Exploring Toronto with kids was a breeze, a joy, and a fun experience all around. My expectations of the city were moderate and when we finally arrived I was blown away by how much I liked Toronto. It was clean, convenient, easy to get around and most importantly delicious. By the way, if you are looking for casual places to eat in Toronto with kids, there are plenty!
Just so we are on the same page, my kids were 4 and 1.5 years old when we visited Toronto. This guide is written with young children in mind, but I am sure you will find a few good ideas here if your kids are older, too.
When I think of exploring Toronto with kids I mostly compare it to NYC. It so happened that we spent 2 weeks in New York with our little ones, and then flew for 2 weeks to Toronto. The difference was stark.
While I love New York, it is not meant for little humans. Sidewalks are narrow and crowded, subway is complicated and requires going up and down the stairs (not fun with a stroller), walking in the city is an attack on all senses: the bling-bling of billboards, the sirens, the people pushing you around.
Toronto, on the other hand, while a big city, has none of that. The streets are wide and spacious. The city is extremely accessible, with ramps, step-free entrances and elevators at major subway stations. I often walked around alone with a stroller and 2 kids and rarely had any trouble getting somewhere.
While we are on the topic of getting places, public transport is easy to understand, reliable, and clean. Kids under 12 can use public transport for free.
There are many attractions geared for families visiting Toronto with kids: Toronto Zoo, Aquarium, Toronto Islands, but more on that below!
Before coming to Canada I have read a lot of guides on things to do in Toronto with kids which were pretty identical to the guides on things to do in Toronto, period.
I understand that going up to the CN Tower can be doable with a 10-year-old. But I can’t possibly stay in line for 30 minutes at its base with a toddler and a baby. Visiting the Art Gallery of Ontario may be a must with a teenager, but stressing about my 4-year-old touching a painting is no fun.
In my books, a cool thing to do with kids in any new city is when my boys can run, jump, and play while I chill. So this is what this guide is all about.
I do, however, give a lot of tips for cool things to do (and eat) nearby that are fun for parents, because it’s all about balance, right? Now let’s dive in!
Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links which means if you buy something by clicking the link I will earn a small commission at absolutely no extra cost to you.
Ripley’s Aquarium is one of the most popular things to do in Toronto with kids and the first one we checked off our list upon arrival.
It’s conveniently located right in downtown, next to the CN tower, and is home to over twenty thousand marine animals from all over the world. Its most famous feature is the underwater tunnel that you explore while standing on a moving walkway. It was definitely a hit with my kids: glide around while sharks and turtles swim all around you — what could be more fun?
Another space where we spent quite a bit of time was Planet Jellies, a room where you can watch color-changing jelly-fish. To say the kids were hypnotized is an understatement.
In the very end, towards the exit from the aquarium, is a big interactive playroom for kids where they can crawl, run, and jump all while exploring sea creatures.
Cool things for parents to do nearby: the CN Tower is right outside, the Harbourfront is a short walk away.
A 10-minute walk away is French Made, a bakery that offers aaaaaamazing pastries and great coffee. It’s often crowded, but they have lots of outside sitting. And if there are no tables available, you can always go to the lobby of BISHA Hotel (the bakery is part of the hotel).
French Made — 80 Blue Jays Way
Little Canada is a superb (and somewhat underrated) attraction whether you are exploring Toronto with kids or without. It’s located right at Yonge-Dundas Square (the Times Square of Toronto, so to say).
Here you will find a miniature version of most famous Canadian cities and landmarks. Little Toronto features the CN Tower and St. Lawrence Market. Little Niagara is a working model of Niagara Falls complete with little ships swimming in the water. Little Ottawa and Little Quebec are also part of the exhibition.
We are based in Hamburg, Germany, where Miniatur Wunderland, the largest miniature of the world, is located. So I knew exactly what to expect at Little Canada. It’s a cool thing to do for the whole family. The kids especially enjoy the experience since there are a lot of moving parts: trains and cars ride on the city streets, amusement park rides spin around, and lights go on and off every 15 minutes as day turns into night.
At the very end, you will find an exhibition that shows the process behind creating miniatures that can be fun for older kids. There’s also an option to get scanned and create a little figurine of yourself, but it’s quite costly.
Cool things for parents to do nearby: Yonge-Dundas Square, a public plaza similar to NYC’s Times Square, is right outside. Toronto City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square where the Toronto sign is located, are both a 10-minute walk away.
We happened to live about 10 minutes away from Grange Park, so it was our go-to for the kids to unwind. The park itself is beautiful, a bit of a hidden gem, although it’s located right behind the Art Gallery of Ontario.
The star of the show, though, especially if you are exploring Toronto with kids, is the playground. It’s modern, clean, and designed with children of different ages in mind. There are multiple slides, swings, and climbing structures, as well as a separate area for toddlers.
I spent many mornings and afternoons here sipping cappuccino and relaxing while my boys ran around.
Cool things for parents to do nearby: the Art Gallery of Ontario is right in front of the park (or rather the park is in front of the gallery?). Chinatown is an 8-minute walk away. Grab a coffee at Thor Espresso Bar (3 minutes away) or the Library Specialty Coffee (6 minutes away) before going to the park.
Allan Gardens Conservatory is definitely a hidden gem of Toronto, both when it comes to tourists and locals. In short, it’s a lush tropical greenhouse that’s been around since 1858.
Under the glass dome, you will find exotic flowers, cacti, and orchids, as well as several little ponds where turtles swim. Observing the turtles occupied my kids for quite a bit. The greenhouse is not too big, so plan to spend about half an hour here. But the best part? It’s completely free to visit.
Just outside Allan Gardens is a nice playground where we spent another half an hour.
Tip: the area just outside the Allan Gardens is a bit dodgy, but the conservatory and the playground felt safe.
Cool things for parents to do nearby: Cabbagetown is less than 10 minutes walk away. It is named so because of the Irish immigrants who settled here and were known for growing cabbages in their front yards. However, today it’s a charming neighborhood with tree-lined streets, Victorian homes, and bohemian vibe. Riverdale Park (and the farm), another cool thing to do in Toronto with kids, is a 20-minute walk away.
Riverdale Park is one of Toronto’s largest and most popular green spaces. It is split in the middle by a rail line into Riverdale Park East and West and you need to cross a small pedestrian bridge to get from one part into another.
Parks are always a good idea for family travel, but Riverdale Park is extra special if you are exploring Toronto with kids. Tucked away in the western part of the park is a working farm. It’s open year-round and is free to visit. Here the kids can watch cows, horses, sheep, and chickens.
In the warmer months you can easily spend several hours here. We visited the farm first, then crossed the pedestrian bridge into the eastern part of the park from where a beautiful view of Toronto skyline opens up. It’s especially popular during sunset.
Cool things for parents to do nearby: Rooster Coffee House located in the eastern part of the park makes great coffee. It’s only a few minutes away from the sunset watching spot.
Riverdale Farm — 201 Winchester St
Rooster Coffee — 479 Broadview Ave
Sprouts is not an attraction you must visit in Toronto with kids, but rather a space for children to run around and play while parents relax. It’s a comfortable modern indoor playground.
As we spent two weeks in Toronto, there were days when I didn’t want to go sightseeing, but rather just have a peace of mind while the kids play by themselves. Sprouts was a perfect spot for that. I chatted with my sister-in-law while the boys climbed the play gym and built castles of soft blocks.
The only downside is that the playroom is located away from any major attractions, so it only makes sense if you have more than a few days in Toronto.
Sprouts — 183 Carlaw Ave
Cool things for parents to do nearby: right outside of Sprouts is Maha’s Cafe, a cute little place serving Egyptian specialties. We had lunch here right after a visit to the playroom. The mezze were incredible, coffee as good as in third-wave coffee shops (try honey cardamom latte), and baklava with pistachio cream was one of the best I’ve ever tried anywhere.
Maha’s Cafe — 978 Queen St E
One of the absolute best things we did in Toronto with kids was visiting the Ontario Science Center. This interactive museum made science fun and approachable for kids of all ages. Unfortunately, the Science Center closed down due to structural concerns in 2024 after being in operation for 55 years (it was originally opened in 1969).
While there are a lot of discussions about reopening the center in a different space, it will most likely take several years. For now, the Ontario Science Center offers pop-up events and exhibitions in Toronto.
KidSpark at Harbourfront Center, for example, offers learn-through-play experience for children up to 10 years old. It’s conveniently located right in Downtown Toronto.
Circus! Science Under the Big Top exhibition is held at CF Sherway Gardens (about 30 minutes by car from downtown Toronto).
Ontario Science Center pop-ups and events
St. Lawrence Market is a must-visit whether you are in Toronto with kids or without. It’s one of the most iconic and popular spots for both locals and tourists who love food. Located in the Old Town, the market has been around since the early 1800s and was named one of the top 10 food markets in the world by National Geographic in 2011.
This indoor market features over 120 vendors, including stands with fresh produce, baked goods, artisan cheeses, as well as a number of restaurants and cafes.
I personally love having meals at markets with my kids because it’s so much easier. No worrying about making a mess, being too loud, or disturbing other guests. St. Lawrence is lively and loud as it is. There are plenty of options for everyone, even the pickiest eaters. There’s indoor and outdoor seating. It’s a win all around.
Tip: we had lobster rolls and crab cakes from Buster’s Sea Cove. The kids especially loved the baked goods from Future Bakery that offers Eastern-European specialties.
Cool things for parents to do nearby: Distillery District, a historic area and home to many boutique shops and restaurants, is 12 minutes away. The waterfront is a few blocks away. The Hockey Hall of Fame and the Gooderham Building (also known as the Flatiron Building) are also nearby.
Kensington Market is yet another popular market in Toronto that is great to explore with kids. Whereas St. Lawrence is an indoor market where you find many food stands under one roof, Kensington is a lively district made up of streets lined with vintage shops, restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores.
The vibe here is relaxed and artsy. It’s best explored by popping into shops and cafes and trying many different things. We tried Jamaican-style patties with jerk chicken at Golden Patty, empanadas at Latin Taste, and baked goods at Blackbird Baking Co. There are many restaurants for a sit-down dinner, too.
Cool things for parents to do nearby: Chinatown is not too far away, as well as the Art Gallery of Ontario.
If you have a few days in Toronto with kids and already covered all the major spots in the city, Scarborough Bluffs is a great place for a nature getaway. You’ll need a car, and the drive there will take a little under an hour.
Scarborough Bluffs are dramatic cliffs along Lake Ontario that rise up to 90 meters. Once here, you can take a walk, spend time on the beach, and have a picnic. It’s a nice change from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Tip: we spent the morning at the park, then had lunch at Tiflisi, an amazing Georgian restaurant half way between Scarborough Bluffs and Toronto downtown.
Royal Ontario Museum has several galleries dedicated to dinosaurs.
High Park is a beautiful green space with a large pond, walking trails and a free-of-charge zoo with capybaras, llamas, and rabbits.
The Toronto Zoo is Canada’s largest zoo and home to over 4,000 animals from around the world.
Toronto islands, just a short ferry ride away from Toronto downtown, are a popular getaway for families. You can spend time at the beach, rent bicycles or explore Centreville amusement park.
BOK play cafe provides a beautiful play space and supervised care for kids while parents can enjoy a cup of coffee or get some work done.
I write stories about food, travel, and my life as a mom of two boys. Home is Russia, but somehow also Sri Lanka and Hamburg, Germany. Go figure.
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