Fun Summer Activities for Families in Ontario
Friday Jun 20th, 2025
Fun Summer Activities for Families in Ontario
School’s out, the sun is shining, and summer in Ontario is here! From outdoor adventures to indoor escapes for rainy days, Ontario is packed with fun, family-friendly summer activities. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or just looking for something local, we’ve rounded up 17 of the best summer activities in Ontario for families in 2025.
What's on this page: hide
1. Visit African Lion Safari (Cambridge)
2. Try an Escape Room Adventure
4. Ride the York-Durham Heritage Railway
5. Spend the Day at Canada’s Wonderland (Vaughan)
6. Stay at a Lakefront Family Resort
7. Be a Tourist in Your Own City
8. Visit a Local Farm or Petting Zoo
9. Take a Trip to Niagara Falls
10. Explore Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada (Toronto)
11. Let’s Go to The Ex (Toronto)
12. Splash Around at a Local Splash Pad
Enjoy a Safe, Fun-Filled Summer with Your Family
1. Visit African Lion Safari (Cambridge)
Located in Cambridge, African Lion Safari is a unique opportunity to get an up-close view of your favourite animals. Choose from either a guided Safari tour or driving your own car and catch a glimpse of over 1,000 birds and animals native to the African savannah. Also featuring a playground and water park for those hot summer days. There’s something for everyone to enjoy. This is one of those staple summer activities you won’t want to miss.
2. Try an Escape Room Adventure
If you have older kids, one fun family activity to help beat the heat is participating in an escape room. Work together to solve puzzles and escape on time! From more well-known rooms like Casa Loma in Toronto or something less known like Daydream Adventures, an escape room is an excellent choice for family fun. Each room tells a different story and puts you right in the middle of the action, whether you’re trying to save a dragon egg or playing detective. This is not a typical summer activity since it’s indoors, but it’s one you’ll all have fun doing. Perfect for those rainy days!
3. Go Treetop Trekking
Enjoy the beautiful outdoors this summer with a fun treetop trekking adventure. Treetop trekking is a fun-filled tree activity, including climbing, zip-lining, and more! There are many locations to tree trek across Ontario, with cool obstacle courses that the whole family can enjoy. You can even go outdoor trampolining at a tree trekking location in Stouffville!
4. Ride the York-Durham Heritage Railway
Take time this summer to learn more about Ontario’s history. Take a journey on the York-Durham Heritage Railway, originating in 1860. See the vintage cafe cars, passenger coaches, and caboose as you enjoy the beautiful scenery out the window. There is something for everybody! Not only is this fun, but super informative for the little ones.
5. Spend the Day at Canada’s Wonderland (Vaughan)
One classic way to enjoy summer activities in Ontario is to visit Canada’s Wonderland in Vaughan, Ontario. Featuring a 20-hectare waterpark, roller coasters for all ages, live entertainment, and carnival snacks, this is sure to be a memory the whole family will remember. There’s even an entire section of the park dedicated to kids, so even the little ones can have fun in the sun. You can’t make a summer activity list without including this iconic destination.
6. Stay at a Lakefront Family Resort
If you’re looking to get away with your family this summer, we recommend visiting a lakefront family resort. There are various resorts across Ontario to enjoy, such as the Oakwood Resort on Lake Huron and the Shamrock Lodge in Muskoka. Enjoy time by the lake, try new watersports, and even special kids programming.
7. Be a Tourist in Your Own City
Have you ever considered exploring your city with your family? With the warm weather here, summer is the perfect time to do just that. For example, if you live in Toronto, take the family up to the top of the CN Tower for amazing views of the Greater Toronto Area. Or, try that restaurant you’ve always wondered about! Bonus points if it has a patio! You never know what hidden gems you’ll find in your neighbourhood.
8. Visit a Local Farm or Petting Zoo
Support local businesses by taking the family to explore a local farm this summer. For example, Small Hooves Big Hearts, located in the Kawartha Lakes, is an amazing, accredited miniature horse petting zoo. Kids and adults alike will love getting to spend quality time with these kind and gentle animals.
9. Take a Trip to Niagara Falls
Go and visit the incredible Niagara Falls with the family this summer. Whether you see it from the car, the lookout point, or even on a boat tour, this is an Ontario staple that everyone should see at least once in their life. After seeing the falls, visit nearby Clifton Hill, which features several restaurants and family-friendly attractions. Fun for all awaits you at Niagara Falls! When it comes to summer activities for the entire family, this one is hard to beat.
10. Explore Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada (Toronto)
Who doesn’t love colourful fish and other sea creatures? We recommend visiting Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, located in Toronto, this summer. This is another activity perfect for those rainy days. With thousands of underwater wildlife to see, and an opportunity to pet the sting rays and colour-changing jellyfish, there’s something everyone will enjoy. There’s also a fun gift shop to pick up some souvenirs to remember your day. The aquarium is open daily from 9 am to 11 pm.
11. Let’s Go to The Ex (Toronto)
If you’ve grown up in the GTA, there’s a good chance you’ve spent some time at The Ex! From August 15th to September 4th, enjoy the rides, entertainment, and food at Toronto’s Exhibition Place. This year, the exhibition sees a handful of new and exciting activities for the whole family. This includes a video game room, a dinosaur design where you can dig up your fossils, and an even bigger food court where you can explore over 50 different food vendors!
12. Splash Around at a Local Splash Pad
If you have little ones and aren’t looking to spend any money, your local splash pad can be your best bet. Luckily, many parks throughout the province of Ontario come equipped with a splash pad, many coming in different sizes with various features. For some bigger ones in Toronto, check out Corktown Common, MacGregor Park, or Wychwood Barns!
13. Cool Off at a Waterpark
If you’re into cooling off on a hot summer’s day, why not check out some of Ontario’s infamous waterparks? Grab your bathing suit and goggles, and check out some of the province’s best waterparks. From Splash Works Waterpark in Vaughan to Calypso Waterpark in Lamoges, to Wild Water Works in Stoney Creek, there is a waterpark for everyone.
14. Plan a Family Picnic
If you’re looking for a fun afternoon event for the family, why not plan a picnic? Many beautiful parks throughout the province of Ontario will surely make for the perfect getaway spot. There’s Toronto’s High Park, Ferris Provincial Park in Campellsford, and French River Park in Alban! Looking at which provincial parks are near you can also open up other opportunities.
15. Go Camping in Ontario
Like picnics, there are a vast number of camping spots within Ontario. From parks, such as Algonquin Provincial Park in Whitney or Bon Echo Provincial Park in Cloyne, the options are endless. Spend a night under the stars or go for scenic bike rides through some of Ontario’s most beautiful parks. Whether going with a friend or bringing the kids, camping is fun, no matter the situation. Check out our article on the best camping spots in Ontario for more ideas.
16. Hit the Beach
Nothing says “summer” more than a trip to the beach! Grab your towels and sunblock because there are so many beaches in Ontario to explore. As per our article on the top family-friendly beaches in Ontario, the options are endless. From Sauble Beach to Wasaga Beach, each offers a different experience. Many of them come with cottages close by that you can rent out and spend the weekend in for the ultimate summer getaway.
17. Visit a Farmer’s Market
Visiting a farmer’s market in Ontario with your family is a wholesome and fun-filled outing that offers something for everyone. You can stroll through rows of fresh, locally grown produce, sample homemade jams and baked goods, and discover handcrafted items made by local artisans. Many markets also feature live music, food trucks, and kid-friendly activities like face painting or petting zoos, creating a festive, community vibe. It’s a great way to teach kids about where their food comes from while supporting local farmers and small businesses. Whether picking out seasonal fruits or enjoying a picnic with fresh market treats, it’s a perfect weekend tradition that brings everyone together.
Enjoy a Safe, Fun-Filled Summer with Your Family
We hope this list helps you create unforgettable memories with your loved ones this summer in Ontario. Whether you’re zip-lining through trees or enjoying ice cream by the beach, there’s something for every family.
Post a comment