Winter in Canada can feel long, dark and cold. With the beautiful fall colours and tulips and daffodils bookending the season, it’s no wonder that once Christmas ends, it feels like a long couple of months. Toronto also tends to have very little of that white stuff that makes winter tolerable in a well-at-least-it-looks-pretty kind of way. If you’ve run out of craft and indoor play ideas and are looking for something else to do, here are a few ideas:
Indoors:
Outdoors:
Do you have any other ideas of things to do in Toronto during the winter? I would love to hear them!
Indoors:
- Museums: There are lots of museums in Toronto. The Ontario Science Centre and ROM appeal to adults and kids alike. while the AGO has a great children's learning centre with toys and arts and crafts supplies. Whether it’s seeing the dinosaurs and Egyptian mummies at the ROM or learning about space and the rainforest at the science centre, or making a mini diorama of your favourite book, your little one is into you will be able to find something to engage them.
- Ripley’s Aquarium: The aquarium located down right at the foot of the CN tower is an amazing place to spend an afternoon. With multiple galleries containing fish, octopus, eels, and more plus a moving sidewalk that takes you under a shark tank, there is no shortage of things to see. Plus, you can watch the divers feed the sting rays and there is a large playground and water table for kids to play in. If the cold drives you inside this is not a bad place to be. The tickets are expensive and it’s best to go midweek to avoid the crowds.
- Swimming: Break out those bathing suits and pretend it’s summer again! Indoor pools have free leisure and family swims on the weekend. Want something more exciting? Head up to Richmond Hill to The Wave Pool where there is a 100 foot water slide and lots of waves to play in.
- Toronto Marlies: Toronto Maple Leafs tickets are expensive and most games are in the evening, making it difficult to take in an NHL game live with your little ones. Check out the AHL affiliate Marlies who tend to play afternoon games on Saturday and Sunday at Ricoh Coliseum. Tickets are around 20 dollars and there are family friendly activities before the game at the arena. Make it an experience by taking TTC down to the exhibition grounds.
Outdoors:
- Skating: Northing says you are Canadian like ice skating and there are no shortage of places to do it in Toronto. In fact, there are 52 outdoor rinks made of artificial ice so even in "warm" winter weather they will still be open. No skates? Head down to Nathan Philips or the Harbourfront Natrel Rink where you can rent skates and helmets. New in 2017-2018 are skating paths at Riverdale East Park and Bentway Gardiner Ice Path! Our favourite way to cap off a skate is with hot chocolate!
- Toboganning: Another classic winter activity, there are lots of places around Toronto to go sliding. Some of the favourite spots close to downtown include Christie Pitts, Riverdale Park, Withrow Park and Cedervale Park.
- Winter at Ontario Place: Also new to 2017-2018 is the revamped park at Ontario Place! There is a synthetic rink to skate on, bonfires to warm up with and 12 illuminated art exhibits to keep things feeling festive right through to March 18th 2018. If you're needing to warm up, check out what is playing at the cinesphere (the world's first permanent IMAX theatre)!
Do you have any other ideas of things to do in Toronto during the winter? I would love to hear them!