toronto: what to do, what to do?
Filed Under Events | December 29, 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.
With the holidays still in full swing (and school out for another week for most), there’s still plenty of fun to be had in T.O. despite things more quiet on the events front. Bake some old-fashioned gingerbread cookies at historic Fort York; visit the ROM or the Science Centre for some family fun; take in a family-friendly New Year’s celebration at the Zoo; or brave the chilly Beaches water for charity. And you can always check out our ongoing holiday fun guide if you need some more seasonal inspiration.
Just a reminder: we’ll be taking the first week of January to recharge our editorial batteries and get organized for a great year! But we’ll still send out a What To Do on the 5th, ‘til then all the best for a wonderful 2012!
Gingerbread Make And Bake!
Tuesday, December 27th – Saturday, December 31st, 11 am & 2 pm, Fort York National Historic Site, 100 Garrison Road, Toronto
While you enjoy a tour of Fort York your kids can join the historic cooks in the Officers’ Mess kitchen to create old-fashioned gingerbread cookies. In this hands-on workshop, kids will use period cooking utensils and tools to sift flour, crush cinnamon, cloves or allspice and grate nutmeg and ginger as they prepare an 1800s gingerbread recipe. The cookies will be cooked over the open hearth fire. Cookies can be taken home…if they last that long! Ages 4+: www.toronto.ca
ROM For The Holidays
December 26th – January 8th, 11 am – 4 pm, Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park, Toronto
ROM for the Holidays is one of the most exciting times to visit the Museum, and this year it’s even easier for everyone to experience the ROM. Enjoy tons of family activities during the day (included with admission); especially for those who want a high-energy, hands-on experience. If you’re looking for a break from hectic holiday schedules, visit in the evenings during their extended holiday hours to see the Maya exhibition and the rest of the Museum at special discounted rates: www.rom.on.ca
Science On The Go
Friday, December 30th, 11:30 am & Monday, January 2nd, Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
Get your brains in motion this winter! Join for “Science On The Go” – a series of fun, hands-on activities being offered throughout KidSpark. Topics vary daily, so whether science experiments, cool art projects, or a live-animal encounter, it’s always exciting science fun: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
World Healing Event
Saturday, December 31st, 6:30 am – 8:30 am, St. Lawrence Hall, 157 King Street East, Toronto
The 26th Annual World Healing event invites you to join in to create a thought image of healing for Planet Earth, with music with Brent Titcomb, Meditation by Eli Bay and a talk by Rev. Barbara Shreiner-Trudel. The event concludes with a beautiful candle-lighting ceremony. Everyone is welcome to this great kick-off for New Years Eve day: www.universallightcentre.com
Citytv New Year’s Eve Bash 2012
Saturday, December 31st, 10 pm, Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen Street West, Toronto
Watch your fave Citytv personalities take over Nathan Phillips Square to host the Citytv New Year’s Bash! Don’t miss live performances by Karl Wolf, Howie D, Anjulie, JDRN, Neverest, Aleesia, and more. The party begins at 10 pm with a two-hour national telecast from Toronto. This outdoor event is alcohol-free and people of all ages are welcome: www.toronto.ca
Toronto Zoo’s 9th Annual New Year’s Eve Family Countdown
Saturday, December 31st, 5 pm – 11 pm, Front entrance – Indo-Malaya and Tundra Trek, Toronto Zoo, 361A Old Finch Avenue, Toronto
Ring In 2012 with some animal friends! Visit the animals in the Indo-Malaya Pavilion and in the Tundra Trek, including the Zoo’s three playful polar bears. Check out some great entertainment and take part in the special Kid’s Countdown at 8 pm! Tickets and full information available on website. Please note this is an outdoor, ticketed event; prices are applicable to all members, space is limited and they cannot guarantee tickets will be available the night of event: www.torontozoo.com
Paint Your Own Mona Lisa
Saturday, December 31st – Sunday, January 1st, 1 pm, Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
Let your kids bring out their inner da Vinci as they attempt to master the art of portrait painting. They can paint their own Mona Lisa, or attempt a self-portrait: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
The Great Canadian Chill
Monday, January 1st, 11 am – 2 pm, Woodbine Beach, Ashbridges Bay Park Road and Lake Shore Boulevard East, Toronto
The 2nd annual Sears Great Canadian Chill is coming to Woodbine Beach! This is a series of nationwide polar bear dips, which raise money for a national pediatric cancer research initiative and the Hospital for Sick Children (Sick Kids). The Chill is fun for the entire family, friends, and a great team building exercise. Enjoy live music, a costume contest, and prizes. Register at www.TheChill.ca, or call 1.855.93.CHILL: www.thechill.ca
Winter Break At The Zoo
Sunday, January 1st – Sunday, January 8th, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm, Toronto Zoo, 361A Old Finch Avenue, Toronto
The Toronto Zoo is the place to be on winter break! Enjoy free wagon rides presented by Right at Home Realty, meet a Zookeeper, and get wild with some animal friends: www.torontozoo.com
Farther Afield:
Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park
Tuesday, December 27th – Sunday, January 8th, see site for times, Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park, 3636 Hawkestone Road, Mississauga
Do you kids need to burn off some holiday-fueled energy? Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park is open for the holidays and it’s a bouncing blast! Perfect for groups or solo visitors, Sky Zone is all about fun, fitness and low-impact activities, including Open Jump, 3-D Dodgeball, and SkyRobics workouts. Sky Zone is truly the ultimate experience for almost every age; jump, leap and defy gravity on the patented new all-trampoline walled playing court: www.skyzonesports.com
Burlington’s New Year’s Eve
Saturday, December 31st, 6 pm – 10 pm, Central Park, 2299 New Street, Burlington
Ring in the New Year with Suessville! Take in a performance of Suessical the Musical and a viewing of Cat in the Hat. The whole family will also enjoy a free skate at Central Arena and an early, kid-friendly countdown with fireworks at 10pm.
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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