toronto: what to do, what to do?
Filed Under Events | June 9, 2011
Welcome to yoyomama’s weekend guide! Your go-to list of family friendly fun things to do with kids in Toronto and the GTA.
Plenty of fun in the city this weekend to keep even the choosiest of kids entertained! Head to the Science Centre to see Eyes On The Skies, the new planetarium program created for little ones, take the kids for ice cream and a tour of the Toronto harbour with Mariposa Cruises, or make your way through all the Luminato festivities coming to T.O. over the next week and a half. We bet you won’t hear “I’m bored!” this weekend…
They Might Be Giants Family Show
Saturday, June 11th, 11 am – 4 pm (concert takes place on Festival Stage from 2 pm – 3 pm), David Pecaut Square (entrance off King Street, just west of Roy Thomson Hall), 55 John Street, Toronto
Grammy winners for the song “Boss of Me,” from Malcolm in the Middle, these legendary Brooklyn alternative rockers also created such best-selling kids’ albums as Here Come the ABCs. Plus, Bunch Family will be on hand to help families design their own backstage passes band posters, and punk rock pins. Join in for a fun-filled afternoon of family-friendly activities: www.luminato.com
Brian Public School Fun Fair
Saturday, June 11th, 11 am – 3 pm, Brian Public School, 95 Brian Drive, Toronto
What a great way to spend the day! A day filled with fun, excitement, and laughter, there will be a bouncy castle, games, races, K9 demonstrations, entertainment, food and beverages, face painting, vendors, caricatures, and so much more: For more information, please call 416.395.2080.
Mariposa Cruises Ice Cream Social
Saturday, June 11th, 2:30 pm – 5 pm, Mariposa Cruises, 207 Queen’s Quay Terminal, Toronto
Experience that old-fashioned quality of yesteryear aboard the Mariposa Belle for this summer’s hottest event. Top your rich and creamy scoop of locally-sourced, dairy fresh ice cream with your choice of gooey fudge, caramel and other sauces, fresh fruit, cookie and candy bits, or sprinkles and whipped cream! A great summer outing for the whole family and new this year, Mariposa Cruises Ice Cream Social includes an enhanced harbour tour that provides a nostalgic and historical view of Toronto’s Harbour: www.mariposacruises.com
Reptiles: The Beautiful And The Deadly, Ontario Science Centre
Friday, June 10th – Monday, September 5th, 10 am – 5 pm, Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
This interactive zoological experience brings visitors eye-to-eye with living reptiles from around the world. Deadly snakes, colourful lizards, bizarre turtles, alligators and crocodiles are exhibited in naturalistic habitats. Children can climb a life-sized model of a giant Galapagos turtle shell, and learn intriguing reptile facts from interactive displays. The exhibition will leave visitors with a new appreciation for these often misunderstood creatures: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
Village Day & Sidewalk Sale, Yonge Lawrence Village
Saturday, June 11th, 10 am – 5 pm, Yonge Street from Lawrence Avenue north to Yonge Boulevard, Toronto
Bring the whole family, rain or shine, for shopping, Kids Zone play areas with jumping castles, mini golf, interactive kids shows, and over 20 bands and performers on the street providing quality entertainment for all ages. Street activities include balloons, face painting, buskers, free caricatures, magicians, snow cones, cotton candy, and popcorn. Enjoy Village Day food specials from the Village’s finest restaurants: www.yongelawrencevillage-bia.com
CSI: Live!
Monday, June 6th – Thursday, June 30th, see site for event times, Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
CSI: LIVE! takes the audience into the world of crime scene investigation through an interactive live performance. Audience members get to participate in the show by being a part of the investigation becoming witnesses, suspects and CSI recruits. How was the crime committed? Who is guilty? The audience will answer these questions using logic and forensics, as well as uncover details, investigate the evidence and test their theories. The show includes analyzing mysterious gases, launching projectiles into a target and firing a laser beam across the stage. Recommended for ages 8+. Included with general admission: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
Festival On Bloor
Sunday, June 12th, noon – 6 pm, Bloor Street West from Spadina to Bathurst, Toronto
Join in for the 15th Annual Festival on Bloor! Bloor Street West will be closed to traffic between Spadina and Bathurst, and attendees will enjoy live music, theatre and fitness demonstrations, children’s activities, a food court, over 70 arts and crafts vendors, and lots more fun for the entire family: www.mnjcc.org
Eyes On The Skies
Monday, June 6th – Wednesday, August 31st, presented daily (Saturdays & Sundays: 10:30 a.m., Weekdays – check schedule upon arrival), Ontario Science Centre, CA Technologies Planetarium, Level 4770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
This new planetarium program for children age 5 and under inspires young children to look up at the night sky. This one-of-a-kind, lively program introduces pre-school children to the nighttime sky through singing, connect-the-stars constellations and a journey to the moon. The program was designed especially for the Centre’s youngest visitors, and lasts no longer than 20 minutes to accommodate wandering minds. All participants receive a certificate of landing on the moon and a follow-up activity guide. Space is limited to a first-come first-served basis: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
Fun With Bubbles
Saturday, June 11th, 2 pm, Kidspark, Ontario Science Centre, 4770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
Can bubbles be square? Have some soapy fun and explore the wonder and science of bubbles in this new workshop. Use your creativity and a variety of materials to learn all about shape, texture, and the behaviour of bubbles: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
Peek-A-Boo Science
Sunday, June 12th, 11:30 am, Kidspark, Ontario Science Centre, 4770 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
Luminato Festival
Friday, June 10th – Sunday, June 19th, various locations throughout Toronto
For 10 extraordinary days in June, Toronto’s stages, streets, and public spaces are illuminated with arts and creativity. Now in its fifth year, Luminato is an annual, multi-disciplinary celebration of theatre, dance, music, literature, food, visual arts, fashion, film, magic, and more. Perfect for the whole family: www.luminato.com
Coca Cola® Fun Day, Toronto Zoo
Saturday, June 11th, Zoo Front Entrance 9 am – 6 pm, Toronto Zoo, 361A Old Finch Avenue, Toronto
Bring in a product label* from any Coca-Cola® product (including Fanta®, Nestea®, Minute Maid®, Five Alive®, Dasani®, Glaceau Vitamin Water® and Powerade®) and receive one FREE child’s admission (up to 12 years of age)*. You’ll also get a chance to meet Toronto Maple Leaf Luke Schenn from 1 pm – 2 pm: www.torontozoo.com
Toronto Tree Festival
Saturday, June 11th, all day event (ferry leaves dock at 10 am, festival begins at 10:15 am, gates at Franklin Children’s Garden open at 12:30 pm), Toronto Islands
Toronto Island Park provides a unique habitat to foster a diverse taxonomy of indigenous tree species. Participants can bring a bike or rent one on the island and learn the story of the Toronto Island’s arboriculture. This year there will both be a guided walking tour and a guided cycling tour. The Toronto Tree Festival will host a variety of Children’s activities and programs, as well as tree plantings, tree climbing and rescue demonstrations, and tree and eco art installations by local artists. BBQ fare will be available from Centreville Foods. Admission is free: www.toronto.ca/parks/engagement/tree_festival.htm
Ontario Model Soldiers’ Society Show, Fort York
Saturday, June 11th, 10 am – 5 pm, Fort York National Historic Site, 100 Garrison Road, Toronto
Children of all ages will enjoy Fort York as it hosts the Ontario Model Soldier Society’s 49th annual show and competition. Enjoy demonstrations of casting and painting, displays of connoisseur figures, dioramas, and tableaux of more than a thousand pieces. Many vendors will be offering toy soldiers for sale: www.toronto.ca
Woofstock
Saturday, June 11th – Sunday, June 12th, 10 am – 6 pm, St. Lawrence Market, 756 Queen Street East, Toronto
Attend North America’s largest festival for dogs, and join in the fun! Quirky and fun for the whole family, Woofstock is a free admission party that takes place at the historic St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood, home to the world-famous food market as well as the dog-friendly Sunday Antique Market: www.woofstock.ca
Toronto Horse Day
Saturday, June 11th, 11 am – 4 pm, The Horse Palace, Exhibition Place, 15 Nova Scotia Avenue, Toronto
Ride on over to the 3rd Annual Toronto Horse Day, a free, family-friendly event. Learn the basics of horsemanship through a fun and interactive program. The live demos begin at noon, and include jumping, reining, dressage and driving. In addition to demonstrations, the program includes interactive stations and displays that will provide information on basic horse care, fitness benefits of horseback riding, tack and apparel, and much more. And the Toronto Mounted Police will be giving guided tours of their stable and introducing the police horses: www.horse.on.cal
The 14th Annual Zareinu Moveathon, Downsview Park
Sunday, June 12th, 11 am – 6 pm, Downsview Park, 1-35 Carl Hall Road, Toronto
Zareinu Educational Centre is a school and treatment centre that provides individualized therapies to a wide range of children with disabilities. The Moveathon is the Centre’s largest annual two-day fundraiser, and the festival includes a variety of athletic events, an extensive food court, rides, games, and free entertainment! The second day of the Moveathon, known as the Zareinu Ride, takes place on Sunday, June 26th, and starts/ends at Bishop Reding High School in Milton: www.moveathon.com
Goat’s-beard, Dame’s Rocket and Anemones, Todmorden Mills Heritage Site
Sunday, June 12th, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm, Todmorden Mills Museum & Art Centre,
67 Pottery Road, Toronto
Todmorden is in bloom! Discover the plethora of flowering plants in the site’s Wildflower Preserve. There will be refreshments to enjoy after the walk. Kids age 5 and under are free: www.toronto.ca
Farther Afield:
Diva Partez Grand Opening
Saturday, June 11th, 10 am – 5 pm, 665 Millway Avenue, Unit 62, Woodbridge
Come celebrate a new Birthday party facility grand opening! See the huge dressing room with gorgeous costumes, beautiful dining rooms, hair and makeup room, craft room, and dance studio. Your girls will want to book their next birthday on the spot! For information, call 905.760.1200
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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