Family Day in Ontario

On February 18, 2008, Ontarians start to enjoy a new statutory holiday - Family Day! This holiday will take place on the 3rd Monday in February, in upcoming years.

With so many of us living such busy lives, there is nothing more valuable to families than spending time together.

How will you spend your "Family Day"? Here are a few ideas…

Enjoy the great winter outdoors - hit the ski trails, go for a winter hike, build a family of snowmen, go skating, watch some dog sledding (or hitch a ride!), organize a winter scavenger hunt or go tobogganing.

Not a fan of the great outdoors? Cozy up inside and spend time together reminiscing about good times you've had in the past. Create a family scrapbook, go through old family albums, play board games, watch retro family TV sitcoms, or simply enjoy a great family meal together!

Or, take in some Special Family Day programming at Attractions in and out of the city:

CN Tower Celebrates Family Day
The CN Tower is pleased to celebrate Ontario’s first Family Day with a very special admission offer available all weekend long (February 16-18) and on Family Day (February 18) enjoy special visits from SpongeBob ™ and Patrick* from the hit kid’s series, SpongeBob SquarePants seen on YTV plus activity sheets and chances to win prize packs. Admission Offer – February 16-18. From February 16-18, 2008, buy one CN Tower admission package and get another one FREE**. SpongeBob™ and Patrick* - February 18 (only). Explore all the CN Tower has to offer on Family Day with a special admission offer, activity sheets, chances to win prize packs, plus visits with special guests SpongeBob™ and Patrick* (11am, 12pm and 1pm) – fun for kids of all ages.  www.cntower.ca.

Family Day at Toronto Zoo
Toronto Zoo LOVES families – so we are providing 50% admission to everyone all day! What better place than the Toronto Zoo to enjoy the first ever Ontario Family Day! Bring your family to meet some of our WILD animal families, enjoy special keeper talks and more! Watch for the fun family trees with lots of animal information that we’ve posted in our balmy tropical pavilions – you’ll feel like you are part of our Zoo family! www.torontozoo.com.

Family Day Long Weekend at the ROM
The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), is celebrating Ontario’s newest statutory holiday, Family Day, with special programming centered around dazzling dinosaurs and wicked weather from Saturday, February 16 to Monday, February 18, 2008. Families can explore the ROM’s many galleries and enjoy a variety of fun programming and special guests, such as a visit from Global News meteorologist Anthony Farnell, all included free with Museum admission.  www.rom.on.ca.

Wye Marsh
On Family Day at Wye Marsh in Midland, one child is admitted FREE with the purchase of one adult admission. There are Free snowshoe rentals for all children 12 and under and Free cross country ski lessons. Check out the Meet the Creatures Live Animal Shows. www.wyemarsh.com.

Casa Loma
Commemorate this new holiday with your entire family at Casa Loma. Children accompanied by a paying adult will receive free admission all day. Explore the former home of Sir Henry Pellatt featuring unique architecture, beautifully furnished rooms, secret passages, towers, and an 800-foot tunnel to luxurious stables. www.casaloma.org.

Varley Art Gallery
This Family Day, get your creative juices flowing at the Varley Art Gallery in Unionville. Enjoy free admission to the gallery's inspired art collection, and participate in hands-on family art activities where you can create your very own 3-D Family Tree. www.varleygallery.ca.

Touch the Sky at LKTYP
Celebrate Family Day at LKTYP in Toronto with a showing of Touch the Sky - Monday, February 18 at 2:00 pm. Inspired by a conjure tale from the Carolina coast, Touch the Sky tells the story of Belle, the daughter of a slave owner and his slave. www.lktyp.ca.

Gadgets & Gizmos at the Ontario Science Centre
Celebrate Ontario's first Family Day with your family at the Gadgets & Gizmos program at the Ontario Science Centre. Build interesting toys from everyday objects, try them out and then use the ideas to create more toys at home. Free activity with paid admission all day long. www.ontariosciencecentre.ca.

Medieval Times - Freedom in the Kingdom Promotion 
From February 1 to 29, Kids are FREE. With every full priced adult, receive one child, 12 and under, admission for free. This offer is valid on all shows during this time period at theToronto Castle only. Maximum of 6 people per coupon. Not valid with online ticketing or to be combined with any other discount offer. Not valid on pre-purchased tickets. When booking please quote the promotional code: TOUR to receive your free ticket. Call for details 1-888-WE-JOUST.

Mirvish - Kids See It Free Promo
Canon Theatre and Princess of Wales Theatre
Introduce your kids to the wonder of Theatre. From now until Feb. 18 (Family Day) an adult purchasing a full-price ticket to WE WILL ROCK YOU, TWELVE ANGRY MEN, or NICHOLAS NICKLEBY (Part 1 and/or Part 2) will receive one ticket of the same value, absolutely free, for a child aged 18 or under. See website for availability. Call TicketKing at 416-872-1212 or 1-800-461-3333 or go online.  You must quote the promotional code KIDS and tickets must be purchased before February 18, 2008, the date of Ontario's new Family Day holiday. www.mirvish.com/kidsfree

Check out an Attraction, Gallery or Museum near you. We're sure there's lots going on to celebrate Families! You can also check out a detailed Events Calendar at www.toronto4kids.com/events. Or, view our Family Day Category for up-to-date listings taking place on Family Day.

Whatever you choose to do on Family Day, we hope you enjoy the new February long weekend!