Kids love March Break, but for adults, it’s a different story. Trying to figure out how to entertain your children all week long can be exhausting, especially if your little ones have short attention spans.
READ: 10 Cheap Things To Do In Toronto This Weekend (Mar. 8-10)
Luckily, Toronto has plenty of family-friendly activities to offer that will prevent your kids from yelling “I’m boooored!” every two seconds. From Casa Loma's Imagine Dragons program to a Robert Munsch-themed pyjama party, here are 10 fun things to do with the kids in Toronto over March Break.
1. Geek out at Toronto Comicon 2019
Where: Metro Toronto Convention CentreWhen: Fri, Mar. 15 (4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.), Sat, Mar. 16 (9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.), and Sun, Mar. 17 (9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)Cost: $10 for kids and youth (up to age 17); $20 for adults; $45 for a family (two adults and up to four kids)
This year boasts celebrity guests such as “Lord of the Rings” star John Rhys-Davies and “Overwatch” voice actors Jen Cohn and Anjali Bhimani. The show also includes a number of kid-friendly activities, such as a build your own lightsaber station, a Pokemon park, a Quidditch match, princess storytime, and pirate school. The list goes on!
2. Experience tricks of the eye at the Museum of Illusions
Where: 132 Front St. E.When: Monday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.Cost: $19.50 for kids (up to age 15); $23.50 for adults (16+)
If you haven’t visited the Museum of Illusions yet, you’re in for a treat! The exhibit is full of visual and sensory experiences that you and the kids are sure to get a kick out of. Plus, there are plenty of opportunities to take fun photos that make optical illusions.
3. Get silly at the Merry Munsch Pyjama Party!
Where: Wychwood Theatre — 601 Christie St., Studio 176When: Saturday, Mar. 9 - Sunday, May 5 at 2 p.m.Cost: $22.60
Fans of Robert Munsch, both young and old, will get a kick out of this performance. The show is based on the Canadian author’s books: Get Out of Bed!, Roar!, We Share Everything!, No Clean Clothes and, of course, Pyjama Day! And, since this is a pyjama party as well as a theatre show, the audience is encouraged to wear their PJs to the performance
4. Experience the era of dragons at Casa Loma
Where: 1 Austin TerraceWhen: Saturday, Mar. 9 - Saturday, Mar. 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday, Mar. 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.Cost: $20 for kids (age 4-13); $25 for youth (ages 14-17); $30 for adults
Casa Loma wants to transport you and your family to a fairytale land where dragons roam free. The castle has gone medieval for March Break, featuring three live shows: Circus Dragonus, Knight School, and an aerialist performance. Kids can partake in dragon training, jumping in ye old bouncy castle, visiting the Craftsman’s Guild (for arts, crafts, and face painting), and medieval catapulting (although we’re not sure what that entails).
5. Solve an escape room at Mysterious Minds
Where: 322 Bloor St. W., 3rd FloorWhen: Wednesday-Thursday from 12 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.Cost: $20 for kids (14 and under); $25 for adults (15+)
Does your family have what it takes to escape a mystery room? Mysterious Minds has two unique missions to choose from that are both kid-friendly: Hidden Treasure of the Grand Carnival and Mayhem at the Moonshine Mile. The rooms have various difficulty levels but were designed for all ages. And don’t worry — there’s nothing scary in these rooms!
6. Embrace winter fun at Ontario Place
Where: 955 Lake Shore Blvd. W.When: Friday, Mar. 8 to Sunday, Mar. 17 (times vary)Cost: Free admission to the park (some activities cost extra)
Visiting Ontario Place is perfect for families who don’t mind braving the cold. Their nightly skate parties (which have a DJ!), community bonfires, Fairy Lights, and Winter Light Exhibition are all free (but skate rentals are extra). Families can also participate in Art Tonite paint lessons ($49) or see a movie at the Cinesphere ($9.73 for kids; $13.27 for adults). “Spirited Away” and the first three “Harry Potter” films are just a few of the showings available.
7. Get your laughter on at Second City’s Improv Showdown
Where: Second City Theatre — 51 Mercer St.When: Monday, Mar. 11 at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Mar. 12 - Saturday, Mar. 16 at 1 p.m., Sunday, Mar. 17 at 12 p.m.Cost: $12 for kids (12 and under); $15 for adults
This hilarious 60-minute improv show was designed especially for kids. Two teams take weird suggestions from the audience and play out scenes to try to win their votes. The show boasts high-energy and some Fortnite dances, so you know the kids will have a good time!
8. Enjoy some wild rides at SpringFestTO
Where: Better Living Centre, Exhibition Place — 195 Princes’ BlvdWhen: Sunday, Mar. 10 to Sunday, Mar. 17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.Cost: $8.85 for admission (without rides); $26.50 for admission (with unlimited rides)
Formerly known as Wizard World, SpringFestTO is basically an indoor Wonderland. The fun park has 25 classic kids’ rides (think fun slides, teacups and bumper cars!), an arts and crafts section, and a tiny tot area for children under five. The fest also has plenty of food vendors and three kids’ shows per day.
9. Visit Thomas & Friends at the Toronto Zoo
Where: 2000 Meadowvale Rd.When: Saturday, Mar. 9 to Sunday, Mar. 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (but zoo is open until 6 p.m. daily)Cost: $14 for kids (ages 3-12); $23 for adults (ages 13-64); $18 for seniors (65+)
The Toronto Zoo’s Special Events Centre has turned into a hub for “Thomas & Friends” fans. With colouring sheets, a screening area for the newest season, and live animal visitors. This event is fun for the whole family. Grab a “Thomas & Friends”-themed passport and head out on a scavenger hunt through the zoo to find all of Thomas’ new friends. Kids will learn about six different regions and the animals who live there.
10. Catch one of Cineplex’s March Break Movies
Where: Visit here for a list of participating Cineplex locationsWhen: Monday, Mar. 11 - Friday, Mar. 15 at 11 a.m.Cost: $2.99
When in doubt, head to the movies! Participating Cineplex locations will be showing four kid favourites all week long: “The Grinch,” “Paw Patrol: Mighty Pups,” “Small Foot,” and “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.” For $2.99 each (kids and adults alike), this is a fun and cheap way to entertain the kids for a few hours.
