With the Family Day long weekend approaching, you may be wondering what to do with your family to keep busy this winter. Well, look no further! isure has compiled a list of Family Day activities for you and your family to enjoy.
1. The Toronto Black Film Festival for Kids
In honour of Black History Month, here is an option the whole family can enjoy. This festival caters to children ages four to 12, featuring a large variety of activities they will love. The TBFF, founded by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, celebrates and explores the experiences of black people across all communities. This kid-friendly event is a great way to introduce your children to their family’s experiences or a different perspective. This event is being held at the Carlton Cinema in Toronto and runs on Monday, February 17th from 11 am to 5 pm. Check out TBFF’s official website for more information.
2. Winter Stations at Woodbine Beach
This design competition is a great way to get outside. Located on Woodbine Beach in Toronto, Winter Stations is an opportunity for designers to create large pieces of art utilizing existing lifeguard towers across the Toronto Beaches. This year’s theme is “Radiance”, which can be a great conversation starter with your family on how to continue moving forward after the pandemic. This event is free and for all ages! Winter Stations runs all of Family Day until April 3rd and is wheelchair accessible.
3. YMCA Family Weekend
From February 16th – 18th, you and your family can enjoy some fun activities during the YMCA’s Family Weekend camp. This stayover vacation hosted at the Y’s Cedar Glen outdoor centre has fun for the entire family. From hiking to biking to learning the photography basics, this camp has something for every child! On top of this, you get to stay in some of the gorgeous cabins the Y has to offer, with all meals catered as well. Check out the official website ymcagta.org for more information.
4. The Art Gallery of Ontario
From February 17th – 29th, take a trip to the Art Gallery of Ontario. With lots of specialty programming, featuring storytelling, screenings, and art, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Additionally, anyone 25 years old and under receives free admission for all of Family Day weekend! Check out the AGO’s official website ago.ca for more information.
5. Go licence-free fishing
All Family Day weekend, Canadian residents of any age can go fishing without a license across Ontario. Please remember all Ontario fishing regulations, fees, and limits still apply. This event runs from February 17th – 29th. Visit this Ontario map viewer through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to find a fishing spot near you.
6. Bloor-Yorkville Icefest
Take a trip to Yorkville and Bloor Street this weekend to see some incredible ice sculptures. Featuring live ice carving demonstrations, an ice lounge, and an entire ice wall complete with a projection show, Bloor-Yorkville Icefest has something for the whole family. This year, the theme for the festival is ‘Dreams and Fantasies’, and will feature castles, unicorns, mermaids, and more, all carved out of over 60,000 pounds of ice! This free event will be running on February 18th and 19th, from 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm. Visit Bloor-Yorkville Icefest’s official website bloor-yorkville.com/icefest for more information.
7. Love and Peace Lantern Festival
Enjoy an outdoor light show with your family to change things up! The Love and Peace Lantern Festival will feature lanterns originated in Zigong, Sichuan, China, and will be a part of a beautiful presentation following a story. The festival will be held at the Woodside Square Shopping Centre in Toronto until February 19th, with ticket prices at either $10 or $12. This is sure to be an experience the whole family will love!
8. The Royal Ontario Museum
Why not visit the ROM in Toronto this Family Day? From February 17th to the 19th, the ROM is offering additional Family Day activities included with admission, so take the opportunity to learn and see something new. Featuring plenty of themed activity stations, and even an indoor hiking trail, there is something new for every member of the family to discover. Additionally, the ROM is offering a distance discount for visitors from Ontario. Visit the ROM’s official website and use discount codes L (20% off), N & K (30%), or P (40%), depending on your postal code, to purchase admission.
9. Aga Khan Museum
Enjoy spending quality time with your loved ones at the Aga Khan Museum. Along with celebrating Family Day, The Aga Khan Museum will be celebrating the Lunar New Year in partnership with the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto. Featuring live performances and special activities, the whole family will have the chance to celebrate this exciting holiday together. With admission fees as low as $10, this is a great option for all ages. Visit the Aga Khan Museum’s official website for more information.
10. Ripley’s Aquarium
This Family Day, spend time exploring Ripley’s Aquarium with over 16,000 marine animals and 5.7 million litres of water. The entire aquarium will be open for the Family Day long weekend, so take some time and explore all that Ripley’s has to offer. Visit the aquarium’s official website ripleyaquariums.com for more information, hours, and entry information.
We hope this article helps with some ideas for how to celebrate Family Day this year. Remember, no matter what you choose to do, time spent with loved ones is always special. Happy Family Day!
