Welcome to yoyomama’s weekend guide! Your go-to list of family friendly fun things to do with kids in Toronto and the GTA.
Toronto is having a stellar summer weather-wise, and this weekend’s events are going to make it even better! Kids can make their own musical instruments at the Science Centre, take in the Youth Day festivities and BrazilFest entertainment, hug a Kraft Peanut Butter bear to help fight hunger, and get a hands-on farm experience in the city. And just a short trip away the fun continues, with a Teddy Bear picnic, Family Fun Day, and Mystic Drumz performance.
Junction’s 1st Annual Farm Fest!
Saturday, July 23rd, 11 am – 5 pm, Two locations: Junction Train Platform (North side of Dundas Street, between Pacific Avenue & Medland Street); Toronto Police 11 Division Grounds (209 Maverty Street, just north of Annette Street), Toronto
A kid’s educational event focusing on local and sustainable agricultural production. Meet and interact with local farmers and their animals, and enjoy hands on activities, demos, food samples, and more. Farm fun in the city: junctionfarmfest.wordpress.com
Music Fun, Ontario Science Centre
Saturday, July 23rd & Sunday, July 24th, 11:30 am & 2 pm, Kidspark, Ontario Science Centre, 4770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
Learn to make wonderful music with everyday materials! Come for a visit to design, construct, and decorate your own musical instruments. Best of all, you will get to play your creation in a parade led by Science Centre hosts: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
Hug It Forward, Ontario Place
Saturday, July 23rd, 11 am – 4 pm, Ontario Place (by the Mini Bumper Boats at the Market Square), 955 Lakeshore Boulevard West, Toronto
Help fight hunger with hugs! For every hug with one of the Kraft Peanut Butter Bears, Smoothie and Crunchy, Kraft will donate a jar of peanut butter to the local food bank. If you can’t attend the Ontario Place event, you can still participate by sending an online hug: www.ontarioplace.com
98.1 CHFI Day, Toronto Zoo
Sunday, July 24th, all day, Front Entrance, Toronto Zoo, 361A Old Finch Avenue, Toronto
Visit the CHFI Loyalty Club at www.chfi.com and enter for your chance to win a family pack of passes to CHFI Day at the Zoo: www.torontozoo.com
Youth Day
Sunday, July 24th, 11:30 am – 10 pm, East Oshawa Co-Operative Preschool, 32 Wilson Road North, Oshawa
This 5th annual free family venue starts with an official flag parade up Yonge Street! The festival has two outdoor stages, plus a Youth Gallery filled with art and photography in the heart of the City. The whole family will enjoy Flash Dances, celebrity mentor performances, motivational speakers, plus a surprise headliner to close day: www.youthdaytoronto.com
Toronto International BrazilFest
Sunday, July 24th, 11 am – 10 pm, Earlscourt Park Toronto, 1369 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto
Take a trip to Brazil without leaving Toronto! The 8th annual International BrazilFest will be a family event celebrating the country’s music and dance, culture, cuisine, and history: www.toronto.ca
Yoga Birth Method, Zen Beginnings
Sunday, July 24th, 2 pm – 4 pm, Zen Beginnings, 697 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto
Yoga Birth Method is an eight-step birthing pathway that empowers women through a natural and mindful childbirth experience. Fee is $50/per couple: www.zenbeginnings.com
Farther Afield:
Mom-To-Mom Consignment Sale
Saturday, July 23rd, 9 am – Noon, East Oshawa Co-Operative Preschool, 32 Wilson Road North, Oshawa
The East Oshawa Co-operative Preschool’s sale will feature items like toys, books, videos, games, baby gear, children’s clothing, maternity wear, and more! The perfect time to stock up on essentials (and some fun stuff too!) for the kiddos. To register as a consignor, email eocpreschool@yahoo.ca, or call 905.723.4832: www.eocpreschool.pcpcontario.org
Carnival Play Sing & Play Date
Saturday, July 23rd, 10:30 am, Sing Music Studio, 56 Lake Street, Mississauga
The Carnival is coming to Sing Music Studio! The kids will love the pretend rides, dances, parades, and fun, while also practicing important skills such as coordination, motor skills, language development, vocal expression, musical skills, creativity, and cognitive skills. Kids from newborn to age 7 welcome, and parent participation is encouraged. Only 10 spaces available ($25 per child, includes Shoofly Pie CD and shaker): www.singmusicstudio.com
Foursquare City Day
Saturday, July 23rd, 12 pm – 9 pm, Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge Street, North York
Foursquare City Church will be presenting nine hours of gospel entertainment from 13 different communities across the GTA. There will be a Children’s Area with crafts, face painting and balloons. Food for purchase is available from the many surrounding local shops and restaurants. Special speakers include Stephen Akinwekomi, Derek Brass, and Nigel Dallas, and families will enjoy entertainment from the Miriam Dancers, Men’s Choir, and a host of English language worship teams: www.foursquaretoronto.com
Victorian Extravaganza
Saturday, July 23rd & Sunday, July 24th, Noon – 5 pm, Scarborough Museum, 1007 Brimley Road (Brimley Road and Lawrence Avenue East), Scarborough
Join the Scene Change Youth Players for the Victorian play, The Miller and His Men! Music and merriment all weekend long. Admission by donation: www.toronto.ca
17th Annual Teddy Bear’s Picnic At Benares Historic House
Sunday, July 24th, Noon – 4 pm, Benares Historic House, 1507 Clarkson Road North, Mississauga
Music, fun, and excitement for the whole family! Bring your favourite stuffed animal for a check up at the Teddy Bear Clinic, and enjoy live performances by The Stylamanders. Scavenge for clues in the historic house and enjoy an afternoon filled with games, activities, crafts, face painting, rock climbing, and more. Don’t miss out on the popular Teddy Bear Parade. Family Admission is $13.74 (+tax): www.mississauga.ca
Family Fun Day
Sunday, July 24th, 9 am – 5 pm, Pickering Recreational Complex (East and West Salon), 1867 Valley Farm Road, Pickering
Family Fun Day, presented by Smart Kids Club and Spelling Bee of Canada, includes games, face painting, educational workshops, delicious food, prizes, live performances, and a spelling bee! The first 1,000 visitors receive a free loot bag valued over $100: www.torontokidsevents.com
Mystic Drumz, Richmond Green Amphitheatre
Sunday, July 24th, Starts at 1 pm, Richmond Green Sports Centre & Park, 1300 Elgin Mills Road East, Richmond Hill
Enjoy a performance by Mystic Drumz as part of Richmond Hill’s Concerts in the Park. Mystic Drumz offers a unique multimedia, rhythm, and sound program that specializes in world music, and focuses on the environment. Hands-on interactive performances showcase eclectic international percussion instruments from around the world, linking geography to sounds, rhythms to science, and laughter to learning: www.richmondhill.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!