The annual March break for elementary and high school students runs from March 16 to 20 at both the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto District Catholic School Board.
While some kids and teens have family trips and day camps planned, there are plenty of other special activities going on. Here are a few ideas to prevent bored kids and teens.
Kids and adults can attend detective school, search for clues and create disguises as they help Sherlock Holmes and Watson solve the mystery of a series of thefts at Black Creek Village.
When: March 16 to 22
Where: Black Creek Pioneer Village, 1000 Murray Ross Pkwy.
Watch 120 possible future Olympic speed skaters whiz around the track at the Canadian Junior Short Track Open.
When: March 19 to 22
Where: MasterCard centre, 400 Kipling Ave.
Dress up in geeky costumes, get autographs from sci-fi stars, pose with Star Wars storm troopers or take part in an anime workshop. Kids 12 and under can get in free on some days if they bring a coupon and an adult.
When: March 20 to 22
Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Drop in at this heritage museum and play with historic toys and parlour games, take part in outdoor nature bingo or make crafts.
When: March 14 to 15 and March 17 to 22, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: bottom of Pottery Rd., east of Bayview Ave.
Different locations have different things planned, so check with your local branch to find out what’s happening near you. There are bingo days, puppet shows, and gaming days. There’s even a Capoeira workshop for teens who want to learn the basics of the Brazilian martial art.
The science centre is planning daily workshops, including ‘Cool Science,’ where kids can learn about how solids, liquids and gases react when exposed to extreme temperatures, and ‘Triassic: Dawn of the Reptiles,’ which uses live reptiles to explain ecosystems and discuss dinosaurs.
When: March 14 to 22, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: 770 Don Mills Rd.
The Solar Stage Children’s Theatre’s actors present the comical stories of Robert Munsch.
When: March 14 to 22, various times
Where: 4950 Yonge St.
The AGO’s exhibit of Jean-Michel Basquiat, the New York artist who confronted racism in the 1980s, has inspired their March break program. Kids can enjoy interactive beatboxing, dance and rope skipping demonstrations. They can also ‘tag’ the graffiti wall.
When: March 14 to 22, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: 317 Dundas St. W.
Kids can experience a day of theatre, magic tricks, and arts and crafts at Toronto’s only castle.
When: March 14 to 22, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Where: Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terr.
Head into the wintry world of Arendelle and sing along to songs like “Let It Go” while watching top skaters tell a love story. It’s hosted by Mickey and Minnie with cameos from Toy Story, Finding Nemo and The Lion King characters.
When: March 18 to 22
Where: Rogers Centre
Watch maple syrup be tapped from trees, get your face painted, take a horse-drawn wagon ride and eat pancakes.
When: daily until April 6
Where: Kortright Centre, 9950 Pine Valley Dr. in Woodbridge, or Bruce’s Mill, 3291 Stouffville Rd. in Stouffville
Ontario’s Legislative Building opens up for families with children aged 6 to 10 for scavenger hunts, crafts, historical tours and more. Pre-registration is required.
When: March 16 to 20, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Main lobby of Queen’s Park
The Hockey Hall of Fame has extended hours. Kids can practice goaltending and shooting against life-sized animated versions of top players or try out anchoring behind an exact replica of TSN SportsCentre’s anchor desk.
When: March 13 to 21, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: 30 Yonge St.
Kids can help build items to make animals happier, or just check out the flora and fauna in the zoo’s six warm tropical pavilions.
When: March 14 to 22, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Meadowvale Rd.
