In May the city really springs to life (ha ha) with festivals and warm-weather attractions opening across the Greater Toronto Area. This month, we’re lucky enough to have lots of new and amazing things on the horizon, like Toronto’s first children’s museum and a brand-new pirate ship adventure.
Here are our top picks for the best kid-friendly events for the whole family this May!
For even more happenings in the GTA, see our Events directory, updated daily.
On this month in Toronto for kids:
Arts for Life Children’s Festival
FREE This Mississauga kids’ fest takes place the first weekend in May at the Living Arts Centre. The Arts for Life Children’s Festival is a fun-filled weekend of entertainment, activities and opportunities for kids to express their creativity. Inflatables, music and dance performances, and lots more! May 1–3
Centreville Opening Weekend
Head to Centre Island for the more than 30 rides and attractions at Centreville Amusement Park, for kids as young as 2 up through school-age kids: bumper boats, a train, a log flume ride, mini-golf, and check out the brand-new Mine Coaster ride! Don’t forget to visit Far Enough Farm and Franklin Children’s Garden while you’re there. Go to www.centreisland.ca for May savings and promos. Opens May 2
Canada’s Wonderland Opening Weekend
All the amusement parks are opening this month, and Canada’s Wonderland is Toronto’s biggest. Thrill rides like a 4D “dark” roller coaster for older kids and tame coasters and tea cups for little ones. Season pass holders get a sneak preview May 1. May 3
Pirate Life
The Island Rogue, an honest-to-goodness 45-foot pirate ship, sets sail in Toronto’s harbour this month. A new, interactive experience for Toronto kids, Pirate Life shows include storytelling, sword-fighting, and swashbuckling by pirate actors and Pirate School, where kids learn the ways of seafaring life. May through October. Opens May 2
Mother’s Day Events
Check out the hottest tickets in town for Mother’s Day weekend, including brunch at Casa Loma, a Mariposa harbour cruise, and brunch at Black Creek Pioneer Village. Book them now!
Here are a few more special events for Mom:
Mother’s Day at the Kortright Centre May 10
Canada’s National Mom Show May 10
Gibson House Mother’s Day Tea May 10
Mother’s Day Tea & Tour at Montgomery’s Inn May 10
Mother’s Day at Westfield Heritage Village May 10
Toronto International Circus Festival
FREE Run away and join the circus, if only for a day, at the Toronto International Circus Festival. Performances by Circus Academy kids troupe, CORPUS Dance Projects, and Zero Gravity Circus. Aerial acrobatics, comedy, clowns, fortune tellers for kids and more. May 16–18
Gangways Open on Toronto’s Waterfront
Presented by the Waterfront BIA, this event includes free boat rides from Harbourfront Centre Sailing & Paddleboating, a huge inflatable pirate ship for kids to play on and in, 2 for 1 paddleboating on Natrel Pond, guided tours of 12 ships, and Toronto Police Marine Unit fleet tours. May 23–24
Doors Open Toronto
FREE The 16th annual Doors Open Toronto takes you inside buildings and facilities usually closed to the public or only open for a fee. Of special interest for kids may be rock-climbing facilities, dance studios, a skateboard park, and the go-kart track at Downsview Sports Centre. May 23–24
Children’s Discovery Centre
Toronto’s first and only children’s museum opens this month! The Children’s Discovery Centre is a a play-based learning museum for young kids aged six and below, with ten discovery zones with themes from moving your body to pets and music. There’s a special area for babies, too!
The pilot project is on for five months. Attend opening weekend for a loot bag filled with goodies like the Help! We’ve Got Kids savings directory! Opens May 23
Prologue Children’s Festival for the Arts
Free family fun. The Prologue Children’s Festival for the Arts is an evening of music, theatre, dance and storytelling at the Young People’s Theatre. Reservations are required. May 25
PHOTO: ADAPTED FROM RYAN READY/FLICKR CC
Find more Toronto events for kids, updated daily.
Read more:
Don’t miss out on these popular Mother’s Day events—tickets go quickly.
Check out some fun, free things to do with kids this spring!
