Family Day (February 21st) activities and events dominate T.O. this weekend! There is literally something for everyone across the city, from a fun, family-friendly improv show at Second City, to animal sightings at the Zoo or PawsWay, to historic happenings at the city’s museums, to visits with Dora at Casa Loma and Sesame Street characters at the impressive CN Tower. Happy long weekend everyone!
African Adventure At The ROM
Saturday, February 19th – Monday, February 21st, Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park, Toronto
This special weekend features a scavenger hunt through Africa’s rich culture and heritage, with music performances, films, drumming workshops and family tours of the ROM’s exhibition El Anatsui: When I Last Wrote to You about Africa: www.rom.on.ca
The Absolutely Positively Completely Made Up Show
Saturdays, February 19th – June 25th, The Second City Mainstage, 51 Mercer Street, Toronto
It’s an hour of interactive, family-friendly improvisation and sketch comedy where ideals are pulled straight from the audience, and Second City performers make it all up on the spot! The best part is that you never know what might happen… Perfect for ages 13 and under: www.secondcity.com
Family Day Weekend At The Zoo
Saturday, February 19th – Monday, February 21st, regular Zoo hours, Toronto Zoo, 361A Old Finch Avenue, Toronto
Bring your wild family to meet our wild families! Enjoy some wild fun and learn about Zoo conservation. Check out the family trees at many of our indoor pavilion exhibits and learn fun family facts about your favourite Zoo animals: www.torontozoo.com
Family Day With The National Ballet
Monday, February 21st, 10:30 am, The Walter Carsen Centre, 470 Queens Quay West, Toronto
Celebrate Family Day by exploring movement and dance with artists of The National Ballet of Canada and enjoy an interactive performance by the company’s Apprentices. Enjoy an open class, or take part in the family workshop (see website for times). Space is limited and reservations are required: www.youdancecanada.ca
Become A Knight
Monday, February 21st, 10 am – 12 pm, Casa Loma, One Austin Terrace, Toronto
Did you ever wonder what it was like to be a Knight in the Middle Ages? Come to Casa Loma on Family Day and find out if you have what it takes. Boys and girls alike will learn about knights, take part in knight training, learn knight manners, attack and defence moves, get to “Fight a Knight” and conclude with a Knighting Ceremony, complete with certificate. Presented by the Barrie Swordplay Association. Five – 10 years of age: www.casaloma.org
CN Tower Family Day Weekend
Friday, February 18th – Monday, February 21st, all day event, CN Tower, 301 Front Street West, Toronto
In celebration of the CN Tower’s 35th anniversary, enjoy discounted tickets during Family Day weekend. Kids will love rocketing to the top of the world in just 58 seconds in the glass-fronted elevators with glass floor panels. Enjoy breathtaking views and stand on the world famous glass floor with its thrilling view straight down to the ground. Elmo, Abby Cadabby and Cookie Monster from Sesame Street will also be visiting the CN Tower this weekend, so pop by for a chance to meet & greet! See site for times: www.cntower.ca
Discover Dora The Explorer
Monday, February 21st, 12 pm – 2 pm, Casa Loma, One Austin Terrace, Toronto
Bring your little Dora fans to explore the castle and the scavenger hunt, and for a chance to meet & greet Dora in the castle’s library. Scavenger hunt is available between 9:30 am – 4 pm: www.casaloma.org
Marvellous Munsch
Starts Monday, February 21st, 10:30 am / 12:30 pm / 3:30 pm, Solar Stage Children’s Theatre, 100 Upper Madison Avenue, North York
We bring back our traditional and very popular series of Munsch stories done as one play. Enjoy the new collection, Down the Drain, No Clean Clothes, Class Clown and Stephanie’s Ponytail, presented in skillful and comic Solar Stage fashion. See website for all dates. Ages three – 10: www.solarstage.on.ca
Family Day At Colborne Lodge
Saturday, February 19th – Sunday, February 20th, 12 pm – 4 pm, Colborne Lodge, 11 Colborne Lodge Drive (north end of High Park), Toronto
Families can dress up in historic costume and pretend they are members of the Howards’ 1870s household while touring Colborne Lodge. Children decorate their own cookie and play with 19th century toys: www.toronto.ca
Family Day At Gibson House
Saturday, February 19th – Sunday, February 20th, 12 pm – 4 pm, Gibson House, 5172 Yonge Street, Toronto
Join us in the historic kitchen to bake sweet treats over the open hearth. Experience hands-on activities in our Discovery Gallery and make a craft to take home: www.toronto.ca
Family Day At Fort York
Monday, February 21st, 12 pm – 4 pm, Fort York National Historic Site, 250 Fort York Boulevard, Toronto
Explore Aboriginal, French Canadian and Metis music, dance and stories at Downtown’s oldest venue. Lace up your ice skates or roller skates and take a spin on the synthetic rink. Plus crafts, tasty treats, hot chocolate and more: www.toronto.ca
Family Day At Scarborough Museum
Sunday, February 20th – Monday, February 21st, 12 pm – 4 pm, Scarborough Museum, 1007 Brimley Road, Toronto
Join the museum for lots of fun activities for the whole family. Kids can help with the baking, make a pioneer craft and go on a scavenger hunt while parents sip hot mulled cider as they step back into the past: www.toronto.ca
Family Day Festival At The Beach
Monday, February 21st, 11 am – 4 pm, Queen Street East. Between Lockwood and Neville Park, Toronto
With over 50 events there is something for every member of the family to enjoy! Amazing animals from The Bowmanville Zoo, Super Science demonstrations, live interactive shows by Juno Nominated performers, awesome arts and crafts, Ice Sculpting, and great deals from our local businesses, plus so much more: www.beachesbia.com
Hockey Hall Of Fame
Monday, February 21st, 10 am – 5 pm, Hockey Hall Of Fame, Brookfield Place, 30 Yonge Street, Toronto
Spend family day learning about Canada’s favourite sport, and taking in all the exciting hockey memorabilia. Kids get in free all day, and can enjoy a complimentary chocolate chip muffin while they explore: www.hhof.com
Family Day Art Event
Monday, February 21st, 1 pm – 3 pm, Artbarn School, 250 Eglinton Avenue West, Toronto
Experiment with all kinds of paper art including origami, little books, papermaking and photo montages. Bring the whole family to create beautiful collages! Pre-registration is required: artbarnschool.wordpress.com
Family Day Fest
Monday, February 21st, 10 am – 6 pm, Studio 3 at Downsview Park, 40 Carl Hall Road, Toronto
Family Day Fest features the largest one-day indoor amusement park, with an impressive line-up of rides, jumping castles, obstacle courses, games, attractions, carnival games and interactive entertainment for the whole family! The rides are mainly targeted for those aged 2-12, with a few family rides for everyone to enjoy: www.familydayfest.ca
Family Day 2011
Monday, February 21st, 9 am – 5 pm, Mediatheque, 150 John Street, Toronto
Families are invited to drop by and choose from a wide selection of hands-on free animation activities. Register for an animation workshop, or come by any time during the day to see films on the big screen, complete a digital scavenger hunt or try your hand at pixillation. A screening program of NFB family-friendly classics will be running all day long in the cinema – revisit your favourites like The Cat Came Back and The Danish: www.onf-nfb.gc.ca
Family Day On The Waterfront
Monday, February 21st, 11 am – 5 pm, 207 Queens Quay Terminal, Toronto
Visit Queen’s Quay Terminal’s South Atrium for face painting, live music, family portraits, magic tricks, bouncy tents, kids crafts including outdoor Ice Cool Canvases, and so much more: www.qqterminal.com
KidSpark: Storytime
Saturday, February 19th & Sunday, February 20th, 2 pm, Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
Enter a world of imagination and wonder as our storytellers bring tales from around the world to life. Ages 2-7: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
KidSpark: Stained-glass birds
Monday, February 21st, 11:30 am & 2 pm, Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
What birds can be seen around the Ontario Science Centre? Kids will learn about the local birds, and craft their own bird out of tissue paper and cut-outs to display year round: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
Dog Sports & Safety Demos at PawsWay
Sunday, February 21st, 12 pm / 1 pm / 2 pm / 3 pm / 4 pm, PawsWay, 245 Queens Quay West, Toronto
The talented Sgt. Woof & the Woof Troop will entertain with canine sports demonstrations including Agility, Tricks, Obedience, Freestyle Disc and Dancing! Young pet lovers can learn with the Cat & Jack K9 Safety Program, featuring creator Cathie Cino and her seven-foot canine friend Jack. These entertaining and interactive safety demonstrations are ideal for young children: www.pawsway.ca
HARBOURKIDS Family Skating Party
Monday, February 21st, 11 am – 5 pm, Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto
Meet Canadian Olympian Jayna Hefford from the Gold Medal Winning Women’s Hockey Team, and Para-Olympian Greg Westlake from the Men’s Sledge Hockey Team during a day of exciting activities at the HarbourKIDS Family Skating Party! Comedian Kristian Reimer will host the fun-filled day full of activities: www.harbourfrontcentre.com
Family Day Activities: Bell Free Weekend
Sunday, February 20th – Monday, February 21st, see website for schedules, TIFF Bell Lightbox, Reitman Square, 350 King Street West, Toronto
Celebrate Family Day with two days of programming brought to you by Bell. A great way to explore all that TIFF Bell Lightbox has to offer: enjoy screenings, activities, exhibitions, concerts and events—all free: tiff.net
Farther Afield:
Kids-fest
Saturday, February 19th – Monday, February 21st, 10 am – 5 pm, International Centre, 6900 Airport Road, Mississauga
Kids-Fest is Canada’s largest indoor inflatable show! Bounce, laugh, play, run and scream in 50,000 sq. ft. of some of North America’s largest indoor inflatables, plus enjoy stage shows, or for a little extra you can have your face painted or take a pony ride: www.kids-fest.ca/Toronto-Kidsfest.php
Family Day At The Museums Of Mississauga
Monday, February 21st, 1 pm – 5 pm, 1620 Orr Road & 1507 Clarkson Road North, Mississauga
Celebrate Family Day at the Museums of Mississauga, Bradley Museum and Benares Historic House. Activities include guided tours, historic demonstrations, crafts and more! Or purchase a Family Day Pass and enjoy a variety of drop-in activities across the City of Mississauga: www.mississauga.ca
Family Day
Monday, February 21st, 11 am – 1 pm, Thumbprint Adventures, 941 Rutherford Road, Thornhill
Back by popular demand, the annual Family Day Jungle Adventure, featuring the Fill-A-Friend program. Bring the family for a 2-hour adventure with a trek through the wilds of the jungle in search of animal friends. Pizza lunch, apple juice and Fill-A-Friend make your own stuffed animal included: www.thumbprintadventures.com
Play All Day On Family Day
Monday, February 21st, 9:30 am – 3 pm, Bayview Hill Community Centre, 114 Spadina Road, Richmond Hill
Enjoy activities such as family fitness, yoga, preschool crafts, a variety of dance sessions, table tennis, badminton and more. The whole family can also participate in public skating, swimming, a bonfire at Phyllis Rawlinson Park, or take in a film at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts: www.richmondhill.ca/familyday
Family Day Celebration
Monday, February 21st, 10 am – 2 pm, Creative Play Indoor Playground & Party Centre, 539 Westney Road South, Suite 3, Ajax
Pop in for a fun-filled day with the family and enjoy pizza, juice, face painting, clowns, and all the fun you can have at the 4,000 square foot indoor playground! Please pre-register as space is limited: www.creativeplay.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!