By Alex Mlynek
Updated Nov 09, 2022At Bunch Of Fun there's something for the the whole family. Your tiny tot will love the smaller playground where they can crawl on and over soft toys, including an adorable carousel of animals. Older kids will race to the big playground, complete with tunnels and slides—woohoo. Parents can relax in the pottery painting studio or take a much needed break on the comfy couches. There is also a cafe with tons of tasty treats from pizza to danishes and healthy snacks too. Kids under six months are free with a paying sibling.
Go play: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 9am - 7pm Wednesday 9am - 6pm Friday 9am - 4pm Saturday - 6pm - 11pm *Please check their website as hours can vary based on capacity and private bookings. 416-630-1818 11 Kodiak Crescent, Suite B, Toronto bunchoffunplayland.com
Get ready for some play-based learning at Playtown. Kids can explore eight gorgeously designed playhouses, each with a different theme like the theatre, the grocery store, the raceway—which is a secure space to zip around on PlasmaCars—and Toddler Town, which is designed for newborns through to little walkers. Parents can see the Main Street area of Playtown from the toddler area, so they can keep an eye on their older children while their babies have fun, too. Playtown also features a café with security monitors that focus on the playhouses so caregivers can have a snack or drink while still watching their kids. Little ones younger than one are free with a paid child.
Go play: Every day 9:30am - 5:30pm 2170 Dunwin Drive, Unit 6, Mississauga 647-697-4003 kidsplaytown.ca
Operated by the City of Toronto, Playground Paradise is a two-level indoor play structure located at Flemingdon Community Centre in Toronto’s east end that's open to kids 12 and younger. The room is decorated like a meadow, with green floors, leafy fabric on the ceilings and a sky scene painted on the walls. Your brood can zoom down the spiral slide, or get their energy out on the track ride, the cargo elevator or jump in the ball pit. New play areas have been added such as a new toddler zone and a vertical play maze. The best part? Admission is free!
Go play: Monday & Wednesday 10am - 6pm Tuesday, Saturday & Sunday 10am - 3:30pm Thursday 4pm - 8:30pm Friday 10am - 8:30pm 150 Grenoble Drive, North York 416-395-6014 toronto.ca
This lovely light-filled indoor playground and gym is packed with all the makings of an awesome adventure for kids zero to seven. Sprouts has filled its space with three play structures that have slides, ladders and passageways to explore. There's also a large soft play area for babies and toddlers, with smaller padded climbers, rockers and little ladders. Caregivers get treated to free coffee, tea and hot chocolate in the café. While there is no cost for the first visit, families must purchase either a play pass or part- or full-time membership to access the playground during drop-in times.
Go play: Monday to Friday 9am - 1pm Saturday & Sunday 9am - 2:30pm 183 Carlaw Avenue, Toronto 416-840-9718 sproutskids.ca
With a five-level soft-structured playground filled with a fully enclosed swirl slide, wave slides, punch-bag forest and more, Lil’ Monkeys is bound to please kids from one to 12 years old. Other features include an arcade, two toddler sections and a rock-climbing wall. They also have a wristband policy to ensure children leave with the guardian that they came with. You've got to try Mighty Jump, a ride that lets those aged five to 75 free fall off a 20-foot platform and land in a giant inflatable bag. So fun!
Go play: Monday to Thursday 10am - 8pm Friday 10am - 8:30pm Saturday 9:30am - 9:30pm Sunday 9:30am - 9pm 3250 Harvester Rd., Unit 5, Burlington 905-632-4200 lilmonkeysplaygrounds.com
Your little one can get all dolled up in the dress-up centre and then explore the multi-coloured play structure in their fancy princess dress. It’s all part of the experience at Extreme Fun Indoor Playground, which is best suited for kids ages one to 10. For sports lovers, they can shoot some hoops or play foosball. And the giant jumpy castle is not to be missed. Parents are encouraged to join in on the fun or relax with a cup of coffee in the café.
Go play:
Monday to Friday 9:30am - 3pm
186 Bartley Drive, North York
416-757-8777
extremefun.ca
Take your little monkey to the jungle gym at Kids Fun Town. Best for kids younger than six, this play structure features a bouncy castle complete with a slide, ride-on toys and a mini basketball court. Plus, an awesome rock climbing structure that kids can climb up and through. Before heading to Kids Fun Town, check their website to make sure they aren’t closed for a birthday party.
Go play: Monday to Friday 9am - 6pm *Please check their Facebook page or call them for Saturday and Sunday hours. 2071 Danforth Avenue, Toronto 416-277-7689 kidsfuntown.ca
Don’t worry, this Never Never Land is totally free of evil pirates! Instead, it has two magical play rooms that each feature two play structures (one large and one small) and a bouncy castle. Stop by before 2 p.m. on weekdays for drop-in playtime or book a party to get a whole play room reserved for just you and your friends. And don’t forget your quarters because the rooms also feature arcade games like air hockey, foosball and Cruising USA Car Racing. Cost of admission includes five hours of playtime, unlimited Wi-Fi, and unlimited coffee and tea for parents and caregivers.
Go play: Tuesday to Friday 10am - 2pm 905-761-1166 8520 Jane Street, Concord neverneverland.co
It’s all about play-based learning at CUES. Their play room is stocked with all kinds of educational toys, as well as a play kitchen, train set, tool centre and much more. A separate play gym/dance hall houses a large 3-level wooden castle and a 2-level treehouse. When kids want something more low-key, they can visit the mini library to do some reading and puzzles or create a new masterpiece in the art studio. Plus, parents and caregivers can hang out in the lounge or stop by the kitchen to learn about things like toddler nutrition and how to make your own baby food.
Go play: Please call ahead for drop-in hours 647-781-6091 2986 Lake Shore Blvd. West, Etobicoke cueskids.com
Your kids will jump for joy when they see this play centre. Let your little ones explore the toddler and infant play area that’s padded for safety and includes lots of toys to play with. Plus, toddlers will love playing around in their own little ball pit. For bigger kids (up to age five), there’s a junior rock climbing tower, jumping castle and seesaws! Want a little free time to yourself? Their Parent Relief program lets you drop off the kids to be looked after by their trained professional staff for up to three hours while you go get some much-needed me time.
Go play:
Please call ahead for drop-in hours
416-910-6522
1472 Danforth Ave., Toronto
jumpforjoyplaycentre.ca
What sets this play centre apart is that there aren’t a lot of toys to play with. Instead, there are a bunch of padded shapes that let your kids assemble all sorts of obstacles to climb over, under and through! The gym also has standard gymnastics equipment like a balance beam and a set of uneven bars. Kids will love running around and staying active during their time here!
Go play: Please call ahead to book an appointment for drop-in hours 416-787-5437 1660 Avenue Road, Toronto kidnasium.ca
Your kids will never get bored at Kids Fun City. Between the playground, arcade, mini golf course and lazer-maze, there’s so much to explore! There’s also the padded toddler play area to keep little ones occupied while older siblings run amok in the big kids’ area. Admission here is priced by time instead of a price-per-head, so remind your kids to get their fill before times up.
Go play: Wednesday to Friday 12pm - 8pm Saturday & Sunday 10am - 8pm 416-444-4386 150 Lesmill Rd., Toronto kidsfuncity.ca
There's just so much to do at Happy Kingdom! Kids of all ages can spend hours climbing through the giant play structure, which has slides, a massive ball pit, bridges and tunnels, plus a separate area for toddlers. When they're totally exhausted, grab some fuel at the adjacent food court and head to the arcade, filled with games and prizes. There are also party rooms available for booking.
Go play:
Everyday 11am - 7pm
416-763-6666
1980 St. Claire Avenue West, Toronto
happykingdom.ca
Updated November 8, 2022
Starting March 9, kids 12 and under can ride free on all GO trains and GO buses. That means more adventures for you and your family!
Plan your trip at gotransit.com/KidsGOFree