Like many families, you may find yourself struggling to make plans for your family 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 family-friendly fall activities that are fun for everyone. 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 conservation area. Luckily for you, Ontario is home to numerous beautiful conservation areas scattered throughout 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, the entrance is free! Peterborough is part of the Kawarthas, home to numerous family-friendly parks, and is only a short drive away from the Greater Toronto Area. Not near Peterborough? Here are a few other options:
- Claireville Conservation Area (Brampton)
- Boyd Conservation Area (Vaughan)
- Christie Conservation Area (Dundas)
- Crawford Conservation Area (Milton)
- Rockwood Conservation Area (Rockwood)
- Bruce’s Mill Conservation Area (Stouffville)
- Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area (Milton)
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. You can 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 25 to 28, 2025
- Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show – October 7 to 13, 2025
- Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival – October 10 to 13, 2025
- Woodbridge Fair – October 11 to 13, 2025
- Elmvale Fall Fair – October 10 to 11, 2025
3. Pick Fruits, Vegetables, and Pumpkins
Many people already know just how exciting it is to pick your own pumpkin! 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 & Winery has been producing unique, award-winning fruit wines, Cider, and Mead for over 24 years. Their wines are made from fruit and honey harvested on the farm, as well as fruit supplied by other local farms. It is an excellent destination for young and old to enjoy a bit of the country, close to the city.
Dixie Orchards – Inglewood, ON
Offering sunflower fields, pick-your-own apples, a pumpkin patch, and pick-your-own hazelnuts at various times during the fall season, Dixie Orchards has a lot to offer its visitors. Walk through the corn maze or take a wagon ride around the farm. All ages can enjoy this authentic farm experience.
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 hot dogs, 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 marvellous 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:
Guided Salmon Walk – Mississauga, ON
Join Riverwood Conservancy to learn about the fascinating biology and history behind the annual salmon run on the Credit River—a struggle between life and death. Learn about the fascinating biology and history behind the yearly salmon run. From Lake Ontario up the Credit River that runs through Riverwood, watch as these salmon migrate through shallow rivers to lay the next generation. Unfortunately, it is a one-way ticket and a smelly one at that.
Salmon Adventure at Morningside Park
Explore Highland Creek and discover the adventures of salmon as they embark on their incredible journey on this fun, family-friendly nature walk! Learn all about the salmon life cycle, migration, and ongoing restoration efforts as we search for salmon swimming upstream during the fall salmon run!
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! 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!
South Simcoe Railway: September 27th through October 17th, 2025
“All Aboard” for a scenic journey through the Beeton Creek Valley aboard South Simcoe Railway’s historic excursion train. You’ll travel in restored 1920s coaches over the rails of a century-old branch line that once connected Hamilton with Barrie and Collingwood. Enjoy the sights and sounds of vintage locomotives as you travel through the rolling countryside.
Muskoka Heritage Place: September 2nd through October 12th, 2025
Take a scenic trip along the Muskoka River to Fairy Lake Station. The return trip is approximately 25 minutes, although not all of that time is spent travelling – this experience is about more than the time on board. Enjoy the Steam Museum and take the time to appreciate some of the technical aspects of the railway. At the “end of the line”, we feature our Fairy Lake Station (that was the original Purser’s Cabin at Norway Point Lake of Bays). We encourage children of all ages to come and sit in the cab, poke their heads in the firebox, and have a chat or ask questions of the engineer and fireman.
6. Downey’s Pumpkinfest
Located on Downey’s Farm in Caledon, Ontario, this adventure is sure to please. Pumpkinfest runs from September 20th to October 31st. Enjoy many of the different fall-themed activities for families:
- Wagon Rides
- Boo Barn
- Farm Animals
- Live Entertainment
- Puppet Shows
- Straw Jump
- Duck Races
- Hop It Horses
- Trike Track
- Jumping Pillows
- Pedal Cart Track
- Goat Mountain Slide
- A-MAZE-ING 8 -Acre Corn Maze and more!!!! 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 evolved into the largest indoor agricultural and equestrian event in the world. The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (Nov. 7-16) is home to notable equestrian events, such as The Royal Horse Show. From world-class English horse jumping to rodeo competitions, plus a petting zoo and shows featuring hardworking border collies and even goats! If someone in your family even remotely likes animals, this isn’t an event to miss!
We hope this article gave you some ideas on 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 of injuries resulting from another motorist. Be safe and enjoy all that Ontario has to offer with our family-friendly Fall activities!
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