by José Gonzalez
Kids love the holidays. Santa, presents, lots of treats and time off school! But it’s not just the Christmas vacation that makes the holidays fun for kids – there are festive events and activities happening across Toronto for kids to enjoy (and parents too!). Get out there and have fun! [Photo courtesy of Disney on Ice]
Beauty and the Beast
The classic story, as made famous by the 1991 animated Disney movie, is brought to the stage. It's a story about a young woman wanting more than a simple provincial life and a young man who wants someone to see him as more than a beast.
Ross Petty's A Christmas Carol
Ross Petty returns with another seasonal play, this one so very apt for the season, with a new spin on the classic Dickens novel. In this version Scrooge is so obsessed with Christmas he's trying to buy it out right, and a few familiar spirits have to try and calm down his manic merriment.
Santa Train
Ride the rails with the North Pole's most famous resident. Although Santa hasn't quite traded in the reindeer completely just yet, this train ride lets you ride the York-Durham railway and let Santa know exactly what you want for Christmas. Each train car is decorated with holiday flair and includes special holiday-themed entertainment. As a little extra, each child gets a gift bag at the end of each ride.
Holiday Greeting Card Workshop for Families
Greeting cards are essential for the holiday season, and no card is more appreciated than one that has been made with your own two hands. Kids, of course, have an endless supply of creativity, so they can put that to use at this workshop.
Very Merry
The Royal Ontario Museum kicks off the holiday season with some family fun as they invite community singers My Pop Choir and storytellers Fay Slift and Fluffy Soufflé. In addition to the entertainment, kids can have some fun learning about the many winter solstice traditions and go hands-on to make their own Yule-goats.
Magical Christmas Forest
Experience the fun of the North Pole without having to travel up there as the Kortright Conservation Centre welcomes Santa and his elves to their grounds. You can tour their workshop, play games, make crafts and watch Christmas movies in a special screening room. Each child has the chance to meet Santa in person so they can let him know their wish list.
Canada 150 years of Canadian Christmas at Casa Loma
The magic of the season is literally coming to Casa Loma as illusionist Professor Wick performs for children. He's joined by ice skaters Glisse on Ice, decorations throughout the historic home, and nine Christmas trees, including a 40-foot tree in the Great Hall. Kids can also take part in arts and crafts, and visit with Santa himself to make sure he's got his list in order.
Christmas Cookie Decorating
Christmas cookies are the tastiest holiday tradition, and rumour has it that children enjoy a cookie on occasion. Spend some time in the Inn's historic kitchen decorating Christmas cookies, and then take them home to be enjoyed. Or on the way home. Or right there when the icing hasn't even dried yet.
*Update: Christmas Cookie Decorating at Montgomery's Inn has been canceled.*
Also try:
Cookie Creations
Gingerbread Cookie Decorating
Legoland Bricktacular
Snap together a few holiday memories with the always popular plastic building blocks. Kids are invited to write a letter to the Master Model Builder in the North Pole, explore a miniland magic and engage in holiday build challenges.
Holiday Baking Bonanza
Ideal for kids ages six to 12, this workshop teaches children how to bake using traditional methods, such as a woodstove and hearth. After the baking is completed, kids can take home some of their goodies and a recipe booklet to continue their new baking career at home.
AGO Super Kidz
Presented alongside current AGO exhibition Guillermo del Toro: At Home with Monsters, Super Kidz invites children to create their own masks, capes, wands and more to become super heroes while exploring the idea of fandom in kid’s culture.
Gingerbread House Workshop
Gingerbread is the official cookie of the season, and a gingerbread house is the perfect manifestation of it. The houses are provided, but the kids will have to take charge of deciding just how they'll be decorated.
Disney on Ice
Some of Disney's most iconic characters take to the ice for an all-star display of skating and music. Favourites such as Elsa, Belle and Ariel sing music from their classic Disney films, and a few favourites from the Disney repertoire.
Kids’ Crafts
Kids can visit the home of Toronto's first mayor and make a few crafts using the house's working printing press. They can also make noisemakers to help ring in the New Year.
