Things to do in Toronto with a baby

Jenn in Toronto is working her way through our Rookie Mom Challenges with her son Sebastian and sent us this wonderful week of fun as her response to Challenge #17 (become the cruise director). A huge Merci to Jennifer for sharing her picks.

7 great places to take a baby in Toronto

Whether you’re spending your maternity leave exploring Toronto or merely passing through and you have a baby in tow, I hope you like my list of where to go and what to do with a baby. These are some of my favorite places to go with Sebastian.

Movies for Mommies (all over Canada!)

Take your baby on a date to the movies. Movies for Mommies is a popular Mom and Baby movie group that has showings at theatres around the city. Check their website for current rates, times, locations. They provide stroller parking, a diaper changing station (with diapers and wipes), and offer free samples of other baby products. The cost is reasonable for mom and no charge for baby 🙂

Strolling around High Park

Take a morning stroll in the city. High Park is always a hit. High Park is Toronto’s largest public park featuring many hiking trails; beautiful lakefront with paved paths; easy parking or public transit access; a dog park; a zoo; picnic areas; and special events throughout the year. For older babies, there is a new beautiful playground. In early spring, be sure to check out the cherry blossoms. They’re only in bloom for a short period of time each year, and are a stunning sight to see.

Or check out the Toronto Botanical Garden, another stroller-friendly space to walk with baby. The gardens are open daily dawn to dusk.

Admission is free to both High Park and the Botanical Garden.

Paint baby footprints

Inspired by the challenge paint my baby’s feet, I found one of those paint-your-own-pottery places to try it out. At the Clay Room I can select a piece (a trivet is always easiest and inexpensive), and the staff will help stamp a tiny footprint onto the pottery. Remember to pick up your masterpiece about a week later.

Roll around a baby class

Gymboree Toronto runs a few 0-6 month Play and Learn baby classes that are fun to drop into; sessions are 45 minutes long and include songs, tactile and visual stimulation, tummy time, bubbles, puppets, a parachute, and parent discussions. Check the website for deals.

Farmers Markets make a great stop

Baby’s gotta eat, right? In the afternoon, pick up some food for baby at a Farmers Market. There are Farmers Markets daily at different locations around the city. Two great ones to check out on are at Dufferin Grove  and East Lynn Park. East Lynn Park includes a Kids’ Corner with sing-a-longs and crafts.

Library for good free fun

We love the local library for Baby Time Story Time programs for babies birth to 18 months. Though advanced registration is required, this program is free and includes songs, stories, and rhymes for baby.

Splash and spray pads to beat the heat

On a warm afternoon, put baby in some Splashers and check out one of the city’s many many splash pads. Splash pads are free, unsupervised water play areas located at various parks and playgrounds. They often include engaging water features such as shower heads and spray jets that keep my baby entertained for hours.

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Jennifer is a French and social studies teacher in Toronto on maternity leave this year with her son Sebastian who was born last May. She’s been working her way through the 52 Rookie Mom Challenges with Sebastian, her husband, Rob, and other rookie mom friends in the city. We can’t wait for the full report.

[Photos from Jennifer B and Yelp]