Toronto with toddlers (typically defined as kids 1–4) is a different city than the one designed for older kids and adults — the pace is slower, the schedule revolves around naps and snacks, and the destinations need to balance toddler-friendly with parent-survival. The good news: Toronto with toddlers is genuinely excellent, with hundreds of free splash pads and playgrounds, a network of stroller-accessible TTC subway stations, dozens of kid-friendly cafés, the dedicated KidSpark hall at the Ontario Science Centre, the free Riverdale Farm petting zoo, and the Toronto Islands ferry as a guaranteed toddler hit. This guide walks through 25 of the best Toronto with toddlers activities, the practical tips for navigating with strollers and naps, the hotels that go above and beyond for families, and the restaurants that make eating out actually pleasant rather than stressful.
The 10 best Toronto with toddlers activities
1. Riverdale Farm
Riverdale Farm (201 Winchester St, Cabbagetown) is a free, city-run urban farm with cows, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, and a small horse. Open daily 9am–5pm. The single best Toronto with toddlers free activity — your 2-year-old will talk about it for weeks. Stroller-accessible paths throughout. Closest TTC: Castle Frank (Line 2) plus 5-minute walk.
2. KidSpark at the Ontario Science Centre
KidSpark is the dedicated 0–5 hall at the Ontario Science Centre — water tables, soft climbing, sensory play. Allow 60–90 minutes. The single best paid Toronto with toddlers indoor activity for under-5s.
3. The Toronto Islands ferry
The 15-minute Toronto Islands ferry ride is itself the activity for toddlers — they love the boat. Once on the islands, the Centreville rides (the antique carousel, the small Ferris wheel) are toddler-perfect. See our Toronto Islands guide.
4. High Park’s Jamie Bell Adventure Playground
The 1,800 sq metre wooden castle structure at the Bloor Street entrance to High Park has zones designed for ages 2–6 and 6–12. Allow 90 minutes. Strollers OK throughout. See our playgrounds Toronto guide.
5. The Allan Gardens Conservatory
Allan Gardens (19 Horticultural Ave) — five connected greenhouses with tropical plants, a palm house, and goldfish in the central pond. Free admission, year-round, daily 10am–5pm. A perfect rainy-day Toronto with toddlers stop for 45–60 minutes.
6. The Toronto Public Library Reference Library kids’ zone
The Toronto Reference Library (789 Yonge St) has one of the city’s best free kids’ zones — a children’s library with reading nooks, puzzles, free Wi-Fi, and indoor toddler play structures. Perfect on cold or rainy days. Free.
7. Centre Island playground (Toronto Islands)
The free Centre Island playground sits next to Centreville and is perfectly toddler-sized. Combine with a picnic and the carousel for a 4-hour island day.
8. Casa Loma
Toddlers love castles. Casa Loma’s grand staircase, the secret tunnel to the stables, and the gardens are all toddler-friendly. Allow 90 minutes max — toddler attention spans run out faster than the 98 rooms.
9. Roundhouse Park (under the CN Tower)
Roundhouse Park has a small playground next to the historic 1929 John Street Roundhouse (now the Steam Whistle Brewing). The Toronto Railway Museum has a 1.5 km mini-train ride for toddlers ($5) — operates summer weekends.
10. Toronto Zoo
The Toronto Zoo Discovery Zone has hands-on animal demos for toddlers. The Zoomobile (open-air train) lets toddlers ride between pavilions without walking. Allow 4 hours total.
Toronto with toddlers: indoor rainy-day options
11. Bata Shoe Museum kids’ zone
The Bata Shoe Museum (327 Bloor W) has a hands-on shoe-trying zone for toddlers — they get to feel different cultures’ footwear. Adult $14, kids 5+ $7, under 5 free.
12. Aga Khan Museum family programs
The Aga Khan Museum (77 Wynford Dr) runs free family workshops Sundays, plus the museum’s pool gardens are stunning for stroller walks. Adult $20, kids $10, under 5 free.
13. Toronto Reference Library
Mentioned above — the kids’ zone is one of Toronto’s best-kept secrets for under-5s on rainy days.
14. Sherbourne Common (waterfront)
Indoor + outdoor options. Sherbourne Common has architecturally striking outdoor playgrounds and splash pads (summer) — adjacent to the Sugar Beach with the iconic pink umbrellas.
15. Indoor pools
The Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre has a kids’ pool for ages 0–4 that’s heated and shallow. $5 drop-in. Multiple other community-centre pools have toddler swim sessions.
Toronto with toddlers: outdoor activities
16. Cherry Beach
Cherry Beach has soft sand, a kid-friendly playground, and shallow lake water for toddlers (with supervision). Adjacent off-leash dog beach delights toddlers. See our Toronto beaches guide.
17. Trinity Bellwoods Park wading pool
Trinity Bellwoods has a free wading pool (mid-June to early September), a playground, and the green space for picnics. The single most-used park for downtown Toronto toddler families.
18. Christie Pits Park
Christie Pits has a wading pool, a substantial playground, and a baseball-diamond grass area. Toddler perfect.
19. Edwards Gardens
Edwards Gardens (777 Lawrence E) has a 16-hectare formal garden with stroller-accessible paths and a gentle creek with bridges. Connect to the Toronto Botanical Garden’s free family programming.
20. Withrow Park
Withrow Park (725 Logan Ave) has the city’s best wading pool surrounded by mature trees, plus an inclusive accessible playground.
Restaurants for Toronto with toddlers
21. Pizzeria Libretto
Multiple locations — kid-friendly Neapolitan pizza, fast service, kids’ menu, colouring sheets, accommodating staff. The single best Toronto with toddlers dinner spot.
22. Mamma Martino’s
Italian-Canadian family restaurant on St. Clair West with kids’ menus and very tolerant staff. Closes 9pm.
23. The Stockyards
Smokehouse on St. Clair West with a kid-friendly atmosphere and fast service. Their fried chicken and brisket are excellent.
24. Lazy Daisy’s Café (the Beaches)
Brunch spot at 1972 Queen E with kids’ menu, big tables, and easy stroller access.
25. Drake One Fifty
Surprisingly toddler-friendly given its hipster reputation — the patio is stroller-friendly, the kids’ menu is honest (not just chicken nuggets), and the staff are accommodating.
Toronto with toddlers: practical tips
TTC with strollers
The TTC subway has elevators at most major stations (all of Line 1 and Line 2 are gradually being made fully accessible). The streetcars and buses all accept strollers folded; some streetcars (the new Flexity models) accommodate unfolded strollers. Use the front door of any vehicle with a stroller. See our riding the TTC.
Nap timing
Most museum and indoor activities are best for the morning slot before the toddler nap (10am–12pm). Outdoor splash pads and playgrounds work better for the afternoon. Plan around your toddler’s natural rhythm — pushing through a missed nap rarely works in any city.
Where to stay
Toronto with toddlers is easiest from a hotel with a kitchenette or a vacation rental — you can prepare familiar foods, manage snacks, and skip a stressful restaurant breakfast. The Sheraton Centre Toronto and Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre offer family rooms with cribs. The Hotel X Toronto at Princes’ Gates has the city’s best family-amenity package (kids’ welcome amenity, full athletic club access). See our family hotels Toronto guide.
Stroller logistics
If you can travel with your own light/foldable stroller, do it — Toronto streets are wide, sidewalks generally good, and most attractions are stroller-friendly. Stroller rentals are limited to specific museums (the ROM rents strollers for $5/visit; the Science Centre has limited inventory). A lightweight Yoyo or BabyZen-style stroller works best.
Diaper changing
Most major Toronto attractions have changing facilities in both men’s and women’s washrooms. The CN Tower, ROM, AGO, Casa Loma, Ripley’s Aquarium, and Ontario Science Centre all have dedicated family washrooms.
Childcare for parents’ nights out
Several Toronto hotels offer in-room babysitting through bonded services like Kids in Charge ($25–$35/hour, minimum 4 hours). Most major hotels can arrange this with 48 hours notice.
Emergency pediatric care
Sick Kids Hospital (555 University Ave) is North America’s largest pediatric hospital. The ER is staffed 24/7 and accepts international travel insurance.
Best 1-day Toronto with toddlers itinerary
9:00am — Stroll Trinity Bellwoods Park, hit the playground, splash pad if it’s hot.
11:00am — Streetcar to the AGO area; visit the AGO’s free family programming or skip to lunch.
12:00pm — Lunch at Pizzeria Libretto Ossington — kids’ menu, fast service.
1:30pm — Afternoon nap (back at hotel if possible — toddlers nap better in their own bed).
3:30pm — Riverdale Farm to see the animals. Stroller-friendly.
5:00pm — Streetcar to the Distillery District; ice cream at SOMA Chocolatemaker; gentle stroll through the cobblestone streets.
6:30pm — Casual dinner — Mill Street Brew Pub or El Catrin.
8:00pm — Back to the hotel, calming bath, bedtime.
Keep planning your family trip
Toddlers need their own approach; for school-age kids and up, see our main Toronto with kids guide. Pair Toronto with toddlers planning with: family attractions Toronto, playgrounds and splash pads Toronto, family hotels Toronto, Ontario Science Centre, Toronto Zoo, Toronto Islands, a 3-day Toronto plan, and the full list of Toronto activities.
Toronto with toddlers can be remarkable when you plan the day around naps, embrace the splash pads on hot days, and accept that toddlers love the simple stuff (the ferry, the farm, the playground) more than the elaborate stuff. Pack patience and a snack bag, and you’ll have one of the easiest family trips of your life.
