Rainy day activities for kids in Ontario

Escape rooms

Put your wits to the test at one of Ontario’s exciting escape rooms, where you and your group must work together to solve clues and riddles within a limited time frame. Many escape rooms feature elaborate sets and cinematic details, with themes ranging from high-stakes spy missions and haunted houses to futuristic sci-fi worlds. 

Escape rooms vary in difficulty, ranging from beginner to expert. Choose the level that best suits your skills and experience.

Virtual reality games and immersive spaces

Step into the world of immersive virtual reality (VR) in Ontario. With cutting-edge technology, motion tracking and detailed set design, you’ll be fully transported into new digital worlds. 

Whether you’re soaring over landscapes, exploring outer space, battling zombies or competing in fast-paced multiplayer games, experience the extraordinary fusion of reality with fiction.

Most VR games and immersive exhibits are family-friendly; confirm the recommended or minimum age before booking.

Bowling alleys, arcades and roller skating

Bowling alleys, arcades and roller skating rinks deliver timeless entertainment for all ages. Compete with friends and family at the bowling lanes, flex your video gaming skills at the arcade and glide on roller skates to retro hits at an indoor skating rink.

Many locations will include snack bars and lounges for socializing and lounging. 

Board game cafes

Gather around the table at one of Ontario’s board game cafes, like Snakes & Lattes in Toronto, LVLUP Games in Mississauga, Games on Tap in Waterloo and Level One in Ottawa. 

Browse the shelves stocked with classic favourites and modern strategy games. Ask for game recommendations based on your group size, interests and player age. Then, fuel up on snacks and drinks while strategizing on gameplay. 

Board game cafes typically charge a small cover fee that gives you access to their game library for several hours.

Indoor paintball

Suit up and step onto the indoor field for a fast-paced round of paintball. 

Indoor paintball facilities, such as Sgt. Splatter’s Project Paintball in Toronto and Paintball H.Q. in Kitchener will equip you with masks, markers and paintballs. When you’re ready to play, themed courses filled with bunkers, barriers and wooded terrain set the stage for your team to plan a strategy and win the game.

Games usually have a simple objective, such as capturing the flag or eliminating the opposing team, so they’re easy for first-time players. Most paintball fields offer rental gear; check before booking. For younger participants, some venues also have low-impact paintball and supervised play to help keep the experience safe.

Museums, science centres and art galleries

Find engaging ways to explore history, creativity and discovery. Visit Ontario’s most unique museums where you’ll find everything from unusual artifacts, quirky stories and hands-on activities to spark your curiosity.

Visit art spaces that host family-focused programming, including: 

• Family Fun for Everyone sessions at Toronto’s Art Gallery of Ontario
• Family Sundays at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinberg
• Children & Families at the Art Gallery of Peterborough.

For hands-on learning, interactive science museums display exhibits, demonstrations and immersive displays that explain everything from physics and space exploration to natural history. 

Hands-on crafts and cooking

From pottery wheels to pastry boards, creative studios and kitchens across Ontario welcome kids and adults to try something new. 

Guided craft workshops focus on a range of activities such as painting, sculpting, jewellery-making or woodworking. Cooking and baking classes offer step-by-step guidance in pasta-making, bread baking, cake decorating and more.

Studios usually supply the tools, ingredients and materials required for each class, so all you need is an appetite for learning and a willingness to get your hands dirty. By the end, you’ll have a unique craft or handmade gift to take home.

Indoor mini golf

Enjoy playful twists on a classic pastime at indoor mini-golf attractions. Imaginative courses feature creative themes, glowing blacklight effects and whimsical obstacles that keep players entertained. 

At venues such as GlowZone 360 and Putting Edge (multiple locations across Ontario), you’ll putt in jungle landscapes, pirate ships, neon-lit fantasy worlds and other creative interiors. Most courses are beginner-friendly yet challenging for more advanced players. 

Indoor climbing and trampoline parks

Jump, climb and stay active at Ontario’s climbing gyms and trampoline parks. 

Venues like The Factory in London, Fantasy Fair in Etobicoke and Amazing Fun Park in Mississauga feature walls of varying heights and difficulty levels, as well as expansive courts, foam and ball pits, obstacles and dodgeball arenas for bouncing and flipping. 

Generally, indoor playgrounds are designed for younger children. However, indoor rock-climbing gyms are great for older kids and teenagers looking for more challenging activities.

Indoor water parks

Make a splash in the warm, tropical-style environments of Ontario’s indoor water parks. 

With a mix of attractions such as winding water slides, wave pools, lazy rivers, splash pads and multi-level play structures like tipping buckets and climbing elements, the whole family can enjoy swimming and splashing year-round, regardless of the weather. 

Several indoor water parks are located inside family-friendly resorts such as Niagara’s popular Great Wolf Lodge, making them a convenient option for overnight stays.

Indoor go-karting

Indoor go-karting tracks across Ontario offer a fast-paced racing experience on compact circuits with sharp corners, sweeping bends and straightaways for overtaking. 

K1 Speed in Toronto, Volt Raceway in Bowmanville, Kart Town in Scarborough and Hamilton Indoor Go Karts deliver quick acceleration and responsive handling, and electronic timing systems record lap times and rank drivers on digital leaderboards after each race.

Races are usually short, high-intensity sessions that begin with a safety briefing and basic instructions. Recommended ages and skill levels vary by venue, so double-check before visiting. 

Movie theatres and plays

Purchase your favourite snacks or popcorn and catch the latest blockbuster at a movie theatre in Ontario. 

Large multiplexes, including locations operated by Cineplex, offer multiple screens, comfortable seating and big-sound audio systems to immerse you in the action. 

For a different cinematic experience, revival theatres and art house cinemas are smaller venues that spotlight classic favourites, independent films and international titles. Many also welcome film buffs for special events and film festivals.

In addition to family-focused live theatre, such as Young People’s Theatre in Toronto and the Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge, several theatre companies offer family-oriented programming throughout the year.

Next time the clouds roll in, turn to these rainy-day activities for inspiring travel ideas in Ontario that the whole family will enjoy.