The Little Paper

8-12 February

I’m Listening: Conversations for Keeps

Family Service Toronto
355 Church St
www.familydaytoronto.org
5:30-9pm; Free, register on website, space limited
To honour family day, Family Service Toronto (FST) is celebrating the diversity of Toronto families with a week-long event which records their stories. The project invites families to come to FST’s downtown location and record a 40-minute conversation of their family memories and histories. Each recording will be burned to a CD for the family to take with them. “We think this is the first event of its kind for the city,” says Jo-Anne Liburd, FST’s manager of marketing and communications, “but it is perfect for a place like Toronto, which is home to such diverse families – from traditional to same-sex parents, new immigrants to seventh generation Canadians, low income families to the very wealthy. Regardless of our age or position, something we all share is compelling stories of our experiences. “I’m Listening” is a way to connect a family’s past with its present and future. Sharing stories brings us closer together, which helps build stronger families and communities. We want to celebrate that and make it possible to preserve those memories forever.”

13-15 February

Family Day Weekend Events

Ontario Science Centre
770 Don Mills Rd
416-696-1000
www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
Regular admission applies
Celebrate Family Day all weekend long at the Ontario Science Centre. Special programming includes, Jump for your Heart! Watch as some of Canada’s top jump-rope teams demonstrate their champion skills and techniques.
Family Day Long Weekend at the ROM

Royal Ontario Museum

100 Queen’s Park
416-586-8097
www.rom.on.ca
The ROM is hosting a hands-on crafts and activities for the whole family, included with Museum admission, all weekend long.

Toronto’s Kidsfest: Family Day Weekend

International Centre-Hall 4 & 4A
6900 Airport Rd
905-779-0422
www.Kids-Fest.ca
Sat: 12-7pm, Sun: 10am-5pm, Mon: 10am-6pm; $8/person, Free/2yrs-
In the mood for some bouncing? Kidsfest is Canada’s Largest Indoor Inflatable Show. Enjoy some of North America’s Largest Indoor Inflatables. Play laser tag, rock climb, shop at the children’s marketplace.

13-14 February

Family Days at Colborne Lodge

Colborne Lodge
South end of High Park
416-392-6916
12-4pm; free w/admission, $5.71/adults, $2.38/children
Kick off the Family Day long weekend with a visit to historic Colborne Lodge in High Park. Pretend to be a member of the Howards’ 1870s household while taking a tour through the house. Children prepare their own cookie and play with 19th-century toys.

15 February

3rd Annual Family Day in the Beach

Kew Gardens
416-693-2242
www.beachesbia.com
11am-4pm;
The beach neighbourhood has a whole day of activities designed to delight the small and the tall on family day including Bowanville Zoo animals in Kew Gardens (there’s even a camel to ride), arts and crafts, outdoor Olympic-themed games, Skating at Kew Rink and a Scavenger hunt. the Active Kids club will be there too, raising money for Haiti.

Neilson Park Creative Centre

56 Neilson Dr
416-622-5294
www.neilsonparkcreativecentre.com
10am-3pm; Free
Families are welcome to come for a day of fun, art and crafts with a tropical theme. Travel to the different studios with your passport to fun and creativity. Learn about watercolour and acrylic painting, quilting, weaving, spinning, rug hooking and more! Don’t forget to dress in your favourite tropical gear!

Family Day Carnival

Queens Quay Terminal, Harbourfront Centre, PawsWay Pet Discovery Centre
207 Queens Quay W
416-360-7297
www.PawsWay.ca
11am-5pm; Free
Visit Toronto’s Waterfront for a Family Day Carnival. Hosted by the Queens Quay Terminal, Harbourfront Centre, and Pawsway Pet Discovery Centre activities include: dog shows, skating, bouncy tent, crafts, ice castle painting, live music, snacks and more!

Family Day at Fort York

Historic Fort York
100 Garrison Rd
416-392-6907
10am-3pm; Free w/admission, Adults/$7.62, Children/$2.86, Pre-registration required
Travel to Toronto’s past with a tour of the Fort and a cup of old-fashioned hot chocolate from the historic kitchen.

Family Day Discovery (all ages)

Gibson House
5172 Yonge St
416-392-7432
12-4:30pm; Free w/admission, Adults/$5.48, $2.62/children
Prepare delicious hot chocolate in the historic kitchen and bake sweet treats over the open hearth. Experience hands-on activities in the Discovery Gallery and make a craft to take home.

Family Day at Casa Loma: Family Archery

Casa Loma
1 Austin Terrace
416-923-1171
www.casaloma.org
1-4pm; $31/person, registration required
Join certified archery coach Shawn Adams, for an opportunity to learn the history and techniques involved in the ancient sport of archery. This hands-on workshop is suited to beginners and will afford all participants the chance to develop and hone their archery skills.

You Dance

The Walter Carsen Centre for the National Ballet of Canada
470 Queen’s Quay W
www.national.ballet.ca
12-2pm, 2-4pm: Family Movement Workshop (8-12yrs) & You dance performance of exciting ballet repertoire in full costume.; Space limited, Go to web to register
YOU dance is an outreach initiative presented jointly by The National Ballet of Canada and Canada’s National Ballet School. Through participatory workshops and live professional performances students in grades 4 to 6 enjoy a comprehensive and inspiring exposure to dance.

Markham Museum Winterfest

Markham Museum
905-294-4576
www.markham.ca
10am-4pm; $2/admission
Celebrate Family Day at the Museum, skate, snowshoe, build snow-people and more! There will be lots of activities, crafts and great food.

Annual Winter Show

171 East Liberty St
416-536-8927
www.modelrailroadclub.com
12-4:30pm; $8/adults, $4/Children
Take a peek into another world and enjoy the fun of model railroading as the Club opens its’ doors for their annual show. Take a trip back in time to the late 1950’s where steam is still king. Visit the “Central Ontario Railway” a world in miniature, a model railroad where trains travel over 5,000 ft of track, passing by hills, small towns, forests and lakes connecting two major cities.

Family Day Dummy Race

Glen Eden Ski and Snowboard Centre
Milton
www.conservationhalton.on.ca, www.gleneden.on.ca
11:30am-4:30pm;
Participate in the annual family day dummy race. This year, craft your dummy with an Olympic theme in mind, as family day comes during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic games.

Horton Hears a Who

Revue Cinema
400 Roncesvalles Ave
11am;
Head to Roncessvalles historic cinema with your wee ones in tow and catch a classic tale as you munch on some popcorn . This is a special fundraiser to support the programming of My School Co-operative.

Artbarn 5th Anniversary

250 Eglinton Ave W
416-518-6108
3-5pm; Free, Enjoy drawing with huge pencils, walking through paint and using hands to create a giant collective painting.

Tea Time for Teddy Bears (2yrs+)

Casa Loma
1 Austin Terrace
416-923-1171x205
www.casaloma.org
11am; $14.50/Children, $19/Adult
Pre-registration necessary
Enchant your Teddy Bear with tea time and story telling at Casa Loma. Following a reading of Little Red Riding Hood, everyone will have an opportunity to enjoy a freshly baked scone, jam and tea or hot chocolate while the children decorate their own teapot-themed cookies.

Family Day at the Design Exchange: Ready! Set! Solve!

The Design Exchange
234 Bay St
416-363-6121
www.dx.org
Register online
On Family Day Toronto’s PATH system comes alive with teams that will solve puzzles and brain-teasers while fundraising in support of SickKids. Put together your team of 4-6 people, family, friends or co-workers and sign up for a day of mind-boggling fun. Work with your teammates to rack up the most points by solving a series of crazy puzzles. Some will be picture puzzles, some will involve visiting locations in and around The PATH, and some may involve getting clues from ‘mysterious’ strangers.

Diaper Disco Family Day Pajama Party

Karma Nightclub & Lounge
394 Simcoe St S, Oshawa
www.diaperdisco.com
10am-1pm; $10/person, $35/family of 4
Spend the day in your jammies at the Family Day Pajama Party dancing to timeless favourites like The Jackson 5, Donna Summer, and the Bee Gees.

Brampton’s Winter Festival & Family Day

Chinguacousy Park
905-458-6555X124
www.brampton.ca
11am-5pm; Some activity fees
Enjoy the great outdoors. Live entertainment, Fire pits and marshmallows, Snow fun activites, Skiing, Snowboarding and Tubing.