The weather is officially glorious (well… mostly), so it’s time to shake off those bad winter habits and start making plans again. Grab the kids, get out of the house, and have some fun.
May is one of the best months to be living in Toronto; to help you take advantage of our wonderful city, we’ve put together a handy guide to keep you and the kids busy all month.
For even more happenings in the GTA, see our Events directory, updated daily.
On this month in Toronto for kids:
Spring Toad Festival
Celebrate the arrival of spring at the Toronto Zoo’s Spring Toad Festival by experiencing the sights and sounds of amorous male toads in search of that special someone! This annual wetland festival has tons of family-friendly activities, including face painting, froggy games, Toady the Mascot, wildlife tracking lessons, and details on how to become a Frog Watcher or Turtle Detective. May 1
Ontario Science Centre Sleepover
An Ontario Science Centre Sleepover is fun for the whole family. The night of Survivor Science has you striving to survive through fun challenges and interactive science. Watch a film, get hands-on with science, explore the centre after dark, have a PJ dance party, and more! April 30–May 1
Arts for Life Children’s Festival – FREE
Kids ages 4–12 are invited to the Arts for Life Children’s Festival at the Living Arts Centre. Enjoy a whole weekend of fun activities, live entertainment, theatre performances, music, dance, storytelling, face-painting, creative expression, and much more. There will be free events and ticketed events. April 29–May 1
Solar Observing at the Ontario Science Centre – FREE
Get up close and personal with our nearest star at the Ontario Science Centre’s Solar Observing event. Kids can safely observe the sun (weather permitting) with specially filtered telescopes, and learn more about the sun while trying to spot exotic surface features, including sunspots, spicules, and prominences. May 7
Spring into Parkdale – FREE
This year’s Spring into Parkdale is the 4th annual sidewalk festival. There will be live music and entertainment, great food, and of course a kids zone. Kids can participate in face-painting, art galleries, photo-booths, and more. Come discover the new businesses and old-gems of Parkdale. May 7
Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic: Chalkboard Planter – FREE
Stop by your local Lowe’s for a free Build and Grow Clinic. Kids can create an educational project, which they will get to take home afterwards, along with a merit certificate, nametag, apron, and goggles. Register ahead. May 7
Pampered Pooches T.O. – FREE
Head to Liberty Village for Pampered Pooches T.O., a one-day event filled with tons of great activities for you and your beloved dog (or dogs). There will be over 45 vendors of dog food (and people food) and fashion, as well as tips for grooming, and pet health. An entire event of shopping, entertainment, and information just for your pup! May 7
Jr. Jays Saturdays
Bring your family to the ballpark every Saturday home game for fun activities and entertainment at Jr. Jays Saturdays. There are specially priced kids’ tickets, and kids can run the bases after the game! May 7 Jays vs. Dodgers, May 28 Jays vs. Red Sox
ROMwalks – FREE
Every Wednesday and Sunday, the Royal Ontario Museum hosts a walking tour (ROMwalks) around one of Toronto’s historic neighbourhoods. Rain or shine, you and your family can learn about Toronto’s architectural and cultural history, discuss the changes happening in our growing city, and get a unique perspective of each vibrant neighbourhood you visit. May 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25
Power Kids Art Workshop – FREE
The Power Plant hosts free arts and crafts workshops, called Power Kids, for kids between the ages of 7 and 12. First kids get a tour of the gallery, and then they participate in an art activity, inspired by the ideas behind the current exhibition. The tours and workshops are led by artist-educators and The Power Plant’s TD Curator of Education and Outreach Fellow. May 8 City After Dark, May 15 Flutter of Colour
Victorian Star Party
Westfield Heritage Village is hosting a Victorian Star Party. Families can look at the stars through a Victorian telescope (as well as modern ones), participate in kid-friendly astronomy activities, make crafts, eat yummy homemade snacks, and more! This will be an interactive evening of discovery and exploration. May 13
International Migratory Bird Day
Come celebrate the 17th annual International Migratory Bird Day at Rouge Park or the Toronto Zoo. You can get useful info from the informative displays, learn to identify local birds, and tour Rouge Park with a birding expert. May 14
International Museum Day at Markham Museum – FREE
Visit the Markham Museum on International Museum Day, see the new exhibition, explore and get interactive, and participate in fun family drop-in activities for free. The fun includes crafting, mini putt, building machines and circuits, and exploring the museum. May 22
Gangways Open on Toronto’s Waterfront – FREE
Gangways Open on Toronto’s Waterfront is a weekend long event for the whole family. Discover local artisans, crafters, bakers, chefs, and sample from local businesses, including drinks, gelato and yummy food! There will also be performing artists all along the waterfront for your enjoyment. Don’t miss out on the 2-for-1 paddleboat rides on the Natrel Pond, have your picture taken with pirates as they invade the Waterfront, and much more! May 28–29
Plays, Music, Dance and Movies
The Wizard of Oz at Young People’s Theatre April 4–May 15
Anne of Green Gables at Lower Ossington Theatre April 14–May 22
Alice in Wonderland at the Shaw Festival April 27–October 16
Student Recitals and Concerts – FREE Ongoing – new dates added monthly
Fancy Nancy: The Musical at Lower Ossington Theatre February 27–May 1
Scarberia at Young People’s Theatre April 18–May 1
Hamlet: A Puppet Epic at Solar Stage Children’s Theatre April 30–May 1
Best of Kids Fringe Fest at Solar Stage Children’s Theatre April 30–May 1
Will Stroet and the Backyard Band at RBC Theatre May 1
Mississauga Symphony Youth Orchestra at RBC Theatre May 1
Peter Rabbit Tales at Hammerson Hall May 1
150 Years on the Sixteen – Oakville Wind Orchestra May 1
Charlotte’s Web at Richmond Hill Centre May 2
Spring Concert at Oakville Centre May 3
Seussical the Musical by Bravo Academy’s Performing Arts Junior and Youth Music Theatre Troupes May 6–8
An Evening of Wonders Magic Show at Al Green Theatre May 6–8
Raise Your Voice by the Oakville Children’s Choir May 7
The Iron Giant at Cineplex Family Favourites May 7
The Really Real Adventures of Scott Free & Will Do at Solar Stage Theatre May 7–29
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe at the Stratford Festival May 10–Oct 22
Seussical the Musical by Bravo Academy’s Performing Arts Teen Music Theatre Troupes May 13–21
Shorts at Cineplex Family Favourites May 14
Peter and the Wolf presented by Toronto Symphony Orchestra May 14
Riverdance at Ed Mirvish Theatre May 17–29
The Lego Movie at Cineplex Family Favourites May 21
The Neverending Story at Cineplex Family Favourites May 28
Mother’s Day Events
Wildflower Walk for Mom
Head to beautiful Crawford Lake for the Mother’s Day wildflower hike. View a spring slideshow, and then go on a guided walk through the Crawford Lake woodlands to see all the wildflowers in bloom. After the Wildflower Walk for Mom, families can enjoy a snack and some tea. May 8
Mother’s Day Brunch and Nature Hike
Get outside this Mother’s Day and head to Kortright Centre for Conservation for their Mother’s Day Brunch and Nature Hike. Families can enjoy a delicious brunch outside, including a waffle bar, fresh fruit, sweet toppings, and even a chocolate fountain! After you’ve had your fill, enjoy a guided hike through the beautiful Kortright trails. Make sure to reserve ahead! May 8
Mother’s Day at Westfield Heritage Village
Head over to Mother’s Day at Westfield Heritage Village and explore thirty-five heritage buildings. The village is a great place to spend a day. Don’t forget to pack a picnic lunch to enjoy with the whole family. May 8
Mother’s Day Brunch at Black Creek
Celebrate Mother’s Day with Brunch at Black Creek Pioneer Village. Enjoy a charming brunch and tea experience. Participate in a light-hearted etiquette lesson, where you can learn to speak just like a Victorian lady or gentleman. When you are all finished, you can take a lovely stroll through the historic village. May 8
*This is just a sample of Mother’s Day events. For a complete list of 2016 Mother’s Day events, check out our list of Great Mother’s Day Events in Toronto and the GTA.
Victoria Day Long Weekend
Pirates and Princesses
Come to Black Creek Pioneer Village for their Pirates and Princesses weekend of fun. Participate in fairytale family-fun by celebrating classic stories, enjoying interactive characters, attending pirate school, and joining in for the treasure hunt. Don’t forget your tiaras and eye patches! May 21–23
World Turtle Weekend
Stop by the Toronto Zoo for World Turtle Weekend. Learn how conservationists are working to help save endangered turtles from extinction around the world. You can also learn how to protect the turtles here in Ontario and in your own backyard. Kid-friendly activities include a turtle mascot, prizes, inflatable turtle replicas, a turtle bouncy castle, face painting, and learning to identify different turtle species. May 22–23
Fireworks At Ashbridges Bay Park – FREE
Toronto’s annual lakeside Victoria Day fireworks show will be a spectacular display at Ashbridges Bay Park, rain or shine. The show will feature more than 2,000 fireworks and will have a grand finale of pyrotechnic wonders! This event is a Toronto favourite. May 23
*For a complete list of 2016 Victoria Day Weekend Events, check out our Family Fun on Victoria Day Weekend article coming soon.
Fundraisers and Charity Events
Meagan’s Walk: Creating a Circle of Hope
On Meagan’s Walk, everyone follows a 5km route that leads to SickKids, where everyone gathers, join hands, and form a huge “hug” around the hospital. There will also be live music and entertainment, face-painting, and inspiring talks from youth ambassadors, doctors, and the walk’s founder. May 7
Mother’s Day Breast Cancer Walk
Help raise money for the Breast Cancer Society of Canada at the Mother’s Day Breast Cancer Walk. All fitness levels are welcome, this event encourages fun! The festivities include incentives, music, guest speakers, Zumba warm up, survivor tent, refreshments, and activities for the kids. And don’t forget to come dressed up in your craziest pink costume. May 8
The Cardiac Walk of Life
Kids under 14 are free! Walk, run, have fun, and honour a family member, friend, co-worker, or a child by raising money at the Cardiac Walk for Life. There will be free snacks and beverages, live entertainment, kids activities, prizes, a BBQ lunch, and more! May 28
The Upper Canada Mall Easter Seals 5k and 10k Run and 5k Walk
Free for kids under 10. The Upper Canada Mall Easter Seals 10k is York Region’s longest running fundraiser for children and youth with physical disabilities. The 10k run offers a challenge for serious runners, while the 5k walk and family-friendly activities opens the event to everyone. May 29
READ MORE LIKE THIS:
- 50 Free Spring Family Activities in Toronto and the GTA
- 12 Movies to Watch With Your Kids in 2016
- Spring Fun For Everyone
Keep informed with all our camps coverage and find the perfect camp by searching our Toronto & GTA camps directory.
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