By Jenn Reid
Family Day is secretly the best holiday. Its a day off work and school with no elaborate gift buying or dinner planning involved! You can spend the day doing the things you enjoy with family and friends. This year, Toronto attractions want you to take a load off, and leave the planning to them. Check out some of the fun going down in the city this Family Day weekend (February 18 to 20, 2017). [Photo credit: digiPlaySpace courtesy of TIFF]
Disney’s live adaptation of Beauty and the Beast starring Emma Watson won’t hit theatres until March, but Torontonians get an early look at the film over Family Day weekend at Casa Loma. From February 17 to 20, Casa Loma is transformed into the Beast’s castle with themed activities and special performances. Nine costumes worn in the new film are on display, and this is the only chance to see them in Canada. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for youths and seniors and $15 for kids under 13. Casa Loma has extended hours for the exhibit, and is open 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. for the weekend.
The Art Gallery of Ontario transforms into the Kids Gallery of Ontario for Family Day! On February 20, kids reign supreme at the gallery with interactive activities and exhibits. Kids can make kites and paper sailboats, and test them out to see how they work, build with large blue blocks, watch a series of short films made by other kids, or try competitive jump rope. Activities last from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and are included in AGO admission ($19.50 for adults, $16 for seniors, $11 for students/youth and free for kids under 5). Click here to buy tickets online.
It’s too cold for a typical amusement park, so Downsview Park is bringing the rides indoors. Family Fun Fest features kid-friendly rides, plus activities and attractions like bouncy castles, giant slides, carnival games and an arcade. There are also strolling entertainers and stage shows featuring clowns and comedians. Fun Fest is at Downsview Park February 18 to 20, and tickets are $25 for kids (includes unlimited rides) and $8 for adults. A Family Pass for two adults and two kids is $60. Click here to buy tickets and passes.
The Royal Ontario Museum is celebrating Family Day weekend by highlighting Toronto’s diversity. The weekend is themed “One World” and has musical performances, workshops and special events all with a multicultural focus. Festivities take place February 18 through 20; admission is $20 for adults, $17 for seniors, $15.50 for youth and $14 for kids. Click here to buy tickets.
What’s better than a whole building full of bouncy castles and inflatable slides? Kids Fest has more than 30 different themed inflatable play areas, for age ranges from toddlers to bigger kids. When they need a break from all the running, jumping and sliding, kids can take in a show at the entertainment stage with magicians, exotic pets and science experiments. The Fest runs February 18 to 20, and is $25 for kids (including rides) and $8 for adults. Click here to buy tickets.
What makes a good Family Day event? Fun activities for kids, something entertaining for the grown ups, and a low price point. Evergreen Brick Works has all of that, including free admission! There’s skating at the beautiful outdoor skating rink, a community art project in the Children’s Garden, bike rides, hiking and more outdoorsy fun. The adults get a little treat of their own with Brewer’s Backyard, a family-friendly craft beer event (the beer is only for the 19+ crowd, obviously) with warm snacks and food. Admission is free, but food and drink are extra. All the events take place on February 20 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m..
The Young People’s Theatre is completely dedicated to bringing plays, theatre and performing arts alive for kids and young adults, so of course they’ve got a lot planned for Family Day! The MainStage show is James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl, reimagined as a musical featuring songs from the Tony nominated duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. The show is recommended for ages six and up, but younger kids can check out Scenes From a Tree instead. This show is designed for littles aged 18 months to four years old and features songs and nursery rhymes about nature’s life cycle. There are free themed crafts based on the shows for kids to take part in before or after the performances. Tickets are required for the performances.
It’s the largest Family Day event in all of York Region, and that’s no surprise, considering it’s 45,000 square feet of rides and entertainment. Kids can get busy at play areas, activity stations and inflatables, take in a show at the performance stage and join a dance party. Food vendors are on site serving up healthy and not-so-healthy options – think everything from vegetarian dishes to bacon-loaded poutine. The event runs February 18 to 20, and tickets are $25 for kids and $8 for adults.
The Kortright Centre for Conservation has a ton of outdoor fun planned for Family Day 2017. Families can go on a nature hike throughout the nearby forest, try snowshoeing or kick-sledding, and check out a multitude of family games and activities on site. If it gets too cold or the little ones need a break, there’s a campfire and hot chocolate available. All Family Day activities are included in general admission, which is free for kids under 15, $6.50 for adults and $5.50 for seniors.
The TIFF Bell Lightbox has a fun, interactive space for kids every winter with the digiPlaySpace! The interactive playground lets kids learn about technology in cool and fun ways, from learning to code and building robots, to playing independent video games and creating art through unconventional methods. This year, some of the featured works let kids control robots through movement, make 3D light paintings, use circuits to bring Play-Doh creations to life and more. digiPlaySpace opens February 18 and runs through to April. Tickets are $11 on weekdays and $13 on weekends.
