Fun Things to Do in Toronto in October for Families

That crisp smell in the air means one thing: It’s officially autumn! Bring on the sweaters, pumpkin spice everything and an October crammed with ways to entertain your family and create special times together. Below we’ve rounded up over a dozen events and attractions that will let your family embrace this time of year. While we’ve included some Halloween-themed events, we’re working on a bigger list of spooky (but kid-friendly) entertainment happening in and around Toronto in October. Watch for that on the site in a week or two.

Fun Things to Do with Kids in Toronto in October

Farm Fun

Throughout October
Various Locations

Nothing quite says “autumn” like a trip out to one of the GTA’s many fun farms. These attractions often feature playgrounds, animals to feed and pet, tractor rides and more. If your family wants to pick apples and other produce (including pumpkins), check out our updated roundup here of where to go apple picking in Toronto.

One of the region’s most popular farms, Chudleigh’s Entertainment Farm (9528 Regional Rd. 25, Milton), often sells out while another favourite choice, Downey’s Farm (13682 Heart Lake Rd., Caledon), only sells tickets online. And you’re looking for a spot where you can get a taste of some Halloween creepiness, check out Synder’s Family Farm (936685 Blenheim Rd., Bright), where you can explore some of the displays used for the nighttime Fear Farm attraction.

Curious George and the Golden Meatball

Saturdays and Sundays in October
Wychwood Theatre, 76 Wychwood Ave., Studio 176, Toronto

Everyone’s favorite mischievous monkey and his friend in the yellow hat sing and dance up a storm in this adventure-filled musical! Join Curious George, the inquisitive, lovable monkey-star of books, movies and the award-winning PBS television show in a fun musical that’s perfect for kids! With every swing and flip, George takes the audience through a fun-filled adventure in which he learns more about Rome—and meatballs—and the “secret ingredient” in cooking! Showtimes are Saturdays and Sundays only at 10:00am & 12:30pm. The show runs 60 minutes with no intermission. It is best enjoyed by everybody ages 4+.

Camp Spooky

Until November 2
1 Canada’s Wonderland Dr., Vaughan

Wonderland’s Haunt, with its live actors dressed as zombies, ghouls and other creepies, might be too intense for the little ones but thankfully there is Camp Spooky, a kinder, gentler Halloween event that’s perfect for the under-12 set. Kids can collect treats, watch (and sometimes even participate) in special shows, explore mazes and more, all while in their Halloween costumes. And of course (most) of the usual rides and games are open. All the fun is covered by your Wonderland ticket, which costs around $45 if purchased online (and kids under three are free).

Pumpkins After Dark

Until Tuesday October 30
Country Heritage Park, 8560 Tremaine Rd., Milton

This award-winning outdoor walk-through event returns to help get your family into a Halloween frame-of-mind. This experience has grown even bigger and in 2024 will feature a new medieval dungeon maze plus 10,000 hand-carved pumpkins. There will also be live pumpkin-carving demonstrations, fall treats and sweets, and other forms of Halloween fun. Your family can even bring your pets every Wednesday night. All tickets must be purchased in advance.

Halloween Night of Lights & Pumpkinville

Saturday September 28 – Thursday October 31
Sherway Gardens, 25 The West Mall, Etobicoke

This two-in-one event features a walk-through experience and a cute, Halloween-themed fun fair. Over two million LED and RGB lights synchronised to spooky tunes, as well as pumpkin carvings and other seasonal décor, line a “trail” that will take around 45 minutes to walk. It wraps up at Pumpkinville, where you’ll find carnival rides, tons of photo ops, and even a beer garden complete with food trucks. Pumpkinville opens at noon on weekends while Night of Lights gets started once it gets dark out. Tickets for the whole experience start at $15 for kids ages two-12 (under two is free) and admission to just Pumpkinville can be purchased for $13 per person. Some nights are also pet-friendly!

Raffi

Saturday October 5 – Sunday October 6
Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St., Toronto

Singer, songwriter, producer, author, lecturer, and tireless advocate for children — Raffi performs at Massey Hall this month for two #belugagrads #family concerts. Sing along to “Baby Beluga,” “Down By the Bay,” “Bananaphone,” and more! The shows start at the family-friendly time of 2:00 pm ET and tickets are available through Ticketmaster.

PumpkinFest Toronto

Friday October 11 – Monday October 14
Downsview Park, 35 Carl Hall Dr., Toronto

Enjoy fall’s fresh weather while taking in a Halloween-theme carnival. This jam-packed event features food trucks, carnival rides and games, tractor-pulled hayrides and let’s not forget about all the live entertainment including Paw Patrol meet and greet! Tickets cost around $30 per person if purchased in advance (kids under two are free), and they’ll give you access to unlimited carnival rides, bouncy castles, performances and more.

Song Circle with Pete Moss

Sunday October 27
High Park Nature Centre’s Forest School, 375 Colborne Lodge Drive, Toronto

Nurture your child’s connection to the natural world through music with immersive music circles themed around local animals, plants, and weather! We’ll sing-a-long to your favourite nature songs and adapt a few old favourites to celebrate the herons, turtles, hawks and hummingbirds that call High Park home! Each participant will receive an egg shaker and scarf for playing along and we may even meet some puppets and a parachute along the way! Admission is $25+HST/family. Tickets available here: Eventbrite.

Mad Magic: The World’s Funniest Mad Scientist Magician

Saturday October 26 & Sunday October 27
Wychwood Theatre, 76 Wychwood Ave., Studio 176, Toronto

The self-proclaimed “world’s funniest mad scientist magician” returns to Wychwood Theatre for 50 minutes of science and magic focused fun! But just a warning, this show also features a ton of audience participation. It also gives your kids the opportunity to show off their Halloween costumes, which attendees are encouraged to wear. Four shows are scheduled each day at 10:20am, 12:30pm, 2:30pm, 4:30pm, and 7pm. Ticket prices start at $28.