Family attractions Toronto are one of the city’s quiet superpowers — Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, the 287-hectare Toronto Zoo, the 1914 Casa Loma castle, the Ontario Science Centre’s 900+ interactive exhibits, the Centreville Amusement Park on the Toronto Islands, and Canada’s Wonderland just 30 minutes north. Add the world-class Royal Ontario Museum dinosaur galleries, the kid-friendly Hockey Hall of Fame, the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre at Vaughan Mills, and the playful Distillery District with its outdoor sculptures and chocolate makers, and you have a family-trip destination that competes head-to-head with Orlando, Anaheim, or Washington DC. This guide ranks the 20 best family attractions Toronto offers — by age range, indoor versus outdoor, and TTC-accessibility — with practical notes on timing, costs, and which CityPASS to buy.
The 5 must-do family attractions Toronto picks
1. Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
Ripley’s Aquarium (288 Bremner Blvd, base of CN Tower) is the most-loved Toronto attraction for kids 4–12. The 1.5-million-gallon aquarium has a 96m underwater tunnel through the Dangerous Lagoon (with sharks, sea turtles, and rays), a touch tank where kids can pet stingrays, and the Discovery Centre’s interactive exhibits. Allow 2.5 hours. Adult $44, child (3–13) $30, under 3 free. Included in Toronto CityPASS. See our Ripley’s Aquarium guide.
2. Toronto Zoo
The Toronto Zoo (2000 Meadowvale Rd, Scarborough) is the largest zoo in Canada with 5,000+ animals across 287 hectares. Highlights: the Tundra Trek (polar bears, snowy owls), the Indo-Malaya Pavilion (orangutans, sun bears), the Africa Pavilion (gorillas, lemurs), and the Kids Zoo (hands-on petting). The Zoomobile (open-air train tour) runs $5 extra. Allow 4–6 hours; this is a full-day attraction. Adult $25, child (3–12) $15. 1 hour from downtown by TTC; 30 minutes by car. See our Toronto Zoo guide.
3. Ontario Science Centre
The Ontario Science Centre (770 Don Mills Rd) is the city’s interactive science museum with 900+ hands-on exhibits across 10 halls. Highlights: the Living Earth (rainforest simulation), the Science Arcade (live demos), the Space hall, the Planetarium dome shows ($5 extra). Allow 4 hours. Adult $25, child (3–12) $15. Best for kids 6–14 but engaging for all ages. See our Ontario Science Centre guide.
4. CN Tower
The CN Tower works for kids 4+. The glass floor section is the kid-favourite (looking 346m straight down through 6cm of glass). Older kids and teens enjoy the SkyPod ($14 extra) for the higher view. Adult $43, child (4–13) $30. Included in CityPASS.
5. Casa Loma
The 1914 Gothic Revival castle (1 Austin Tce) is the most magical family attractions Toronto destination. The 98 rooms include a “secret tunnel” to the stables that kids love, plus seasonal “Escape from the Tower” escape rooms ($30+). Allow 2.5 hours. Adult $40, child $30. Included in CityPASS. See our Casa Loma guide.
Theme parks and amusement
6. Canada’s Wonderland
Canada’s Wonderland (9580 Jane St, Vaughan) is Canada’s largest theme park with 200+ rides including 18 roller coasters. Best for kids 8+ and teens. Allow a full day; closed Nov–April. Adult $58 advance / $89 gate; child (3+, under 48″) $48. 30 minutes by car; GO Bus connection from Yorkdale. See our Canada’s Wonderland guide.
7. Centreville Amusement Park (Toronto Islands)
Centreville (Centre Island) is the family-perfect “old fashioned” amusement park with 30+ rides aimed at kids 2–10. The Antique Carousel (1907) is the centrepiece. Day passes $42 adult, $34 child. Combine with our Toronto Islands guide for a full island day. Open early May to early September.
8. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre
LEGOLAND (Vaughan Mills, 1 Bass Pro Mills Dr) is an indoor LEGO playground with 10 themed zones, mini-rides, and a 4D cinema. Best for kids 3–10. Allow 3 hours. $30 adult and child, online discount available. 25 minutes by car or GO Bus.
9. Treetop Trekking
Treetop Trekking has two GTA locations (Brampton and Stouffville) with zip lines and aerial obstacle courses for kids 5+. $50–$75 per person depending on course. Excellent older-kid (10+) family adventure.
Museums and learning
10. Royal Ontario Museum
The ROM dinosaur galleries are Canada’s best — kids 4+ love the assembled T-Rex skeleton. The Bat Cave (a recreated walk-through cave) and the Egyptian mummies are other family favourites. Adult $26, child (4–14) $17. Included in CityPASS.
11. Hockey Hall of Fame
The Toronto’s Hockey Hall of Fame at Brookfield Place is family attractions Toronto for hockey-loving kids 6+. Interactive shooting/goalie zones, the Stanley Cup display. Adult $30, child $20.
12. Bata Shoe Museum
The Bata Shoe Museum (327 Bloor W) is the world’s only museum dedicated to footwear — surprisingly engaging for kids 8+ with rotating exhibits. Adult $14, child (5–17) $7.
13. Aga Khan Museum
The Aga Khan Museum (77 Wynford Dr, North York) showcases Islamic art and architecture in a stunning 2014 Fumihiko Maki building. Free family workshops Sundays. Adult $20, child (6–13) $10.
14. Textile Museum of Canada
The Textile Museum (55 Centre Ave) has hands-on weaving demonstrations and a kids’ textile activity zone. Adult $12, child $6.
Outdoor family attractions Toronto
15. Toronto Islands
The Toronto Islands are the best free family-day-out in the city. Bring bikes (or rent on the islands), pack a picnic, plan to spend 4–5 hours including the ferry. Centre Island has Centreville for amusement; Ward’s Island is quieter; Hanlan’s Point has the best beach.
16. High Park
High Park has the city’s largest playground complex (Jamie Bell Adventure Playground), a free zoo (open year-round, 1893), the Sakura Cherry Blossom grove (peak early May), and 161 hectares of trails. Free. See our best parks in Toronto guide.
17. Edwards Gardens
Edwards Gardens (777 Lawrence E) is a 16-hectare former private estate turned public garden, with the Toronto Botanical Garden attached (free). Excellent for stroller walks and photography.
18. Riverdale Farm
Riverdale Farm (201 Winchester St) is a city-run, free urban farm with cows, sheep, pigs, chickens, and goats. Open daily 9am–5pm. Best for kids under 6.
Indoor rainy-day options
19. Allan Gardens Conservatory
Allan Gardens (19 Horticultural Ave) is a 1910 Edwardian glasshouse with five connected greenhouses (palm house, tropical, cacti, etc.). Free admission, year-round, daily 10am–5pm. A perfect rainy-day stop.
20. Indoor pools and water parks
For active rainy days: The Pan Am Sports Centre Aquatic Centre (open swim sessions $5–$15), The Donald D. Summerville Olympic Pool at Woodbine Beach (outdoor heated, summer only), and the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre (climbing wall, indoor pool).
Best for specific age ranges
Toddlers (1–3)
Riverdale Farm (free), High Park playground (free), the Allan Gardens Conservatory (free), the Toronto Reference Library kids’ zone (free). See our Toronto with toddlers guide.
Kids 4–8
Ripley’s Aquarium, Casa Loma, Centreville, the Toronto Zoo, the Ontario Science Centre’s “Kid Spark” zone, the ROM dinosaur galleries.
Kids 9–12
The full Ontario Science Centre, the CN Tower glass floor, Canada’s Wonderland, Treetop Trekking, the Hockey Hall of Fame, the AGO’s family programs.
Teens 13+
Canada’s Wonderland’s bigger coasters, the EdgeWalk at the CN Tower, escape rooms (Casa Loma’s “Escape from the Tower,” several Yonge Street and Ossington venues), Toronto Maple Leafs and Blue Jays games.
Practical tips for visiting family attractions Toronto
The Toronto CityPASS for families
The Toronto CityPASS at $129 adult / $89 child includes 5 of these 20 attractions and saves 30–50% versus paying gate prices. For a family of 4 (2 adults + 2 children), the CityPASS costs $436 vs. $612 at gate — saving $176. See our Toronto CityPASS guide.
Stroller and accessibility
Most major Toronto attractions are stroller-friendly. The TTC subway has elevators at every accessible station; the streetcars and buses all accept strollers folded. The CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium, ROM, and Toronto Zoo are fully wheelchair/stroller accessible.
Hotel concierge for kids
Several Toronto hotels offer family programming: Four Seasons Toronto (kids’ welcome amenity, kid-themed concierge program), Shangri-La Toronto (kids’ tea service), Hotel X Toronto (full athletic club access for guests). See our where to stay in Toronto guide.
Eating out with kids
Toronto restaurants are universally kid-friendly during lunch and early dinner (5pm–7pm). Most provide colouring sheets and crayons; many have kids’ menus. See our best restaurants Toronto guide and cheap eats in Toronto.
Plan the rest of your family trip
These attractions are the backbone of our wider guide to visiting Toronto with kids, which adds transit, food and nap-time logistics. Pair family attractions Toronto with the rest of family trip planning: family hotels Toronto, playgrounds and splash pads Toronto, Ontario Science Centre, Toronto with toddlers, Toronto CityPASS, 3-day Toronto itinerary, and things to do in Toronto.
Family attractions Toronto offer a remarkable depth — Ripley’s, the Zoo, Casa Loma, the Science Centre, Canada’s Wonderland, plus dozens of free options. Buy the CityPASS, plan the days by age, and you’ll have one of the most rewarding family trips in North America.
