Welcome to yoyomama’s weekend guide! Your go-to list of family friendly fun things to do with kids in Toronto and the GTA.
Fall has arrived in T.O., and it has brought a whole lot of fun with it! Book nerds won’t want to miss the annual Word On The Street festival; teachers (plus a guest) get in free to the Zoo; the lovable and kooky Toopy & Binoo make a stop in the city; families will enjoy free admission to The Ontario Science Centre for the annual Community Day; and a quick trip out of town is the way to go if you love festivals and apples!
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Toronto’s Fall Home Show
Thursday, September 22nd – Sunday, September 25th, see site for times, Better Living Centre, Exhibition Place, 200 Princes’ Boulevard, Toronto
Discover innovative products, new ideas and great deals at Toronto’s largest Fall Home Show! Featuring more than 300 renovation and décor specialists offering advice, solutions, and inspiration for a wide array of projects for your home. Not to be missed is a full schedule of home and décor celebrities and experts offering tips and advice. A perfect mum’s day out: www.fallhomeshow.com
Toopy & Binoo And The Marshmallow Moon
Friday, September 23rd, 6:30 pm & Saturday, September 24th, 1 pm, Sony Centre For The Performing Arts, 1 Front Street East, Toronto
In a new live production, Koba Entertainment presents the theatrical debut of Canada’s latest sensations, Toopy and Binoo! Preparing for his stage debut, Toopy has to find the perfect song to sing, and the perfect place to sing it. As Toopy and Binoo embark on their most important musical adventure ever, they encounter a Blue Cat Blues Band, a Loud Mouth Crooner Fish, some Rock n’ Roll Sheep, a pair of Love Struck Dragons and many other zany characters along the way: www.sonycentre.ca
Starlight Walk For Smiles
Saturday, September 24th, 9 am – 1 pm, G. Ross Lord Park, 4777 Dufferin Street, Toronto
The 6th Annual Starlight Walk for Smiles, presented by Cineplex and in support of the Starlight Children’s Foundation, aims to raise awareness and help raise funds for Starlight Smile Therapies – programs and activities that bring relief and happiness to seriously ill children and their families. Whether it’s a trip to the Zoo, a toy-filled playroom, or an exciting sporting event, Starlight’s mission is to bring fun, joy, and giggles right where they are needed most! Sunquest has generously donated a trip for the top fundraiser from each city. You can register for the Walk as an individual, family, team, or company. Please register in advance at www.walkforsmilestoronto.org: www.walkforsmilestoronto.org
Pipeworks Acrobatic Show
Saturday, September 24th & Sunday, September 25th, 1 pm / 3 pm / 5 pm, Ontario Place, East Island Plaza, 955 Lake Shore Boulevard West, Toronto
Follow the intricate rhythms of these daredevil acrobats as they dance, fly, and twist through the sky. This mesmerizing acrobatic show will take you on a journey into a world where fire and water are no longer limited by gravity: www.ontarioplace.com
Bugs!
Saturday, September 24th & Sunday, September 25th, 11 am / 1:30 pm / 4 pm, Ontario Place, Cinesphere, 955 Lake Shore Boulevard West, Toronto
Enter the extraordinary world of insects. Shot on location in the jungles of Borneo and in a UK studio, view the world from a bug’s perspective as it cycles from birth to death. More than forty tropical insects are featured, including Heridula and the Praying Mantis, as well as tropical animals such as tarantulas, scorpions, and vipers. Narrated by Dame Judi Dench: www.ontarioplace.com
The Ugly Duckling
Saturday, September 24th & Sunday, September 25th, 11 am & 2 pm, Solar Stage Children’s Theatre, 4950 Yonge Street, Toronto
This colourful, music-filled production, adapted from Hans Christian Anderson, tells the story of the ugly duckling who doesn’t fit in. Everybody has a place in our world and the duckling grows up to discover that perseverance and courage can lead to the role she was made for. Ages 3-10: www.solarstage.on.ca
The Word On The Street
Sunday, September 25th, 11 am – 6 pm, Queen’s Park, College Street & University Avenue, Toronto
Every year, The Word On The Street aims to have lots of family-fun activities at the festival. KidStreet is a special area of the park devoted to families, and offers exciting children’s programming all day. KidStreet is also filled with exhibitors devoted to children’s literacy and specialize in books and magazines that are sure to engage readers of all ages: www.thewordonthestreet.ca
Harvest Festival
Sunday, September 25th, Noon – 4 pm, Spadina Museum: Historic House & Gardens, 285 Spadina Road, Toronto
Celebrate the harvest season in the valley! Take a tour of the historic houses; enjoy musicians, historic cooking demonstrations and tastings, kids’ crafts, face painting, and more! Free admission: www.toronto.ca
Music & Truffles
Sunday, September 25th, 1:15 pm – 2:15 pm, Walter Hall, 80 Queen’s Park Crescent, Edward Johnson Building, Toronto
While designed for children ages 5-15, Music & Truffles is also a great series for adults starting to explore great music – you are not required to bring a child, and you will get a truffle anyway! It’s entertaining, interactive, and a wonderful opportunity to expose yourself and your children to classical music. The program will cover excerpts from Beethoven’s and Franck’s Cello Sonatas, both in A Major: www.mooredaleconcerts.com
Community Day
Sunday, September 25th, all day event, Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
Community Day is the Ontario Science Centre’s way to say “Thank You” to all their visitors who support them throughout the year. Community Day, presented by TELUS, includes free general admission to the Centre. Come enjoy a day of interactive activities suitable for all ages: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
Teacher Day
Sunday, September 25th, 9 am – 3 pm, Toronto Zoo, 361A Old Finch Avenue, Toronto
Calling all teachers! Show your current Ontario College of Teachers card or a Teachers Federation Card, along with photo I.D., and get free admission for you and a guest. Visit the educational booths in the main courtyard to learn about the Zoo’s programs and upcoming events, and to participate in one of the free, guided tours: www.torontozoo.com
Farther Afield:
Gymalaya Vaughn & Newmarket PA Day Camp
Friday, September 23rd, 9 am – 3 pm, Gymalaya Vaughn, 8051 Keele St. Unit 1
Vaughan AND Gymalaya Newmarket, 16945 Leslie Street, Unit 32, Newmarket
Gymalaya has PA day camps available to help keep the kiddos busy while not at school! The camp is designed for kids ages 4 – 10, and they also offer extended care until 4 pm for an additional $5 (per day): www.gymalaya.com
Childrens’ Painting Workshops
Friday, September 23rd, 4 pm – 5:30 pm, Paintlounge, 3603 Hwy 7 East, Unit 106, Markham
Painlounge’s painting classes are designed to develop your little Picasso’s art skills. At the end of each class, kids will create a beautiful 18×18″ canvas masterpiece! Feel free to drop your child off, or wait in our lounge with a drink and free wifi. Offered every Tuesday and Friday, from 4pm – 5:30 pm. For ages 5-13: www.paintlounge.ca
WaterWise, Every Drop Counts
Saturday, September 24th, 1 pm – 4 pm, East Scarborough Storefront, 4040 Lawrence Avenue East, Kingston Road & Lawrence Avenue East, Scarborough
Come to this free, family event and learn all about water: where it comes from; and about water protection and conservation. Enjoy interactive displays, including water testing in Highland Creek, “Test your water Tastebuds” (i.e. How does Toronto’s water compare to bottled water?), ‘fish-y crafts’, face painting, and more. There will also be workshops, door prizes, music, and free refreshments! For more information email ecerda@thestorefront.org or call 647.347.1693 ext. 30.
Applefest Weekend
Saturday, September 24th – Sunday, September 25th, 10 am – 4 pm, Markham Museum, 9350 Markham Road, Markham
Enjoy a fun, apple- and activity-filled weekend for the whole family! The Museum operates its own apple cider mill and offers fresh samples to visitors. Take a stroll through the heritage apple orchard and participate in a variety of hands-on activities for kids of all ages. The Museum’s steam tractor will be fired up, along with the famous Little Train Ride and Museum Wagon Ride: www.markham.ca
Applefest Fall Fair
Sunday, September 25th, 9 am – 4 pm (pancake breakfast 9 am – 11 am), Ireland House At Oakridge Farm, 2168 Guelph Line, Burlington
Start your day off right with delicious pancakes then stick around and visit an old-fashioned fall fair taking place right in the city. Enjoy the seasonal apples, and take part in scarecrow making, pony rides, and face painting, and see the antique tractors, pioneer apple schnitzing, and old-time apple cider making. There will also be artisans, music and other entertainment throughout the day. Admission is by donation: www.museumsofburlington.com
Oakville Mompreneur Show
Sunday, September 25th, 11 am – 5 pm, Oakville Conference Centre – Holiday Inn, Halls A & B, 2515 Wyecroft Road, Oakville
Come out for family fun, shopping, and free samples! The Oakville Mompreneur Show is showcasing talents of local Mompreneurs (all moms in business) – all under one roof. Shop children’s accessories, toys, fashion accessories, decor, photography, travel, jewellery, hair care, beauty, and more! Kids will love the children’s activities, including free kids makeup, temporary tattoos, a bouncy castle, and a free yoga class. Admission is free by donation (non-perishable food item or monetary): www.theoakvillemompreneurs.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!