The 12 most awesome, relatively painless, munchkin-friendly activities happening in the city this month.
Events selected by bunchfamily.ca
1. Head to Parkdale with the kids in tow for the neighbourhood’s community open house, with street performances by local musicians, Sorauren Farmers’ Market treats, and a historical tour of the former village.
June 2. Parkdale Amphitheatre, 1229 Queen St. W. Free.
2. ROMkids sleepovers offer the ultimate after-hours experience. Parents and children will be in for a night of gallery access, PJ karaoke, and midnight snacking.
June 2. ROM, 100 Queens Park, 416-586-5797. $75.
3. Want to get your little sprouts in the garden this summer? The Evergreen Brick Works parent-child urban gardening workshops show families how to make their own home-garden plot.
Sundays in June. 550 Bayview Ave., 416-596-0404. $25 per parent and child.
4. Teach your kids that clowns don’t have to be scary at the seventh-annual Toronto Festival of Clowns.
Until June 3. Performance times vary. Pia Bouman School, Scotiabank Studio Theatre, 6 Noble St., 647-504-7873. $10.
5. Let the pros guide your budding Keith Moon through some cool hand-drumming techniques during National Aboriginal History Month at the Toronto Public Library.
June 6. Toronto Public Library, Malvern branch, 30 Sewells Rd., 416-396-8969. Free.
6. Give your kids an interactive history lesson at Luminato’s Encampment, where participants gather around a bonfire to learn songs and stories from the War of 1812.
June 8–24. Fort York National Historic Site, 100 Garrison Rd., 416-368-3100. Free.
7. Budding foodies will love Luminato’s street-food event, where they can make their own sticker-filled recipe books.
June 10 at Distillery District, 9 Trinity St., and June 16 at Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Ave., 416-368-3100. Free.
8. Luminato’s Caribbean Summit is an afternoon of island beats featuring Ernest Ranglin, Calypso Rose, and others. Dancing is encouraged.
June 9. David Pecault Square, 55 John St. Free.
9. Cavalia Odysseo, the equestrian stage performance featuring more than 60 majestic horses, is a whole lot cheaper than buyinga pony.
Until June 17. The Odysseo Big Top, 429 Lakeshore Blvd. E., 866-999-8111. Prices vary.
10. The artsy folks behind Dufferin Grove’s Halloween parade, Night of Dread, are back with Day of Delight, a puppet-filled celebration of the summer solstice.
June 19. Dufferin Grove Park, 875 Dufferin St. Free.
11. Beloved teddy bears get some TLC with a check-up performed by a real vet at the zoo’s Wild Toy Animal Hospital.
June 24. Toronto Zoo, 361A Old Finch Ave., 416-392-5929. Free with zoo admission.
12. Did you know that there’s an International Pollinator Week? Neither did we. Families can learn about the many species of pollinators and kids can toss around some DIY seed balls at High Park’s celebration.
June 24. High Park Nature Centre, 440 Parkside Dr.,416-392-1748, ext. 2. PWYC, recommended $5.
