20 great things to do with kids in Ontario
Wilderness Tours | Casey Bryant Jones
There’s no shortage of fun kids’ activities in Ontario, from toddlers to teenagers and thrill-seekers to deep thinkers.
Most of these attractions and adventures are great for a family day trip, but could also round out a multi-day family getaway with accommodations and family-friendly dining options.
Here are some ideas to get your summer family plans started. Find even more Ontario attractions to add to your summer bucket list.
Throughout the summer, enjoy free or discounted admission to select parks and heritage sites with the Canada Strong Pass.
Algonquin Park, Muskoka and Parry Sound
Santa’s Village
Santa’s Village is a large amusement park in Muskoka that features a host of kid-friendly attractions and activities, including a water park and splash pad, theme rides, a miniature train, an animal farm and live entertainment.
The park also provides cabins, yurts and camping accommodations.
Location: 1624 Golden Beach Road, Bracebridge
More ideas like this: From downtown Toronto hotels to cottage country resorts, discover more family-oriented places to stay.
Haliburton Highlands to the Ottawa Valley
The Perth Farmhouse
Spend time with a herd of friendly and inquisitive goats on a picturesque farm. Book the hour-long goat social for a barn tour, followed by the opportunity to walk and play with the goats. Finish up with a picnic of baked goods and refreshments.
Location: 4596 Wilmot Easthope Road, Perth East
More ideas like this: After walking a herd of playful goats, meet adorable alpacas at various alpaca farms across the province.
Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve
Along with more than 300 kilometres of trails and canoeing tours, this wildlife reserve includes a wolf centre with an observatory to view (and possibly hear) the wolf pack.
Take to the treetops on a Guided Canopy Tour, a four-hour trekking adventure 20 metres above the ground.
Stay the night in one of the on-site cabins or lakeside campsites.
Location: 1095 Redkenn Road, Dysart et al, Haliburton
More ideas like this: If your kids loved the canopy walk, visit more ziplining, treetop trekking and aerial adventure parks.
Family rafting at Wilderness Tours
As Canada’s largest whitewater rafting resort, this property offers fun for everyone, including families.
Accommodations range from camping to basic and deluxe cabins, and activities extend beyond the wild river rafting and kayak adventure. There’s a pool, sports courts and a restaurant. In addition to the family rafting experiences, try out fishing or mountain biking.
Location: 1260 Grants Settlement Road, Foresters Falls
More ideas like this: Learn more about all the great whitewater rafting experiences and operators in the Ottawa Valley, or choose a slower ride on a relaxing river tubing excursion.
Greater Toronto Area
Toronto Zoo
The Toronto Zoo is Canada’s largest animal attraction, housing over 5,000 animals on close to 300 hectares.
In addition, you’ll find fun kid-approved play areas and activities like the Splash Island, Canopy tours and zip lines, ropes courses, a carousel and the Tundra air ride.
Plan your visit in advance, as it can be hard to see everything in just one day.
Location: 2000 Meadowvale Road, Toronto
More ideas like this: Treat the animal lovers in your family to more of Ontario’s great zoos and wildlife attractions this summer.
Bruce, Grey and Simcoe
Scenic Caves Nature Adventures
With hiking trails, ziplines, a suspension bridge and a fascinating cave system to explore, this park is a must for families looking for outdoor adventure.
Location: 260 Scenic Caves Road, The Blue Mountains
More ideas like this: If your kids love to climb, sign up with one of these Ontario outfitters for a guided rock climbing excursion.
Discovery Harbour
Step back in time at Discovery Harbour, a living history naval attraction nestled along the shores of Penetanguishene Bay with costumed historical interpreters who bring history to life.
Learn about historic vessels: the H.M.S. Tecumseth and the H.M.S. Bee. Explore the Officer’s Quarters, an original building constructed in the 1830s. Enjoy guided tours and watch daily presentations such as black powder musket firing, blacksmithing and sea shanties and view the carefully preserved hull of the original H.M.S. Tecumseth in an interactive indoor museum.
Location: 93 Jury Drive, Penetanguishene
More ideas like this: Visit Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, a reconstructed 17th-century Jesuit mission in the heart of Wendake offering unique dining experiences, including Hearth to Table homestead meals and cozy waterfront cabins. Learn about the War of 1812 at Nancy Island Historic Site at Wasaga Beach.
Southwestern Ontario
Long Point Eco-Adventures
Long Point Eco-Adventures is well worth the drive.
Enjoy a glamping experience in nature. Explore the surrounding outdoors on bikes or kayaks and take a 2.5-hour canopy tour high above the forest floor, including eight zip lines, two suspension sky bridges and a 12-metre rappel.
Location: 1730 Front Road, St Williams
More ideas like this: Find more cycling tours and mountain biking opportunities across Ontario.
Storybook Gardens
Storybook Gardens is always a magical thing to do with kids in the summer. This is a playground of make-believe where kids and their creative minds rule.
Enter through the castle, where a make-believe world decorated with characters from all your little kids’ favourite stories fires up their imaginations. Kids will enjoy fun rides, entertainment, face painting and Slippery’s splash area to cool down.
Location: 1958 Storybook Lane, London
More ideas like this: Enjoy Renaissance faires and medieval attractions in Ontario for families who love fantasy, folklore and magic.
York, Durham and Headwaters
Canada’s Wonderland
Kids and adults of all ages love Canada’s largest theme park.
Little ones can hang out in KidZville or ride the Taxi Jam, designed as a toddler’s first roller coaster. On the wilder side, board rides like Behemoth and WindSeeker, which reach heights of over 90 metres, let teens test their fear factor. The whole family will enjoy cooling off at the attached water park in the afternoon.
Location: 1 Canada’s Wonderland Drive, Vaughan
More ideas like this: Here are more family-oriented amusement parks in Ontario.
Niagara Region
Clifton Hill
Families will find endless entertainment along the “Street of Fun,” just a block away from the renowned waterfalls in Niagara Falls.
Explore themed attractions, wax museums, haunted houses, bowling alleys, game arcades and restaurants. Ride the famous Niagara SkyWheel. The Niagara Speedway boasts an elevated four-acre facility that combines the thrills of go-kart racing and roller coaster riding. And the Big Top Amazing Mirror and Laser Maze will keep your kids entertained for hours.
Location: 4960 Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls
More ideas like this: Find fun retro activities like bowling alleys, roller skating parks and arcades across Ontario.
Southeastern Ontario
Fort Henry
This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a glimpse into 19th-century military life at an authentic British army fort.
Watch a garrison parade, attend a Victorian school, fire a rifle and tour the grounds. The sunset ceremonies are one of the most iconic summer attractions in Ontario, with precision demonstrations of rifle drills, military music, cannon blasts and a fireworks finale.
Location: 1 Fort Henry Drive, Kingston
More ideas like this: Kid-friendly forts, castles and jails bring history to life in a fun way for kids and families.
Calypso Waterpark
Just outside of Ottawa, this water park boasts the nation’s largest wave pool, more than 35 slides, water games and floating rivers.
Enjoy the park from the VIP zone cabanas and suites, luxurious, private spaces with lounge chairs, cold water, internet and a VIP bar on an elevated deck.
Location: 2015 Calypso Street, Limoges
More ideas like this: Cool off at additional outdoor waterparks in Ontario this summer.
Kawarthas and Northumberland
Lang Pioneer Village
Travel back 200 years to the life of nineteenth-century settlers and Indigenous communities.
This living history museum, located on the historic Indian River, hosts restored and furnished buildings of the mid-1800s, including an Aabnaabin First Nations camp, a general store, a schoolhouse and a weaver shop with a working Jacquard loom.
Wander the pathways, try your hand at weaving, visit the farm animals and interact with villagers in authentic costumes.
Location: 104 Lang Road, Keene
More ideas like this: There’s a host of kid-friendly museums in Ontario that make learning fun.
The Canadian Canoe Museum
One of Ontario’s most unique attractions features the largest collection of canoes, kayaks and other paddled watercraft, as well as canoe-themed art.
Location: 2077 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough
More ideas like this: Discover quirky and curious museums and attractions across the province.
Hamilton, Halton and Brant
Puddicombe Estate
For over 200 years, the Puddicombe family has managed this thriving farm.
One of the most beloved summer activities in Ontario is picking fruit at the farm. Stock up on hand-baked sweets, jams and fudge from the country store before sampling the winery’s delicious wine and crisp cider.
Tour the farm by train! From May to October, a delightful passenger train travels throughout the farm property.
Location: 1468 Highway 8, Stoney Creek
More ideas like this: From pick-your-own flower farms to bustling farmers’ markets, families are welcome to enjoy wholesome farm fun throughout the season.
Northeastern Ontario
Science North and Dynamic Earth
Together, Science North and Dynamic Earth are one of Northern Ontario’s largest and most popular family attractions.
At Science North, over 50 exhibits explore a variety of scientific disciplines. Visit the escape room, planetarium, IMAX theatre and activities centre for more hands-on and engaging learning.
Next door, dive into earth science and the history of mining, complete with a guided underground tour.
Location: 100 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury
More ideas like this: Engage young and inquisitive minds at more fascinating interactive science museums in Ontario.
Point Grondine Park
Not far from Killarney Provincial Park, Point Grondine Park is home to magnificent, untouched wilderness and offers hiking trails, canoe routes, camping opportunities and a new eco-cabin. In addition, families can learn about local Anishinaabek culture with guided nature and culture-based tours.
Location: 675 Point Grondine Park, ON-637, Killarney
More ideas like this: Canoeing is an Ontario summer tradition that every outdoor-loving family needs to try. Find a variety of outfitters that offer guided canoe trips for families and beginner paddlers.
Northwest Ontario
Fort William Historical Park
One of North America’s largest living history museums, Fort William is a reconstructed 19th-century fur-trading post that features live, costumed actors, special events and RV and tent camping.
Fort William is also home to the David Thompson Astronomical Observatory, one of the largest publicly accessible telescopes in Central Canada.
Location: 1350 King Road, Thunder Bay
More ideas like this: Experience awe-inspiring summer night sky viewing and stargazing across the province. You may even be lucky enough to see the Northern Lights!
Amethyst Mine Panorama
Search for treasure together! Amethyst is a stunning variety of quartz that ranges in colour from lavender to deep purple. It is the official gemstone and mineral emblem of Ontario.
There are notable deposits of amethyst in northwest Ontario. Just east of Thunder Bay, this exciting attraction offers guided and self-guided tours and the opportunity to collect your own amethyst.
Location: 500 Bass Lake Road, Shuniah
More ideas like this: Discover more rockhounding rich locations in Ontario, great for families who love searching for and collecting rocks, minerals, fossils and crystals.
From outdoor adventure to indoor discoveries, create unforgettable family memories this summer in Ontario.
Last updated: June 12, 2026