Things to do in April in Toronto with Kids
Family Fun in April in Toronto
Yah! It’s officially spring! It’s time to get out there and take advantage of Toronto’s warming weather. Below we highlight a few ways your family can ease its way into springtime. And since there will likely be some rainy days, we’ve made sure to include several indoor activities. A quick reminder that we also have a roundup of Easter-focused events, for those of you looking to keep your families entertained over that extra-long weekend.
Family Fun Events & Activities in Toronto in April
The Hunting of the Snark
Wychwood Theatre, 76 Wychwood Ave., Toronto
Friday March 29 – Sunday April 14 (Fridays-Sundays)
Lewis Carroll’s classic poem is the basis for this fun-filled musical adventure. Join a zany crew on a laugh-filled adventure as they hunt for an imaginary creature known as the Snark. Featuring, “an award-winning soundtrack of witty and memorable songs,” this production is sure to have your family humming a new tune as they leave the theatre. This show, which has a 75-minute run time, is best for kids ages six to twelve. Shows take place at noon and 3:00 pm and general admission tickets (you pick any available seat other than the front row) start at $30.99, with a four-ticket-minimum family-pack starting at $29.99.
Bluey’s Big Play
Meridian Hall, 1 Front St. E., Toronto
Wednesday April 3 – Sunday April 7
Everyone’s favourite blue heeler family takes to the stage in their first-ever theatrical production. Featuring an all-new story, this show stars all your favourite Bluey characters, brought to life as giant puppets. Designed for little kids, the Big Play runs 50 minutes long, with no intermission. The fun starts at 6:00 pm on April 3 to 6, while on the Saturday, the show is at noon, 3:30 pm and 7:00 pm, and on April 7, it’s at noon and 3:30 pm. Tickets start as low as $39, with a discounted four-pack available for some seats and dates.
Fun & Learning in High Park
High Park Nature Centre, 375 Colborne Lodge Dr., Toronto
Various Dates
Celebrate spring in Toronto’s largest park! This April, the High Park Nature Centre is hosting several family-friendly events that will get your kids outside and learning about our natural world. On Saturday, April 6, explore the park with the Let’s Go Blue Jays Family Nature Walk, a guided experience that will connect sports history with nature. Another guided family hike, this one focused on the water cycle, will take place on Saturday, April 20. Then on Sunday, April 28, meet some real-life raptors at the Remarkable Raptors in High with Mountsberg Raptor Centre event. Pre-registration is required for all events and pricing varies by date.
Oh, in case you’re wondering about the High Park cherry blossoms, they’re expected this year to start their show in late April. You can keep tabs on their development over on this website devoted to the sakura.
Evergreen Brick Works’ Weekend Nature Play
550 Bayview Ave., Toronto
Saturdays in April & Sunday, April 21
The Evergreen Brick Works is one of those true Toronto gems. There you’ll find various family-friendly hikes; tasty food offerings, including the city’s largest farmers’ markets on Saturdays; and the Children’s Garden. This latter feature is home to the Brick Works’ Weekend Nature Play program, where your kids can participate in hands-on activities that encourage creativity and open play. This April, the garden is open from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm. Access to the Brick Works is free but donations are accepted.
Watch the Solar Eclipse
Various locations
Monday April 8
As you no doubt know by now, on Monday April 8th Toronto will be in the line of sight for a solar eclipse that will cover over 99 per cent of the sun. Since this event won’t occur again in the city until 2099, it seems like maybe we should celebrate it with our kids, especially since April 8 is also a PD day for most schools. At the Toronto Zoo, your family can watch the eclipse using the special glasses that the zoo will be giving all attendees and observe how the animals react to this unusual event. Admission to the zoo starts at $22. Or head down to Tommy Thompson Park and take part in its guided eclipse tour, which also includes a pair of solar eclipse glasses. Tickets cost $15 and pre-registration is encouraged. If your family is in or near downtown, Toronto Metropolitan University’s Kerr Hall Quad is the place to be. It’s hosting a free watch party, complete with solar eclipse glasses for those who pre-register for the event.
Blue Jays Return
Rogers Centre, 1 Blue Jays Way, Toronto
Season Home Opener: Monday April 8th
Take your kids out to the Jays’ home opener and be sure to come early, as the first 45,000 fans will receive a rally towel, while the first 45,000 to leave will get a magnet schedule. The Jays will be taking on the Seattle Mariners, who they will also be playing on April 9 and 10. The 2024/2025 Jr. Jays program starts on Sunday, April 14, when the team plays the Colorado Rockies. Kids 14 and under will be able to run the bases postgame and take part in various other activities before and during the game. While tickets for the April 14 game are as low as around $25, the home opener will cost you north of $100 seats. Thankfully, future dates are much cheaper, back around that $25 mark.
Stackt Market Birthday Block Party
28 Bathurst St., Toronto
Wednesday April 10 – Sunday April 14
Happy fifth birthday STACKT Market! For the past five years, Canada’s largest shipping-container modular marketplace has been hosting unique shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences, many of which are family-friendly. Exact party details hadn’t been shared as of our publication date but expect “to celebrate our birthday in style.”
The Fixing Girl
Ada Slaight Stage, Young People’s Theatre, 165 Front St. E., Toronto
Monday April 15 – Thursday May 2
Witness the world premiere of The Fixing Girl, a “tender and uplifting” play that “…tells the heartfelt story of a young girl coming to terms with loss and grief.” Due to some of its more mature themes, this production is recommended for kids ages eight to 13. The run time is approximately 70 minutes. While some shows are pay-what-you-can, the lowest ticket price for most dates is $10, with a bulk discount available for certain seat types.
Community Clean Ups & Other Earth Day Activities
Various Locations
Monday April 20
Your family can show our planet some love this Earth Day by participating in one of the community clean-ups organized by the City of Toronto. All clean-ups take place at or near the city’s historic museums, including the Todmorden Mills (67 Pottery Rd.), Montgomery’s Inn (4709 Dundas St. W.) and Fort York (250 Fort York Blvd.). Litter bags will be provided but please bring your own gloves. Depending on the location, your hard work may be rewarded with refreshments and a tour of one of the nearby historic buildings. Timings vary by location and participation is free.
The City of Toronto is also hosting several other Earth Day events at its historic sites. Your family can stop by the Gibson House Museum (5172 Yonge St.), watch the unveiling of a new mural by Indigenous artist Mo Thunder and North York Arts and get creative yourselves doing crafts and upcycling textiles. Or visit the Scarborough Museum (1007 Brimley Rd.), which is running “…family-friendly kitchen demonstrations, storytelling sessions and nature-based activities such as planting in the garden and scavenger hunts” every weekend this April. Access to both locations is free.
Emilio’s Million Chameleons
Wychwood Theatre, 76 Wychwood Ave., Toronto
April 20-28, Fridays-Sundays
Watch the adventures of Juan, a shy little chameleon, and his human friend Emilio, as they work together to grow Juan’s self-esteem. Featuring lots of colourful and sparkly puppets, as well as music and humour, this production is suitable for kids who are five and up. The chameleons take to the stage on show days at 10:30 am and 12:30 pm. General admission tickets (you pick any available seat other than the front row) to this 50-minute-long event start at $27.99.
Dogs Do Magic
The Redwood Theatre, 1300 Gerrard St. E., Toronto
Sunday April 21
Here’s something a little different that animal fans will get a laugh and a “wow!” from. This show features real dogs performing real magic, as well as stunts and acts of agility. Oh, and the human magicians might also do a few impressive tricks. Two shows are scheduled, one at 1:00 pm and the other at 4:00 pm. Advance tickets are $30 each.
The Lorax
Hot Doc Ted Rogers Cinema, 506 Bloor St. W., Toronto
Sunday April 21
In honour of Earth Day, Hot Docs teams up with the Ontario Science Centre to present a special screening of the 2012 animated film, The Lorax. Based on the Dr. Seuss book, it tells the story of 12-year-old Ted, who wants to learn what happened to Truffula trees. It features the voices of Taylor Swift and Zac Efron. The screening starts at 1:30 pm but arrive early to participate in nature-themed activities organized by the Science Centre. The movie itself runs for 86 minutes. Tickets are $7.50 for kids 12 and under while everyone else pays $15.
