City of Toronto offers fun and affordable March break activities

From visiting Toronto's zoos and museums to participating in outdoor activities like skating and skiing

Toronto.com
March 10, 2023
Giulia Orsino

March break runs from Monday, March 13 to Friday, March 17. Throughout the week, the City of Toronto offers students and families many free and affordable activities beginning this weekend.

DROP-IN PROGRAMS

City community centres offer free or low-cost drop-in programs for all ages, such as swimming, skating, basketball, volleyball, floor and ball hockey. More information is available on the city’s recreation webpage.

CONSERVATORIES AND GREENHOUSES

The Allan Gardens and Centennial Park conservatories will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during March break. Admission is free, and the conservatories are wheelchair accessible. More information is available on the city’s conservatories webpage.

HIGH PARK ANIMAL DISPLAY

The High Park Animal Display has entertained people for 120 years and is open every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. High Park is closed to vehicle traffic on weekends and public holidays. More information is available on the city’s zoos and farms webpage.

RIVERDALE FARM

Riverdale Farm is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is free. More information is available on the city’s zoos and farms webpage.

SKATING

Many outdoor artificial ice rinks are open throughout March break, weather permitting. All indoor leisure skating programs, including caregiver and tot, family skate and shinny, are free for all ages. Hockey helmets approved by the Canadian Standards Association are mandatory for children under six years of age. Schedules, locations and live rink status updates are available on the city's drop-in skating webpage.

SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING

Earl Bales Ski and Snowboard Centre will offer downhill leisure skiing and snowboarding, as well as lessons during March break, weather dependent. More information is available on the city’s Downhill Skiing and Snowboard Centre webpage.

SWIMMING

City pools will offer free leisure swimming during March break. People can dive in and find all the need-to-know information on the city’s swim webpage.

TORONTO ISLAND PARK

Toronto Island Park is a great place to walk, cycle, explore and enjoy the city skyline. Information on the ferry schedule, fees and what to know about visiting Toronto Island in the winter is available on the city's Toronto Island Park webpage.

TORONTO ZOO

The Toronto Zoo is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. A complete list of March break programming is available on the Toronto Zoo website.

TORONTO PUBLIC LIBRARY

Kids and teens can explore programs, workshops, books and more at a local branch or online during March break. More information is available on the Toronto Public Library website.

TORONTO HISTORY MUSEUMS

Toronto History Museums offer drop-in activities for the entire family from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 11 and 12 and March 15 to 19. Some activities may require pre-registration. More information is available on the Toronto History Museums webpage.

FORT YORK NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

Delve into cultural traditions from around the world with hands-on food, music and archeology activities. Visitors can sample a cookie in the historic kitchen, participate in a pop-up music museum and investigate objects unearthed on site. More information is available on the city’s Fort York webpage.

TODMORDEN MILLS

Todmorden Mills will offer crafts and vintage games in the Brewery, an art exhibit in the Papermill Gallery and nature bingo in the Wildflower Preserve. More information is available on the city’s Todmorden Mills webpage.

MACKENZIE HOUSE

In this hands-on workshop, participants will design and print their own one-word poster on the 1845 printing press using vintage wooden type from the Mackenzie House print shop collection. Pre-registration is required. More information is available on the Mackenzie House webpage.

SCARBOROUGH MUSEUM

Families can try various games, learn more about local and global histories and enjoy the sights and sounds of diverse musical traditions from Toronto, past and present. A yoga workshop showing how ancient wellness tools can help people reconnect will also be offered. Pre-registration is required for the yoga workshop. More information is available on the Scarborough Museum webpage.
MONTGOMERY’S INN

Participants can test their observation skills with an all-ages scavenger hunt through the historic inn. Activity stations will offer opportunities for dressing up, taking selfies and playing games. More information is available on the Montgomery’s Inn webpage.

SPADINA MUSEUM

Spadina Museum will offer an opportunity to engage with Black histories in the Dis/Mantle exhibition tour and a drop-in identity quilt-making activity. A scavenger hunt and origami craft activity will be offered on March 18 and 19. More information is available on the Spadina Museum webpage.

COLBORNE LODGE

March break visitors to Colborne Lodge Coach House can view ice skates and ice harvesting equipment from the late 1800s and make a craft with fleece from the llamas at the High Park Zoo. More information is available is on the Colborne Lodge webpage.

GIBSON HOUSE MUSEUM

Visitors can dive into a multi-sensory experience of Toronto's foodways through demonstrations and food activations or try their hand at games in the parlour and weaving in the Sustainable Studio. More information is available on the Gibson House Museum webpage.

GUILD PARK AND GARDENS AND CLARK CENTRE FOR THE ARTS

Families can explore the sculptures in Guild Park and Gardens and visit the Clark Centre for the Arts for free art exhibits, workshops, colouring activities and a scavenger hunt. More information is available on the Clark Centre for the Arts webpage.

CEDAR RIDGE CREATIVE CENTRE

Families can visit the Cedar Ridge Creative Centre, housed in a historic mansion, for a free art exhibition before enjoying the nearby trails to Morningside Park. More information is available on the Cedar Ridge Creative Centre webpage.