Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in toronto, CN

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

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!

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...

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...

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...

Extracurricular preschool activities

by Katie

June 16, 2008

Gigi may not be starting her official preschool until September, but I'm always on the lookout for organized activities where she can make friends and work on those all-important social skills. Seriously, the kid needs to work on networking so we can fill up that playdate calendar of hers. Starting July 15th at the North York Central Library and running until August 19th is a drop-in (no  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...