15 great things to do with kids in Ontario

Central Ontario

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, a 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

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If your family loved the Santa’s Village experience, you’ll want to treat them to more family-oriented places to stay that kids love.

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

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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.

Location: 115 Swiss Meadows Boulevard Unit AS7, Ravenna

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

And if two wheels is how your family rolls, plan a bicycle vacation in Northern Ontario or head to one of the best mountain biking trails near you.

Southern Ontario

Long Point Eco-Adventures, Norfolk County

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

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Looking for other daring, high-energy and brag-worthy experiences? Here’s a list of exciting adventures for thrill-seeking families.

Canada’s Wonderland, Vaughan

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 stretches up to over 90 metres high, teens can test their fear factors. The whole family will enjoy cooling off at the attached water park in the afternoon.

Location: 1 Canada’s Wonderland Drive, Vaughan

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Here are more family-oriented amusement parks near Toronto.

Storybook Gardens, London

Storybrook 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

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If your family loves fantasy, folklore and magic, check out these Renaissance faires and medieval attractions in Ontario.

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  

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Find fun retro activities like bowling alleys, roller skating parks and arcades across Ontario.

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

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Learn more about all the great whitewater rafting experiences and operators in the Ottawa Valley.

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

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

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

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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

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From pick-you-own apple farms 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

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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.

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

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

Northern Ontario

Science North and Dynamic Earth, Sudbury

Together, Science North and Dynamic Earth are one of Northern Ontario's largest and most popular family attractions.

At Science North, discover 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

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And that’s just the start! Engage young and inquisitive minds at more fascinating interactive science museums in Ontario.

Eagle Canyon Adventures, Dorion

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

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

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