Written by: Ellie Kim, Writer and Social Media Coordinator
Although the weather is not quite there yet, it has been getting warmer and sunnier, meaning it will officially be summer soon! The Family Care Office has compiled a list of 10 family-friendly summer activities for endless fun, including both indoor and outdoor options.
1) Berry Picking
A hands-on outdoor activity for the entire family. Plan a day trip to pick some summer berries, including raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, gooseberries, and more! There are numerous farms a short drive away from Toronto that offer pick-your-own systems during the summer months. Some farms include:
2) Family Sundays at the Gardiner Museum
Every Sunday from 11am to 3pm, the Gardiner Museum hosts Family Days! All activities are free with your admission ticket and include family-friendly activities, such as clay hand-building and decorating techniques.
3) Weekend Nature Play
Head over to the Evergreen Brickworks on select weekends during the summer for Nature Play. Taking place within the Children’s Garden, Nature Play gives the opportunity for children to engage in hands-on activities while “cultivating a lifelong stewardship ethic.” There is a suggested donation fee of $10 per child.
4) Attend a Jazz Festival
The 34th Annual Beaches Jazz Festival is back this summer from July 2nd-24th! A completely free, month-long jazz festival, with multiple stages set up along Queen Street West/the Beaches area. Some highlights of the festival include ‘Salsa on the Beach’ from July 2nd-3rd and ‘Street Fest’ from July 21st-23rd!
5) Pedestrian Sundays
Starting May 30th and running until October 30th, Kensington Market is car-free every Sunday. A friendly and safe environment for families to fully enjoy the streets of Kensington, filled with street vendors, live music, food options, and more!
6) Salsa in Toronto
Salsa in Toronto is back this summer throughout June and July. Activities include free dance lessons (Salsa and Bachata) and the Salsa for Seniors Program. Make sure to mark July 9th-10th on your calendars, as Salsa in Toronto will be taking over St. Clair Avenue West for their La Fiesta Parade!
7) Food Festivals
Toronto is filled with a wide variety of delicious food and checking out food festivals is a great way to try some new cuisines or grab some of your favourite foods. Some food festivals in Toronto this summer include:
- Taco Fest: June 17th-19th
- Food Truck Festival: July 29th-August 1st
- Jerk Festival: August 4th-7th
8) Chalk Games
Get some chalk and take over your driveway or sidewalk to draw and play some games. You can play games like hopscotch, twister, 4 square (with a ball), avoid the shark, and more.
9) Ice Painting
Ice painting is a fun way to change up regular painting to fit in with the hot summer weather. Freeze some ice cubes in various colours using food colouring and let your children paint with them while the ice melts. Detailed instructions on ice painting can be found here.
10) Homemade Popsicles
Cool down with some healthy homemade fruit popsicles. Not only do you get to eat a delicious treat, but you also get to have fun while making them! Check out this article for the detailed recipe.