Things to do & Places to stay in Ontario

MARCH 23, 2021

Home /Archive

Follow us on:

What are YOU going to do this weekend?

6 Spring Break Activities to Enjoy with the Family!

This year the break formerly known as ‘March Break’ will actually be taking place the week of April 12th – 16th - and boy, do you all deserve a breather!  We know it’s been a tough few months so we’ve compiled a list of fun activities that you can do with the kids during Spring break to reconnect, regroup and recharge together before getting back down to business.  While Spring break camps and outings may look a little different this year, there are still tons of fun activities right here in Ontario to help you create those magical memories with your family safely.

Have fun learning at London Children’s Museum (Southwestern Ontario)

article1march232021.jpgCheck out London Children’s Museum’s Ozobot program, where the kids can experiment with STEAM-based learning by using Ozobots.  The kids use markers to create pathways for their mini robot to follow all the while gaining literacy, math and pre-coding skills!  The museum is full of hands-on exhibits in a fun child-centered environment.  Dig for dinosaurs, go back in time to an old one-room schoolhouse, adventure to Canada’s Arctic Discovery room, or make electrical energy in the Hydro experiment room.  Your kids will have a blast experimenting with the exhibits and learning valuable skills.  Be sure to book in advance as the visitor numbers are limited.

Get up close and personal with Canadian wildlife on a safari drive at Parc Omega (Ottawa Region)

article2march232021.jpgLooking for a super unique road-trip idea? Parc Omega is a 900-hectare park under an hour drive from Ottawa that will give you and your family a unique day spent interacting with Canadian wildlife.  Stay in the comfort of your own car and drive through a 12km long safari where you can view bears, bison, elk and foxes all in their natural habitat.  Guests can even feed carrots to the deers who come up to your car.  Visit the one-of-a-kind wolf observatory where you can get up close and personal with a pack of grey wolves.  Call ahead to reserve your spot and get your Mowgli on!

Take a memorable family stroll at Haliburton Sculpture Forest (Central Ontario)

article3march232021.jpgTake the kids on an unforgettably unique hike in The Haliburton Sculpture Forest.  Located in Glebe Park near the village of Haliburton, the forest features an outdoor collection of over 40 sculptures by Canadian and International artists that are peppered throughout the series of trails in a beautiful maple forest.  Download their app to do a self-guided tour or use a brochure available on site.  Admission is free and donations are welcome.  What better way to reconnect with your family in nature; and if you’re lucky, you might spot some of the local wildlife including the red fox, white tail deer, woodchucks, pileated woodpeckers and eastern milk snakes.

Learn about the history and wildlife of the St. Lawrence River with interactive exhibits at The Aquatarium! (Eastern Ontario)

article4march232021.jpgAhoy, Matey!  The kids will love this interactive learning experience that explores all aspects of life along the St. Lawrence River at The Aquatarium.  Check out all of the fascinating indigenous wildlife, including the super cute resident river otters!  Experiment with waterpower, dams and wind, or discover what treasures are hiding in the library treasure chests.  If you want to uncover your inner pirate you can walk the plank, traverse the ratlines or run across a handrail at the pirate ship ropes course.  Make sure to book in advance to reserve your spot.

Take an exciting hike alongside powerful river rapids at The Niagara Glen (Niagara Region)

article5march232021.jpgTake a hike to view the Niagara River Rapids that lead to North America’s most powerful waterfall!  Head down a stairway to take a 4-kilometre hike through Carolinian Forest at The Niagara Glen. These trails run alongside the powerful rapids of the Niagara Rivers and past the Niagara River Whirlpool, a thrilling natural phenomenon that is sure to impress the family.  Get in touch with your adventurous side, while enjoying each other’s company on this stunning hike..

Book a guided tour at Bradley Museum to learn about the sticky-sweet magic of Maple! (Greater Toronto Area)

article6march232021.jpgMany of Ontario’s renowned Maple festivals were unable to run this year but that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to enjoy this Canadian delicacy and tradition.  Book a guided ‘Magic of Maple’ tour at the Bradley Museum in Mississauga where you will see how maple syrup is currently made and learn how Indigenous and early settler communities used to make it.  Walk around the site while learning all about Maple trees.  The kids will be blown away to see just how the sweet sap is collected and then magically turned into yummy treats. At the end, reward yourselves with some sticky-sweet Maple goodies!

bannermarch232021.jpg

Featured Events


Toronto’s Drive-thru easter parade

April 3, 2021 4 pm – 11 pm
Toronto (Greater Toronto Area) – In Person & Virtual

featuredevent1march232021.jpgEnjoy some Easter fun at this Easter Parade with a twist.  This year, the floats and decorations will remain stationary, and guests will drive their cars along with route!  Purchase your tickets ahead of time to ensure your spot.  This event is the first of its kind in Canada; take in the colourful Easter floats, live music and decorations all lit up from the comfort of your own vehicle.

Canada’s wonderland virtual trivia nights

Thursdays at 8 PM until April 15th
Virtual Event

featuredevent2march232021.jpgCelebrate the 40th year of Canada’s Wonderland with a fun weekly Thursday night trivia from your own home.  Log in to test your pop culture knowledge from the 80’s, 90’s and 00’s with the following categories: Park Trivia, Pop Culture, Music, Movies & TV.  Trivia will run Thursday nights at 8 PM until April 15th.


Tap into maple

Running until April 4th, 2021
Orillia & Lake Country (Central Ontario)

featuredevent3march232021.jpgHit your sweet spot with a self-guided tour to Orillia & Lake Country’s Maple hot spots.  Work your way from operational sugar shacks to see first-hand how the sap is turned into maple syrup, to bakeries serving up delicious Maple treats.  This self-tour is a fun way to enjoy the short-lived Maple season and make some road-trip memories.

Featured  Excursion: Jungle Cat World

featuredmarch232021.jpgLocated in Orono, this wildlife park is home to over 150 animals.  Guests can go daily to see the animal feedings at 1:30 PM, do a night safari, connect with animals behind the scenes and even spend the night in one of Canada’s most unusual accommodation experiences.  Anyone over the age of 10 can also feed one of the large tigers!  Guests will learn about the various animals, and the survival of these wild species.  The exciting but controlled visits with big cats at Jungle Cat World will leave you with a lasting impression.

 

ONLY IN ONTARIO

onlyinontariomarch232021.jpgWorld Famous Kissing Rock
Located in Thorold, Ontario at the Lock 7 viewing complex, lives a special slab of rock that has inspired kisses for decades.  The Kissing Rock tradition was started back when the 4th canal opened and was a bustling centre of boat activity along the Great Lakes.  The heart painted on the rock with ‘C.S.’ stands for sailor Charles Snelgrove who would bring his lady to the rock for a kiss before setting sail to guarantee himself a safe trip.  Other sailors soon learned of Charlie’s safe-return trick and started to bring their partners to the rock for a good luck farewell smooch too.  This tradition has been extended to anyone hoping for good luck and lasting love.  So, gather your loved ones and pucker up at Thorold’s Kissing Rock.

Print Edition

img20.jpgWe've started working on the 2021 edition of Summer Fun Guide but if you are looking for a 2020 edition, email info@summerfunguide.ca to have one mailed to you. View a digital version of the print edition online here:  https://www.summerfunguide.ca/print-edition.html.

 
NEXT ISSUE, COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
CHECK OUT the next issue

Totally Tubular Winter Fun In Ontario

Questions or comments?

Contact Natalie at news@summerfunguide.ca

Looking for suggestions?

The best suggestions come from others who have been there and done that!


PO Box 47655, 946 Lawrence Avenue East, Toronto, ON M3C 3S7 416-385-1551 toll free: 1-866-385-1550

 

© Summer Fun Guide. All Rights Reserved