Zoo’s 8th Annual New Year’s Eve Family Countdown
Friday, December 31st, 6 pm – 8 pm, Toronto Zoo, 361A Old Finch Avenue, Scarborough
Join some true party animals this New Year’s Eve at the Toronto Zoo! This family-fun event starts 2011 off right with a tribute to Justin Bieber and his musical hits. Also, don’t miss Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs, Majinx magic show, animal visitors and more. This is an outdoor event: www.torontozoo.com
Lieutenant Governor’s New Year’s Levee
Saturday, January 1st, 12 pm – 2 pm, Fort York National Historic Site, 250 Fort York Boulevard, Toronto
A tradition in Canada since 1646, the Levee is a special opportunity to meet The Queen’s representative in Ontario, and enjoy festive family entertainment and refreshments. Plans for the Bicentennial Commemoration of the War of 1812 will be on display. You may also tour the Fort before or after attending the Levee: www.toronto.ca/culture/museums/fort-york.htm
Winter Wonderland Screening Program
Friday, December 31st & Sunday, January 2nd, 12 pm & 3 pm, NFB Mediatheque, 150 John Street, Toronto
Throughout the holiday season, come in from the cold and enjoy animation workshops for families, suitable for children from six to 13. On Friday, December 31 enjoy Fluffy Snowflakes (2D): They say no two snowflakes are exactly alike… kids can animate their very own snowflake! On Sunday, January 2 Holiday Baking (3D clay) will be the feature. Afterwards kids can make their own tantalizing treats in the creative kitchen… no cooking experience required: www.onf-nfb.gc.ca/eng/mediatheque
Free To Be You And Me
Saturday, January 1st & Sunday, January 2nd, 3 pm – 4 pm, Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington Avenue, Toronto
A unique combination of hilarious skits and great music, Free to Be You And Me features many charming messages of growth, change and self-esteem that are as relevant today as they were when this cherished musical was first released in the 1970s. A children’s classic: lowerossingtontheatre.com
KidSpark: Optical Tricks
Friday, December 31st, 11:30 am & 2 pm, Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
Seeing is believing! Kids will learn about the tricks used in film, and then make their own filmstrip and watch it come alive! Ages four plus: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
The Sears Great Canadian Chill
Saturday, January 1st, 12 pm – 3 pm, Ashbridges Bay Park, 30 Ashbridges Bay Park, Toronto
A new Canadian tradition! Be a part of a truly unique experience, celebrate the New Year by making a splash into the icy-crisp waters of Ashbridges Bay and raise money to Stop Kids Cancer Cold. Funds raised will go to The Sears Foundation in support of 17 pediatric oncology centers across Canada including Sick Kids. Bring family and friends out to “The Coolest Event on Earth” for a day filled with prizes, entertainment and fun: toronto.thesearsgreatcanadianchill.ca
KidSpark: Marbling Workshop
Saturday, January 1st & Sunday, January 2nd, 11:30 am & 2 pm, Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
Kids will have the chance to create beautiful and multi-coloured marbled artwork. Every creation is unique and can be taken home. Ages three and up: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
Farther Afield:
Kin-R-Gee Rocking New Year’s Party
Friday, December 31st, 3 pm – 5 pm, Kin-R-Gee Family Centre, 9141 Keele Street, Concord
Kids will have a blast and enjoy magic by Steven The Great, New Year’s crafts, confetti, noisemakers, as well as face painting, cookie decorating, and carnival games: www.kinrgee.com
First Night
Friday, December 31st, 6 pm – 9 pm, Richmond Green Sports Centre & Park, 1300 Elgin Mills Road East, Richmond Hill
Come out to enjoy this new holiday tradition! Enjoy free outdoor activities like wagon rides, snow art, hot chocolate and more. Indoor activities include an animal show, crafts, free skating at Tom Graham Arena, a bouncy castle, photoboards, storytime, and, of course, a countdown! Delicious treats will be available for a nominal fee: www.richmondhill.ca/homepage.asp
New Year’s Eve Princess-Pirate Ball
Friday, December 31st, 6 pm – 8:30 pm, Alpha’s Discovery Club, 170 Ambassador Drive, Unit 10, Mississauga
Calling all princesses and pirates! Come to the Princess/Pirate Ball at Alpha’s Discovery Club on New Year’s Eve. Girls and boys can dress-up as princesses and pirates and have face painting, tattoos or makeup put on. There will have a special “Balloon Drop” countdown to the New Year at 7:30 pm. Tickets are limited: www.alphasdiscoveryclub.com
Free Playground at In Play
December 20th – January 2nd, Friday & Saturday 9 am – 9 pm, Sunday 10 am – 8 pm, In Play, 18075 Leslie Street, Newmarket
The holidays are here! To celebrate, kids can play free while school is out. Stop by the Newmarket location during the holidays and let the kids get rid of some of that extra energy: www.inplayinc.ca
Do you have an event you would like to see in our weekend guide? Then send us your details and we’ll help you get the word out. Looking for a feature listing? Contact Erin, our Director of Sales and Marketing, for more information.
And we wanted to remind you to always call or visit the website for event info before you head out just in case any changes have been made since we posted it. And of course, have fun!
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