Get ideas for family day, Toronto

Family Day is Monday, February 16, 2016. Many parents will look for ways to get their children involved. Almost any museum or family attraction will offer special programming. If you’re in Toronto on Family Day, here are some ideas.

• Ontario Family Day at the Toronto Zoo .
• Open house in Fort York .
• HarbourKids at Harbourfront presents SK8, which explores all forms of skating and winter culture from a child’s perspective.
• The PawsWay Pet Discovery Center at Harbourfront includes the Purina Hall of Fame, dog sports shows, face painting, balloon artists, awards, and games! Free pass.
• Free outdoor skating at Toronto City Hall and the Harbourfront Center with music and hot chocolate on the rink.
• 2014 will be the first Family Day of Ripley’s Aquarium.

• Family programming at the Royal Ontario Museum
• Casa Loma has family programming every weekend and Monday. Requires registration and payment.
• Riverdale Farm is open every day, year-round, and it’s free.
• Family Day Weekend at the Ontario Science Center
• The CN Tower celebrates Family Day with a special admission offer.
• The Art Gallery of Ontario , which is generally closed on Mondays, will open on Family Day and offer special programming geared toward families.
• Malls: Eaton Center, Vaughn Mills, Pacific Mall, Woodbine Center are open

• Family Movement Workshops with the National Ballet of Canada : Not offered in 2014.
• Most of Toronto’s top attractions will be open on Family Day. Check the websites for details.
• The Markham Museum Winterfest offers winter activities and refreshments.
• Family Day Fest is an indoor “fun zone” for children 12 and under. The annual event features rides, bouncy castles, obstacle courses, arcade games, games, and other entertainment.

Out of the city

• Family Day at Ontario Parks offers slopes, midnight skis and trails to enjoy.
• Halton Conservation in the Bulington / Milton area has a snowflake and snow snake festival, wagon rides, skiing, and more.
• Caledon Snowfest activities include snowshoeing, dog sledding, ice skating, sleigh rides, ice sculptures and snow castle contests, plus a winter special “Chilly”.
• The Royal Botanical Gardens of Burlington is the largest botanical garden in Canada, a National Historic Site and a registered charity with a mandate to bring together people, plants and animals.