Pulling together this list of Toronto March Break ideas made us pretty excited to spend the week at home exploring the city . Knowing that many families are on a tight budget, we made sure that more than half of the activities on this list are free. Discover, play, create, and have an adventure with your kids!
Toronto Comicon Little Village
Even the youngest superheroes will have something to do, from epic fort building and princess sing-a-longs, Sorting Hat ceremonies, Harry Potter photo ops; plushie making and crafting workshops; sustainability gardening, slime making and relaxing in the Toronto Comicon Little Village, where you can play in the village houses, hunt for bugs, go fishing and so much more! Dress up in a costume, or just enjoy the hundreds of next-level cosplayers who flock to this event—Toronto Comicon is all about having FUN. These tickets will move fast.
March Break Hands-On Activities at MOCA – FREE
For every day during March Break (March 14-18), families can sign up for different art-making classes. The series of programmes is inspired by the theme of exploring one’s own personal narrative and identity and includes Play with Clay, Sound Art, Abstract Collage and more. Activities are free, and will operate on a drop-in basis. More info.
Visit the ROM
Make a family trip to the ROM and check out #MyPandemicStory, ROM’s first crowd-sourced exhibition and one of the few pandemic-related exhibitions worldwide to focus on children’s points of view. The exhibit is poignant and offers so much hope. Or for the underwater creature lovers, there’s Great Whales, a multi-sensory and immersive experience that invites you to dive in and discover the incredible great whales of Canada’s east coast (including Blue, ROM’s beloved blue whale), their complex relationships with humans, and what we can do to save them.
Escape to Allen Gardens – FREE
A walk through Allen Gardens always feels therapeutic and like a mini escape. Children can follow paths through the historic conservatory to explore the wide variety of flora. After enjoying the sights and smells of the gardens, wander across the street to grab a cupcake from the Maple Leafs Loblaws. There’s some seating by the window, and the location boasts a vibrant history that makes for great conversation. To find out more about what’s blooming, head to the Friends of Allen Gardens site.
Fun at Ontario Place – SOME PARTS FREE
For our movie lovers, the Cinesphere at Ontario Place will feature afternoon screenings of Paddington 2, Hotel Transylvania, and Trolls World Tour, as well as several titles in IMAX, including The Croods: A New Age, Jumanji: The Next Level, Pokemon: Detective Pikachu. Evening IMAX programming includes Joker, Godzilla vs. Kong, Dunkirk, In The Heights, Ghost in the Shell and more!
Visitors can warm up after their show at the daily Community Bonfire, happening daily from 12pm to 9pm, and enjoy s’mores, hot chocolate and other tasty snacks. If you’re looking for an active adventure, check out the ArtworxTO self-guided public art walking tour of Ontario Place, or explore the waterfront trail from Trillium Park to the West Island.
Trek to Winter Stations – FREE
Jump on the streetcar and head east to check out the sculptures and art installations at Woodbine Beach. Launched in 2014, Winter Stations invites the international design and art community to reimagine the lifeguard stations along Toronto’s east end beaches for the winter. The competition has seen entries from over 90 countries, bringing the world of design to the water’s edge. Take in the art and then throw some stones into the lake.
Walk and Shop St. Lawrence Market – FREE
Some of our most vivid childhood memories are heading out early to shop and enjoy the bustling St. Lawrence Market. From seeing the many types of rice there are in the world to the rows of fresh fish, and bright colours of the overflowing fruit and veggie stands, it’s a joy to walk through. To add a dimension to your visit, perhaps plan a recipe to make together and head out to find ingredients. See market hours and more here.
Visit the Toronto Zoo
The Toronto Zoo is celebrating the Year of the Tiger with a special contest this March Break. Snap a photo of the zoo’s Amur or Sumatran tigers or the new tiger mascot Teo for the chance to win a tiger-themed prize pack! Look out for additional March Break dates for the enchanting night walk experience, Terra Lumina, as well as other guided walking tours. If you’re looking to learn virtually, the zoo will also be holding daily Facebook livestreams with zookeepers throughout March Break.
Go To The Movies
Turning Red, directed by Toronto-raised Domee Shi, has released just in time for March Break. Enjoy this coming-of-age film which explores the confusion of adolescence in a quirky way (middle schooler Mei Lee turns into a Giant Red Panda when she gets too emotional). It also happens to be set in Toronto! So look out for the skyline, CN Tower, Chinatowns, and even TTC streetcars!
For the older kids (8-15) we recommend The Adam Project on Netflix. Starring Ryan Reynolds, Mark Ruffalo and Jennifer Garner, The Adam Project follows a time-traveling pilot as he teams up with his younger self and his late father to come to terms with his past while saving the future.
The Bad Hats March Break Digital Festival – FREE
Streaming from March 14 – 20, this exciting new digital festival is offering free programming for families and audiences of all ages throughout the March Break. Tune in to stream their musical adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, as well as 5 new short films — inspired by the five senses. You can also look forward to 6 episodes of the new podcast from The Mulligans, Stillwater School for Mosquitos.
Explore Little Canada
If you can’t get enough of the miniature trend, Little Canada is a must-visit this March Break. Explore Canada’s most iconic landmarks and cityscapes in mini form at this all-ages attraction in the heart of downtown Toronto. Or, learn how to make your own mini masterpiece at one of their March Break workshops, happening March 14th-18th.
A Trip To High Park – FREE
A hike around High Park never disappoints, and this time of year it’s exciting to spot signs that spring is on its way. Enjoy the park trails, grab a hot chocolate at The Grenadier Café, say hello to the animals in the outdoor High Park Zoo, and eventually make your way to the giant High Park Adventure Playground, which many would agree is the best children’s park in Toronto.
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