3 Toronto Gems, From Free To… Not so Free
Summer outings don’t all need the same level of planning, or the same budget.
Here are three Toronto-area gems to keep in your back pocket, starting with an easy outdoor adventure and ending with a full-on experience for the bigger kids.
1. Sunnybrook Water Hike, $
If your kids are happiest when they’re allowed to get wet, climb around and explore, this is such a good summer option.
The Sunnybrook area has trails and water to explore, so it feels a little more adventurous than your standard walk in the park. Come prepared for wet shoes, muddy kids, and nobody staying quite as clean as you hoped.
Pack water shoes, snacks and a change of clothes, and you’ve got yourself a very inexpensive summer outing.
Best for: A nice-weather day when you want to get everyone outside without spending much.
2. Kart Town, $$
Think go-karting, but made for little kids.
Kart Town is an indoor spot in Scarborough where younger kids can get behind the wheel of kid-sized go-karts. Smaller kids can ride with a parent, while kids who meet the requirements can actually drive themselves.
There’s more than just the karts too, with arcades and other activities specifically designed for little kids.
It’s a great option for the kid who desperately wants to do all the “big kid” activities, but isn’t quite big enough for regular go-karting yet. Also a very good one to remember for rainy days or those extremely hot summer afternoons when nobody wants to be outside.
Best for: Little kids who love cars, driving and doing things themselves.
3. Space Center Vaughan, $$$
This one is more of an experience, and definitely the splurge of the three.
Space Center is a space-themed indoor activity centre where kids get to feel a little like they’re training to become astronauts. There are physical challenges, interactive activities and STEM-style elements mixed in, so it’s much more than just another indoor playground.
This one especially works for bigger kids who have started to outgrow the usual play places but also for the little kids who are happy to climb and slide. If they’re into space, science, challenges, or just want something that feels different, there’s plenty to keep them interested.
It’s more of a planned outing than a quick “we need to get out of the house” stop, but that can also make it a fun summer treat.
Best for: Bigger kids who need something more exciting than another playground.
Save these for the next “what should we do today?”
Three outings, three completely different levels of effort and spending.
b’kitzur: Sunnybrook when you want a simple outdoor adventure, Kart Town when the littles want to DRIVE, and Space Center when the bigger kids need something that actually feels new. Save all three now, because eventually someone is going to say, “I’m booooored.”
