Our Toronto Winter Family Activity Bucket List

It's a new year and that means a clean slate. Maybe you're tired of the family logging so much screen time or being stuck indoors, or perhaps this year you resolved to do more things that are creative and unique. Whatever the resolution, there are tons of exciting and original activities in Toronto to broaden everyone's horizons. So pick one, and commit to enjoying some quality family time and exploring our amazing city.

It's been on our list of places to visit for a long time, and yet it still hasn't happened. Right, well 2016 has been dubbed the year of the shoe and we will go check out footwear from all places and ages, and even some with a fairy tale focus. Plus, on the weekends there are arts and crafts and a game of iSpy to play in the galleries. Good to know: Family packages start at $24.

We did resolve to do more creative activities this year. And for as little as $4 apiece the kiddos can select a ceramic and start designing, painting and creating. No experience (or talent) necessary, it's fun for kids as young as four or five and everyone loves seeing the finished product after it's been fired in the kiln. No appointment necessary, just drop in! Good to know: It takes a week for your completed piece to be ready for pick up, be sure to warn the kiddos so no one is disappointed.

Go for leisure swim at Eglinton Pool and have a blast with the waterslide and a whole bunch of great pool toys. There's also a massive therapeutic warm pool suitable for babies and toddlers (like a giant bath tub) and even the older set who want to warm up between slides. The best part: it's free.

One of our New Year's resolutions was to spend more quality time together as a family. And hey, it's really hard to have a horrible time bowling. So parents, put away the phones and join the kiddos in the moment. Create your own wacky bowling Olympics and just have fun. After racking up enough strikes, there's always the arcade and billiards as well.

If you have tweens, venturing into a non-scary Escape Room is a great adventure. We recommend the Kingdom of Cats at Omescape. The premise is a challenge situated in, you guessed it, a Kingdom of Cats. Plus, frozen yogurt and bubble tea are available in the attached board game café.

Think orchestras are a snooze-fest? Think again. The TSO has a great series for kids lined up. Upcoming themes include music and science as well as a fun rendition of Alligator Pie. It's a great way to introduce kids to the magic of live music.

Grab the crazy carpets or snow boogie boards and head for a great hill. It's hard to say which public park is tops—Withrow Park, Trinity Bellwoods or Christie Pits are pretty good, but Sherwood Park or Riverdale are our faves. (We do know from experience the steep hill at Riverdale Farm is pretty scary for preschoolers).

If you don't mind the sacrilegious name, Sweet Jesus brings espresso, soft serve and desserts to a completely different level. We're talking Death by Hot Chocolate, Campfire S'mores cone, and paletas that will make your taste buds sing. It's a culinary smorgasbord, this city—so why not have fun exploring it?

If you didn't catch a play over the holiday break, take a look at the shows offered and get on that! We love the intimate theatre and Q&A sessions for making our kiddos feel part of the action. Plus, there is something about live theatre that makes a connection well beyond a movie or TV. Upcoming plays include one designed just for infants as well as another featuring Aboriginal tales. Inspiring and educational.

Montreal's hottest hot chocolate café has arrived in the Distillery District, and we are beyond excited. It's the perfect way to top off an outdoor excursion such as walking through the cobblestoned lanes of the cool shopping district. The extensive menu of hot chocolate flavours make this a super special indulgence for a super special family.

We're guilty of always skipping the IMAX film at the Science Centre, focussing instead on getting through as many of the exhibits as possible. Well, this time we are going to plan solely for great IMAX titles such as Humpback Whales, Hubble, the Human Body or Under the Sea. Focussing on just making it to and enjoying the film takes the pressure off. Besides, the kids have been through the tropical rainforest exhibit about 100 times in their lifetime….

If you've never ventured up to the top of the CN Tower with the family, now is the time. It's an iconic landmark of our beloved city, for gosh sake. Plus the kids will get a kick out of the elevator ride and the view. Don't wait until out-of-town visitors arrive—go now!