January can be a tough time for many people, and with more darkness and freezing temperatures, you may feel that it’s harder than normal to keep minds busy and spirits high. We wanted to offer some easy, accessible learning opportunities for your families. We’ve curated a short list of activities using found, at-home objects that won’t have you running to the store to restock materials, and will have you breathing a sigh of relief as your family battles winter boredom in a fun and educational way.
[Read more…]Winter Holiday Fun
The Holiday season can be a very expensive time of year. Are you wanting to spend fun quality time with family, but hoping to take things easy on the wallet? Read on for some exciting cost-free or low-cost Holiday activities near you from To Do Canada!
Snowflake Walk in High Park Zoo
High Park Zoo, 77 Deer Pen Road, Toronto
December 17, 2023
Price:$10 per family
Friends of High Park Zoo is hosting a very special event – the Snowflake Walk where you get to stroll through the Zoo in the dark and see the 30 plus beautifully decorates and lit up trees, enjoy the carollers …and you might see some animals too!
Toronto History Museums Free Admission
Various, City of Toronto History Museums
January 1, 2023 To December 31, 2023
Price: Free
General admission to all 10 Toronto History Museums is permanently free to provide everyone with an opportunity to fully participate in cultural heritage and spaces. This is one of many initiatives at Toronto History Museums to advance diversity, equity and inclusion. Toronto History Museums is committed to dismantling museums’ ongoing colonial legacies and working towards fostering reconciliation and healing as well as enhancing the understanding of Toronto’s diverse stories from multiple perspectives.
Bentway, 250 Fort York Blvd, Toronto
December 16, 2023 To February 19, 2024
Price:Free
The Bentway is a unique and innovative public space that transforms 1.75km underneath Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway, from Strachan Avenue to Bathurst Street.
The Bentway transforms into a uniquely urban winter wonderland with the December 16 opening of its 220 metre skate trail and experience a special, soaring art installation inspired by the glowing hues of the northern lights.
Check out To Do Canada for the full list:
https://www.todocanada.ca/20-free-things-toronto-december/
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Keeping Your Family Well Through Fall and Winter
With the colder weather comes the flu season. Did you have a chance to read the letter from Toronto Public Health included in our most recent newsletter?
Combined with handwashing, staying on top of vaccinations, and the option of masking, here are a few additional tips to keep your family physically and mentally well in these colder and darker days.
1. Up Your Vitamin D
Not only do we get less sunshine at this time of year, we need to increase our vitamin D to ward off infection and inflammation. Vitamin D helps build strong bones, and even plays a role in mood regulation – also supporting your mental health!
2. Increase Sleep
As an additional symptom of less sunlight, you may be finding that your family is needing more sleep. This is perfectly natural – It’s recommended that we do slightly increase sleeping hours in the winter months. Sleep will also help you fight off any illness!
3. Stay Active
It can be tempting to hibernate, and though more rest is encouraged, staying active is essential for your physical and mental health! Try to get outside with your kids and soak in the little sunlight that we get. This may be a great time to pick up a new activity or active hobby. When in doubt, pay a visit to Creating Together and make use of our indoor climber!
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What are your favourite wellness tips for the changing weather?
The Benefits of Sensory Play
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Using their senses is one of the most important ways children can learn about the world around them. Here are four quick facts/benefits of sensory play:
1. Sensory play builds nerve connections in the brain.
Sensory play is necessary for the development of sensory integration and consequently, cognitive development!
2. Sensory play helps to develop fine motor skills.
Sensory play often involves touch – encouraging specific actions such as squeezing, pinching, moving, and pouring. These actions build fine motor skills, which will become useful in day to day life.
3. Sensory play encourages scientific exploration.
When children engage in sensory play they will be observing, forming conclusions as well as problem solving!
4. Sensory play allows children to refine their threshold.
As children explore the world around them through their senses, they learn to slowly filter out different sensory experiences. This helps them to refine their threshold and manage sensory overwhelm in their day to day life.
Next week at Creating Together we’ll be offering the option to Make Your Own Sensory Bag at the art table! Join us on April 28th and enjoy these sensory benefits!
Cost-Free Family Events this March Break
As recommended by To Do Canada!
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WinterStation at Woodbine Beach
February 20, 2023 – March 31, 2023
The annual public art installations return to the Toronto east end beaches. Set along the waterfront award-winning artists and design firms transform existing lifeguard stations into structures worthy of a visit or two. This year’s theme is RADIANCE. Dress for the weather and the terrain. Then pop up to Queen Street for a a bite to eat or a hot chocolate to warm up.
Lumière at Trillium Park, Ontario Place
March 10, 2023 – May 7, 2023
Explore the park and experience 16 illuminated installations developed by Ontario artists before stopping by the bonfire to warm up. Utilizing innovation, light and discovery, Ontario artists and creators will “illuminate” the park under a curatorial theme of “renewal”, celebrating the change of seasons from winter to spring. Dress warm and wear comfortable footwear for this outdoor experience. Lumière is open daily from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. with a bonfire hosted on Fridays and Saturdays from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. More details on their site.
Sugar Shack TO at Sugar Beach
March 11, 2023 – March 12, 2023
This annual outdoor event will transform Sugar Beach into a fun filled weekend featuring all things maple. Two sugar shacks will serve up fresh made maple sugar taffy and there will be all sorts of maple infused food available for purchase. Maple Taffy $3 for 1 or 2 for $5. Cash or Debit only. Live entertainment and interactive activities for all ages. Dress for the weather.
Nature Connection: Signs of Spring Sap Walk
March 26, 2023
Spring has begun! Join us as we explore the forest and learn how maple syrup is made! Please note this is not a sugar bush program.
Downsview Park , 70 Canuck Ave, Toronto
Get The Jump On Spring & Seedy Saturday
March 25, 2023 | 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Toronto Botanical Garden’s annual Horticultural Open House IS BACK with seed and other garden-related vendors and exhibitors including local horticultural societies, garden clubs, and environmental organizations.
Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Avenue East, Toronto
St Patrick’s Day Parade Toronto
March 19, 2023 | 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM
Parade Begins 12:00 PM, line of march lasts one and a half hours at any given point along the route.
Join us for the biggest St Patricks day parade to hit the streets of Toronto.
A community event in celebrating Irish culture history and heritage. The parade has grown to include a number of diverse communities and non-profit groups and is recognized as the largest Irish-themed event held in Toronto. A fun-filled affordable family day.
Bloor St W & St George St to Nathan Phillips Square. Toronto
Read More: https://www.todocanada.ca/free-fun-things-toronto-march/
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