Three kids playing outside at Science North in Sudbury.

Science North | Sudbury

15 great things to do with kids in Ontario

Three kids playing outside at Science North in Sudbury.

Science North | Sudbury

There’s no shortage of great things to do with kids in Ontario, from toddlers to teenagers and thrill-seekers to deep thinkers.

Here are some ideas to get your summer plans started.

Long Point Eco-Adventures, Norfolk County

Long Point Eco-Adventures is well worth the drive.

While you enjoy a glamping experience in nature, your kids can tool around the extensive property on bikes or kayaks. 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

Looking for more high-energy adventures? Here’s a list of amusement parks for thrill-seekers.

Canada’s Wonderland, Vaughan

Kids 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 wilder rides like Behemoth and WindSeeker, which stretches up 91 metres high, teens can test their fear factors. Parents will enjoy the rides, and the whole family can cool off at the attached water park in the afternoon.

Location: 1 Canada’s Wonderland Drive, Vaughan

Here are more family-oriented amusement parks near Toronto.

Santa’s Village, Bracebridge

Santa’s Village is a large amusement park in Muskoka that features a host of kid friendly attractions and activities including a waterpark and splash pad, theme rides, miniature train, animal farm, entertainment and more.

The park is surrounded by forest and also provides cabin, yurt and camping accommodation.

Location: 1624 Golden Beach Road, Bracebridge

Beyond the borders of Santa’s Village, there’s even more summer family fun to discover in Muskoka.

Storybook Gardens, London

Storybrook Gardens is always a magical thing to do with kids in Ontario.

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. Open year-round, this is a playground of make-believe where kids and their creative minds rule.

Location: 1958 Storybook Lane, London

Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls

Families will find endless entertainment along the “Street of Fun” just a block away from the famous Niagara Falls.

Explore themed attractions, wax museums, haunted houses, game arcades and restaurants. 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  

Eagle Canyon Adventures, Dorion

Look down, if you dare, at Ouimet Canyon from Canada’s longest zipline suspension footbridge in Dorion.

Getting to Eagle Canyon Adventures, just outside of Thunder Bay, is your first step — the next 182 metres is up to you. To get to the bottom of the canyon, take an exhilarating 60-second zipline on Canada’s longest, highest and fastest.

Location: 275 Valley Road, Dorion

Knock off more Ontario outdoor adrenaline adventures from your bucket list.

Family rafting at Wilderness Tours, Ottawa River

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

Fort Henry, Kingston

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, canon blasts and a fireworks finale. 

Location: 1 Fort Henry Drive, Kingston

Find more kid-friendly forts, as well as castles and historic jails to visit.

Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve, Haliburton

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 the Walk in the Clouds Canopy Boardwalk, a four-hour trekking adventure 20 metres above the ground. Stay in one of the on-site cabins or lakeside campsites.

Location: 1095 Redkenn Road, Dysart et al, Haliburton

If your kids loved the canopy walk, check out these other ziplining, treetop trekking and aerial adventure parks.

Segway tours at Blue Mountain Resort, The Blue Mountains

Speed along on a two-wheeled, motorized, self-balancing Segway on this scenic, guided, off-road tour of the Niagara Escarpment. Take in the views of the village and the gorgeous colours of Georgian Bay.

Segway tours are also offered in NiagaraToronto, downtown Ottawa, or JW Marriot.

Location: 115 Swiss Meadows Boulevard Unit AS7, Ravenna

Discover more kid-friendly activities at Blue Mountain.

Toronto Zoo

The Toronto Zoo is Canada’s largest animal attraction, housing over 5000 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 carefully in advance, as it’s impossible to see everything in just one day!

Location: 2000 Meadowvale Road, Toronto

Treat the animal lovers in your family to more of Ontario’s great zoos and wildlife attractions this summer.

Puddicombe Estate, Stoney Creek

For over 200 years, the Puddicombe family has managed this thriving 300-acre farm.

One of the most beloved summer activities in Ontario is picking fruit at a farm like Puddicombe. Stock up on hand-baked sweets, jams and fudge from the country store before sampling the winery’s delicious wine and crisp cider. Book a farm stay at Puddicombe Caboose, an authentic converted CNR car with a comfy two-bed suite and a kitchenette.

Location: 1468 Highway 8, Stoney Creek

From pick-you-own farm patches to bustling farmers’ markets, families are welcome to enjoy wholesome farm fun throughout the season.  

Calypso Waterpark, Limoges

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. Located on an elevated deck, the panoramic view of the park is pretty sweet too.  

Location: 2015 Calypso Street, Limoges

Cool off at more outdoor waterparks in Ontario this summer.

Lang Pioneer Village Museum, Keene

Travel back 200 years to the life of nineteenth-century settlers and Indigenous communities.

The 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

There’s a host of kid-friendly museums in Ontario that make learning fun.

Science North and Dynamic Earth, Sudbury

Science North and Dynamic Earth is one of Northern Ontario largest and most popular family attractions. There are over 50 exhibits that 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

And that’s just the start! Engage young and inquisitive minds at these interactive science museums.


Find even more kid-friendly activities and family getaway ideas in Ontario.

Last updated: March 4, 2024

Looking for Ontario travel advice?

Our experts are here to help you plan your perfect trip. Call or book today.