14 of the best things to do in Toronto with kids

23.01.2025 - 20:35 / lonelyplanet.com

Jan 23, 2025 • 9 min read

Ontario’s dynamic capital ranks among Canada’s most exciting destinations for families traveling with kids, crammed with curious historical sights, beautiful green spaces and some of the country’s headlining museums. Many of Toronto’s family-friendly highlights have an active, outdoors-focused spin, too, from canoeing on inky blue Lake Ontario to spotting baby-pink spring blossoms in High Park. 

Here’s our guide to making the most of Toronto en famille.

Toronto knows how to delight families with kids in tow. While it’s true that costs can add up quickly in this lively urban hub, most attractions have discounted entry for children (check age restrictions), while the convenient TTC public transportation network offers free subway, streetcar and bus rides for kids up to 12 years old. Galleries, museums and sights generally have stroller-friendly access (or storage), too. 

Landmark attractions such as the CN Tower and the Distillery District are bound to enamour travelers of all ages. The city also has a wealth of stimulating galleries that are truly switched on to families (both local and visiting), many of them with dedicated, sensory-driven kids’ centers and events. Plenty of family fun awaits among Toronto’s many parks and gardens, and there’s even a taste of Canada’s wild nature in the forested Toronto Islands.

Many families choose to visit Toronto in spring or summer, when outdoor activities are in full swing. On the flipside, cooler months bring festive markets, typically fewer crowds and often better value on accommodations.

Downtown Toronto makes an extremely convenient base, particularly around the Entertainment and Financial Districts, which have plenty of family-friendly hotels and restaurants, excellent public transportation and a stash of attractions that will appeal to both younger visitors and their parents. Families seeking a quieter urban setting can take advantage of rolling green spaces in neighborhoods like Trinity Bellwoods, the Waterfront and the West End (especially near gorgeous High Park), as well as the easily reached Toronto Islands, though none of these areas have much in the way of accommodation options.

Several family-travel highlights are located at the northern part of Toronto’s downtown core, like the Royal Ontario Museum and the Bata Shoe Museum, both on Bloor St. Beyond Toronto itself, the natural spectacle of Niagara Falls is a rewarding, popular and easily reached add-on for families. 

Taking the 58-second, glass-fronted elevator ride up to the 346m-tall (1135ft) Main Observation Level of Toronto’s worth-the-hype star attraction, the 553m-high (1814ft) CN Tower, is bound to thrill visitors of any age. As you step out, wraparound floor-to-ceiling