Riverdale Farm, on the site of the original Toronto Zoo in Toronto's Cabbagetown neighborhood, is set up for younger visitors and it is fairly child-proofed without seeming so, Lovekin says. In addition to the farm animals, which include lambs, goats and piglets, there is also a nature conservancy with painted turtles, herons, owls and various local wild animals. Admission is free and the farm is open year-round. Refreshments are available from the Farm Kitchen and picnic tables are available in the nearby Riverdale Park West.
On a similar, but more expansive theme, is the Wye Marsh Conserve in Midland,Ontario or the Kortright Centre Conservancy in Klienberg, just north or Toronto. Both these conservancies allow young people to get introduced to wildlife outside zoos but within safe surroundings with age-appropriate activities that are either free or very reasonable. Chilldren under five are free at the Wye Marsh Conserve and you may spot trumpeter swans, beaver, porcupine, mink, river otters, turtles, frogs and snakes. Kids up to 15 are free at the Kotright Centre, which is also open year-round. It's known as a place to bird and animal watch.
Younger people enjoy taking part in the various sugar bush and maple sugar festivals in towns throughout the province in spring. Sugar bush festivals not only involve tapping the trees and making the sugar but include hay rides, games and pancakes. A favorite treat to try is sugar-on-snow. Some popular festivals include the Sweet Water Harvest in Midland, Maple Sugar Bush Tours in Buckhorn, Wintergreen Maple Syrup and Pancake Barn in Haliburton and Maple Madness near Kingston.
Ontario Place in Toronto, Calypso Park in Ottawa and Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara all have water activities for families, including huge slides and funnels. Family passes or kids passes are available at Ontario Place and Calyspo Park, which are open in the summer. Great Wolf Lodge is an indoor park and the lodge features an in-suite "cave" containing a bunk bed and personal television.
Ontario has white sand beaches, especially along Lake Ontario from Sandbanks Provincial Park in Prince Edward County to Burlington, west of Toronto, perfect for the bucket and shovel set. The white sand beaches along Lake Huron's coast are also expansive and popular. Check the "Ontario Travel" website for family-friendly beach spots.
