Toronto
East
Ontario Science Centre (Don Mills Road) - At the Ontario Science Centre, kids who love science will be in heaven, kids who don't may catch the bug. The Centre has over 800 exhibits, demos, and an OmniMax theatre, so you'll have to pace yourself. On a schedule? Skip the OmniMax (expensive and a distraction from the exhibits) and have each kid pick a "must do" among the dozen exhibition halls. KidSpark, a discovery playground, is a big hit for children 8 and younger.
Toronto Zoo - It's all happening at the Toronto Zoo, one of the world's best zoos with over 5,000 animals. Don't miss the Tundra Trek exhibit where kids can see polar bears, reindeer, arctic foxes, and kids will enjoy animals of Canada (moose, grizzle bear, bison)in the Canadian Domain (take the Grizzly Bear Trail). Get a great view on the Zoomobile tram, get off and on along the route. Check the schedule for feedings and keeper talks.
Markham - On the 25 acres of the Markham Museum and Historic Villageyou'll find a collection of pioneer homes, trains, and buggies, blacksmith's shop, country Store. The Museum also hosts festivals as well as hands-on exhibits that change periodically.
You can also saddle up at one of the stables in the area, or head for Forsythe Family Farms, where you can pet the animals, take a wagon ride through the Enchanted Forest, or pick-your-own (seasonal) fruit.Whitby -
Stroll around the Marina and just enjoy the sight of hundreds of sailboats, or you can go boating or sport fishing on Lake Ontario.Don't miss the Andrews Nursery and Sculpture Gardens, one gallery kids will definitely like: enormous wood sculptures created by chainsaw artist Luke Andrews. Call ahead so you can be there as he transforms a log into a bear, eagle, or maybe a gnome.The Cullen Gardens - Miniature Village is an incredible 35 acres of gardens with an all-time favorite of kids: 160 Miniatures lining Main Street, Cottage Country and the Miniature Fair. Kids can let loose in the water park (with a slide and splash pools), take a wagon ride, ride the miniature train or the ferry on Puddle Lake. All year long there are festivals here, sometimes with fireworks.
