Toronto has many places suitable for children to play, such as museums, art galleries, and various theme parks. After immigrating to Canada, if you are planning to take your children around Toronto, the following 10 places are excellent choices that children particularly enjoy.
1. CN Tower
People love to climb to the top of high places, such as mountain peaks or tall towers... I think this might be a human instinct. Many tourists visiting Toronto want to ascend the CN Tower to get a bird's-eye view of the city. Standing at 1,815 feet, the CN Tower is the world's tallest free-standing structure and is located in the heart of downtown Toronto. Children can take the glass-floored elevator directly to the top, and they often jump around on the glass floor, which tends to make the parents standing nearby quite nervous.
2. Royal Ontario Museum
The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) features a discovery cave and other interactive exhibits that quickly draw everyone into a world of exploration, which almost all children find fascinating. The ROM also has a prime location, making it a popular choice for families during their leisure time.
3. Centreville Amusement Park
Located on the Toronto Islands, Centreville Amusement Park easily evokes childhood memories with its pony rides, vintage Ferris wheel, and carousel. The ferry ride to the island is an adventure in itself for children. This park is perfect for children aged 12 and under, as the rides are purely for entertainment and will certainly not frighten them. The islands feature large green spaces, bicycle paths, and a shallow beach where children can burn off their energy.
4. Ontario Science Centre
Learning is a fun process, and if your children don't believe it, bring them to the Ontario Science Centre. The centre offers many educational and interactive facilities where children can touch a tornado, listen to heart murmurs, or crawl through a cave. Although it is not in the city center, it is truly worth bringing your children to visit.
5. Riverdale Farm
Riverdale Farm is perfect for children under 10. This 7.5-acre farm is located in Toronto and is modeled after Ontario farm life in the early 20th century. With no cell phones, fast food, or televisions, children can play freely here. Riverdale Farm is located in Old Cabbagetown, one of the most beautiful and historic parts of the city, which children are sure to love.
6. Hockey Hall of Fame
Few Canadians are uninterested in ice hockey, and that includes children. Local Canadian children may be very excited to visit the Hockey Hall of Fame. Well, if your child is not interested in this, you can skip it entirely. However, if they are in school and their peers are enthusiastic about it, I am sure your child will pester you to take them there at least once.
7. Toronto Zoo
Located in the beautiful Rouge Valley of Toronto, the Toronto Zoo covers 710 acres and is home to over 5,000 animals. The zoo is divided into 6 zones, each with its own signature animals. By the way, China's national treasures, the two adorable giant pandas Da Mao and Er Shun, are also here! If you come here, be sure to wear comfortable shoes because you will be doing a lot of walking—the African Savanna, the Rainforest, and the interactive Kids Zoo... are all waiting for you!
8. Ripley's Aquarium of Canada
In 2013, Canada's largest aquarium, Ripley's Aquarium of Canada, opened near the CN Tower. The aquarium covers 12,500 square meters (135,000 square feet) and contains 5.7 million liters of water, housing over 15,000 animals, including sharks, jellyfish, stingrays, and green sea turtles. Influenced by reports of marine mammal abuse at Marineland in Niagara, this aquarium does not house dolphins, seals, or other mammals.
9. Canada's Wonderland
Canada's Wonderland might be a bit far from downtown Toronto, but once you take your children into this theme park, they will surely have a blast for the entire day. This theme park is massive, featuring various roller coasters, family-friendly rides, live shows, and a water park, much like a mini Disneyland. A single ticket grants access to all the rides inside. If you are driving, it only takes 20 minutes from downtown Toronto; however, if you are taking public transportation, it may take about an hour.
10. Delta Chelsea Hotel
If you are visiting Toronto with children, you might consider the Delta Chelsea Hotel. This hotel is very family-friendly and features a separate indoor pool with a 130-foot spiral water slide. Additionally, the hotel offers free services such as childcare, a children's creative corner, and the Chelsea Kids Club.