After the nonstop action in December, the city takes a bit of a break from festivals and back-to-back events. But there’s still a lot to do this month, especially if you factor in all the skating, tobogganing, and snow play that’s bound to happen!

>>Go to our Events directory to sort all events by date.

 

1. Kids’ Theater Productions

It’s theatre season for everyone, and the kids are no exception. This month you can see everything from big-budget musical productions to children’s plays that make you (and them) think. Plus final performances of The Nutcracker this season!

Here are some top picks:

Cinderella: A Ross Petty Production (Nov. 21–Jan. 4)
Pantomime Players Presents Sleepy Beauty (Dec. 27–Jan. 4)
The Nutcracker performed by the National Ballet of Canada (Dec. 13–Jan. 3)
The Snow Queen at Solar Stage (Dec. 13–Jan. 4)
Potted Potter at the Panasonic Theatre (Dec. 17–Jan. 11)
Rock Garden Party at Solar Stage (Jan. 10–11)
Seussical the Musical at Lower Ossington Theatre (Jan. 10–25)
Alex in Wonderland at Solar Stage (Jan. 17–Feb. 1)
The Heart of Robin Hood at Royal Alexandra Theatre (Dec. 23–Mar. 1)
Spot LIVE! at Mississauga Living Arts Centre (Jan. 25)
Chugginton Live: The Great Rescue Adventure at Mississauga Living Arts Center (Feb. 1)

2. Splashy Shows for Kids

There are theatre productions and then there are shows—those big-budget spectacles where monster trucks jump demolition derby cars, magicians saw people in half, and Donald Duck plays electric guitar as every Disney character you’ve ever met dances in unision to hip-hop tunes. 

Blades on Stage at Princess of Wales Theatre (Dec. 24–Jan. 4)
Earth Rangers Wild Journey at the ROM (Dec. 27–Jan. 4)
Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival at Sony Centre for the Performing Arts (Jan. 9–11)
Maple Leaf Monster Jam at Rogers Centre (Jan. 17–18)
Shen Yun 2015 at Mississauga Living Arts Centre (Jan. 16–18) and Sony Centre for the Performing Arts (Jan. 21–25)
Battle of the Magicians at Milton Centre for the Arts (Jan. 31)

3. Rec Centre Play Gyms

Winter season indoor play sessions begin at city recreation centres in early January. For kids ages 1 to 5, these open gym times allow kids to run amock, playing with Little Tykes cars and ride-on vehicles, hitting and kicking balls, climbing soft structures, sliding, tunneling, and tumbling…all underlaid with lots of mats.

It’s a fun free-for-all and a great way to get the wiggles out before naptime when it’s too cold for the playground.

4. Outdoor Ice-Skating

Outdoor ice-skating rinks are in full swing. Check out these eight family-friendly ice-skating rinks in Toronto.

Fun for kids who can make it past 8 pm on a Saturday night are the Harbourfront Centre’s DJ Skate Nights through February 21.

>>Kids’ Learn-to-Skate Programs in Toronto

5. Sporting Events

Unless you already have Maple Leafs season passes or know someone who knows someone, that’s out, but you can still root for the home team!

Toronto’s NBA team, the Raptors, play eight home games in January at the Air Canada Centre. The Toronto Marlies AHL hockey team has four home games at Ricoh Coliseum. The Toronto Rock pro lacrosse team has two home games at the Air Canada Centre against nearby Buffalo and Rochester teams—bound to get heated!

The World Junior Championship Hockey quarter-final and final games take place early in the month at the Air Canada Centre.

Semi-pro, junior, and university-level games are just as fun for young kids. Try the Brampton A’s (basketball), Ryerson Rams (women’s hockey, men’s hockey, volleyball), Mississauga Steelheads (junior hockey).

6. Niagara Falls and Winter Festival of Lights

Last chance to see the Winter Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls until next year! Through January 15 you can take in the 5 km of huge light displays along the waterfront parkway.

While you’re in Niagara Falls, enjoy it with the kids. You’d be surprised at how many things are open in the winter, including the Sky Wheel (heated, enclosed cars), Bird Kingdom, Butterfly Conservatory, and several indoor water parks.

>>Our 10 Favourite Things for Kids in Niagara Falls

7. Cross-Country Skiing

GTA conservation areas and parks have pristine trails for skiing—surrounded by evergreens and far away from the city bustle. Not all conservation areas and parks have ski rentals (but many do), so be sure to check in advance.

Popular family-friendly cross-country ski areas are Albion Hills Conservation Area (Caledon), Hilton Falls Conservation Area (Milton) and Mountsberg Conservation Area (Campbellville).

Mansfield Outdoor Centre is an hour north of Pearson Airport, with 40 km of groomed trails. And, of course, you can get way out of town for an amazing ski adventure in places like the Scenic Caves (Blue Mountains/Collingwood), Horseshoe Resort (Haliburton) or Algonquin Provincial Park.

>>Active Winter Family Getaways in Ontario

Did you know you can ski in the city, too? If you’ve got your own skis, try the Toronto Islands, High Park, or Don Valley trails. And when snowstorms hit, you can ski around town. What fun!

8. Play Cafés

Kids’ play cafes were made for winter! Most city play cafés—where mom or dad can warm up wth a coffee while kids do art projects, read books, or play with toys—are open daily in cold-weather months. But do check the schedules to see what’s on (occasionally there are private parties or paid activities), and some require a membership fee.

9. Indoor Swimming

Nearly every neighbourhood has a community centre with an indoor pool, but for a treat, head to the Regent Park Aquatic Centre, the Richmond Hill Wave Pool, or or the Agincourt Recreation Centre pool in Scarborough.

For the ultimate in splash-around fun in winter, plan a trip to Niagara Falls, where there are three indoor water parks.

10. Museums

The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), the Aga Khan Museum, and the Gardiner Museum have family fun days (usually Sundays), play or craft centres, and/or workshops for kids.

The Ontario Science Centre is a great destination for kids on any day, and for a special treat make a day or afternoon trip to The Museum children’s museum in Kitchener.
You can get into many museums free of charge by picking up museum passes at the Toronto Public Library for the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), Black Creek Pioneer Village, the Toronto Zoo, and the Ontario Science Centre. (Not all library locations offer all passes.)

Only three to five asses are available per week, so find out when your branch gets them and show up early!

Many museums also have one free night per week or free periods for students.

11. Lowville Winter Games

This annual festival in Burlington (Jan. 26) celebrates outdoor winter fun with tobogganing and skating (weather-permitting) and crafts and food. Though the 2015 is to-be-determined, past years have seen log-sawing competitions, a human gyroscope, Frisbee golf, and horse-drawn wagon rides.

12. Winterlicious

Toronto’s famed winter culinary festival starts January 30 and continues through February 12. Expand kids’ palates or just eat out for a nice meal and justify the expense for once! Plenty of restaurants offer lunch menus. Reservations required.

 

Read more:

15 Indoor Activities for Toronto Kids	FREE Family Fun Guide: Toronto	50 Ways to Enjoy Cold-Weather Days with Kids