Toronto has lots to offer families all year round! With plenty of exciting festivals and events, it’s a great place to visit! Our list of 10 FREE Things to do in Toronto with Kids is sure to keep you busy and is packed with the best free & low-cost activities!

1. Visit the Zoo

High Park Zoo is a free mini-zoo with llamas, deer, buffalo, bison and a host of other birds and animals. It is situated in High Park which also has lots of natural areas and walking trails, playgrounds, sports facilities, an educational Children’s Garden and a Trackless Train.

2. Free Active Learning

Every Friday Kids360 Active Learning Centre opens its doors for two hours of FREE play and activities! This allows all parents & kids (under 4 years) to connect, participate in free play and experience fun programs each week.

3. Petting Zoo and Woods

Riverdale Farm is a free petting zoo in the heart of downtown Toronto with benches where you can have a picnic lunch. Open all year round the park hosts lots of seasonal activities & admission is free!

4. Harbourfront Centre

Whatever you’re looking for, the Harbourfront Centre is sure to have it! Ice-skating in winter, family-friendly concerts in spring, summer festivals, film screenings, outdoor dancing and food! Best of all, most programming is completely free! Well worth checking out!

5. Explore a Waterfront Trail

Walk the 2.5 km of waterfront trail from Confederation Park to Van Wagner’s Beach and enjoy restored beaches and sand dunes. There’s plenty of excellent cafés and restaurants along the way and interpretative panels describe Hamilton’s rich natural and cultural heritage.

6. Winter Ice-skating in Toronto

Two of the best free ice-rinks in Toronto are the ones at City Hall and Harbourfront Centre! Bring your own skates and if you can’t, you can rent them. The Natrel Rink is our particular favourite, based on the shores of Lake Ontario with lots of hot food and drinks available at the rink-side restaurant.

Plans to visit Sydney? Check out our Top Free Things to do in Sydney with Kids.

7. Confederation Park

Confederation Park is a huge natural parkland containing the Wild Waterworks, a water theme park featuring Canada’s largest outdoor wave pool (entry fee applies). A great place for picnicking and taking a stroll, the park also contains outdoor attractions like go-karts, batting cages and mini golf.

8. Take a Streetcar to the Beach

A cost-effective way to tour Toronto’s most famous streets, the street cars will bring you to the Beaches, an east-end Toronto neighbourhood.

In the summer there’s a choice of free beach concerts (that are family friendly) like the Jazz Festival at Woodbine Park in July.

9. Centre Island Ferry Ride

Ok, there is a small fee to pay for the ferry ride but once on Centre Island there are lots of free activities such as Franklin Children’s Garden, a park inspired by the popular children’s storybook, a petting zoo, a frisbee golf course, wading pools, bicycle paths and bike rentals.

Bring a buggy for little ones as it is a car-free, public transit-free zone.

10. St. Jacobs Country

St. Jacobs Country is Ontario’s favourite rural destination best known for its Farmers Market, Market Road Antiques and Shopping Outlets. In any season, there are lots of family activities including walks or cycles along country routes & trails. Explore the historic and cultural exhibits or take a self-guided historic Village walking tour.

You might enjoy some of our other family destination guides: free things to do with kids in Los Angeles, New York, and Boston and

Have you visited Toronto recently? What Free Things to do in Toronto with Kids would you recommend? We’d love to hear your feedback, so please let us know in the comments below!

Are you planning a visit to the USA? Check out our Free Things to do in Boston or Free Things to do in New York.

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