toronto | travelforkids

Take the ferry - A great way to see Lake Ontario is the short ferry ride from Bay Street at Queen's Quay to the Toronto Islands. Ferries stop at Centre Island, Hanlan's Point and Ward Island. Here's the ferry schedule.

Centre Island - Head for the Centreville Amusement Park with its animal shaped boats, rides and antique carousel, play at Franklin Children's Garden (with figures from the Franklin children's books) or Saturn playground, and cool off at the wading pool.

Rent bikes or surreys (near the pier on Centre Island) and pedal all the way to Hanlan's Point and the historic Gibraltar Point lighthouse, then head back around to Ward Island.

Go boating - Rent a canoe or kayak and explore the lagoons and waterways around the islands.

There are seasonal cafes and snackbars throughout the islands, but take advantage of plentiful picnic tables and fire pits. Bring a picnic lunch or dinner for your day at the islands.

Harbourfront Centre - This area is many things in one, with restaurants and cafes, wavy pedestrian walkways and promenades along the lake, free concerts.

Natrel Pond - In summer, rent canoes or pedal boats and go around Natrel Pond (don't worry, you can't get out onto the bigger lake), May to October. In winter, the pond is Natrel ice skating rink.

Toronto Music Garden - Cellist Yo-Yo Ma worked with landscaper Julie Messervy to interpret the first of Johann Sebastian Bach's Suites for Unaccompanied Cello as a garden, and this is the fantastic result. Each part of the musical piece is represented in a different part of the garden: Prelude is the river scape; Allemande is a forest grove; Courante, a wildflower meadow, Sarabande is a conifer Menuett a pavilion, Gigue as giants grass steps.

Fort York National Historic Site - Experience Toronto's past (it was formerly named York) by visiting Fort York. Constructed in 1793, Fort York defended the city (plenty of cannons) and housed the soliders. Open year-round, there are cannon and musket shooting demonstrations, and kids can learn how soldiers fought with swords.

Hit the trail - The Martin Goodman Trail winds along the lakefront for more than ten miles west to Humber Bay. Walk as much or as little as you like - public transit is always nearby if you need a lift back. Also stop at one of the bike rental shops along the lake and bike along the trail.