As the temperatures and humidity rise, you can feel that another Toronto summer is upon us! 

Is it just us, or has this past year flown by?! Over two years into the pandemic, and with vaccinations just approved for children under 5, we wanted to compile some fun, low-risk child and caregiver-friendly things to do this summer.

Sunny Days

Toronto Islands 

Pack a picnic and head to the Island for an escape without ever having to leave the city! The ferry ride itself is a blast, and the views of Toronto cannot be beaten.

Ferry tickets include your return trip and range from $8.70 for Adults to free for children under 2. They can be purchased online in advance or in person at the ferry terminal.

There is so much to do once you land, including the Centreville Amusement Park which has fun rides for the whole family, Franklin’s Children’s Garden, William Meany Maze, and Far Enough Farm where you can learn about the animals and pet them too! Make sure to pack your bathing suits and sunscreen because the Centre Island Splash Pad and multiple beaches around the Islands are the best way to cool off. We recommend bringing your bikes with you, but you can also rent one for the day on Centre Island. Get your ferry tickets in advance or explore what else the islands offer here.

Songs with Nash

One of our favourite summer activities to do with little ones is to catch Circle Time in a local park! Circle Time is a wonderful experience that brings children and caregivers together through song, dance, and stories.

Friend of darling+ and founder of Songs with Nash, Nascha Freire, has been a beloved staple in the Toronto early childhood education sector and is somewhat of a Circle Time celebrity in the city! Kids adore her and they will love learning, socialising, and flourishing in her engaging classes.

The outdoor Summer Semester runs from July 4th – August 27th. Classes are available in three separate age groups – Babies [0-14 months], Mid Kids [12-24 months], and Big Kids [ages 2+ years]. Register for all 8 weeks or choose to drop into individual classes and see the summer class schedule here.

High Park

One of our favourite and most unique ways to see the park is a scenic ride on the open-air High Park trackless train! This fun 30-minute ride is $5 for adults and $4 for children + seniors. [Your ticket allows for one hop off/hop on.] High Park is closed to cars on all holidays and every weekend, which makes it extremely kid-friendly. Caregivers, please note that even though the park may be closed to cars, the main road is a very popular route for high-speed cyclists.

Count how many creatures you can spot in Grenadier Pond! There are also endless trails to explore and discover with older kids who are up for an adventure. If you didn’t pack a lunch, head to the large patio at the Grenadier Cafe in the centre of the park. Afterward, walk down to the High Park Zoo which has free admission, but donations are welcome! The zoo is open 9-7 every day.

After you’ve visited the animals, there is almost always an ice cream truck parked on your way to “The Castle” aka Jamie Bell Adventure Playground. Children love it, but caregivers keep in mind that it is often busy and there are lots of blind spots where you can briefly lose sight of little ones. Be sure to pack a bathing suit and head to either the High Park Outdoor Pool which has an awesome water slide for big kids + small splash area for littles, or go to one of the city’s best splash pads located just to the west of the main Bloor Street entrance to the park.

Pedestrian Sundays

After a two-year hiatus, Pedestrian Sundays have returned to Kensington Market! This monthly low-key and free festival happens on the last Sunday of every month from now through October. The whole Kensington Market district is entirely closed to cars for the day. We recommend walking, biking, or taking the TTC! Try some reasonably priced and delicious new foods, discover vibrant local musicians + artists, and shop the unique small vendors – safely!

Rainy Days

Toronto Public Library

If you haven’t yet heard, Toronto Public Library recently announced that they have done away with all late fines! This is a truly impactful initiative that will make the Library an even more inclusive place. If you haven’t already, sign up the children in your life for their own free library card. It is a wonderful way to teach them about borrowing, responsibility, sharing + caring for books. Children will be more engaged in the borrowing process and can feel very grown up with their very own card.

There is always something going on at the Library! Such as the Early Readers Book Club, crafts, storytimes, puppet shows, and movie days to name a few. Make it a weekly activity to exchange books and bring home a stack of newly selected treasures to enjoy. On an outing in a different neighbourhood? Stop by the Library branch for a different selection of books and programs! Check out what programs and events are happening at your local branch for children from birth to age 5 here and for big kids 5 and up here.

Royal Ontario Museum

The ROM is open 10-5:30, 7 days a week over the summer! We recommend reserving a ticket time online in advance to ensure entry for your preferred visiting time. General Admission ranges from $14 [for children 4-14, free under 4] to $23 [adult], with some exhibits requiring an additional admission cost.

One such current exhibition on display is Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature. This exhibit explores the amazing real-life creatures that inspired those in the wizarding world and beyond. #MyPandemicStory is a free exhibit that features works submitted by Ontario children and youth reflecting on their personal pandemic experiences. This ROM original exhibit documents history through the eyes of Ontario’s youngest residents, as they were living it. No visit to the ROM is complete without a run through the beloved bat cave! Click here to plan your visit now.

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

Dive in and beat the summer heat! We also recommend reserving a ticket online before you visit the aquarium. Admission ranges from $12.50 for children aged 3-5 [2 and under are free] to $44 for adults.

People of every age will wonder at the stunning colours in Rainbow Reef and the awesome Planet Jellies exhibit. One of the coolest features is the Life Support Systems gallery, which shows you the impressive engineering that pump 5 million litres of Toronto municipal water throughout the aquarium. Test the waters in the Dangerous Lagoon [a favourite!] where sharks, sea turtles, and giant green sawfish swim over your heads! Nearing the end of your visit, stop by the Shoreline Gallery to touch a stingray, which has got to be the most unique kind of petting zoo in the city!

Grownups, consider a different kind of date night this summer! The second Friday of every month is Jazz Night at the aquarium, featuring a live band, bar, and admission to the aquarium from 7-11 pm. We have fully vetted darling+ caregivers available for all of your care needs! Start here to book your family visit or date night at the aquarium.

Child Care Chats

To learn more about the Canadian Child Care Agreement will impact families and childcare workers, watch our first episode of Child Care Chats. Robin and Patrícia talk about how Caregivers and Parents can work together to create a national childcare plan that benefits all!

Thanks so much for reading our first newsletter updates and for being part of the darling+ family! Please reach out to us through socials or send an email at any time to hello@darlingchildcare.com. We can’t wait to hear from you!