Here are more great free fun activities for you, your family and friends to enjoy during the March Break.
FREE Recreational Fun for March Break
- Indoor leisure skating programs which include parent and tot, family skate and shinny – approved hockey helmets are mandatory for shinny. Residents can call 311 or visit their local arena for a schedule.
- Drop-in Programs: community centres offer free or low-cost drop-in program: call or visit your local centre for more information.
- Riverdale Farm: farmer demonstrations occur at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. While you’re there, visit the Residence and the Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum. The Meeting House hosts drop-in craft activities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and farmer demonstrations occur at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. The Farm is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., is accessible to all.
- Preview of spring flower shows: call Centennial Park Conservatory at 416-394-8543 and Allan Gardens Conservatory at 416-392-7288.
- Family Skate at Ricoh Coliseum (no entry fee required): free skating from Monday, March 14 to Thursday, March 17 from 12 to 4 p.m. Must bring your own skating gear! Children 12 years and under are required to wear a CSA-approved helmet. Family Skate sessions are first come, first served. No more than 250 people are permitted on the ice at any one time. Please call 311 for more info.
- High Park Zoo: open daily year-round to visitors from 7 a.m. to dusk. Parking is available in designated parking areas only, at no charge. Parking between 1:00am and 6:00am is prohibited.
- Discovery Walks program is a series of 11 self-guided walks linking ravines, parks and neighbourhoods. Brochures and maps are available for pick up at civic centres or visit http://www.toronto.ca/parks/trails/discover.htm or call 311.
- March Break Track and Field Training Day for youth ages 14 to 17 years on Wednesday, March 16, 9:15 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Toronto Track and Field Centre at York University. Admission is free for Athletics Ontario members, $5.50 for non-members. The registration deadline is Monday, March 14, at 3 p.m. Please call 416-426-7215 or visit: http://www.athleticsontario.ca/content/home.asp
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
News Release
March 11, 2011
Enjoy recreational fun for the whole family this March Break
Looking for something to do during March Break? Enjoy the week of March 14 by getting out, being active and having fun. The City of Toronto can help with a wide range of leisure activities and camps for children and families. Schedules for Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation programs, including indoor skating, swimming and skiing activities are available at http://www.toronto.ca/parks/marchbreak.htm.
Skating
Indoor leisure skating programs – which include parent and tot, family skate and shinny – are free for all ages. Approved hockey helmets are mandatory for shinny, and padded gloves and other protective equipment are recommended. Residents can call 311, visit their local arena for a schedule or visit http://www.toronto.ca/parks/marchbreak.htm.
Swimming
City pools will be offering special March Break swim programs across the city. Residents may call 311, contact their local pool or visit http://www.toronto.ca/parks/marchbreak.htm.
March Break Camps
March Break camps offer children and youth a great opportunity to enjoy a range of activities depending on age and location. Participants can enjoy specialty activities such as arts, crafts, music, drama, sports and games. For program information, fees and extended hours, contact the location you are interested in, call 311 or visit http://www.toronto.ca/parks/torontofun/index.htm. Note: some programs may require an additional fee for materials or supplies.
Pre-registration for March Break camp programs is required. Registration is fast and easy:
Online: http://www.toronto.ca/parks/torontofun/index.htm
Touchtone phone: 416-338-0000
Telephone Assisted: call 311 and ask to speak to a Toronto Parks Forestry and Recreation customer service representative.
TTY (for deaf, deafened and hard of hearing callers who have a TTY line): 416-338-2564
Drop-in Programs
Community centres offer free or low-cost drop-in programs over the March Break. Residents are encouraged to call or visit their local centre for more information.
Skiing and Snowboarding
Earl Bales and Centennial Ski and Snowboard Centres will be running during regular hours during March Break. The use of helmets is mandatory when participating in programs and lessons at both centres and the use of a recognized ski or snowboard helmet is strongly recommended for all other participants in snow centre activities. Visit http://www.toronto.ca/ski or call 311 for more details and snow conditions.
Riverdale Farm
The perfect March Break destination for families, Riverdale Farm is located at 201 Winchester St. Tour the Farm’s scenic grounds to see cows, horses, donkeys, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, rabbits and cats. While you’re there, visit the Residence and the Cabbagetown Regent Park Museum. The Meeting House hosts drop-in craft activities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and farmer demonstrations occur at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. The Farm is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., is accessible to all and admission is free. For more information visit http://www.toronto.ca/parks/featured-parks/riverdale-farm/index.htm.
High Park Zoo
Located on Deer Pen Road, the High Park Zoo offers both domestic and exotic animals including bison, llamas, peacocks, deer, highland cattle and sheep. The zoo is open daily year-round to visitors from 7 a.m. to dusk. For more information visit http://www.toronto.ca/parks/featured-parks/high-park/attractions.htm
Toronto Islands
Just minutes away from downtown, the Toronto Islands offer a variety of March Break fun for the whole family. It’s a great place to walk, roll, cycle, explore, view the city skyline and visit the animals at Far Enough Farm and getting there by the Ward’s Island ferry is half the fun. For more information about the Toronto Islands visit http://www.toronto.ca/parks/island/ . For a Ward Island ferry schedule visit http://www.toronto.ca/parks/island/ferry-schedule.htm
Toronto Track and Field Centre
The Toronto Track and Field Centre at York University is hosting a one-day March Break Track and Field Training Day on Wednesday, March 16, 9:15 a.m. to 12 p.m, in partnership with Athletics Ontario. The clinic is for youth ages 14 to 17 years and will provide inspiring athletes a unique opportunity to train and learn from experienced coaches. Athletes will select one from the following activities: sprints, hurdles, distances, pole vault, high jump, long jump, triple jump or shot put. For information or to register, call 416-426-7215 or visit: http://www.athleticsontario.ca/content/home.asp. Admission is free for Athletics Ontario members, $5.50 for non-members. The registration deadline is Monday, March 14, at 3 p.m.
Playground Paradise
Located at Flemingdon Park Community Centre (150 Grenoble Dr.), Playground Paradise offers excellent family fun for children aged 12 and under. Kids can play on a two-storey play structure, go down the spiral slide, swing on the track ride, climb the cargo elevator, talk to friends through the talk tube and play in the ball pool with over 8,000 balls.
March Break public hours are:
Monday, March 14: 9 am to 3 pm and 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 16: 9 am to 3 pm and 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Friday, March 18: 1 to 4 p.m., and 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Fee: daily rate of $2.25 per child, per hour. Evening flat rate: $2.25 per child.
For more information, call 416-395-6014.
Preview of spring flower shows
The Preview of Spring flower shows are in full bloom at Centennial Park Conservatory (151 Elmcrest Rd.) and Allan Gardens Conservatory (19 Horticultural Ave.) featuring Easter lilies, primula, forsythia, orchids and various spring flowering bulbs such as crocuses, tulips and daffodils. Both conservatories are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Information is available by calling Centennial Park Conservatory at 416-394-8543 and Allan Gardens Conservatory at 416-392-7288.
Family Skate at Ricoh Coliseum (no entry fee required)
Families are invited for a free skating session from Monday, March 14 to Thursday, March 17 from 12 to 4 p.m. Bring your own skating gear as Ricoh Coliseum does not rent equipment. Children 12 years and under are required to wear a CSA-approved helmet. Family Skate sessions are first come, first served. No more than 250 people are permitted on the ice at any one time. Ricoh Coliseum is located next to the Direct Energy Centre located at Exhibition Place, off Nunavut Road. For more information, call 311.
Discovery Walks
Residents can explore their city on foot. The Discovery Walks program is a series of 11 self-guided walks linking ravines, parks and neighbourhoods. Ranging from 1.5 to 11 kilometres, the walks are designed to showcase Toronto’s outstanding natural features, cultural and historical attractions. Brochures and maps are available for pick up at civic centres or visit http://www.toronto.ca/parks/trails/discover.htm.
Toronto is Canada’s largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. Toronto’s government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Enjoy! Happy March Break!
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