This year the February PA day falls on the Friday before Family Day weekend. You may have your Family Day activities mapped out, but if you haven’t booked a PA day camp and you’re off for the long weekend with the kids, here are some of our top picks for fun things to do this Friday, February 17.
In addition to these special events, some always family-friendly attractions open on Friday and worth visiting are the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), the Hockey Hall of Fame, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, and the Toronto Zoo.
PA Day at the Toronto Public Library
For free PA day fun, check out the schedule at your local TPL branch. Many locations are showing family-friendly movies like The Secret Life of Pets or The BFG, or you can drop in for a crafting session, a board game, or a Black History Month–themed film or activity.
Various branches (find a local branch)Feb. 17
Times vary by location
FREE
Beauty and the Beast Exhibit at Casa Loma
Walt Disney Studios Canada presents an exclusive new exhibit showcasing nine costumes from the upcoming film, Beauty and the Beast (opening March 17), along with themed activities and special performances.
Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace, TorontoFebruary 17–20, 9:30 am–9 pm
$25 adults, $20 youth, $15 children; free for ages 3 and under
PA Day Fun at the Bata Shoe Museum
For ages 3–12, the BSM has a shoe-themed hands-on demo for kids, activity bags, and an i-spy game in the galleries.
Bata Shoe Museum, 327 Bloor St. W.Feb. 17
10 am–4 pm
$14 adults, $5 children ages 5–17, children 4 and under free
The Second City Training Centre Family Open House
Check out the family open house at The Second City Training Centre. Try an improv workshop and get a sneak peek at the currently running family show, Big Bad Wolf vs. Lord Underwearface von Schtinker.
The Second City, 51 Mercer St., TorontoFeb. 17
10 am–12:30 pm
FREE
Play in a Day at YPT
Young People’s Theatre still has space in its full-day PA day workshop for Grades 1–3 and 4–6. Kids take part in fun drama exercises and create a play that parents are invited to see at day’s end. Also included is a ticket to attend James and the Giant Peach in the morning and a backstage tour.
Young People’s Theatre, 165 Front St. E.Feb. 17
9 am–3:30 pm; optional early drop-off beginning at 8:30 am
$55/child
Dream Big at the Ontario Science Centre
Friday is the opening day of the IMAX film Dream Big: Engineering Our World at the OSC. The film delves into engineering marvels from the Great Wall of China to underwater robots to sustainable cities and shows how engineers push the limits of innovation. After Friday, the film continues at the OSC through March 19.
Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Rd.Feb. 17
Noon and 2 pm showtimes
$9/person
Drop-in Activities at Toronto Community Rec Centres
Free, drop-in activities take place at community recreation centres throughout the GTA. These include ice skating, shinny, swimming, general open-gym playtime, sports, games rooms, and more. Find activities at your local centre.
Various Toronto community centresFeb. 17
Times vary by location and activity
FREE
Keep up to date on all the best things to do with kids in Toronto with our Event Listings.
Sign up for our newsletters to receive weekly list of events happening near you!
