Free & Affordable March Break Activities

Monday, March 13 to Friday, March 17 is March Break for elementary and high school students in the City of Toronto.CampsMarch Break camps are a great opportunity for children and youth to enjoy a range of activities such as arts, crafts, music, drama, sports and games. Details are available at http://www.toronto.ca/parks/camps or by calling 311.Drop-in programsCity of Toronto community centres offer free or low-cost programs for all ages. More information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/parks and by calling 311.SkatingThirty-six outdoor artificial ice rinks are open until the end of the day on March 19, weather permitting. Locations, hours and program details are available at http://www.toronto.ca/parks/prd/skating/dropin/marchbreak/index.htm.Indoor leisure skating programs, including caregiver and tot, family skate and shinny, are free for all ages. CSA-approved hockey helmets are mandatory for children under six years of age and all shinny hockey participants, and are recommended for skaters of all ages. Schedules and locations are available at http://www.toronto.ca/skate.SwimmingCity of Toronto pools are offering free swimming during March Break. More information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/parks/prd/swimming/dropin/marchbreak/index.htm.Riverdale FarmVisitors can tour Riverdale Farm's scenic grounds to see domestic farm animals such as pigs, horses and sheep. The farm is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is accessible to all. Admission is free. More information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/riverdalefarm.High Park ZooEstablished 120 years ago, the High Park Zoo is home to domestic and exotic animals, including bison, llamas, peacocks, reindeer, highland cattle and yaks. Admission to the zoo is free and it's open daily from dawn to dusk. More information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/parks/zoo/.Toronto Island ParkJust minutes away from downtown by ferry, Toronto Island Park offers March break fun for everyone. It's a great place to walk, roll, cycle, explore and enjoy the city skyline. Ferry schedule and fees are available at http://www.toronto.ca/ferry.Playground Paradise, Flemingdon Park Community CentrePlayground Paradise offers fun for children aged 12 and under. Kids can play on a two-storey play structure, go down the spiral slide, swing on the track ride, and play in the ball pit. Admission fee is $2.50 per child. More information is available by calling 416-395-6014.March break schedule• March 13, 15 and 17 from 10 a.m. to noon, 1 to 3 p.m., 4 to 6 p.m. and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.• March 14 and 16 from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m.ConservatoriesThe spring flower shows are in full bloom at Centennial Park Conservatory, 151 Elmcrest Rd. and Allan Gardens Conservatory, 19 Horticultural Ave. Both shows feature various spring flowering plants, including tulips, daffodils and hyacinths. The conservatories are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and admission is free. More information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/conservatories.Historic sitesNine of the City's 10 historic sites are open during March Break for tours and events. The sites highlighted below will offer drop-in family activities such as crafts, games and tasty treats from historic kitchens. Fort York National Historic Site will also be offering music workshops. Regular admission fees apply. Times and activity details vary by location. More information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/museum-events.Sites with drop-in activities:• Fort York National Historic Site – March 13 to 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.• Mackenzie House (82 Bond St.) – March 11 to 19, noon to 5 p.m.• Scarborough Museum (1007 Brimley Rd.) – weekends only, noon to 4 p.m.• Spadina Museum (285 Spadina Rd.) – March 11 to 19, noon to 5 p.m.• Todmorden Mills Heritage Site (67 Pottery Rd.) – March 11 to 19, noon to 4 p.m.Some sites will also feature special historic exhibitions and tours including:• "Unearthing Toronto's Oldest Marketplace: The Archaeology of the North St. Lawrence Market“, at the Market Gallery through March 18.• "Gibson House: A Centennial Legacy", runs to May 28 and has special hours during March break (please check the museum's event link for more details).• Mackenzie House will offer a walking tour on March 18 called "From Riots to Respectability: The Irish Experience in Toronto" from 10 a.m. to noon ($10 per person, including tax).Five of the historic sites (Colborne Lodge, Gibson House, Montgomery's Inn, Scarborough Museum and Spadina Museum) are offering day camps (pre-registration is required). More camp information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/museum-events.

Share this post