Harbourfront Centre

Harbourfront Centre is Toronto's 10-acre waterfront campus for arts, culture, and recreation, and it is one of the most reliably family-friendly destinations in the city year-round. Located along Queens Quay West between York Street and Bathurst Street, it sits right on the Lake Ontario waterfront with stunning views of the harbour and Toronto Islands.

The anchor family attraction is KidSpark, a learn-through-play experience created in partnership with the Ontario Science Centre. Designed for children ages 2 to 10, KidSpark features hands-on stations where kids explore science, engineering, and creative play through building, experimenting, and problem-solving. At $15 per person (free for children under 2), it is a dedicated space where kids are meant to touch, tinker, and get messy.

Beyond KidSpark, Harbourfront Centre's programming calendar is packed year-round. Summer brings free outdoor festivals nearly every weekend — world music performances, cultural celebrations, food festivals, and art installations that transform the campus into a living stage. Families can spend entire afternoons moving between performances, craft activities, and waterfront play areas without spending a dollar.

Winter transforms the campus with the Natrel skating rink, one of Toronto's most scenic outdoor ice surfaces. Overlooking the lake and city skyline, it is a beautiful spot for family skating. Skate rentals are available, and beginner skaters can use skating aids. The rink is less crowded than Nathan Phillips Square and has a more relaxed atmosphere.

The outdoor spaces are excellent year-round. The waterfront boardwalk connects Harbourfront Centre to the neighbouring parks and Toronto Islands ferry terminal, making it ideal for family walks, bike rides, or scooter adventures. Multiple restaurants and cafes dot the campus, with patios overlooking the water that make parents feel like they are on vacation while kids run on the nearby green spaces.

Harbourfront Centre also runs arts-based camps during March Break, summer, and PA days for children ages 4 through 18, covering everything from filmmaking to circus arts. For families staying in Toronto for an extended visit, these can be a fantastic way for kids to engage deeply with creative disciplines.

The centre is fully stroller-accessible and has family washroom facilities. Parking is available at the Queens Quay Terminal garage, and the area is well-served by the 509 and 510 streetcar lines. The Toronto Islands ferry terminal is a 10-minute walk east, making it easy to combine both attractions in a single day.