Toronto with Kids: A Local's Family Guide (2026)

Because Toronto has so much to do I like to explore by neighbourhoods. The Downtown Core, Midtown West, Annex + Yorkville, High Park + Roncesvalles, Riverdale + Cabbagetown, and the Danforth are my favourite neighbourhoods. I like to pick one or two neighbourhoods in a day so we are not bouncing around the city. 

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

Classic? Yes. Tourist-y? Definitely. Still one of my favourites, even as a local. The aquarium is ALWAYS a hit! Make sure to bring snacks - there’s a dining area halfway beside the kids play area. Don’t miss the stingray touch tank at the end - definitely a highlight! Tip: Go right at opening (9am). It’s one of the top attractions in Toronto and can get very busy on weekends. Strollers are permitted inside and it is stroller-friendly.

Toronto Railway Museum + Steamwhistle Brewery
A surprisingly great combo for families. Right across the street from the Aquarium is a free outdoor area full of trains for kids to climb on. Mini train rides are available in the summer. There’s also a small indoor museum with a train simulator, toys and story time inside a caboose (perfect for a rainy day). Kids can climb on the trains and then the adults can grab a pint at Steamwhistle next door. Steamwhistle Brewery is the Canadian national historic site initially built for train maintenance on the Canadian Pacific Railway in the 1920s and now home to a very cool craft brewery. Grab a bite or drink or even take their tour. The space is large and stroller accessible. Note: it will be extremely busy on baseball game days.

Spaccio East + Sackville Playground
I also love grabbing a sandwich or pizza slice at Spaccio East, a great kid-friendly spot (take a peak upstairs where you get a cool view of their massive kitchen and production space). Get your food to-go and take it over to Sackville Playground across the street. The playground is enclosed with a large modern climbing structure, a mix of rope ladders and wooden log climbers, multiple slides, a roundabout, and several different swings. The surface is rubberized (sand-free and jump-friendly), there’s a small splash pad with push-button fountains and a trough, plus a few picnic tables on the grass with a clear view of the playground. After we play I like to wander over to Distillery District for cobblestone streets, sweet shops, and seasonal pop-ups that always feel festive.

Wychwood Barns (Saturdays)
A local gem! A former heritage streetcar repair facility transformed into a community hub. Head here on Saturday for the lively farmers market, a great playground, and splash pad in the summer. You can also watch a fun, family-friendly magic show or children’s theatre performance at TYT Theatre. Check out their website to see what’s playing - I highly recommend it. 

Le Bleu Coffee + Bar Ape
After the barns, walk over to St. Clair West for a hot chocolate with printed art at Le Bleu (kids love this). This gorgeous cafe has amazing food (the raspberry cream croissants and freshly squeezed blood orange juice are insane) but the BEST part is they can print anything you want on a coffee or hot chocolate! A total hit with the kids - we’ve had Harry Potter, Elsa, Woody and Buzz hot chocolates before. Just have an image saved on your phone and they’ll guide you through the easy process or grab some of the best gelato in the city from Bar Ape - the best gelato in the city (the line during peak times is evidence). They’re open May through October and have a rotating menu of fresh seasonal soft serve gelato and gelato bars. Note: they accept cash only.

Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
The ROM might be on everyone’s kid-friendly Toronto list, but for good reason, even us locals go all the time! Impressive inside and out, the ROM is Canada’s largest museum and a big hit with kids thanks to the massive dinosaur galleries and prehistoric displays. There’s also the new WonderWorks gallery, which is an interactive play-based learning space with storytelling nooks, tabletop puzzles, building block stations, light tables, a magnetic wall, a foam noodle wall, and hands-on activities like building a giant sauropod dinosaur from foam “bones.” We also love the hands-on Biodiversity Gallery, where the Earth Rangers Studio (open most weekends) offers staff-led interactive activities about the natural world. Other favourites include the Bat Cave and the virtual aquarium in the Dawn of Life gallery. 

Philosopher’s Walk + U of T Campus
Next to the ROM, you’ll find the gates to Philosopher’s Walk, a beautiful and historic tree-lined path that feels straight out of a storybook. Follow it to Hart House, where the University of Toronto campus legitimately looks like Hogwarts (and I personally think it’s the most beautiful part of the city). Little Harry Potter fans will love roaming the stone hallways and staircases, wandering the vine-covered buildings, and exploring the Great Hall with its candle-style chandeliers, timbered ceilings, and a little tower to climb.

nutbar cafe + Summer’s Ice Cream
Refuel with smoothies and the best coffee at a unique superfood cafe with delicious drinks, smoothies, and snacks all made with the highest quality ingredients. Known for their homemade nutmilk or treat everyone to ice cream at the iconic Summer’s in the heart of Yorkville.

Jamie Bell Adventure Playground, High Park Zoo + Trackless Train
Hands down, one of the best playgrounds in the city. Combine the iconic Jamie Bell Adventure Playground (aka: the Castle Playground) with a stroll through the park’s trails, or a quick stop at the cute High Park Zoo where you can pet llamas (seasonal), see capybaras, or even play one of the digital scavenger hunt games. Pack a picnic or grab a bite from the cafe or a concession stand in the park. In the summer, the iconic red Trackless Train takes you on a 30-minute loop through the park with a few pick-up stops along the way. Tickets are purchased directly from the operator and include one stop-over, so you can hop off at your favourite spot and hop back on later. Note: Cash only ($9 adults / $6 kids).We like using the train to get to the High Park North Playground. Recently renovated, this second playground is amazing with rope climbers, faux caves, tall slides, plenty of swings, a merry-go-round for your kids to spin themselves dizzy, as well as a fun splash pad AND wading pool. I’d also highly recommend keeping an eye on the family-friendly special events run by the High Park Nature Centre - from year-round nature walks to nighttime bat and moth viewings!

All Star BBQ + Forest Trails
This unassuming little stand in High Park is a true hidden gem with friendly owners, generous portions, and food locals rave about. Their Greek chicken gyros are especially popular (soft, warm pita and super flavourful), and the fries and poutine are crowd favourites too. Great for grabbing a quick meal and perfect for pairing with some playground time and wander through the forest trails nearby.

Storm Crow Manor
A whimsical stop to grab a bite that feels straight out of a storybook. Located inside a gorgeous historic mansion in the middle of Toronto’s LGBTQ+ Village, this super unique sci-fi fantasy themed restaurant is one you have to see to believe. The decor is insane - catacomb stairs, “sacrificial altar” changing pad in the spooky bathroom, Zoltar machine, submarine-themed Nautilus room, and even a Millennium Falcon. There’s a Kids Menu, but make sure you also order one of the glowing bubbling drinks and upgrade to a “Deluxe Dungeon Meal” to have their dish come out inside a treasure chest full of dry ice. Their faces will drop!

Allan Gardens or Riverdale Farm
Then we head over to Allan Gardens for a tropical but indoor activity open year-round. It’s very cool to find historic greenhouses right in the middle of downtown. Allan Gardens is free to visit, and you’ll see all sort of tropical plants, cacti, and flower displays. Kids especially love spotting turtles in the ponds and wandering through the jungle-like rooms. The surrounding area is a bit gritty, but once inside it feels like a little oasis. It’s a great warm escape on cold or rainy days. There’s also a wonderful fully-fenced playground attached to the conservatory or we go to Riverdale Farm, a working historic farm in the heart of the city. There’s lots to do - the farm has animals (including horses, goats, pigs and chickens), gardens, ponds, and scenic paths that are still manageable for little legs. There’s also a small indoor play room with toys and books for young children. Daily at 11:30am the farm hosts a demonstration where the farmer presents different animals and visitors can ask questions. The farm is free, and open every day, 9:00am–5:00pm.

Park Snacks
Afterwards, grab ice cream at Park Snacks, the cutest little shop across the street where you can see the animals, walk the beautiful trails, and there’s a little activity room for young children.

Evergreen Brick Works

A former brick factory turned community hub surrounded by beautiful trails, ravines, and ponds where kids enjoy spotting big turtles. It connects into the ravine system with paths through woods, meadows, and wetlands. Saturdays host the city’s largest Farmers Market and Sundays feature a Vintage and Artisan Market. In the winter, there’s a free skating rink, while summers feature a range of pop up events, live music and programming. The highlight for kids is the Children’s Garden, a dreamy, hands-on nature play space where they can build, dig, climb, and create using natural materials (think mud kitchens, loose parts, forts, and unique water play features). Hours vary due to camps and programs, so check before you go. It’s a little north of the neighbourhood, but easily reached via the free shuttle from Broadview Station. 

Greek Lunch on the Danforth
Grab a proper sit-down meal at one of the many Greek restaurants. Our favourite is Pantheon, for a truly great, authentic Greek meal. Don’t miss the flaming saganaki (a fun tableside moment kids love), plus classics like souvlaki, spanakopita, and generous mezze plates.

ZED*80 Arcade
A small intimate retro arcade bar with over 40 arcade and pinball machines. Like it’s sister spot Tilt Arcade Bar in Parkdale, they offer unlimited play for just $10 without time limits – no coins needed, plus kid-friendly eats like grilled cheese or pizza pops, corn dogs, and deep-fried Mars bars. Kids are welcome until 8pm.

Want more? Check out my full Toronto with Kids Guide. It’s packed with done-for-you itineraries, kid-friendly tips, neighbourhood specific recommendations, and detailed parent tips you don’t normally get in other guides (things like playgrounds, bathrooms, and kids menus). This was the guide I personally WISH I HAD … so I created it myself!