10 Favourite Cultural Institutions in Toronto

You live in Toronto, home of some of the world's most impressive cultural institutions just begging for you to introduce your children to them. Here are our 10 favourites.

With Jamie Kennedy's restaurant and its beautiful renovated décor, the Gardiner Museum, Canada's only museum dedicated to ceramics, has had a bit of a rebirth in the past few years. But we've known the secret of their amazing children's classes for a while. If you have a child 6 years or older who likes to get their hands dirty (what kid doesn't?), we recommend you check out the Open Clay Studio and make some space on your bookshelves for the incredible clay creations that will come home.

Is there anyone in your house who can't sit down? Sign them up for the Can't Sit Still classes at the National Film Board (NFB) for 3 to 5 year-olds or the Open House Animation Workshops for kids 6 through 13. They're part of the Mediatheque Animation Workshops offered through the NFB. They help kids construct their own characters with different types of materials and then use them to produce a short film. You can't really go wrong, so book early because these classes fill up fast. And you may just discover a budding filmmaker inside!

The SunLife Financial Museum Arts Pass is one of the best little secrets this city has to offer. If you have a library card you are eligible to receive a MAP card which will get you into one of the city's many cultural institutions for free. Now that's news you can use, as far as we're concerned. There are 99 library branches in the GTA and they all have their own set of events and opportunities depending on the needs of the community. Be sure to check what's going on at your local branch.

It's not the whole ‘Night at the Museum,' but the ROM's Best Value Friday Nights from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm are pretty hot tickets. Kids aged 3 and under are free, ages 4 to 14 are $6 and adults are $9. The Bat Cave, the Hands-On Biodiversity area and the Discovery Gallery will hold great appeal for kids of all ages, along with thousands of other awe-inspiring wonders.

Don't pack their swimsuits, but be prepared to shed some clothing (read: layer the kids) at the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory, about a 45 minute drive from the city. Inside the conservatory, the temperature ranges from 24 to 28°C with high humidity. Expect to see any (or all) of 2000 to 3000 species of live, free-flying butterflies and over 12 species of exotic birds, as well as various bugs, spiders and snails. There's also a honeybee hive where you can watch the bees hard at work making honey.

Toronto Botanical Gardens is one of our favourite Toronto secrets, but we especially love that they offer tons of activities for all age groups. Moms and tots can enjoy the Sprout Club and free story time all year round. There's a teaching garden for children who want to learn about nature, a children's centre for when all that green gets too tiring and birthday parties can be hosted here as well.

Allan Gardens, another one of our favourites, offers 16,000 square feet of indoor beauty in six greenhouses, including the children's conservatory—perfect for kids of all ages to explore, from babes-in-slings to just-learning-to-walk toddlers, or a grade-schooler with a green thumb.

Toronto's sky-scraping condos and crowded sidewalks make it hard to imagine that the city centre was once a battle ground. Fort York, located on Fort York Blvd. (between Strachan Ave. and Bathurst St.), stands as a reminder of our city's long ago battle with the United States. Escape the metropolis jungle and step behind the walls of this historic English garrison to witness a replica version of the War of 1812.

The city has had many mayors but do your kids know who the first one was? Maybe they will after they visit his former home. Mackenzie House, the last home of William Lyon Mackenzie, Toronto's first mayor who was elected in 1834, is located at 82 Bond Street. This gorgeous Georgian house lets you imagine what 19th century life was like. With the help of costumed staff, period furnishings, and a fully functional print shop that was once used by Mackenzie to publish newspapers, your family will gain interesting insights into life during that era.

Did you know High Park, with its wondrous wildlife and stunning gardens, began over 180 years ago as the private property of John and Jemima Howard? Colborne Lodge, their original homestead (and currently a museum), is located at the south-end of the park and offers visitors a view into true mid-19th century style. Surrounded by free parking, and easily accessible by transit, this comfy cottage remains outfitted with original furnishings and watercolour paintings from the mid-1800s.