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Indoor Activities and Adventures to Try this Winter in Toronto
Oh, March! What with that whole week off right in the middle of a potentially messy weather month, we need some new indoor activity options. We’ve found some new and neat ones that will have us filling up the calendar with great enriching experiences. So even if the weather turns on us, we’ll be having fun, without squelching through the mud and freezing rain.
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Pursuit OCR (Queen and Dufferin)
It's a super cool obstacle course for kids and adults alike, with swings, ball pits, climbing ropes, monkey bars, and so much more. Kiddos have their run of the place Sunday mornings from 7 am-12 pm. Parents need to actively supervise (read: sitting on the sidelines is not permitted), but as supervisor you get in free, so win, win! Advance booking is required. $10, find more info at pursuitocr.com.
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Looking Glass Adventures (the Danforth)
This is a great entry into the fun and fascinating world of ‘escape rooms’. The themes and settings aren’t scary, but they are intriguing. Sixty minutes to solve the puzzles, unravel the scenario—it’s a lot of fun! Two adults per group are required. $15, find more info at lookingglassadventures.com.
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Maplelea Seasonal Store (Until the end of March at Yorkdale Mall)
The seasonal Maplelea store at Yorkdale mall is a great way to see so many of the outfits and accessories associated with the whole Maplelea gang. What we really love, though, is the schedule of art and crafts and fun events (afternoon tea with your Maplelea doll, anyone?) hosted until the end of March. Make accessories for the pets, a spring garden bouquet, or learn about the different parts of Canada the Maplelea girls call home – they’re all interactive and fun.
$Prices vary, find more info at maplelea.com.
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Scooter’s Roller Skating (Mississauga)
Yes, roller skating…. It’s an absolute hoot, makes for great photo ops and is a wonderful mood lifter. Plus, it counts as physical activity, so why not give it a try? $10.75 per person, find more info at scooters.ca.
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The Monkey Vault (The Junction)
These drop-in classes are for the crowd who can’t get enough of climbing everything, vaulting off the couch, and scaling the fireplace. Develop those burgeoning skills at the Monkey Vault so they can learn to execute the moves safely—and burn off some steam at the same time. $20, find more info at themonkeyvault.com.
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Mala and Bracelet Making with Purple Lotus (Assorted Locations)
Our kiddos adore the current trend of yoga-inspired mala necklaces and intentions bracelets, and making them ourselves is even better than buying. They’re quite simple to make but the creativity unleashed in the design is powerful and fun. The crew at Purple Lotus are fabulous at guiding groups through the process and are holding a number of pop-up sessions in and around the GTA in the coming weeks. Prices vary, find more info at purplelotus.ca.
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The Wreck Room (Vaughan)
Woo-hoo, what an indoor playground. It’s up in Vaughan, where there is more space and parking, and features a laser maze, rock climbing wall, and oh-so many slides and tubes and things to climb. Perfect for birthday party fun. $tk, find more info at thewreckroom.ca.
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Toronto Roller Derby (March 25 and April 8 at Downsview Park)
Roller derby is having a moment—and why not? It’s girl power, athletic prowess, and good old-fashioned competition all in one. There are food trucks at main events, so it becomes an outing of food and fun—our favourite. From $12, find more info at torontorollerderby.com.
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Bring Your Own Beat Urban Dance Competition (April 22 in Toronto and Aurora)
This urban dance competition showcases the best dance troupes with all the right moves. It started as a high school competition and now features post-secondary, elite, and the best of the best high school teams. Fun for us, too. From $25, find more info at byobdance.com.
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Ivivva Sunday Morning Sweat (Oakville)
Ivivva is rocking the whole strong girl empowerment movement, supporting it with free Sunday morning sweat classes. Running from 10-11, yoga is a common offering—but check out the Facebook and Instagram pages for neat special events, like yoga with dogs and acro yoga. Free, find more info at sundaymorningsweat2017.splashthat.com.
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Putting Edge Glow in the Dark Mini Golf (across the GTA)
Mini golf is always good. Mini golf transformed into a fantastical glow-in-the-dark world of amazing structures and installations? Even better! With locations in Oakville, Whitby, Richmond Hill and Vaughan, we’re sure to find a place that works for our crew. From $8.50, find more info at puttingedge.com.
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Toronto Rock Lacrosse Game (Air Canada Centre)
Lacrosse is a fun and exciting sport that’s still affordable for an athletic outing. Faster-paced than baseball, it appeals to the whole family, not just the lacrosse players. It’s the lead-up to the playoffs and Toronto is doing really well, so cheer on the home team. From $23, find more info at torontorock.com.
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Ninjaz Canada (Woodbridge)
This place is perfect for fans of American Ninja Warrior. There’s an adult course (because why should kids have all the fun?), a kid course, a soft play area for kids age 4 and under, rock climbing and all the best elements from the American Ninja Warrior courses. Options include classes and drop-in sessions. And yes – there is indeed a warped wall – will you conquer it? From $20/hour, find more info at ninjazcanada.com.
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Wizard World (March 12-19 at the Better Living Centre, the Ex Grounds)
There’s a whole week dedicated to inflatable fun, arts and crafts, a reptile zoo and loads of entertaining shows. Spend the whole day and everyone will get their fill of scrambling, petting and grooving excitement. From $9, find more info at wizardworld.ca.
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Omescape (Markham and Scarborough)
This Escape Room venue is simply one of the best, with moving walls, secret rooms, and lots of technical special effects. The Kingdom of Cats room isn’t scary at all, but it is challenging. You’ll need a couple of adults to help solve the puzzles and participants aged 9 and up will enjoy it the most. Plus, Omescape has a great board game café to enjoy before or after—perfect for playing Apples to Apples while enjoying frozen yogurt. $20 per person,, find more info at omescape.ca.
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Cirkopolis (Until March 18 at the Sony Centre)
This amazing show combines the athleticism of the circus with dance and theatre for a thrilling show. Acrobats, jugglers and video projections combine into an almost dream-like world. From $39, find more info at sonycentre.ca.
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Bring Your Own Beat Urban Dance Competition (in Toronto and Aurora)
This urban dance competition showcases the best dance troupes with all the right moves. It started as a high school competition and now features post-secondary, elite, and the best of the best high school teams. Fun for us, too. From $25, find more info at byobdance.com.Find even more attractions for kids and families in Toronto on Help! We've Got Kids.