Like many families, you may find yourself struggling to make family plans during the fall season. As Summer winds down and Autumn comes around the corner, many people think the time for some family fun is over! However, this is far from the case. By living in Ontario, you unlock a whirlwind of activities that are fun for the entire family. Don’t let the cooler temperatures stop you from exploring the outdoors and participating in all the fabulous family-friendly fall activities in Ontario. Autumn is one of the best reasons for enjoying the great outdoors. Here are some fun, kid-approved excursions to help you and your family enjoy this colourful season to its fullest.

1. Visit a park or conservation area

Fall is the perfect time to visit your favourite park or conversation area. Luckily for you, Ontario is full of beautiful conservation areas scattered around the province. Over 300 of them, to be exact! Enjoy some hiking, cycling, roller-blading, or simply walking, in the crisp autumn air. One of the more popular parks is Jackson’s Park in Peterborough, Ontario. There are kilometres of paths for your exploring pleasure. Best of all, entrance is free! Peterborough is part of the Kawarthas, home to numerous family-friendly parks only a short drive away from the Greater Toronto Area. Not near Peterborough? Here are a few other options:

Claireville Conservation Area
Boyd Conservation Area
Christie Conservation Area
Crawford Conservation Area
Rockwood Conservation Area
Bruce’s Mill Conservation Area
Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area
& many, many more!

2. Go to Fall fairs

With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, many people forget just how fun a classic trip to the fair is! Many towns, big and small, across Ontario have fairs that run weekend to weekend. In fact, you can probably go to a fair every weekend in the fall and not visit any of the fairs twice. A visit to the fair means learning about farm animals, seeing prized produce, picking up artisan crafts and gifts, along with rollercoaster rides, and of course, eating delicious treats!

Some of the famous Fall fairs in 2023 include:

Caledonia Fair – September 29 – October 1, 2023
Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show – October 3 to 9, 2023
Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival – October 6 to 9, 2023
Woodbridge Fair – October 7 to 9, 2023
Elmvale Fall Fair – October 6 to 7, 2023

3. Pick your own fruits, vegetables and pumpkins

Many people already know just how exciting picking your own pumpkin can be! However, not many are aware of just how fun picking other fruits and veggies can be. One of the best ways to foster appreciation for Ontario’s local produce is by visiting local farms to go fruit and vegetable picking. Two of the many family-friendly fall activities in Ontario include apple and pumpkin picking. The length of the picking season varies from year to year. Here’s a list of some local orchards around the GTA:

APPLEWOOD FARM – WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE, ON

Applewood Farm has been in the same family for over 40 years. There is something for everyone at this farm, including tractor rides to the orchards and a playground for the little ones.

DIXIE ORCHARDS – INGLEWOOD, ON

Dixie Orchards has over 23 types of apples for you to choose from. In addition, the whole family will enjoy winding through the corn maze, watching the farm animals play, posing for a picture or enjoying a snack from the market.

CARL LAIDLAW ORCHARDS – BRAMPTON, ON

In addition to just picking-your-own produce, Carl Laidlaw Orchards features wagon rides, hay bales, a barn beam walk, a corn maze, a sunflower field, roasting hotdogs, corn, sipping apple cider by the credit river, and farm animals to meet.

CHUDLEIGH’S – MILTON, ON

If you haven’t been to Chudleigh’s before, we suggest you pack your family in the car and head out there ASAP because this farm is a tradition for many families for a reason. There are lots of activities for both adults and children. In addition to apple picking, there are tractor rides, scarecrow-making, cider flights for tasting, and homemade apple pies for the taking! Consider this one of the top one-stop shops for family-friendly fall activities!

WADDELL APPLES – KINGSTON, ON

The Waddell Apple Orchard overlooks the historic Rideau Canal, making for the perfect backdrop to a pick-your-own adventure. This event runs from Labour Day to Thanksgiving (while supplies last). There’s also fresh apple cider and a store offering some treats to take home.

4. See Salmon Run

As the temperature cools, and fall comes to visit, the Pacific Salmon (Coho, Chinook) migrate upstream from Ontario’s Great Lakes to lay their eggs in the shallows before winter settles in, making the final trip of their lives. This is a marvelous feat that you must see with your own eyes to believe! On top of this, it’s a fun adventure to experience with the entire family. The best times to visit are from late September to early October. The three best locations to view this wonder of nature are:

Owen Sound
Port Hope – Ganaraska River
Collingwood/BlueMountain
Hamilton – Red Hill Creek

For more details on times and locations, check out this page on Salmon Runs in Ontario courtesy of ToDoCanada!

5. Take a train tour

Who isn’t fascinated by trains? Luckily, Ontario is home to some of the world’s most extensive train tracks and locomotive history! Come explore one of Ontario’s iconic family-friendly train tours and get lost in their history while enjoying some breathtaking fall colours. There’s no better way to enjoy the changing fall colours than on a train. We promise you you’ll get some incredible photographs!

6. Downey’s corn maze

Located on Downey’s Farm in Caledon, Ontario, this adventure is sure to please. Come enjoy the intricate pathways as you navigate this year’s corn maze of over 8km of trail. The Corn Maze Adventure is a scavenger hunt like none other. There are three different games for different levels of play, making it a perfect challenge for any age. Once you escape the maze, be sure to stick around Downey’s Farm to enjoy over 25 different activities. This includes farm animals, wagon rides, and jumping pillows. The maze is the ultimate experience with friends and family and the most fun you’ve ever had getting LOST!

7. Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens

Located in Burlington just outside of Hamilton, the Royal Botanical Gardens is the perfect destination for a fall day trip! As the biggest botanical garden in Canada, there is no shortage of fun activities to partake in. On top of this, there is a plethora of sights to see. As the Fall weather approaches, there are many different events taking place at the Royal Botanical Gardens that are fun for the whole family. From canoe tours to pumpkin trails to even bird-watching lessons, there is something for everybody at the Royal Botanical Gardens this fall!

8. Experience The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

For over 100 years, The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair has been a tradition for many! For animal lovers, this annual event brings the country to the city. It has grown to be the largest indoor agricultural and equestrian event in the world. The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (Nov. 3–12) is home to amazing equestrian events, such as The Royal Horse Show. From world-class English horse-jumping to rodeo competitions, plus a petting zoo, and shows featuring hard-working border collies and even goats! If someone in your family even remotely likes animals, this definitely isn’t an event to miss!

We hope this article gave you some ideas of how to get out and enjoy the Fall weather safely with your family. To ensure your family is fully covered on these excursions, be sure to ask one of our isure representatives about the Family Protection Coverage endorsement you can add to your current auto policy. It will provide you with extra protection on the road in case injuries happen as a result of another motorist. Be safe and enjoy all that Ontario has to offer with our family-friendly Fall activities!

8 family-friendly Fall activities in Ontario