Outdoor Activities for Kids in Ontario

Ontario is renowned for their ample amount of attractions as millions of visitors pass through the province on a yearly basis.  Regardless of whether you are a permanent resident of Ontario or if you are just visiting, there are many activities that you can use to your advantage to keep the kids entertained.  Below is a list of the most popular family friendly outdoor activities for kids in Ontario.

Niagara Falls

As one of the most visited locations in all of Ontario, Niagara Falls is home to some of the most fascinating outdoor activities.  With the ability to take in the view of the powerful and amazing falls, your children will be able to have a cultural and fun experience.  Consider taking them for a walk down Clifton Hill which is home to hundreds of different shops and attractions such as haunted houses and chocolate factories.

Lakeside Park Carousel

After spending time in Niagara Falls, you can make the short drive to St. Catherines to enjoy the Lakeside Park Carousel.  As a fun and unique activity for everyone in your family, the carousel is available to ride for only 5 cents.  With the ability to take in a historical carousel for such an inexpensive cost, it will definitely be a fun place to visit and it will help you to feel like a child again.

Algonquin Provincial Park

Aside from the vast selection of outdoor attractions for children, camping is another great way to encourage family bonding and to allow the kids to be one with nature.  Algonquin Provincial Park is one of the largest national parks in Canada and has wildlife areas, parks, large bodies of water, and scenic drives to help keep the kids entertained.  Rent a cottage or a camping spot and enjoy a weekend away from the city with the kids.

Local Community Activities

Instead of driving to a different city or spending a lot of money on outdoor amusement parks, there are generally a lot of local community activities available for kids.  Take a trip to a community centre near you and find out about any local events that could be fun for your kids to participate in.  From road hockey to potato sack races, there are generally a ton of different local community activities during the summer.  Plus, they are generally free to attend and allow you to watch your kids enjoy themselves and make new friends. 

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Things To Do When In Toronto

There is no shortage of things to do during the summer in Toronto, the largest city in the province of Ontario.  Sports fans can take in a Blue Jays baseball game at Rogers Centre or catch a Toronto FC match on the pitch at BMO Field.  Art, theater and music lovers also have ample opportunities to enjoy cultural activities during the summer as well.  Here are some other interesting places to visit and things to do in Toronto this summer.

 Hockey Hall of Fame

For hockey mad Canadians, and Americans, this hall of fame will be a fun place to visit while in Toronto.  It features life-sized statues of well-known players, a replica of a dress room, artifacts and even a practice net to try out your slap shot.  the Hockey Hall of Fame is also home for the Stanley Cup.  The HHOF it is open 362 days a year, there are extended hours for the summer months.

St. Lawrence Market

Foodies will appreciate this market that features a wide range of food vendors selling there food or art products.  The market features a farmer’s market, grass fed meats, seafood and other local producers of specialty food items.  You can also shop for antiques in the St. Lawrence Market.  The market is open year round, though the Farmer’s Market is only open on Saturdays, the South Market is open Tuesday through Saturday and the Antiques Market is only open on Sundays.

The AGO, Art Gallery of Ontario

If you happen to love art, you shouldn’t miss an opportunity to see the exhibits at The AGO.  It contains 110 galleries of paintings, sculptures, glasswork and other forms of art.  The gallery is open year round, though it is closed on Mondays.  If you happen to be in Toronto on Wednesdays, that would be a perfect day to visit it as admission is free every Wednesday.

Centre Island

You won’t have to go far to take in the great outdoors, all you have to do is travel 10 minutes away by ferryboat.  Centre Island contains many trails, both paved and unpaved, that you can travel on foot or rollerblades.  Take scenic tree tour or take the kids to the amusement park this summer.  There are several outdoor facilities where you can play a pickup game of baseball or just stroll leisurely through the parks to unwind.

Toronto is a very diverse city that has a lot to offer tourists during the summer. 

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