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What's Going on in Toronto This Weekend

by Katie

August 13, 2009

August 13th

Watch Me Grow Family Garden Drop-In Program (High Park Children's Garden, Colburne Lodge, High Park)

Each Thursday in August at the High Park Children's Garden kids can plant, water, and harvest the garden and prepare fresh snacks from their efforts. There will also be crafts and snacks. Caregivers must supervise kids for this is a drop-in program (no registration required). Call 416 338 5055 for more information.

August 14th

Meet and Greet with Elmo (Ontario Place)

Yes, that's right, the red guy will be available to shake hands with and for a photo op at Ontario Place. He will be appearing daily starting on the 14th through to Sunday the 16th. Call 416 314 9900 for more information.

Movies under the Stars (Downsview Park, 35 Carl Hall Rd)

Come to enjoy a movie in the great outdoors (rain or shine) in Downsview Park. This week is Horton Hears a Who (a fav of Gigi). The movie starts around 9pm (sunset)

All Weekend

ZOO-ZA-PA-LOOZA (Toronto Zoo)

Waterslide Theatre at the Toronto Zoo will have a special animal show, singers, and all sorts of entertainment all day long. The event runs between 9am and 6:30pm and is included in the price of zoo admission. Visit their site or call 416 392 5929 for more information.

FREE WEEKENDS at City of Toronto Historic Sites

Free admission on Saturday and Sundays for the remainder of August at Toronto Historic Sites, so go check out the programs and events at Colborne Lodge, Fort York, Gibson House, Mackenzie House, Montgomery's Inn, Scarborough Historical Museum, Spadina Museum, and Todmorden Mills. Depending on location there may be music, drama, crafts, and snacks for all the family to enjoy.

The Sound of Music is in the Air (Yorkville Park, Cumberland and Bellair Streets)

As part of the The Sound of Music is in the Air series of musical acts, this weekend strollers and shoppers in the Bloor-Yorkville area this weekend shoppers can enjoy Plakaso (August 15) and Donald Guinn Trio (August 16).

What's Going on in Toronto This Weekend

by Katie

August 06, 2009

Ontario Science Centre 770 Don Mills Road
There is the Food Science exhibit, the Lizards & Snakes: Alive! exhibit, and The Science of Spying going on right now and one of those is bound to interest the five and up crowd. For the younger ones, KidSpark is always an interactive (emphasis on active) fun time and the kids set the pace.

Also this weekend at the Science Centre is Opening the Universe, an art exhibit by Ontario College of Art and Design students. These works were inspired by astronomy and also in celebration of the United Nations' International Year of Astronomy.

Lakeshore Mardi Gras (1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive, Etobicoke)
Colonel Samuel Smith Park will be the site of the Lakeshore Mardi Gras this weekend (starts Friday at 6:30 and reopens on both Saturday and Sunday at noon). this is the sixth annual free outdoor concert, that also features a kids zone, midway, food (and beer) market, and buskers. This event is FREE and for a full schedule consult the offical site (btw - Honeymoon Suite is playing at 8:30 - giggle)

Bloor-Yorkville BIA, Village of Yorkville Park
The Sound of Music is in the Air in Bloor-Yorkville (Cumberland and Bellair Streets). Free concerts run all summer long and this weekend. On August 8th is John La Rosa Quartet and on August 9th, The Quasimodal Trio.

Ontario Place
On Friday, August 7th, Ontario Place hosts Family Tested Day where the latest in toys are revealed by the editors of Canadian Family and they want you to try them out. These toys aren't available in stores yet and the results of your testing influence which ones will be featured in the Annual Top Toys Guide. Read more...

What's Going on in Toronto This Weekend

by Katie

June 11, 2009

The weather promises to be somewhat June like this weekend so get thee family OUTSIDE!

It's the closing weekend of Luminato and if you haven't caught any of the activities yet, you are missing a really fun and inspiring time. What excites me the most is the Cirque du Soleil "encounters" that will be taking place around the Harbourfront Centre and The Music Garden approximately every 30 minutes. How often can you see the most amazing circus in the world do mini-performances for free? The family program at Luminato is hosted by my favourite fun factory: The Bunch Family. See all the details for the weekend activities at their site.

Also in the artistic inspiration arena is art09 which is taking place today through Sunday at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. This is another family-friendly event where local and international artists show off their creations and children can make their own in a supervised family arts & crafts area. Children are encouraged to create a message of hope to attach to The Tree of Hope that will be presented to SickKids hospital after the show.

This Saturday, the entire family is invited for an afternoon of Kids Krafts at Mackenzie House (82 Bond Street), the home of Toronto's first mayor William Lyon Mackenzie. Children can participate in historically based activities and make a craft between noon and 4:30pm. Call 416 392 6915 for more information.

Also on Saturday at Woodside Square Library (1571 Sandhurst Circle) drop by between 11 am and noon to make a special craft for Dad at the Celebrate Dad session.

On Sunday Ontario Place is hosting The Childcare Show between 10 and 5pm. This Expo is a family-friendly event where parents can meet childcare professionals to learn more about childcare, educational and recreational activities in the Greater Toronto Area.

Also on Sunday at McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg (10365 Islington Avenue), Summer Magic is taking place. The Poynter family are putting on a magic and comedy show for the entire family to enjoy. Drop by between 11am and 4pm (shows at 12:30 and 2:30)

What's Going on in Toronto This Weekend

by Katie

June 04, 2009

This weekend there are quite a few things going on around town and I'll be hosting one of the events (warning: self-promotion ahead) so if you are free on Saturday...

I'm hosting a BlogHer Toronto get together this Saturday morning at the Don Mills Brickworks between 10 and 12pm (see full details here) and we'd love any blog-hers to join in. It's family friendly -- I'll be bringing Gigi -- and we will be hanging out, enjoying the sunshine and farmer's market. I'll bring the coffee, you just bring your beautiful blogging self. Let me know here if you can make it.

Also on Saturday, Bunch is hosting a free family block party at Yonge-Dundas Square as part of the Luminato Festival!. Here are the details:

Family Dance Party: Luminato Edition

Date: Saturday, June 6

Time: 11 AM - 2 PM

Place: Yonge-Dundas Square (1 Dundas St. E)

Hosted by MC Abdominal with DJ Fase.

Children are invited to make banners for the next weekend's closing events of Luminato. Sounds like fun, so I think we'll try to do both.

Also going on this weekend:

Mackenzie House (82 Bond Street)

This Saturday, the entire family is invited for an afternoon of Kids Krafts at the home of Toronto's first mayor William Lyon Mackenzie. Children can participate in historically based activities and make a craft between noon and 4:30pm. Call 416 392 6915 for more information.

Harbourfront Centre

Luminato presents Red Sky Performance: Tono. Tono is a form of dance that links the Indiginous cultures of Canada, Mongolia, and China. Performances on Saturday at 4pm and 8pm and on Sunday at 4pm. For more information visit the Luminato website.

Nathan Phillips Square

Walk Now for Autism is a short 3km family-friendly walk taking place this Sunday to raise money for autisim research and awareness. There will be games, activites and entertainment for all ages. The walk starts at 10am at Nathan Phillips Square but festivities begin at 8:30 am.

What's Going on in Toronto This Weekend

by Katie

May 28, 2009

There's a lot to choose from this weekend but I stuck with indoor events based on the weather of the past few days. Though I had to include the Great Strides event at the Toronto Zoo because it's for such a great cause. Stay dry folks!

Distillery District

Children's Trunk Show runs 9:30 to 4:30 Friday. Over fifty vendors in a totally kid friendly atmosphere -- think stroller friendly aisles and kid-friendly products. Plenty of parking (The Distillery
In the Fermenting Cellar, Buildings 6 & 7, 55 Mill Street)

Art Gallery of Ontario

Off the Wall! Dr. Mariano Elia Hands on Centre at the AGO. Come and make your mark at this amazing play space in the newly renovated AGO. Recommended for ages two through ten and open daily from 10am to 2pm.

Solar Stage Theatre

Happy Birthday, Alistair Ant is a space age musical puppet show about life's simple pleasures. Recommended for ages three to seven, there are two shows on both Saturday and Sunday but tickets are going fast.(4950 Yonge Street, near Yonge and Sheppard)

Toronto Zoo

Collect a minimum of twenty-five dollars in pledges for cystic fibrosis Great Strides campaign and receive free admission to the zoo on Sunday May 31st, plus a special show, free lunch, and loot bags. For more details visit the Toronto Zoo website and for pledge forms go to cysticfibrosis.ca/greatstrides

What's Going on in Toronto This Weekend

by Katie

May 07, 2009

You mean besides Mother’s Day?

Scratch that: Mother's Day is the most important thing going on this weekend (IMHO) so here are lots of mom-themed activities to do with the people who make Mom the person she is today (sleep-deprived and insane.)

To kick it off, there is the annual pre-Mother’s Day Bunch Family bash which is where I will be this Saturday afternoon with family in tow (details below).

Bunch Family Dance Party: Glam Rock Pre-Mother's Day Edition

Takes place Saturday afternoon from 2-5pm at The Courthouse (57 Adelaide Street East) and the theme is Glam Rock baby! So dig out the shiny pants, New York Dolls tee, and anything that will make your family look more Ziggy Stardust and come dancing. The crew from TVO Pop It will be there to share dance moves, there will be bowie inspired face painting, and lots of other glitter-inspired "we love mom" activities. Advanced tickets highly recommended. Visit the Bunch Family website for ticket purchase details.

Other Mother's Day activities going on around town:

Chinese Brush Painting for Mother's Day at Woodside Square Library (1571 Sandhurst Circle)

To compliment both Asian Heritage Month and Mother's Day a children's workshop will take place from 11 - 12:30 pm on Saturday. Children will create a brush painting to give as a gift to mom on her special day. All materials provided and registration can be done via phone 416 396 8979.

Mother's Day Celebration at Humber Summit Library (2990 Islington Avenue)

There will be a one-hour story time and craft session starting at 2pm at the library and children will make a special gift for mom. Registration is required so call ahead 416 395 5840.

Happy Mother's Day at St. Lawrence Library (171 Front Street East)

Listen to stories that celebrate mom then make a craft to give her on Sunday. The one hour session starts at 2pm and is recommended for children ages four and up (416 393 7655).

Mother's Day at the Toronto Zoo

Meet some other kinds of moms - as in "other species". Springtime means parent animals are abundant at one of our favorite weekend excursions. Walk on the wild side with Mom (and Dad) on Sunday between 9 and 6pm.

Mother's Day Tea at Spadina Museum (285 Spadina Road)

Enjoy an afternoon tea with Mom in the beautiful Spadina House and gardens. A must for any ladies-in-waiting. Two seatings at 12:30 and 2:30pm on Sunday. Advanced tickets are required. For more information call 416 392 6910 x305.

What's Going on in Toronto This Weekend

by Katie

April 30, 2009

There are many things to do this weekend and the weather looks like it will cooperate perciptation wise (now that I've said that, it will rain both days). If we don't hit any parks this weekend, I'll be sorely disappointed but I think we will all be happy campers if we hit at least one of the activities below this weekend. Happy first weekend in May!

What's Going on in Toronto This Weekend

by Katie

April 23, 2009

The Bata Shoe Museum has Saturday Shenanigans and Paint-a-Clog Sunday this weekend. Suitable for kids aged three to nine, Saturday Shenanigans includes a shoe-themed craft plus a chance to explore the exhibits and Paint-a-Clog Sunday invites children to paint a mini-clog and visit the galleries.

Earth Day Celebrations at Earl Bales Community Centre (4169 Bathurst, south of Sheppard) take place this Sunday from noon until 3pm and there is lots to do for all the members of the family. There will be Hike and Learn sessions about local wildlife, activities in the community centre and park, and craft & art sessions so kids can create their own masterpieces from recycled materials. There will also be environmetally friendly products on display and prizes to be won. Also at 1pm there will be a wild cat performance just to add a bit more to the wildlife. For more information, call 416 395-7873.

World in a Flapp! At the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga on Sunday there will be two performances of the family musical comedy about Major Conrad Flapps and his hilarious attempts to be airborne. Major Flapp travels the world and invites to audience to be his crew. There will be two afteroon performances at 1 and 3 pm. For more information call 905 306 6000.

Exploring the Geology of the Lower Don at Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum (Pottery Rd) Geologist Ed Freeman will lead a guided walk of the area where the family can learn about the river's history. The walk goes to the Sun brick works and back, leaving at 1:30 returning for 3pm. For more information call 416 396 2819 (this is a free activity and that includes free parking)

This Weekend in Toronto: Young People's Concert The Melodic Life

by Katie

April 02, 2009

This Saturday, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra presents The Melodic Life as part of the Young People's Concert series. This series is a fantastic way to introduce children to the symphony. Each concert is aimed at children aged 5 to 12 and based on my experience, the one-hour performance is just the right length for the intended audience. The concerts each feature a different guest conductor and other artists, plus a musical piece or theme selected to completely entertain and engage children.

99 Things To Do With My Daughter Before She Grows Up

by Katie

March 02, 2009

Way back when I started blogging for Savvy Source Toronto, I started a list of 100 things to do with my daughter in Toronto before she got too old to want to spend a weekend or evening with me. You just know that any day now she's going to figure out I'm not cool at all and ditch me for her friends. So before that time comes, I've got to get cracking at this list. The first thing I've done is update it.

I decided to break the activities into categories like Classes, Touristy, Festivals to be all organized (which for me is a major accomplishment these days). Some a bit closer to the five and up age categories but it's nice to have this be a reminder. Maybe I should print this off and put it on the fridge for those days when we are all saying "there's nothing to do." In Toronto, there is always something to do. I think my favourite category in here is the Farms for City Kids, we hit a few last year and had a blast. Gigi loved the hayrides, I loved the fresh produce, and we both loved the animals. Nothing beats escaping the city, even if it is only for a couple of hours.

National Ballet of Canada (Art, Film, & Drama)
Art Gallery of Ontario
Solar Stage Children's Theatre
Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People
National Film Board Mediatheque
CN Tower (Be a Toronto Tourist)
Centre Island
Ride the entire subway system
Canada's Wonderland
Hockey Hall of Fame
Medieval Times
Ontario Place
Honest Ed's
Kensington Market
Toronto School of Circus Arts (Art/Pottery/Circus Classes)
Glitter Pie Art Studio
Art Garage Inc.
Messy Hands Art Studio
Avenue Road Art School
Academy of Artisans
Cedar Ridge Creative Centre
Gardiner Museum Pottery Classes
Andrews Scenic Acres (Farms for City Kids)
Chudleigh's Apple Farm
Downey's Farm Market and Winery
Forsythe Family Farms
Whittamore's Berry Farm
Black Creek Pioneer Village
Taste of the Danforth (Festivals and Special Events)
Word on the Street
Nuit Blanche
Festival of South Asia
Sleepover at Toronto Zoo Serengeti Bush Camp
Sleepover at the ROM
Sleepover at the Ontario Science Centre
Sprockets TIFF for Children
bunch family parties
March Break Spring Fling at the Rogers Centre
Royal Ontario Museum (Museums)
The Ontario Science Centre
Riverdale Farm
Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum and Arts Centre
Bata Shoe Museum
Campbell House Museum
Casa Loma
Crawford Lake (reconstructed Iroquoian Village)
Gibson House Museum
Fort York
Markham Museum
Toronto Botanical Gardens
Toronto's First Post Office Museum
Blue Jays game (Support the Home Team)
Toronto Maple Leafs Game
Toronto FC Game
Toronto Zoo (Animals and Zoos)
Bowmanville Zoo
High Park Zoo
Humber Arboretum - Centre for Urban Ecology
Jungle Cat World Zoological Park
Mountsberg Wildlife Centre
Animals with Whimz
Richmond Hill Wave Pool
YogaBuds (Anything Active)
The Yoga Sanctuary
Plunge aquatic centre (Collingwood)

Obviously if you have made it down this far, you've figured out that I haven't made it to 99 yet. I'm still working on it and am totally open to suggestions (help a girl out, would ya?). Read more...

Deadline: Kindergarten

by Katie

January 27, 2009

Even though I am chomping at the bit to have my little lady go to Junior Kindergarten next Fall, I'm also a little bit sad. I keep denying myself the time to wallow in this sadness and analysis it, justify it, prepare myself for it. And in fact, I'm just in full denial most days. I keep telling myself she's going to love it ( she might not ) and we will have more routine in our lives. Oh and Read more...

What's Going On This Weekend in Toronto

by Katie

January 23, 2009

This weekend marks the 250th birthday of The Bard Robbie Burns, also known as Scotland's favourite son (though my favourite Scottish son is Ewan MacGregor - rawr). A family friendly celebration will be taking place at the Mackenzie House (82 Bond Street) this Sunday between noon and 4pm, and events include Celtic musical performances, shortbreads, and maybe a haggis or two (ewww). For more Read more...

Happy New Year

by Katie

January 02, 2009

Happy 2009 and I hope everyone found some peace and quiet over the holidays - or at least some wine and chocolate. Hopefully both. We had a bit of everything over the break - especially the chocolate. You can see the evidence of the New Year's Eve fondue on Miss Gigi's face: Gigi really REALLY enjoyed her first fondue and I sense a request for an encore will be coming down the pipe in the Read more...

Inspiring gifts that you can only get in Toronto

by Katie

December 16, 2008

To steal a much abused phrase, the following gift ideas that I'm going to suggest for this holiday season, are the kind of gifts "that keep on giving" ( or at least, they keep on giving for the next year ) and they are also all specific to Toronto. Yes, I'm talking memberships to really interesting, fun, family-friendly or kid-friendly places in Toronto. The Royal Ontario Museum was the first Read more...

More gift ideas for this holiday season

by Katie

December 09, 2008

Confession: Today I'm focusing on recommendations for toys that I had or coveted as a child. And toys that I still like to play with (does that make me immature?) Anyhow, the first two toys belonged to my older brother more than me and every chance I had to play with both those building toys, I was a very happy girl. Next, Play-doh is something I willingly play any time of day, I love it as much Read more...

What's going on this weekend in toronto (hint: it involves a man in red)

by Katie

November 14, 2008

The Santa Claus Parade is the weekend and I CANNOT WAIT. For over a hundred years, Toronto has heralded the arrival of Santa with this huge parade that originally started as a publicity stunt for the Eaton's store. How do you think Santa will arrive this year? Did you know that in 1913 Santa arrived in a sled pulled by REAL reindeer that Mr. Timothy Eaton imported from Labrador? Those reindeer Read more...

Nuit Blanche for the family

by Katie

October 03, 2008

This weekend in Toronto, it's all about contemporary art. Scotia Bank Nuit Blanche starts at 6:52 pm this Saturday and goes all night. Warmly embraced by the city after it's debut in 2006, this free, all-night celebration of contemporary art has now become an annual event in Toronto. I'm proud to live in a city that hosts this kind of amazing (and free) showcase for artists and performers. Read more...

International Talk Like a Pirate Day & Applicious

by Katie

September 19, 2008

Did you know today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day ? Arrrrrr mateys, it surely is - arrrrrr. So how does one learn the basics to talk pirate, other than locating an authentic pirate which is not a method I'd recommend because um..... the teacher would be a pirate. So how one can safely learn to speak pirate is by practicing saying " arrrrrrrr " as much as possible, especially when Read more...

Art explosion

by Katie

September 17, 2008

We are two weeks in to nursery school and while we have encountered some small issues, one snuck up on me that I didn't see coming: The need to lease an art gallery to display and store all of Gigi's masterpieces. I mean, I'm not totally naive - I knew there would be arts and crafts, but I had no idea of the quantity of "must keep" pieces my child can produce in a single day. I love it, I really Read more...

Gigi and Katie go to build a castle

by Katie

August 06, 2008

Raise your hand if one of the first things you think of when someone says " things to do at the beach with your kids " is building sand castles. That's what I thought, you can all put your hands down now. Building a sand castle is probably the most classic thing to do at the beach - I bet even prehistoric man, er, I mean people and their kids probably made some form of sand caves back in the Read more...

Weekend artiness

by Katie

July 25, 2008

Have you ever been to Unionville ? I fell in love with this Toronto suburb the first time a friend took me there for an afternoon pub lunch. The stretch lined with century homes, cafes, shops and boutiques on Main street are charming and it really feels like a village rather than a cookie-cutter suburb ( no offence to all those look-alike suburbs with big box conveniences but charming is not Read more...

How to capture vacation memories

by Katie

July 21, 2008

Crafting with Gigi is probably one of our most favorite regular activities. I realize I don't seem the crafty type for those that know me, but there are so many more pros than cons when it comes to crafting with my kid, that I know a good thing when I see it. First of all, crafts make Gigi sit still for stretches of time and it fosters problem solving with creativity while preparing her for the Read more...

Vive La France

by Katie

July 14, 2008

Happy Bastille Day! Does anyone feel like leading a revolution? Gigi does on a daily basis, but today we'll do it with a French flair which, for some reason, seems more stylish. Since we can't go to the France of Canada aka, La belle province du Quebec we'll find something to do en Francais right here in Toronto. Thankfully, it's fairly easy to find French programs for kids that are both fun Read more...

What's going on in Toronto this weekend

by Katie

July 11, 2008

Calling all baseball fans! This Saturday (July 12th) is a Jr. Jays Day. Starting two hours before the home game against the New York Yankees, Jr. Jays Saturdays Club has an outdoor program that includes running the bases, meet the mascots, face painting, and of course, exercising the ol' pitching arm in the cage. Check out the Jr. Jays Saturdays site for more information (ages 4 - 14). Over at Read more...

The art of the self-portrait: preschooler edition

by Katie

June 27, 2008

A fail-safe activity I like to do with Gigi is sitting down together and drawing with her markers or crayons. We keep large reams of paper on hand along with crayons, mini markers, and paints. While I tend to grab our supplies from all over town, our latest and greatest spot is Treasure Island on the Danforth. For the older kids who are a bit less hard on supplies, Curry's has very good quality Read more...

Art classes for preschoolers

by Katie

June 09, 2008

Gigi is a lover of crayons and pens. This has made me simultaneously happy and frustrated. Happy because I love LOVE painting, drawing, and creating art in many mediums with various levels of talent. Frustrated because her chosen mediums generally crayon and pens are sometimes used on furniture and walls when supervision becomes lax. I've been forced to count the supplies and conduct surprise Read more...

Top Toronto spots to play when it's cold outside

by Katie

January 20, 2008

Holy crow the weather has been nasty lately. Between that Arctic freeze last week and the never-ending snow on the weekend, Winter is here and it's not going anywhere fast. Weather like this calls for indoor play and sometimes those much needed playdates are no where to be found, so I'm going to share our top five indoor spots to hit when there is preschooler energy to be burned, cabin-fever to Read more...