Things to Do on Family Day in Toronto

Jan 18, 2011
Lori Bosworth

Polar Bear at Toronto Zoo - Toronto Zoo

Ideas for Family Day in Toronto include events for kids such as skiing, skating, and visiting museums, as well as inexpensive activities for families.

Since Dalton McGuinty's Liberal government introduced Family Day in Ontario in 2008, many Toronto families have enjoyed the mini mid-winter break between New Year's Day and March Break. When wondering what to do on Family Day in Toronto, consider some of the following ideas for February 21, 2011 or the Family Day long weekend.

Family Day in Toronto Outdoor Events

Many parents will take the opportunity on Family Day to tear their kids away from their video games and laptops to enjoy some family time in the great outdoors. Many Toronto families will enjoy skating at Toronto rinks, or going skiing or cross-country skiing in Barrie, but if the snow conditions in Toronto co-operate, why not try these local ski resorts and parks:

Lakeridge Resort, 790 Chalk Lake Rd., Uxbridge, 905-649-2058, offers downhill skiing, snowboarding and tubing on 23 runs, including mogul runs, three dedicated snowboard terrain parks, and a half-pike. Adults (3 hours) $43.75, Juniors (6-17)/Seniors (3 hours) $34.75; Adults (5 hours) $48.50, Juniors/Seniors (5 hours) $38.40. Tubing is $4.75 per ride or $23.50 for six rides.
Centennial Park, 256 Centennial Park Rd. (west of Renforth Dr., north of Rathburn Rd.), Etobicoke, 416-398-8753, offers downhill skiing and snowboarding with t-bar, carpet lift, and night skiing. Snowboard and downhill rentals, as well as limited helmet rentals. Adults (2 hours) $21, Youths (18 and under)/Seniors (2 hours) $18, All Day (Adults/Youths/Seniors) $28.
Glen Eden, 5234 Kelso Road, Milton, 905-878-5011, has five lifts, 12 slopes, two terrain parks, and a snow tubing park. Lift tickets are Adults $35 (full day), Juniors/Teens/Seniors $30 (full day), Children 5 and under (full day) $7. Terrain park pass is $10 and valid all season.

What to Do on Family Day in Toronto

These Toronto performances fall on the Family Day weekend:

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a home game at the Air Canada Centre on Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 7 p.m. when they play their eastern Ontario rivals, the Ottawa Senators. Leafs' tickets are hard to come by, but you may be able to buy Leafs' tickets on Kijiji or Craigslist.
The Carnival China Style Spring Gala comes to the Sony Centre For The Performing Arts, 1 Front St. E., on Sat., Feb. 19, at 8 p.m., and reveals the history of Ancient China through music, dance, and visual performance including dazzling acrobatic displays. Tickets are sold through Ticketmaster and are $96.50, $43, and $33.

Inexpensive Ideas for Family Day in Toronto

These affordable Family Day events in Toronto won't break the bank:

Nature Unleashed: Inside Natural Disasters opens February 11, 2011 at the Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Rd., 416-696-1000, and explores natural disasters such as earthquakes, volanic eruptions, hurricanes and tornadoes through state-of-the-art simulations and animations. Tickets are Adults $20, Seniors/Youth $16, and Children $13. Parking $10 per vehicle, cash only.
Free Family Day at YMCA - All GTA YMCA locations will be open free to the public on Mon., Feb. 21 for recreational and fitness activities including basketball, swimming, yoga, badminton, and dance classes.
The Toronto Zoo, north of Hwy 401 (exit #389) on Meadowvale Rd., 416-392-5941, provides exercise and entertainment, with 10 km of walking trails to view over 5,000 animals in their outdoor naturalistic environment and indoor tropical centres. Visit the polar bear habitat in the Tundra Trek, an exhibit that demonstrates the impacts of global warming. General Admission (13-64) $23, Seniors $17, Children (4-12) $13, 3 and under Free. Free parking until February 28, 2011.

If you're wondering what to do on Family Day, outdoor events such as skiing or snowboarding at Lakeridge Resort or Glen Eden, or performances of the Carnival China Style or a Toronto Maple Leafs' game may be right up your alley. Alternatively, inexpensive ideas for Family Day such as visiting the Ontario Science Centre or the Toronto Zoo are fun and affordable ways to celebrate Family Day in Toronto.