Attractions & things to do for the kids in your life

We visited Morningside Park over 15 years ago, when there were no playground, no splash pad, no paved path... and no washrooms. Bonus! Now, it has all of the above, and the same easy access to the wide stream of Highland Creek which our little adventurers enjoyed so much years ago.

See my latest photo gallery including photos of the Atlantic Salmon we saw, trying to return to the lake, and the cool murals on the pillar of the underpass.

Following last year's successful pilot, Open Street TO is bound to become a Toronto tradition Bloor (between Spadina and Parliament) and Yonge (between Bloor and Queen) will go carless! Sunday August 16, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday September 6, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

See my photo gallery from last year's Open Street TO!

Good old wacky fun

Here I found a few fun games to play with your kids during the March Break. All you need to do is get the material and invite a few of their friends over. Have you heard of the Marshmallow March Break Shooter? How about the Sticky Spider Web? Want to build an inside slide? How about an M&M elevator?

You'll find these and more on my Game board on Pinterest: G for Games (indoors).

From the moment the actors peeking at us from behind the decors, we were hooked. They totally broke the fourth wall, playing the role of actors in clown mode, thrilled by the large crowd who came to see their show.

We all had been given a piece of white paper before the performance. I went to see a school matinee so the room was packed with kids six years and under. I was curious to see what they would do with it. After a little while, some fashioned theirs into a spyglass to observe the props on the stage. Others made a megaphone to call their friends. The mischievous ones turned their sheet into a percussion instrument to create annoying noise over the head of their neighbours. Parents made origamis... But the theatre company had a much better use for it. Much better! I'm not telling. Let's just say your kids will be thrilled!

The unmasked actors moved the props between scenes but they wore "larval" masks (simple ones with only a few features) as soon as they were "telling" the story. It is fascinating to realize how much is told non-verbally! We understood everything, without the use of words nor facial expressions (that's right kids, no emoticons!).

The body language of the actors was expertly choreographed, often conveying a complex mix of emotions. I love that the creator Nikki Loach didn't fall into the traps of political correctness, offering us a brother who could be truly mean, like any child who hasn't learned yet the consequences of his acts. He will learn, don't worry, but only through the hard work of his patient little sister. This is a story of siblings and big lessons, of cute little bird and competitive hockey, enhanced by the lively usic by Tim Williams.

I suggest you sneak into the School section of the YPT's website and look for Snow Angel's study guide under Teachers Resources. You'll find interesting questions to engage your kids after the play. (Remember that the idea is not to make it "educational", but simply to ask them interesting questions to see how their little minds work.)

Snow Angel plays until February 19 (Fun for kids 4 to 8 years old... and their parents): Presented Saturday at 2 p.m. (First Saturday reduced rate), Sunday at 2 p.m. (Pay-What-You-Can day, 100 tickets available payable cash in person at 9 a.m.), Monday at 2 p.m. (Family Day performance, including special activities, need to rsvp to reserve spots). Note that the general public can also buy $22 tickets for the school performances: Tuesday at 1 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday at 10:15 a.m. and 1 p.m. Go to www.youngpeoplestheatre.ca to book online (regular price $22 to $30 + fees and tax)

(All photos by Trudie Lee Photography)

Belonging community indeed!

For a few weeks, Greenwood Rink has been my "outing of the week" suggestion. Today, I just learned something that will give a whole new meaning to my next visit to this place: the story of the little Superman boy on the bench.

Last time I visited the rink, when it first opened, I noticed a statue I had not seen before, the bronze of Jeffrey Baldwin, a little boy in a Superman costume. Many names were carved on the bench and I was touched by the little toy car on the edge. I thought it must be a little guy who unfortunately suffered a premature death from cancer, whose loving parents had this monument erected in tribute for their beloved son. Well... not exactly.

Read this post My neighbour, Jeffrey Baldwin on Diane Dyson's blog Belonging Community, and weep. I did. It is sad but useful, even if only to understand the impact of unassuming snack programs. (Over $50,000 were raised by the community to commission this statue.)