It’s now cold enough outside for you to want all-day indoor fun, so you might need a great list of ideas to keep busy with the kids until spring. You can always stay inside and try your own activities, like shooting a movie, playing dress-up, creating a scavenger hunt, building a fort, baking, crafting, or having a dance party.
However, cabin fever is real, so you will eventually have to leave your house. When you do, take a look at the list below for some fun and unique indoor activities for the kids.
Museums and Galleries
This list goes on and on. Check out the Art Gallery of Ontario or the Royal Ontario Museum for fun kid-friendly events and exhibitions, or the Hockey Hall of Fame to appease your sports fans.
Get your science on at the Ontario Science Centre with hands-on exhibits and films.
Aquariums and Animals
Head over to Ripley’s Aquarium to see the 16,000+ aquatic animals and get interactive in one of their touch pools. See animals from around the globe at the Toronto Zoo, open year-round. Or head to the Reptilia Reptile Zoo to get up-close and personal with reptiles, amphibians and arachnids.
Workshops and Classes
There are tons of workshops and classes to check out in our online directory of Toronto After School Specialty Programs. You can become a fighter pilot, discover your inner artist, learn how to do computer coding, or learn how to cook, just to give you a few examples.
Science Centres
When the kids have a passion for learning, let them explore through science at one of Toronto’s great scientific locations. The Ontario Science Centre has a never-ending list of activities, events, exhibits, and films. Chamelea Science Center, Mad Science and Action Potential Lab have fun shows, classes, and events.
Escape Rooms and Spy School
By now, you must have heard about the escape phenomenon. Grab your family, lock yourselves in a room, and work together to find a way out. Mystery solving as a team is a great way to bond with the kids and have some fun while you’re at it. If escaping isn’t for you, have an immersive spy adventure at Undercover Kids Amazing Spy Parties.
Indoor Amusement Parks
Amusement parks are a great way to spend a day inside, with super-fun activities like bowling, arcade games, laser tag, mini golf, roller-skating, and much more. To find one just right for you, visit our online directory of Toronto Amusement Centres.
Indoor Playgrounds
Indoor playgrounds are guaranteed to keep the kids active and might even give you a minute by yourself. The kids can climb up, slide down, jump around, and play games in a fun and safe environment. Check out our online directory of Indoor Playgrounds in Toronto to discover one near you.
Indoor Skating
It’s hard to stay active in the winter, especially because you don’t even want to go outside. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to stay fit inside this winter, like lacing up those skates. Get a chance to skate on the old Maple Leaf Gardens rink (now Mattamy Athletic Centre) or the many indoor rinks of the city of Toronto. Or get old school and try your hand at roller skating. The kids will love it!
Rock Climbing
Rock climbing is a great way to encourage bravery and confidence. It’s also more fun than watching the kids climb all over the living room furniture. We’ve got a Where to Climb list already created, but if you want to find something yourself, take a look at our online directory of Indoor Sports Centres in Toronto for more.
Trampoline Parks
Next time you find the kids jumping on the bed, instead of getting mad, why not take them to a trampoline park where they can bounce themselves crazy? Go ahead and try it yourself, you’ll see how much fun it is! Our online directory has tons of Great Trampoline Parks listed. Check them out!
Indoor Beach Fun
What better way to spend a cold day than at the beach? Toronto has several fun indoor beach locations for kids to spend the day. Check out North Beach Volleyball for supervised, high-energy activities or Beach Blast for some fun indoor sand games.
Attend the Ballet
If you’ve got a budding dancer, or a kid who just loves dancing, why not spend an evening at the ballet? The music and movement are attention grabbing and somewhat awe-inspiring. While not all the programs are family-friendly, the National Ballet of Canada often has performances based on classic stories and fairytales that the kids know and love.
Go to the Theatre
Toronto has an endless supply of theatre for kids. Comedy, plays, musicals, dinner theatre, puppet shows and magicians; the sky is the limit if you know where to look. Check out our online directory of Children’s Theatre and Concerts in Toronto to find the right concert or theatre venue for you and your family.
Listen to Some Music
For all the young music lovers, Young People’s Concerts at Roy Thomson Hall are a great way to spend a few hours. The young and the old will love the symphonic music and dancing entertainment provided by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. The events are geared towards kids, aged 4–12, so they don’t generally run longer than 50 minutes.
Day Spas
On a cold winter day, spend the morning or afternoon pampering yourselves. It’s also a good time to chat with the kids and really get a feel for what’s going on in their lives.
Having their nails done and getting a facial will really make the kids feel spoiled (and don’t forget to spoil yourself in the meantime!). This might seem like a girl’s day out situation, but boys (and dads) enjoy the pampering process just as much. Try Glama Gal Tween Spa for dessert-inspired treatments and more or check out our online listings of Spa Themed Birthday Parties.
This is something the kids have never experienced before; a spa for the whole family! Seoul Zimzilbang is a North York spa, inspired by Korea’s love for spa treatments. It’s inexpensive, open 24/7, and for all ages. There are steam rooms and saunas for everyone.
