The Little Paper

NOTE: As of Monday, June 22nd, many of the festivals and events in City-run facilities such as Colborne Lodge, Spadina House, Fort York and Montgomery Inn are on hold until the strike is resolved. Please check with event organizers and websites before planning your day. We would hate to see you or your children disappointed!

Daily

Junior Sprouts Garden Adventure Drop-in

Franklin Children’s Garden
Centre Island
416-338-0338
www.toronto.ca/parks/franklin.htm
Starts 13 June: 13-28 June (Sat & Sun only), 29 Jun-31 Aug: Mon-Fri: 12:30am-4:30pm; Free, drop-in
Flowers, fascination, fun and stories for young children. Discover how plants grow as you dig in the dirt, sow seeds, weed or water.

Bi-Weekly Wednesdays

Garden Stewardship

Brick works
550 Bayview Ave (btwn Prince Edward Viaduct and Pottery Rd)
416-596-1495
www.evergreen.ca
6:30-8:30pm; Starts 24 June
Email claire@evergreen.ca to register
Join the Evergreen Brick Works Stewardship Team and help manage some of the large native plant garden beds on site. Weed, water, mulch, transplant and have fun at this beautiful and inspiring site. Family-friendly event. Volunteers should commit to at least 50% of the sessions before joining this group.

Biweekly Thursdays

Summer Family Nature Walks (all ages)

High Park Nature Centre
440 Parkside Dr
416-392-1748 x 6
www.highpark.org
Free; Starts 25 June, Ends 28 July
Meet at the Centre
Join the interpretive staff at the High Park Nature Centre and explore the trails of High Park! 25 June (8-10pm): Bat Night (Note: Meet at the Grenadier Restaurant for this hike only), 2 July (7:30-9:30pm): Raccoon Hike, 14 July (1-3pm): Life as a Squirrel Hike, 28 July (1-3pm): Journey through the Past. Sponsored by the Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation.

Tuesdays - Sundays

Dream in High Park: The Tempest

High Park Amphitheatre
High Park (near Grenadier Café)
416-367-1652
www.canstage.ca
Starts 26 June; Tue-Sun: 8pm; gate opens 6pm; PWYC $20 suggested minimum donation, under 14 free
A female Prospero (Prospera) is the sorceress of an enchanted isle, in this tale of political intrigue, fantastical creatures, magic, comedy and romance. The entire play takes place on an island under her control.

28 June -20 September

Outdoor Concerts- Toronto Music Garden

Harbourfront Centre
235 Queens Quay West
416-973-4000
www.harbourfrontcentre.com
Thursdays: 7pm, Most Sundays: 4pm; Free, weather permitting
Free outdoor concerts and dance performances take place in the fantastic Music Garden by the water.

Thursdays

Watch Me Grow Family Drop-in

High Park Children’s Garden
Colborne Lodge Dr, S end of High Park
416-338-5055
10am-12pm; July & August only; Free
Drop-in for a morning of fun and hands-on activities in the garden! Help care for the vegetables and flowers, search for insects on the natural hillside, enjoy story time and a garden snack! Fun for the whole family!

8 July - 9 September

CircleSing at the Park

www.circlesing.com
Wednesdays: 11am-High Park Adventure Playground; Thursdays: 11am-Kew Beach Pavillion; PWYC/$5-$10 suggested
JennieLea brings her irrepressible enthusiasm to a PWYC drop-in, join-in summer music performance for little people. Take a picnic along and spread out a blanket.

Wednesdays & Sundays

Historic Garden Tours

Spadina Museum
285 Spadina Rd
416-392-6910
1:30 & 3pm; July & August only; Included with regular admission
Tour the house’s six acres of restored Victorian gardens with Spadina’s knowledgeable gardening staff. See over 300 varieties of plants in their original setting.

Make Your Own Pizza

Dufferin Grove Park
875 Dufferin St
416-392-0913
www.dufferinpark.ca
Wed: 12-2pm (starts 3 Jun), Sun: 1-3pm, Tue: 12-2pm (starts Jul); $2.50/pizza
Drop-in
Make your own pizza in the wood fired bread ovens. If you plan to bring a big group (more than 9 people) call ahead to warn the staff.

Fridays

Movies under the Stars

Downsview Park
416-952-2222
www.downsviewpark.ca
Dusk-approx 9pm; July & August only; Free, visit website to confirm movie listings.
Bring your blankets or lawn chairs, family and friends and enjoy a movie under the stars as the sun sets at Downsview Park. Concessions on site.
3 Jul: Madagascar 2, 10 Jul: Hotel for Dogs, 17 Jul: Star Wars: The Clone Wars, 24 Jul: King Fu Panda, 31 Jul: City of Ember

Friday Night Suppers

Dufferin Grove Park
875 Dufferin St
416-392-0913
www.dufferinpark.ca
6-7:30pm; $6/main, $2/soup or salad, $2-$3/dessert
Drop-in, weather permitting
Enjoy a scrumptious supper while contributing to park programming, all surplus funds go right back into the park. There is always a vegetarian or meat main dish made from produce fresh from the Thursday farmers’ market.

Sundays

Dream in High Park: Family nights (4yrs+)

High Park Amphitheatre
High Park (near Grenadier Café)
416-367-1652
www.canstage.ca
5-6:30pm, held pre-show; Free, weather permitting
See website to reserve
Parents, children and family members of all ages participate in fun-filled activities including a backstage tour and special activities and workshops with dream cast members, such as games exploring rhythm and sound, acting, costume design, stage combat, the language of Shakespeare and more. These sessions are designed specifically for adults and children to participate equally.

June - July

High Park Walking Tours

Meet at benches across from Grenadier Cafe
416-392-7485
www.highpark.org
10:30am-12pm; Free/Donations welcome
Moderately paced, naturalist led walking tours held on every second and fourth Sunday morning throughout the year. Each tour lasts 1.5 hours and may go on wooded trails, so please remember to wear appropriate clothing and footwear. 14 June: Myths and Legends of High Park, 28 June: Wildflowers, 12 July: Summer Sunshine Photo-Buff, 26 July: From Caterpillars to Butterflies

July - August

Summer-in-the-Park (0-5yrs w/caregiver)

June Rowlands Park
Mt Pleasant & Davisville
Central Eglinton Community Centre: 416-392-0511
info@centraleglinton.com
www.centraleglinton.com
Mon-Thu: 10-am-12pm; 29 June-23 July, 4-27 August; $75/family/mth (famlies choose 2 days per week)
Call CECC to register
Crafts, stories, games, a music circle, snacks and free play in a well-shaded environment. The June Rowlands Park playground area encourages gross motor skills, while the supervised wading pool keeps the children and adults cool in the warm weather.