Great Ideas for Outdoor Birthday Parties in Toronto & the GTA

We adore an outdoor birthday party. After all, what’s not to love about kids having the opportunity to have fun in the sun while enjoying fresh air. Plus the clean-up is usually easier! If you happen to have a child whose birthday is in the summer (or late spring or early fall), this list is for you! (Along with the envy of those of us with winter babies.) We round up multiple ideas and locations that can host outdoor birthday parties in and around Toronto. So grab the sunscreen, cross your fingers for good weather, and read on to find the perfect idea for your little one’s alfresco celebrations.

Great Ideas for Outdoor Birthday Parties in Toronto

Park Parties
Across the City

City of Toronto parks are probably the most popular spot for an outdoor party. If your event is under 26 people, doesn’t involve a barbeque, big inflatables or other large items, and you’re flexible on the precise location, you don’t need to contact the City or do any paperwork. Technically, you can just show up and get your party on. However, if you want to ensure that you have picnic tables or a specific spot, it’s a good idea to send a trusted friend or relative out to secure your desired location.

If your party will have more than 25 guests and/or you want to guarantee you have access to a specific picnic shelter or picnic area, you need to officially book your spot. More details on how to do that can be found here (https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/venues-facilities-bookings/booking-park-recreation-facilities/simple-permit-booking/ ) but note that in 2024, there is a fee of $106.63, which covers up to 200 guests.

Toronto is home to roughly 1,500 parks, but some are a better fit for a kid’s birthday party than others. Some top choices include: Corktown Common https://www.toronto.ca/data/parks/prd/facilities/complex/3499/index.html (it has a fantastic splash pad and playground), Withrow Park (https://www.toronto.ca/data/parks/prd/facilities/complex/306/index.html ) (its amenities include rentable indoor space, including a real kitchen) and the June Rowlands Parks https://www.toronto.ca/data/parks/prd/facilities/complex/78/index.html (home to the Sharon, Lois and Bram playground that features musical playground equipment). All these locations have picnic tables and real washrooms.

And if you feel the need for some outside entertainment, consider some of the ideas we have noted here (https://www.savvymom.ca/article/best-kids-birthday-party-ideas-in-toronto/ ).

Beach Party
Various Locations

What’s more fun than a day at the beach? A birthday party at the beach! It’s also a pretty affordable and low-key option, if you have the right mix of kids and some extra adults to keep an eye on everyone (we wouldn’t recommend this idea for preschoolers or kids that are more on the spicy side). Food can be kept low-key and packed in coolers (consider cupcakes so you’re not messing around with cutting a cake), and entertainment can be in the form of simple games such as musical towels (a beach-y spin on musical chairs) and of course the lake itself. While the Greater Toronto Area is home to quite a few beaches that work nicely for a party, Woodbine Beach is our top pick as it has plenty of space, a playground, and real washrooms. There’s even a Pizza Pizza, in case the birthday kid wants a beach pizza party.

Centreville Amusement Park
Centre Island

Now this is a party that is sure to wow! Centreville Amusement Park offers a birthday package that’s actually not badly priced when you think of all the fun it brings. For $675 (including tax), you get 10 ride-all-day passes, 10 food vouchers, a covered picnic table, invitations, and even a special button for the birthday kid. You are allowed to bring in outside food and drinks, including a cake. You will have to add on the cost of a ferry trip over but at only $4.29 for kids, that’s probably the cheapest part of your day!

Firepit or Cooking Over Parties
Various City Parks

Want to take your City of Toronto-park party up a notch? Then consider booking a firepit or even a cooking oven and using it to whip up toasty smores, hot dogs, or even personal pizza. Parks with firepits include Greenwood Park, Morningside Park, and Taylor Creek Park; cooking ovens can be found at locations such as Sorauren Park Fieldhouse, the Regent Park Community Recreation Centre and Fairmount Park and a few spots, including Christie Pits Park and Dufferin Grove Park host booth. All fire pits must be booked in advance through the City of Toronto’s booking system (https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/venues-facilities-bookings/booking-park-recreation-facilities/simple-permit-booking/booking-fees-for-social-gatherings/ ) and yes, there is a fee. To book a firepit for an event with 25 or fewer guests, you’ll pay around $66 (including insurance) while booking a cooking oven will only cost you $45 (with insurance).

Go Carts, Mini-Golf & Maze
99 Rathburn Rd. W., Mississauga

If you’re located near Mississauga, and your kid’s birthday is between the start of May and November, check out the GYGO family entertainment complex, which offers several outdoor activities. The birthday kid and their guests can zip around one of the area’s largest go-cart tracks at the Mississauga Mini Indy or they can tackle the music-theme 18-hole golf course. Or if they’re up for a challenge, they can try their luck inside the giant maze. Activities can be booked independently or together if you really want to create a jam-packed experience. Birthday party packages, which include access to a private indoor party room, are available.

Kidstown Water Park
3159 Birchmount Rd., Toronto

This City-run outdoor waterpark is under construction until 2025 but once it’s back up and running, this an ideal spot to host a fun-filled but low-cost birthday. Technically, there are three designated picnic spots that are booked out for parties in two-and-a-half-hour chunks. However, if you’re okay going without a picnic table you can always take over a piece of grass for free and use it as the base for your party. Odds are your kid and their guests will be too busy in the waterpark to notice the lack of proper seating.

Outdoor Movie Nights
Across the City (or maybe your home)

School-age kids will love the “grow- up” feel of an outdoor movie night-themed party. At a minimum, you’ll need a yard and some equipment including a projector, a screen (though some people just use a big, white sheet), and probably a few flashlights. You’ll also need somewhere cozy for everyone to sit, though this can vary from yoga mats to, well, some pretty creative options. But if you don’t have access to suitable outdoor space at home, you can always take advantage of one of the many outdoor movie nights that take place in and around Toronto. Locations that often offer family-friendly films include Toronto’s Downsview Park, Sorauren Park, and Celebration Square in Mississauga. There’s also an entire organization, the Toronto Outdoor Picture Show, which is dedicated to outdoor movies. Outdoor films are usually free to attend (though most ask for donations) and while some venues sell snacks, it’s best to bring all the sustenance your party will need.

Outdoor Pool Party at City of Toronto Pools
Across the city

Much like our beach party suggestion, this option doesn’t work for every age or personality type, and you’ll want at least a couple of additional adults on hand, but a birthday party at one of the city’s outdoor pools is a fun, cheap, and simple to celebrate your kid’s special day. The City operates a whopping 58 outdoor pools but some are better than others for the purpose of hosting a birthday. One of the more scenic spots is the Sunnyside Gus Ryder Outdoor Pool, which offers
great views of the lake as well as quick access to a dinosaur-themed playground. Another great
spot? The Monarch Park outdoor pool, where you’ll find a tall, twisting slide, a shallower/stepped area that’s great for less confident swimmers, and a separate wading pool, ideal for toddlers and babies. And of course we have to mention the High
Park outdoor pool, home to a slide, a kiddie area and immediate access to one of Toronto’s best bits of green space. While you may want to book picnic space, there’s no need to reserve access to the pool, just show up with your party and enjoy the water. And don’t forget, leisure swim at City-run pools is completely free.

Outdoor Pool Parties at Swimply
Across the city

Here’s a fun, and more private, spin on an outdoor pool party: Book someone’s backyard pool through the Swimply website. Think of Swimply as like Airbnb but for private pools. Just pop in a few search terms, as well as your desired date, and you’ll see a list of available spaces. Some of the options come with such amenities as a BBQ, a hot tub, and/or private restroom, and most pools feature fun floaties or other pool toys as well as tables and chairs. Rates are charged hourly and vary by location and date.

Pirate Life
585 Queen’s Quay, Toronto

Spending your kid’s birthday sailing the high seas (well, Lake Ontario) during a pirate-themed birthday party. Each adventure starts off with face paint tattoos and the doling out of new pirate names. Then your party will set sail on a journey to find hidden treasure while engaging in some singing and dancing. In between your pirating, your party can enjoy whatever food (including cake) that you’ve brought on board. Packages start at $450 for 10 guests (two of whom must be adults) but a sliding scale payment option is available. Just note that this option is only available from May to October.

Toronto Zoo
2000 Meadowvale Rd., Toronto

So the Zoo won’t currently organize a birthday party for you but there’s no rule against you organizing your own modest event. While you must leave the party decorations at home, you can bring your own food (including cake) and drinks and set up in one of the zoo’s many outdoor eating spots (or grab food for your guests from one of the zoo’s on-site vendors). This isn’t exactly an affordable option, expect to pay $22 per child for a weekend admission, but the zoo does offer a 15% off discount when you’re buying 20 or more tickets. And given the entertainment value of the zoo — besides being home to 5,000, there’s also an awesome splash pad—the price isn’t completely out-of-line.

Treetop Trekking
3291 Stouffville Rd., Whitchurch-Stouffville

Celebrate your kid’s special day amongst the trees at the Stouffville location of Treetop Trekking. Kids of all ages can scamper among the Treewalk Village, which features nets, ladders, obstacles and more. The park also home to zip lines, an outdoor trampoline park, obstacle courses and other elements that have a minimum age. Three different packages, as well as add-ons, are available. The cheapest package, which often runs $22 per kid, features two hours of Treewalk Village time and free entry for the birthday kid, so long as there are at least five other paying children. While none of the packages include food and drink, you can bring your own items and use one of the many picnic tables located available around the site.