Summer is a welcome break from the routine of school, but it doesn’t mean the learning has to stop. With a little planning, there are plenty of opportunities to weave education into the summer months. One of our favourite ways to take advantage of the holidays is to plan regular family field trips that can’t always happen due to busy school year calendars, often filled with extracurriculars.
If you are planning on being in or around the GTA during the summer months, there are no shortage of fun and educational activities to explore. Here are a few of our top choices for summer activities in and around Toronto.
Ripley’s Aquarium: With over 20,000 different aquatic species and animals to discover, Ripley’s Aquarium is a fantastic place to visit. More than 5.7 million litres of water make up North America’s longest underwater viewing tunnel. Ripley’s Aquarium gives you the chance to participate in many different touch exhibits featuring sharks, crabs, shrimp, and stingrays. There are also changes to see an amazing daily dive show every 2 hours, daily. Made up of 9 differently curated galleries that showcase both freshwater and saltwater environments from around the world, Ripley’s Aquarium is the place to learn this summer.
The Ontario Science Centre: The Ontario Science Centre is an excellent choice for summer fun-especially on those scorching days when you don’t want to be outdoors. The Science Centre boasts a variety of exhibits and offers many daily demonstrations that bring science to life. Who can forget visiting there as a child and watching a peer’s hair stand on end due to static electricity? For kids under eight, plan on spending hours in KidSpark—an area that encourages scientific learning through play and exploration.
Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory: The Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory is a massive facility with a beautiful indoor tropical garden that features thousands of flying butterflies from all over the world. Not only are there butterflies in the indoor tropical garden but there are beautiful reflecting pools, waterfalls, streams, red-eared slider turtles and so much more. It’s an enjoyable educational experience for children of all ages.
Casa Loma: You needn’t go on a European vacation to experience the castle life. At Toronto’s Casa Loma you and your family can explore the suites, gardens, and travel the 800ft underground into a tunnel that leads to the stables. Use the self-guided audio tours to learn about the early 20th century.
Hilton Falls: If you are looking for a fun, outdoor experience, Hilton Falls is a fantastic place to visit. Hike the trails, go trail running or even go mountain biking. Explore the trails and beautiful water features like rivers, the reservoir, and the falls. Stop by the old Mill Ruins to find some remarkable history.
There are several different fun and educational activities that you can participate in as a family this summer, so get planning and have fun!
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