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

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.

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)

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 Can a Preschooler Grow in the Garden?

by Katie

March 17, 2009

We are still talking about our garden these days and it must be because my parents are in town for Canada Blooms - a mecca for gardening lovers of all kinds. Because I came from a family of gardeners, I know enough that putting together our balcony garden must be done with some planning. First I need to determine what can grow in our limited space, and then figure out how much room they need. I know that last years broccoli did not take off (space issue), but our basil was through the roof. Oh and the beans put up a good fight but they just couldn't get the right light. Maybe we should do just one edible and the rest beautiful because flowers seem to do well on my balcony. I guess the real question is what are the easiest plants for a preschooler to maintain and have a high success rate.

To determine what are the best plants to choose for the garden, especially ones that have the best chance so pint-size gardeners will see the fruit of their labour (pun totally intended) it will come as no surprise that there are many good online resources out there to find the answers; I like the Canadian Wildlife Federation's Wild About Gardening site. There is great advice on how to garden in small spaces (or any space), and how to design and plan your plants. If we had a backyard, I'd definitely want to start a natural habitat garden and the Evergreen is a great site for determining what plants grow best in specific parts of Canada.

Anyhow, based on my research (criteria: easy to grow and works in our space) I've determined the best plants to try with Gigi this year are:

Lettuce - it grows well in the shade and cooler spots and very productive.
Carrots - not fast but the stems look nice while waiting for the reward
Tomatoes - I've done it before, and I'll try it again, these work well in our garden and the rewards are yummy.
Petunias - We will use transplants and I think Gigi will love doing the maintenance.
Marigolds - I think that these flowers are perfect starter flowers for a preschooler. It's hearty, pretty, and easy to maintain.

Actually, these plants work well in many spaces, not just our limited area. And I'm totally open to any suggestions of successful plants grown in this area (with a small space stipulation). We will try anything once - in the garden.

Now I just need to find Gigi a pair of gloves, a large brimmed hat, and let the season begin. Fingers crossed that we will be rolling in salad this summer ;)

Gardening with a Preschooler

by Katie

March 16, 2009

Just like Gigi and I did last year, we are planting another balcony garden. This year Gigi can help out in both the planting and transplant stages now that she can restrain herself enough not to dissect the seeds or the seedlings. Curiosity gets the best of my little lady sometimes; she just can’t resist testing / crushing everything out. When it comes to gardening, it’s my job to make it interesting and well paced for curious hands, and luckily that isn’t hard.

To make it interesting for Gigi, we talk about our favorite fruits and veggies and how they made it to our table. Last year's balcony garden crop of basil made some of the best homemade pesto which she loved, and this year I think she will understand the process more fully since she will help from the seed phase up. Compared to last year, this season there is lots more she can do than at age two and a half. This year Gigi will make all the holes for the seeds in our plant tray (with supervision because those holes can get too deep) and be in charge of gently patting down the soil post-seeding. I know from experience that she’s an expert misting and watering assistant, and I’m sure once those greens start poking through, she will make an excellent plant parent.

Another way to get my little city kid interested in garden is to visit one of the many gardens around the city. Toronto Botanical Garden (777 Lawrence Avenue East) often has classes and workshops for children and families, plus once the weather warms up, the themed gardens are open (all are free admission). Allan Gardens (Carlton St at Jarvis) is right down town and is filled with all sorts of exotic tropical plants, and right now the spring bulbs are on display (until end of March). The Children’s Garden Program in High Park was created to give city kids and families the chance to do hands-on organic gardening activities from planting, maintenance, and harvest. There are various programs and activities for children, including family drop-in programs for hands-on activities like crafts, harvest cooking, and nature tours. All are great opportunities to learn all about plants and how things grow.

Anyhow, so this kicks off another year and harvest in casa motherbumper and I can’t wait for the first batch of pesto (still our favorite home grown entree to date). I don’t care if there isn’t any proof, it does taste better homegrown.
 Read more...

Cheryl Tiegs Interview: Living Green

by Katie

January 26, 2009

As much as I'd like it to be true, the opportunity to talk to a celebrity doesn't present itself every day. So recently when I was invited to talk with Cheryl Tiegs, I totally jumped at the chance.  I mean, have you been watching her show True Beauty ?  I'm a reality show addict and watching the reactions to True Beauty's surprize twist totally fascinates me. Plus, besides True Beauty, Cheryl  Read more...

Finding Inspiration in Toronto

by Katie

October 14, 2008

Sometimes when all the books have been read, and all the local spots have been visited, Gigi and I hop on the subway or bus in search of adventure.  I like to find places that inspire Gigi to act out some of the books she has read, or movies she has watched.  Right now we have entered a really hardcore princess going to tea phase, so elegant places that call for dresses, tiaras, purses, and  Read more...

Three Simple Ways to Get Kids into Gardening

by Katie

August 29, 2008

Today I'm pleased to introduce this month's guest expert Amy from Assertagirl .  Amy is a work-at-home editor, freelance writer and gardener who writes about organic gardening at Playing in the Dirt , is a contributing writer for vegetable gardening at Suite101.com , and also writes about environmental issues at BlogHers ACT Canada . So for me to say she knows a thing or two about being in  Read more...

Cultivating little green thumbs

by Katie

June 02, 2008

Gigi and I have started a balcony garden this year. Nothing fancy, just some basil (mmmm pesto), chives, and broccoli. Apartment living may not be made for gardening, yet with proper care and the right amount of sun exposure, it can be very fruitful. But it's hard work, so what better way to get the job done than to enlist help from some idle hands (sometimes, I swear they are worked by the  Read more...