Welcome to yoyomama’s weekend guide! Your go-to list of family friendly fun things to do with kids in Toronto and the GTA.
It’s a great weekend in the GTA to stock up on unique kid stuffs at The Children’s Trunk Show, enjoy any number of Mother’s Day events (with cake pops, tea, and a dinner cruise if you want to go all out!), satisfy the science-curious members of the family at the Science Centre, or get outside for a fun kite-flying festival – no need to leave the city for fun this weekend!
The Children’s Trunk Show
Friday, May 6th – Saturday, May 7th, 9:30 am – 4 pm, William Lea Room – Leaside Gardens, 1073 Millwood Road, Toronto
The most fresh, fun, and quality-conscious goodies under one roof! You’ll find apparel, art, and accessories for kids, plus housewares, treats for mom, and more. Onsite daycare is offered, so bring the kids, meet friends, and make a day of it: www.childrenstrunkshow.com
Make Mother’s Day Sweeter – Eat My Words Love Lollies
Saturday, May 7th, 9:30 am – 6 pm (while supplies last), Sherway Gardens, 25 The West Mall, Etobicoke
Eat My Words returns for their fourth annual Mother’s Day fundraiser with their latest creation – hand crafted Love Lollies, a tasty bite size pop-of-cake-on-a-stick! Located in Sherway Square, the profits from all Eat My Words treats go to the Stephen Lewis Foundation: www.sherwaygardens.ca
Science And Engineering At Ryerson University
Saturday, May 7th, 11 am – 4 pm, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto
Bring the family to campus for a Science Rendezvous event! This one-day-event will display some of the amazing research underway at Ryerson, and show how science plays a part in our everyday lives. Experience exciting demonstrations and celebrate the 2011 International Year of Chemistry. Over 40 free events and activities for children of all ages: www.ryersonrendezvous.com
Celebrate Mother’s Day With Mariposa Cruises
Sunday, May 8th, see site for boarding, dinner, and cruising times, Mariposa Cruises – Mariposa Belle, 207 Queens Quay West, Toronto
Say “thank you” by treating mom to a special Mother’s Day brunch or dinner cruise aboard the Mariposa Belle and see Toronto like never before: www.mariposacruises.com
Mother’s Day Plant Sale
Sunday, May 8th, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm, Front Courtyard of Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace, Toronto
The gardeners at Casa Loma have been busy propagating perennials from the gardens, along with annuals and other plants acquired over the years. You’ll have an opportunity to purchase many hard to find items from their plant inventory. There will be cactus, agapanthus and cannas, dahlias, rare annuals, heirloom vegetable plants, and many other offerings. Limited quantities so come early: www.casaloma.org
Mother’s Day Tea Tasting – Bata Shoe Museum
Sunday, May 8th, 1 pm – 3 pm, Bata Shoe Museum (Footprints Studio), 327 Bloor Street West, Toronto
A Mother’s Day activity that will fit your mom to a ‘tea’! Hostess Kerri M Lee of Lee Middleton Gourmet Tea will be back for an afternoon steeped in all things tea. Learn about the fascinating history and worldwide importance of tea, the art of brewing the perfect pot, and taste a variety of teas, both exotic and familiar. The tasting will be followed by a guided tour showcasing some of the highlights of the Bata Shoe Museum. A portion of the profits will be donated to breast cancer research: www.batashoemuseum.ca
Peek-A-Boo Science
Saturday, May 7th, 11:30 am, Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
Come sing, create and play in this workshop designed with the youngest KidSpark visitors in mind! Ages 3 and under: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
Storytime At The Ontario Science Centre
Sunday, May 8th, 11:30 am, Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
Enter a world of imagination and wonder as storytellers bring tales from around the world to life. Ages 2-7: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
Toronto 2011 Mini Maker Faire
Saturday, May 7th – Sunday, May 8th, 10 am – 6 pm, Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Avenue, Toronto
Maker Faire is the ultimate celebration of making, crafting, DIYing, tinkering, hacking and sharing. It’s a weekend where makers of all kinds show off their projects and hold how-to workshops, with hands-on activities for all ages. Exhibits on display will include robots, laser cutting, letterpress printing, a 3D print gallery, and kinetic sculptures. Come with the whole family and learn how to solder, convert a text message to origami, or make an LED-lit hat: makerfairetoronto.ca
Star Party: Celebrating 50 Years Of Human Spaceflight
Saturday, May 7th, 8 pm – 11 pm, Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
This evening party celebrates the birth of spaceflight with an overview of the past 50 years of human spaceflight, telescope observing, and more: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
Can’t Sit Still Animation Workshop (Ages 3-5)
Saturday, May 7th, 10:30 am – 12:30, NFB Mediatheque, 150 John St. (at Richmond St. W), Toronto
Active Healthy Kids Day! This day dedicated to exercise falls in May… kids keep the energy going by animating their favourite physical activity in 3D clay: www.onf-nfb.gc.ca
Mother’s Day At The Zoo
Saturday, April 30th – Sunday, May 1st, 10 am – 4 pm, Americas Wetlands, Toronto Zoo, 361A Old Finch Avenue, Toronto
Why not bring Mom for a day at the Zoo and meet some of the WILD Moms including Ngozi (gorilla), Polly (olive baboon) and Mya (cheetah). Don’t forget to stop by and visit the Today’s Parent booth at the Zoo’s front entrance: www.torontozoo.ca
Farther Afield:
Four Winds Spring Kite Festival
Saturday, May 7th – Sunday, May 8th, 10 am – 4 pm, Kortright Centre for Conservation – 9550 Pine Valley Drive, Woodbridge
It’s time to look up…way up, to see the fabulous and fascinating kites that will take to the air. A great family outing where you can build your own kite, see professional kite flying demonstrations, and enjoy other great springtime activities: www.kortright.org
Mother’s Day Tree Planting At Osprey Marsh
Saturday, May 7th, 10 am – Noon, 6076 Osprey Boulevard, Mississauga
Join Evergreen and the City of Mississauga for native tree and shrub planting at Osprey Marsh. Come celebrate your mom with a handmade gift to share in your local park, by making seedballs after helping to plant some trees! Everyone is welcome: info.evergreen.ca
Goldilocks
Saturdays & Sundays, May 7th – May 22nd, 11 am / 2 pm, *Mother’s Day Discount, May 8th only, Solar Stage Children’s Theatre, 100 Upper Madison Avenue, North York
This charming, interactive musical follows the journey of Goldilocks as she ventures into the world of bears. Your children will enjoy this traditional English story as much as when they first read it. The music will enchant you. Ages 3-10: www.solarstage.on.ca
Scarborough Green Fair – Biodiversity In The Community
Saturday, May 7th, 11 am – 3 pm, Blessed Cardinal Newman Hich School, 100 Brimley Road, Scarborough
This fun and free family event will show you how being greener at home and in your community can help Mother Earth! Come hike the Bluffs on the Jane’s Walk. Learn about gardening, birds, bees, butterflies, and reptiles in displays and workshops. Enjoy an art display of the best works from area schools. And kids can explore the Kids Korner: www.facebook.com
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!