Warmer weather, longer days, and school’s out—summer is finally here! Ontario offers a plethora of exciting Summer activities, both inside and out! Luckily for you, isure has compiled a list of our favourites so the family will never be bored! In this article, we have 10 fun summer activities in Ontario you can enjoy with your family.
1. African Lion Safari
Located in Cambridge, African Lion Safari is a unique opportunity to get an up-close view of your favourite animals. Choose from either a guided Safari tour or driving your own car and catch a glimpse of over 1,000 birds and animals native to the African savannah. Also featuring a playground and water park for those hot summer days. there’s something for everyone to enjoy. This is one of those staple summer activities you won’t want to miss.
2. Go to an escape room
If you have older kids, one fun family activity to help beat the heat is participating in an escape room. Work together to solve puzzles and escape on time! We recommend the escape rooms at Casa Loma in Toronto for family fun. Each room tells a different story and puts you right in the middle of the action, whether you’re trying to save a dragon egg or playing detective. This is not a typical summer activity since it’s indoors, but it’s one you’ll all have fun doing. Perfect for those rainy days!
3. Go treetop trekking
Enjoy the beautiful outdoors this summer with a fun treetop trekking adventure. Treetop trekking is fun-filled tree activities, including climbing, zip-lining, and more! There are many locations to tree trek across Ontario, with cool obstacle courses the whole family can enjoy. You can even go outdoor trampolining at a tree trekking location in Stouffville, opening this summer!
4. Learn about Ontario’s history
Take time this summer to learn more about Ontario’s history. Take a journey on the York-Durham Heritage Railway, originating in 1860. See the vintage cafe cars, passenger coaches, and caboose as you enjoy the beautiful scenery out the window. There is something for everybody! Not only is this fun, but super informative for the little ones. They even offer Summer Family Fun Fest on select days throughout the summer.
5. Visit an amusement park
One classic way to enjoy summer activities in Ontario is to visit Canada’s Wonderland in Vaughan, Ontario. Featuring a 20-hectare waterpark, roller coasters for all ages, live entertainment, and carnival snacks, this is sure to be a memory the whole family will remember. There’s even an entire section of the park dedicated to kids, so even the little ones can have fun in the sun. You can’t make a summer activity list without including this iconic destination.
6. Visit a lakefront family resort
If you’re looking to get away with your family this summer, we recommend visiting a lakefront family resort. There are various resorts across Ontario to enjoy, such as the Oakwood Resort on Lake Huron and the Shamrock Lodge in Muskoka. Enjoy time by the lake, try new watersports, and even special kids programming,
7. Play tourist in your own city
Have you ever considered exploring your city with your family? With the warm weather here, summer is the perfect time to do just that. For example, if you live in Toronto, take the family up to the top of the CN Tower for amazing views of the Greater Toronto Area. Or, try that restaurant you’ve always wondered about! Bonus points if it has a patio! You never know what hidden gems you’ll find in your neighbourhood.
8. Visit a local farm
Support local businesses by taking the family to explore a local farm this summer. For example, Small Hooves Big Hearts, located in the Kawartha Lakes, is an amazing accredited miniature horse petting zoo. Kids and adults alike will love getting to spend quality time with these kind and gentle animals.
9. Take a trip to Niagara Falls
Go and visit the incredible Niagara Falls with the family this summer. Whether you see it from the car, the lookout point, or even a boat tour, this is an Ontario staple that everyone should see at least once in their life. After seeing the falls, visit nearby Clifton Hill, which features several restaurants and family-friendly attractions. Fun for all awaits you at Niagara Falls! When it comes to summer activities for the entire family, this one is hard to beat.
10. Visit the aquarium
Who doesn’t love colourful fish and other sea creatures? We recommend visiting Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, located in Toronto, this summer. This is another activity perfect for those rainy days. With thousands of underwater wildlife to see, and an opportunity to pet the sting rays and color-changing jellyfish, there’s something everyone will enjoy. There’s also a fun gift shop to pick up some souvenirs to remember your day. The aquarium is open daily from 9 am to 11 pm.
11. Let’s go to the Ex
If you’ve grown up in the GTA, there’s a good chance you’ve spent some time at The Ex. From August 18 to September 4th, enjoy the plethora of rides, entertainment, and food that takes place at Toronto’s Exhibition Place. This year, the exhibition sees a handful of new and exciting activities for the whole family. This includes a video game room, a dinosaur design where you can dig up your fossils, and an even bigger food court where you can explore over 50 different food vendors!
12. Enjoy your local splash pad
If you have little ones and aren’t looking to spend any money, your local splash pad can be your best bet. Luckily, many parks throughout the province of Ontario come equipped with a splash pad, many coming in different sizes with various features. For some bigger ones in Toronto, check out Corktown Common, MacGregor Park, or Wychwood Barns!
13. Go to a waterpark
If you’re into cooling off on a hot summer’s day, why not check out some of Ontario’s infamous waterparks? Grab your bathing suit and goggles, and check out some of the province’s best waterparks. From Splash Works Waterpark in Vaughan to Calypso Waterpark in Lamoges, to Wild Water Works in Stoney Creek, there is a waterpark for everyone.
14. Plan a family picnic
If you’re looking for a fun afternoon event for the family, why not plan a picnic? Many beautiful parks throughout the province of Ontario will surely make for the perfect getaway spot. There’s Toronto’s High Park, Ferris Provincial Park in Campellsford, and French River Park in Alban! Looking at which provincial parks are near you can also open up a world of other opportunities.
15. Go camping
Like picnics, there are a huge amount of camping spots within Ontario. From parks, such as Algonquin Provincial Park in Whitney or Bon Echo Provincial Park in Cloyne, the options are endless. Spend a night under the stars or go for scenic bike rides through some of Ontario’s most beautiful parks. Whether you’re going with a friend or bringing the kids, camping is fun, no matter the situation. Check out our article on the best camping spots in Ontario for more ideas.
16. Go to the beach
Nothing says “summer” more than a trip to the beach! Grab your towels and sunblock because there are so many beaches in Ontario to explore. As per our article on top family-friendly beaches in Ontario, the options are endless. From Sauble Beach to Wasaga Beach, each offers a different experience. Many of them come with cottages close by that you can rent out and spend the weekend in for the ultimate summer getaway.
We hope this article gives you some ideas for fun summer activities you can enjoy with your family. Remember, if you’re looking for the best insurance rates in Ontario, check out isure. With some of the lowest premiums and best customer service, you can enjoy your summer knowing you have adequate insurance coverage. Request a quote or contact us today. Happy summer!
