Chillin' in the City - A Toddler's Guide to Fun in the GTA! 

By: Toronto4Kids

When you live in the big city, there are many attractions and places to enjoy. There are a million different places to find fun on any given afternoon or weekend. But what's a toddler to do in this concrete jungle? It can be overwhelming to find the right activity for your wee one … but rest assured, some major attraction have thought of the little ones!

Fun at Major Attractions!

Microkids & Soak City at Ontario Place

Microkids offers a variety of play activities under one roof for pre-schoolers featuring foam animals, wave slide and climbing platforms just to name a few. Build, Create, Learn and Play at the MEGA Creativity Centre! At Soak City, little kids can splash about in the children's Waterplay area. Adult supervision is required.

Good to know: There are 2 Baby Care Stations available as a quiet spot to change or nurse your children. They are located at Microkids on the West Island and ouside the Special Event Tent in Market Square. Mothers may also use the First Aid Station at Centre Entrance if it is available. Children 3 and under are granted free access to the park and use of any Ontario Place attractions available to them subject to age, height, time and safety restrictions. Grounds Admission applies during the CNE (August 15 - September 1, 2008). Attending adults must pay full price when accompanying a child 3 and under at an attraction.

Website: www.ontarioplace.com

Centreville

Centreville, located on the Toronto Islands, is a natural destination for a day trip, especially with younger children in tow. With over 30 rides and attractions, this theme park is a feast of rides for little ones. The majority of the park is dedicated youngsters, keeping them entertained for the entire day - from dry land rides to water rides. There are cars, fire engines, carousels, boats, bumble bees, tea cups, etc. In fact, kids can go on most of the rides either by themselves or with an adult. When on the Islands. don't forget to check out the Franklin Children's Garden inspired by Franklin - our favourite Turtle and star of the best-selling books by author Paulette Bourgeois and illustrator Brenda Clark.

Good to know: Entry to the park is Free. You can purchase pay-as-you go tickets for the rides or all day play passes at Centreville. The Franklin Children's Garden is Free. You must take the Toronto Islands Ferry to get to the Park and kids under 2 years ride for Free.

Website: www.centreisland.ca

Fantasy Fair

Fantasy Fair is an indoor haven for kids who love amusements parks. No sunscreen required here! If it's too hot for your little ones, take refuge in Ontario's largest indoor amusement park, located at the Woodbine Shopping Centre. There will be lots to keep them occupied there!

Good to know: Most rides are kid-friendly though some height restrictions apply so it's best to check their website for ride appropriateness. The Playvillage which is a giant play structure - the highlight of the park - accepts all kids under 60". Adult supervision is required. Many rides also allow adult accompaniment. Entry to the park is Free. You can purchase pay-as-you go tickets for the rides or all day play passes which are priced according to the child's height.

Website: www.fantasyfair.ca

Science Centre - Kidspark

You can't beat a day at Kidspark! It's for all those budding scientists who love to conduct all kinds of experiments and get their tiny hands into everything! This space was specially designed for kids eight and under to enjoy with their parents or caregivers. Since it opened in fall 2003, KidSpark has proved so popular that visitors have asked for more. The OSC has responded and children can now enjoy almost twice as many KidSpark experiences as were in the original area! You can Splish, splash, drip, bubble, ripple and pour in their water play area, build a roller coaster and float balls in mid-air, go shopping at the Market, perform in a music studio, cook a make-believe meal in a mini-kitchen, put on a puppet show, llisten to a story in the reading room, and more! Visit the Ontario Science Website for frequent workshops and special activities in the Kidspark area - designed just for little ones!

Good to know: Full amenities for babies and tots. There are baby/toddler friendly washrooms (everything is miniaturized!) and a rest area for babies. Strollers are accepted. Children 3 and under admitted Free.

Website: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca

Kids Zoo at the Toronto Zoo

The Toronto Zoo features a Kids Zoo designed for younger children. Enjoy close up encounters with storybook domestic animals like pigs, miniature horses, goats, birds - and skunks! Burrow through a prairie dog tunnel and go nose to nose with the furry inhabitants! Explore a giant aviary, home to wild birds and animals. Dig for dinosaur bones. See the world from the inside of a turtle egg. Play in our two-storey treehouse, swoop down a giant slide, and much more! The Splash Pad is also close by.

Good to know: The Toronto Zoo offers a Family Center - a private area for feeding and changing babies. A registered nurse is onsite to help with first aid. Children ages 3 and younger are Free.

Website: www.torontozoo.com

African Lion Safari

At African Lion Safari, children can monkey around in the Jungle Playground which features a designated Toddlers' Play Area. Then kids can cool down in the Misumu Bay Wet Play area. Adult supervision is required.

Good to know: Stroller rentals are available for a nominal fee - limited numbers are available so rentals are on a first come first served basis. Children ages 1 and 2 are admitted Free.

Website: www.lionsafari.com

Canada's Wonderland

Canada's Wonderland features three areas for younger kids including Nickelodeon Central, Kidzville and Hanna-Barbera Land. Kids can hang out and play with superstars like Dora the Explorer, Sponge Bob Square Pants, and Scooby Doo.

Good to know: Baby bottles can be warmed up in most of their restaurants as well as their Baby Care Centres located in Kidzville and Medieval Faire. Diaper changing areas and/or family restrooms are also available in the Park. Strollers are available for a one-day rental at the Rental Centre located inside the Front Gate. The rental fee is $10 for a single stroller, $15 for a double stroller or wagon (as of summer of 2008). Rentals are on a first come first served basis. Children ages 1 and 2 are admitted Free.

Website: www.canadaswonderland.com

Check out some of our favourites urban-style adventures for tots!

Museums

Keep an eye out for smaller, local, or lesser-known museums, which might not be as intimidating for small children (and usually offer more affordable or even free admission). "Please touch" exhibits are especially child friendly. Call museums ahead and find out if they have activities that are appropriate for Toddlers.

Click here for a list of Museums to check out.

Splash Pads and Waterparks

It's a known fact that Toddlers love water. Your community park will likely offer a Wading Pool or Splash pad for toddlers so check on your city/town website. Or, take your toddler to a Waterpark to experience some major water thrills! Fear not, most Waterparks have designated sections for Toddlers.

At Soak City, Ontario Place, little kids can splash about in the children's Waterplay area. Website: www.ontarioplace.com.

At Wild Water Kingdom, younger kids (with adult supervision) can splash around in the Adventure Playground. Dolphin Bay is a participatory water playground for children that lets them create and interact with a variety of water effects, sprays, jets, falls and water curtains. Children ages 1, 2, and 3 also get in Free. For added protection, lifejackets are available for small children and you can rent them with a refundable deposit on an availability basis. Website: www.wildwaterkingdom.com.

Playgrounds and Parks

Even the biggest urban jungles have a patch of grass somewhere! Check out your city's or town's website for popular green spaces and playgrounds, then plan a day outing or a picnic! Most parks will be listed along with all their amenities.

Zoos and Petting Zoos

The best way to educate a toddler about nature is taking them to a Zoo or Petting zoo where they can get up close and personal with animals. At a Petting Zoo, you might even get the opportunity to feed the animals!

Our Fave is Lionel's Pony Farm & Petting Zoo in Stouffville, a great little petting zoo to take the kids to. It's very clean and the petting zoo has a large variety of animals and birds. Children can also feed the animals. There is also a barn which includes a play castle, and toys for kids of all ages. Pony rides are available but you should call ahead to make sure that rides and barn access are available (they may be reserved for Birthday Parties). The petting zoo is open free to the public (donations to help out the Farm are welcome!). Website: www.lionelsfarm.com.

Click here for a list of Zoos and Petting Zoos to check out!

Farms

Farms can be wonderful, enriching places for children to visit. Definitely a great hang out for Toddlers. Farms have animals to see, playgrounds with slides and swings, haystacks to jump in. Most often, you can take part in educational activities such as milking cows or watching sheep sheering. Remember to wash your toddlers' hands after touching the animals!

Click here for a list of Farms to check out!

Did we miss a great Toddler outing? This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it about it and we'll add it to this article!

© Toronto4Kids - July 2008. This article may not be reproduced in part or in its entirety without the expressed written permission from Toronto4Kids. This information in this article was accurate at the time of publication and is subject to change. Please check with individual companies for up-to-date information.