Here in Ontario, the third Monday of February has been designated as Family Day since 2008. Being a relatively new holiday, there aren’t any established traditions or motifs like turkey or carved pumpkins. This presents the perfect opportunity to start your own customs, and we’ve got a few ideas in this department! Some of these suggestions also extend through the week, for anyone in post-secondary who may be looking for a little fun during reading week 🙂
1. Get your arts & crafts on at the AGO
Image courtesy of the Art Gallery of Ontario
When: 10:30 am – 4 pm
Location: 317 Dundas St. West, Toronto
Best for: Kids under 12 with a creative streak. More details can be found here.
2. Cheer on our Olympic team & get sporty at the CBC Broadcast Centre
Image courtesy of Kārlis Dambrāns
When: 10 am – 5 pm
Location: 250 Front St. W, Toronto
Best for: Anyone interested in a snowboard simulator or meeting Soohorang and Bandabi, mascots from the current PyeongChang winter Olympics. Find out more specifics here.
3. Catch an inspiring flick at the Hot Docs Cinema
Image courtesy of Hot Docs Cinema Instagram (@hotdocsfest)
When: 1 pm – 2:40 pm OR 3:30 pm – 5:15 pm, depending on the film
Location: 506 Bloor St. W, Toronto
Best for: Aspiring zoologists, activists, and anyone who appreciates a good documentary. The two films that will be screened centre around Jane Goodall (1 pm) and Dolores Huerta (3:30 pm), and entry is free for anyone under 16 years old.
4. Go skating and take in the lights at Ontario Place
Image Courtesy of Ontario Place Instagram (@ontarioplace)
When: 10 am – 4 pm for skate rentals today; hours of operation for subsequent days can be found here
Location: 955 Lake Shore Blvd W., Toronto
Best for: Outdoor enthusiasts who may want to sharpen up (or show off) their skate skills
5. Get moving at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre
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Image courtesy of TorontoGuy79 at English Wikipedia
When: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Location: 875 Morningside Ave., Scarborough
Best for: Families looking to get active together (for free!), and anyone who wants to take a peek inside this state of the art facility from the 2015 Pan Am & Para Pan Am Games. Activity schedule can be found here.
6. Get swept away in a flash mob at the Royal Ontario Museum
Image courtesy of Raysonho @ Open Grid Scheduler / Grid Engine
When: 2 pm for the flash mob, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm for other activities
Location: 100 Queen’s Park, Toronto
Best for: Curious minds and anyone looking to escape the winter doldrums with some indoor music action.
7. Bounce around Kids-Fest at the International Centre
Image courtesy of Kids-Fest Facebook
When: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Location: 6900 Airport Road, Mississauga
Best for: Kids and kidults alike with a discerning taste in bouncy castles. Numerous other activities being offered are listed here.
8. Marvel at premo ice sculpting skills at the Harbourfront Centre
Image courtesy of The Edinburgh Ice Co Instagram (@edinburghicecompany)
When: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Location: 235 Queen’s Quay West, Toronto
Best for: Anyone looking to break up their leisurely stroll along the lake shore with some cool eye candy.
9. Indulge your sweet tooth at Demetres
When: 2:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Location: Any of our 11 restaurants found here
Best for: The whole family 🙂
We wish you all a warm and safe Family Day! Remember to check back later this week for a sneak peek at some exciting developments and follow us on Instagram @demetres for daily updates.
