march break - what to do with my 5-year-old kid?

[biggroofy]

We were supposed to visit WDW next week, but due to a family member's sickness, I have canceled the trip today. DD5 is very disappointed - she has two weeks of March break starting next week.

DW and I wanted to compensate, but now Disney on Ice is almost sold out.
Any suggested places (in Toronto) we can take her? Wonderland, Ontario Place are closed. The only thing I can think of is Ontario Science Centre.

A 2-3 day trip is also possible. Last year we visited STRONG museum of Play in Rochester. Anywhere we can go within 3 hour drive from Toronto?

Thanks!

 

[a*lil*bit*goofy]

What about Lake Placid in the adirondacks? Even if you don't ski (we don't ) it is fun for a few days. Toboggon onto Mirror Lake, Dogsled on Mirror Lake, U can still do the Falls in the winter, shopping, etc.

 

[redrosesix]

We were supposed to visit WDW next week, but due to a family member's sickness, I have canceled the trip today. DD5 is very disappointed - she has two weeks of March break starting next week.

DW and I wanted to compensate, but now Disney on Ice is almost sold out.
Any suggested places (in Toronto) we can take her? Wonderland, Ontario Place are closed. The only thing I can think of is Ontario Science Centre.

A 2-3 day trip is also possible. Last year we visited STRONG museum of Play in Rochester. Anywhere we can go within 3 hour drive from Toronto?

Thanks!

Every time we visit Toronto, my DD loves to go on a shopping spree in China Town - it's amazing how many things she can buy with just $20. Of course, we always have a great meal -- she learned to use chopsticks when she was about your DD's age (we were actually traveling somewhere we didn't really want to be and that was her one awesome memory from that trip)

We are not going away for March Break (we used to go to a local resort -- started when she was 4 -- but we're not doing that since we just got back from WDW; tried it last year and it was just not as fun after doing WDW) So we are planning to do a lot of things around home, scheduling it just like we would if we were on a trip. We're booking in at the same resort for Easter weekend.

You could also check into local resorts -- the one we went to had children's activities scheduled from 9 am to 9 pm, and she always made friends to swim with and watch the shows with. The one where we went was really a summer place, so March Break was the only week of the winter season where they had significant bookings. I'm sure there are hotels that do similar things in your area.

 

[who's ur daddy?]

great wolf lodge comes to mind. but the most any human being can tolerate at gwl is 2 nights. it is not mentally possible for any sane adult to stay there more than that. impossible.

 

[dopeyluvsgrumpy]

Last March Break we took DS5 to the wheels Inn for a night and he loved it.

 

[alohamom]

check out the website toronto4kids (or something like that) they have a list of activities to do around TO. Also, I just read in the Sun about the London Children's Museum having a Shark Exhibit so that may be an option, not too far but still feels like you are going somewhere. Also, believe it or not, some of the big malls have some incredible activities. Check out the Erin Mills TownCentre web site-they have a Disne scavanger hunt on Mon of the break where you can win tickets to Disney on Ice, plus a reptile show etc later in the week. They are good because they limit capacity so there is no trying to find a space etc but you do have to pre book-hope this helps

 

[encinc]

Great Wolf has a super deal on right now - a two night package with all meals included. March Break proper is blacked out, but you'd probably be able to find something in the week following if she's still off that week. Going midweek outside of the week that most kids are off, it likely won't be all that crowded.

To find the deal, check out the Great Wolf site, click on deals, click on special deals, and scroll down to find the two night inclusive package. We're going the first week in April and got an unbelievable price.

 

[4orm]

The Toronto Zoo has a few special things going on during March break. There are also special things going on at the city owned museums like Spadina House... check Toronto.ca for those.

 

[Jennifer16]

Last year we spent 3 days at Fern Resort (in Orillia) ... we had booked again for this year until we decided to go to WDW! Lots of fun activities for the kids to do ... other "family" resorts have similar packages. Our kids also love Great Wolf lodge! For day trips you could consider Black Creek Pioneer Village, or some of the Maple Sugar bushes (they often will include a hay ride and kids activities during March Break). As another post mentioned many of the local hotels have packages ... for example Stage West in Mississauga usually has a childrens play and they have a pool. Hope this helps!

 

[alohamom]

Quick note about Great Wolf over the March Break-on top of it being pricey for that week I have heard it is super crowded. We were there on a Saturday once and we were waiting awfully long to ride the slides, so much so that the kids got chilled easily even though they keep it warm in there-Another time we went mid week and it made it seem like a different place altogether!fyi...

 

[ferris198]

Ontario Place usually offers kids movies on the break.
Last I checked on of the movies was Bolt, can't remember the other.
A couple of years ago we went to the Maple Syrup Festival at Bruce Mills Conservation area.
They sell all kinds of Maple syrup products.
There is also a chidrens safety village there which is awesome.

 

[mermaid&cinderella]

My dd also gets two weeks and I am hoping to do some day trips. There is a childrens museum that I keep hearing about just west of TO, movies, Zoo, Niagara Falls, Great Wolf (second week though when most schools are back in classes), Collingwood skiing, Disney On Ice show is at the Rogers Centre, there is lots to do!

 

[sk8jdgca]

Last year we spent time in TO. We went to Casa Loma- last year it was a pirate theme-looks like it is high scholl musical this year.
http://www.casaloma.org/Seasonal/

 

[pigletto]

Check with your local library for their March Break activities. They all have some type of craft group or story hour e.t.c during the break. Maybe a play date or two with another friend, ice skating, sugar bush, ROM or the Science center one day. There are also indoor play grounds and kids museums in T.O. that would be fun. All of these activities are fairly low cost so you can hang onto your trip funds for a better time to go