toronto: what to do, what to do?
Filed Under Events | November 10, 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.
The weekend fun in Toronto is picking up again! For the curious inventors in your brood, head to the Science Centre for the Rediscovering da Vinci exhibit. If dramatic arts and music are more your scene, check out Mary Poppins at The Princess Of Wales Theatre, Ali Baba at Solar Stage, SEUSSICAL™ the musical, or a Music & Truffles show for kids. Sports fans will love the Hockey Hall Of Fame festivities, and the whole family will benefit from a special bullying-awareness musical just for kids, to celebrate the start of anti-bullying week (November 16th – 20th). If you’re not too tired after all the fun, get a head start on holiday shopping at the Neighbourhood Toy Store Day. Good luck with your calendars this weekend!
Ali Baba
Sunday, November 6th – Saturday, December 3rd, see site for showtimes, Solar Stage Children’s Theatre, 100 Upper Madison Avenue, North York
Solar Stage’s own musical version of the traditional story from One Thousand and One Nights, takes you into the world of ‘Open Sesame’ and the Magic Cave. Will Ali Baba escape poverty and will he escape thieves who guard the cave filled with riches? Have fun with your kids as they all sing and dance to a happy ending. Ideal for ages 3-10: www.solarstage.on.ca
Rediscovering da Vinci
Sunday, November 6th – Sunday, March 18th, Saturday & Sunday only, all day event, Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
A time traveler arrives on a mission… to show us how to think like da Vinci. Be a part of this interactive stage show that explores how the past affects the future. Discover how da Vinci’s way of seeing the world resulted in groundbreaking ideas and inventions that are still used to this day: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
Mary Poppins
Thursday, November 10th – Sunday, January 8th, see site for show times, Princess Of Wales Theatre, 300 King Street West, Toronto
Since the curtain first rose on Mary Poppins, critics and audiences alike have been raving. This effervescent hit has astonished over 6.5 million people worldwide with its pure Broadway magic. This consummate production features the irresistible story and unforgettable songs from one of the most popular Disney films of all time, plus brand new breathtaking dance numbers and astonishing stage-craft to make it everything you could ever want in a hit Broadway show. Fun for the whole family: www.mirvish.com
Is Mompreneurship For You? Baby Time Show
Friday, November 11th, 10:30 am – Noon, Baby Time Show, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front Street West, Toronto
Scores of Canadian moms have left their corporate jobs behind and started businesses. Ever wonder if you could too? Come learn from experts Amy Ballon and Danielle Botterell, authors of Mom Inc., and owners of Admiral Road Designs. They’ll take you through the major considerations of mompreneurship, and help you determine if mixing self-employment and motherhood is for you. There will also be a panel of well-known successful mompreneurs to answer your questions: www.mominc.ca
Hockey Hall Of Fame Induction Weekend Festivities
Friday, November 11th – Monday, November 14th, 11 am – Noon, Hockey Hall Of Fame, Brookfield Place, Toronto
The Hockey Hall of Fame is set to honour its newest inductees – Ed Belfour, Doug Gilmour, Mark Howe and Joe Nieuwendyk. Be a part of the excitement all weekend long at the Hall with tributes to the newest inductees, including fan forums, special guest appearances, limited edition autographed giveaways, contests, the annual Legends Classic, plus much more: www.hhof.com
Robots Rule 2011
Saturday, November 12th – Sunday, November 13th, all day event, Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
One of the largest public gatherings of Robotics in Canada, Robots Rule 2011 rolls into the Ontario Science Centre in November! The event will feature robotic displays from elementary, middle and high school robotics teams. Plus, Canadian colleges and universities will showcase their leading edge robotics with demonstrations and their latest research: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
SEUSSICAL™
Saturdays & Sundays, November 12th – December 18th, all day event, Lorraine Kisma Theatre For Young People, 165 Front Street East, Toronto
In this delightful musical, based on the beloved Dr. Seuss books, Horton the Elephant seems powerless to convince anyone in the Jungle of Nool that he can hear the panicked cries for help from the tiny world of Whoville perched on a speck of dust caught on a clover. But the big-hearted, faithful elephant not only finds a way to change everyone’s minds but to enshrine a new dictum … that a person’s a person, no matter how small: www.youngpeoplestheatre.ca
Neighbourhood Toy Store Day
Saturday, November 12th, 10 am – 6 pm, visit site for full list of participating stores, GTA
More than 50 independent specialty toy stores belonging to Neighbourhood Toy Stores of Canada (NETS) will feature an astonishing variety of activities, including crafts, scavenger hunts, contests, prizes, giveaways and much more! This will allow children and parents alike to experience the ‘wow’ factor of shopping at their local neighbourhood toy store: www.neighbourhoodtoystores.ca
Music & Truffles – Goldilocks And The Three Bears
Saturday, November 12th, 1:15 pm, Walter Hall, 80 Queen’s Park Crescent, Edward Johnson Building, Toronto
The New Zealand String Quartet will present their exhilarating show ‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears and the ‘Pachel-bear’ Canon’. Designed for children ages 5 – 15, Music & Truffles is also a great series for adults just starting to explore the mysteries and excitement of 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: www.mooredaleconcerts.com
“STOP! That’s Bullying!”
Saturday, November 12th, 2 pm – 3 pm, Palmerston Library Theatre, 560 Palmerston Avenue, Toronto
Can Patty and all of her new friends help stop the bullying before the party is ruined? Through a combination of puppetry, song and colorful live action, this high-energy musical provides children with the tools they need to avoid fighting, stay calm, stick together and be kind to others. Throughout the play, the audience interacts with the actors and puppets, discovering what it feels like to be bullied, what to do when you or somebody else is being bullied and why you shouldn’t fight with a bully. Featuring a performance by brand new recording artist Veronika Quintana-James, who will be singing Kid-Safe Productions’ new signature song about surviving bullying: www.kidsafeproductions.com
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2, Ontario Place Cinesphere IMAX 3D
Saturday, November 12th, 7 pm, Sunday, November 13th, 2 pm, Ontario Place, The Cineshphere, 955 Lake Shore Boulevard West, Toronto
The Cinesphere at Ontario Place is still alive with Hollywood films! The end begins as Harry, Ron, and Hermione go back to Hogwarts to find and destroy Voldemort’s final horcruxes, but when Voldemort finds out about their mission, the biggest battle begins and life as they know it will never be the same again. Best suited for the older kiddos, catch the last two Cinesphere showings of the final Harry Potter movie installment: www.ontarioplace.com
Warm The Sole Sock Drive, Bata Shoe Museum
Sunday, November 13th – Wednesday, November 30th, Bata Shoe Museum, 327 Bloor Street West, Toronto
Help spread the gift of warmth in our community – from the bottom of our hearts to the bottom of our feet! Starting on November 13th, the Warm the Sole Sock Drive will begin collecting donations of new socks to benefit the Scott Mission. During the Warm the Sole Sock Drive, admission is free on Saturdays and Sundays with a donation of a pair of new, unworn socks! White athletic socks are preferred: www.batashoemuseum.ca
Vow Of Silence For Free The Children
Sunday, November 13th, 10 am – 4 pm, Yonge-Dundas Square, Toronto
Join Free The Children on November 13th and watch as hundreds of local youth stand in solidarity with children who are silenced by poverty, disease and exploitation. While there, experience the interactive Wall of Silence and sign up for this year’s Vow of Silence campaign, which begins on Wednesday, November 30th at 3 pm. As part of this campaign, hundreds of thousands of participants worldwide gather pledges to stay silent (no speaking, texting or e-mails) for 24 hours, standing up for youth around the world. Silent youth protest at 11 am – 1:30 pm: www.freethechildren.com
Haggar Hockey Hall Of Fame Legends Classic
Sunday, November 13th, 2 pm – 4:30 pm, Air Canada Centre, 40 Bay Street, Toronto
The Haggar Hockey Hall of Fame Legends Classic – Team Bourque vs Team Salming – highlights the Sunday afternoon schedule of the 2011 Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Weekend. Honoured Members Ray Bourque and Borje Salming take to the ice along with an unrivaled cast of hockey legends, including the 2011 inductees – Ed Belfour, Doug Gilmour, Mark Howe and Joe Nieuwendyk. Prior to the game, witness hockey history as this year’s inductees will receive their Official Honoured Member Blazer in a special on-ice ceremony. Plus, take in a pre-game set and half-time show by five-time Juno Award winner Alan Frew of Glass Tiger: www.hhof.com
Eco Fair At The Barns
Sunday, November 13th, 1 pm – 4 pm, Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie Street, Toronto
Visit this year’s Eco Fair at the Barns to learn from energy auditors and vendors of solar systems, enjoy hands-on demonstration of draft-proofing, activities for kids, music, refreshments, and plenty of free fun for the whole family! Plus, there will be guidance on home energy retrofits, displays by local green groups, and lots of hands-on activities. Co-sponsored by Green Neighbours 21 and the Wychwood Barns Community Association: www.gn21.ca
Bialik PTA Boutique Nite
Monday, November 14th, 4 pm – 8 pm, Bialik PTA Boutique School, 2750 Bathurst Street, Toronto
Come see and shop the annual Boutique Nite, with lots of great stuff from over 60 vendors, like children’s items, jewellery, stationary, books, toys and more! Refreshments will also be available. Admission is free: www.bialikboutique.ca
Farther Afield:
Santa And His Reindeer Land At Scarborough Town Centre
Saturday, November 12th, 11 am – 6 pm, Scarborough Town Centre, Centre Court, 300 Borough Drive, Scarborough
Scarborough families and the community are invited to celebrate holiday traditions and take photos with Santa! Scarborough Town Centre invites you to get in the holiday spirit by participating in several interactive activities. Highlights include face painting, arts and crafts, balloon art, and music. Photos with Mr. Claus will take place until Christmas Eve at 4 pm in Santa’s Planet, which features a map of Santa’s flight, collection of wishes from all over the world, and a countdown clock that ticks off the days until Christmas. Happy holidays: www.scarboroughtowncentre.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!
Leave a Comment
Let us know what you think or share your great finds with us so we can share them with other Vancouver mothers!
