My personal pick of the crop for Family Day Fun in 2014
Family Day means we have one extra day to do things with the kids so this is of course a good time to visit the usual suspects. But it's also our chance to do something special. I've looked at the line-up of events and activities for this year's Family Day weekend to find the fun opportunities not usually offered in other times.
The Sound of Music major sing-along with vocal warm up!: At Mississauga Living Arts Centre, Saturday Feb. 15 at 2 p.m.
The classic movie Sound of Music on a large screen, with subtitles for the songs, vocal warm-up session with a host, props. And you can dress-up for the occasion (baroness, goat herder, nun, etc.). It seems to me like the perfect activity to do with teens! The xperience is almos 4-hour long (inlcuding an intermission). $25/adults, $15/kids
HarbourKIDS Skating Festival: At Harbourfront, Feb. 16 and 17, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This FREE event will be packed with cool activities, starting with Le Patin Libre involving very cool dudes offering skating improv and interactive rink animation. There's the regular quality craft activity offered on the weekends at Miss Lou's Room and plenty additional craft activities on the premises. There's the FREE show RAPunzel in the Studio Theatre. And of course, there's FREE skating in Natrel Rink (you can rent skates for a fee and have your own skates sharpened). The festival ends at 5 p.m. but the rink is open daly at least until 10 p.m., a lovely way to admire the city lights at night. Oh, I was forgetting, Monday Feb. 17 at 1 p.m. is also the date to see one of Harboufront's FREE Music with Bite (see details below). I invite you read my post on 5 TIPS to better enjoy your visit to Harourfront during the construction.
FREE concert on cushions: During the Music with Bite at Harbourfront on Monday Feb. 17 at 1 p.m.
The concept of Harbourfront's cushion concerts offered in Brigantine Room is perfect for kids. They get to casually sit on cushions (there are chairs for parents in the back) and listen to uality music, topped with cookie and milk during a Q & A session to speak with the musicians after the performance. Monday Feb. 17 will feature a duo of percussionnists (Brennan Connolly and Dave Robilliard) armed with vibraphone, drums and more.
Snow fort building: At Fort York, Feb. 17, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Snow fort building with the help of staff! Hot chocolate, roaring fire and treats. And a 1812 drill class (these are lots of fun, bring your camera). Price (excluding tax) Adults: $7.96, Seniors (65 +): $4.87, Youth (13-18 yrs.): $4.87, Children (6-12yrs): $3.76, Children 5 and under are Free
Playground in a barn with skating and tobogganing as a bonus: At Bronte Creek Provincial Park, at least until enf od February, weather permitting.
Even if it does not offer special Family Day activities, I think this is a fabulous winter activity for the long weekend. There's something for everyone. And their Play Barn is awesome year-round. Bundle up and enjoy.
Irish Ceilidh preceded with Irish dance tips: At Montgomery's Inn, Feb. 17, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
An Irish dance lesson for the whole family so they can better enjoy Irish Ceilidh (dancing social gathering) going on from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. We've been to one of these dance gathering, they are a blast!
Largest indoor inflatable playground: Toronto Kids-Fest, Feb. 16-17 (not Saturday!); Hamilton Kids-Fest, Feb. 15 to 17; AND Family Fun Fest: Feb. 15 to 17.
Don't get confused. There are two places offering inflatable strucutres during Family Day weekend. Toronto Kids-Fest (TKF), is 60,000 sq. ft., twice as big as Family Fun Fest (FFF), in Downsview Park and was the first to offer a massive playground filled with inflatable structures. I attended the Toronto Kids-Fest two years ago with two teens and it was non-stop fun for them. They had a ball (litterally, their favourite attraction was a structure with a giant ball knocking them to the ground). Both Fests cost $25/kids. (You get $5 off online with FFF.) Kids 1 and 2 years old enter for free at FFF but are charges $15 at the TKF (with enough age-appropriate structures to be worth it). Adults pay $8 at FFF and $5 at TKF. (Hamilton's Kids-fest is $18/kid.)
Gallery-wide game of Clue: At the AGO, Feb. 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The regular admission includes all-day dance party in Walker Court, a visit of the brand new Kid's Gallery to see their first interactive exhibition "Just Like Me", all kinds of crafts and activities in the Weston Family Learning Centre.
Sneaker arts and craft activities: At Bata Shoe Museum, Feb. 15-16-17. Special arts and craft activities included with admission.
This is another museum I like to visit with kids on special occasions. The craft activities are fun and shoes are way more interesting that one would think (I don't need to explain this to my girlfriends)>
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