Family Fun Guide North of Toronto for August 2-5 – Civic Holiday Long Weekend

Not sure how we got to the middle of summer so fast, but it happened. Now is a great chance to get out with the family, whether it’s a day trip or an overnight getaway. This summer has been cooler but still great sun out there for outdoor recreation, including swimming and beach visits!

Monday is Civic Holiday in Ontario and that means, long weekend!

An extra day to play and relax! Enjoy!

KIDS AND FAMILY EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES FOR THE WEEKEND AHEAD BY AREA:

These events are within 1-3 hours north of Toronto and are reasonable when considering a day trip, or stay at any family friendly accommodation and extend the fun. These events would also be within proximity or close to many of Ontario’s ‘cottage country’.

~BARRIE~

GO CRUISING:Take a beautiful ride on the Serendipity Princess on Lake Simcoe’s Kempenfelt Bay! 

HORSESHOE RESORT ADVENTURE PARK: Fun for the family with the Zip Lining and Treetop Trekking course; build your golf skills and challenge the family to a round of Mini Putt, or explore the Copeland Forest on Segway. Families can also have fun mountain biking on forest trails.

HARDWOOD SKI & BIKE: Hit the day trails, play disc golf or experience Moonlight Odyssey. The Moonlight Odyssey is a unique and fun challenge for trail runners of any ability level as they tackle the trails of Hardwood by the light of their headlamps. The thrill and excitement of running through the woods at night with all your senses heightened as the adrenaline pumps through your body is un-paralleled.

MACLAREN ART CENTRE: Enrich your childrens’ days with art. Every child has the potential and needs the inspiration! Kids are never too young to learn art appreciation.

SUPERBLUE’S THE GIANT KNITTING NANCY: In partnership with the MacLaren’s Youth Advisory Council and TGIF, Superblue’s The Giant Knitting Nancy community arts project will be recreated for Kempenfest 2013. Visitors of all ages are able to engage in a simple knitting technique and create art in an area of gathering and conversation for people to enjoy throughout the festival.

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~BRACEBRIDGE~

SANTA’S VILLAGE: 2 Great Parks & 1 Great Campground – We’ve added a Bungee Trampoline and Spray Pad!Tour the village by miniature train or cruise the Muskoka River on Santa’s Summer Sleigh Jet Boat. You can try Rudolph’s Roller Coaster, the Ferris Wheel, and other amusement rides! Visit Santa Claus and then play at Elves Island or at our beach and splash-pad.

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~THE BLUE MOUNTAINS | COLLINGWOOD~

VILLAGE BEACH PARTY: It’s the summer’s hottest party for all ages at Blue Mountain Village – featuring a Bob Marley Tribute Show, Calypso music, Live Music, Yoga and family fireworks by the Mill Pond.

VILLAGE ACTIVITIES AT BLUE MOUNTAIN VILLAGE: Scavenger hunts and other kids and family fun happening daily in Blue Mountain Village.

SUMMER ATTRACTION PARK BLUE MOUNTAIN RESORT: Take the exciting Ridge Runner ride or visit the now-open summer attraction park that includes fun activities like Mountaintop Segway touring, Open-air gondola rides, Mini-putt, Climbing wall and more!

EXPLORE SCENIC CAVES: Nature, history and adventures for the whole family. Self-guided tour of caves, caverns and lookouts on the highest point of the Niagara Escarpment. Ontario’s longest Suspension Footbridge offers light adventure and the most spectacular views of Georgian Bay and surrounding countryside. Gemstone Mining, train ride, mini golf, trout pond, picnic areas, snack bar and gift shop.

SUMMER SPLASH SUP RACE SERIES: Come check out the SUP races! This relatively new sport to North American involves standing up on a surf boad and paddling. It’s great the the waters in Ontario and people of all ages are starting to really enjoy this sport!

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~COOKSTOWN~

GEORGIAN BAY STEAM SHOW: The show is filled with parades, tractor pulls, wagon rides, demonstrations, vendor booths, singing and dancing performances and more. The talent contest will be held on Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. for adults, and Sunday evening for juniors. Admission for adults is $8 per day and children aged 12 and under enter for free. Parking is free and a shuttle service is available from the Cookstown Outlet Mall.

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~ELMVALE~

ROUNDS RANCH: Exactly between Elmvale and Wasaga Beach is country western kids attraction fun and RR knows their stuff! Great toys to ride, a fun play structure with giant slide and zip line and to top it off, there are horse and pony rides.

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~FORESTER FALLS~

RIVER RAFTING:  High family adventure here with river rafting and zip lining!

~GRAVENHURST~

PIRATEFEST: Be a pirate for a day!

~HALIBURTON~

SIR SAM’S SKI & BIKE:  Take out the bikes and have some outdoor adventure.

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~IROQUIS~

DORAN BAY MODEL SHIP MUSEUM: Dad can also get his fill of maritime history here.

~MACTIER~

BIG WEEKEND FESTIVAL: The 6th Annual Big Weekend Festival is taking place in MacTier this Civic Long Weekend, August 2, 3 and 4th and you don’t want to miss it! As always, the weekend will be an affordable and fun time in Muskoka, featuring plenty to do for the whole family.

~MIDLAND | PENETANGUISHENE~

MIDLAND FARMERS’ MARKET: Meet farmers and artisans and have a taste of Ontario! Sunday morning 9-1 across from the Midland town dock. 

DOWNTOWN SHOPS AND DOCKS: Check out the shops and docks in beautiful Midland! Walk about and strolling fun for kids and check out one of the largest outdoor mural collections in North America.

GUIDED CANOE OR KAYAK TOURS | GUIDED WALKS | REPTILE SHOW | BIRDS OF PREY SHOW: Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre. Check their website for details and times.

KING’S WHARF THEATRE: Take in dinner and show at the waterfront King’s Wharf Theatre. Be sure to leave time for a stroll on the boardwalk! Or buy him tickets for a show later in the season.

MUSIC IN THE PARK: Sunday evenings in Little Lake Park. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the music while the kids play at the park.

HURONIA FOOD TRAIL: You will find a list of the farmers, producers, restaurants, retailers and accommodations that have identified themselves as advocates of local taste and local products, within the towns of Midland and Penetanguishene & Townships of Tay and Tiny, Ontario through the Huronia Food Trail.

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~ORILLIA~

STREETS ALIVE LETTERS OF ORILLIA OUTDOOR ART CELEBRATION: City streets are alive with 6 foot high metal letter sculptures, transformed into exciting works of art by area artists!

~PARRY SOUND~

GEORGIAN BAY AIRWAYS: Operating from May through October out of Parry Sound’s beautiful downtown waterfront in the Heart of the 30,000 Islands, Georgian Bay Airways Ltd. proudly offers a modern fleet of seaplanes to service your flying needs. Sightseeing Air Tours, Our Signature “Fly & Dine” to World Famous Henry’s Fish Restaurant, Charters, and Flying Adventures are just a sample of the Georgian Bay Airways experience. Not into flying? Well at least come say hello and visit the ice cream parlour and coffee shop!  

~TWEED~

TWEED STAMPEDE AND JAMBOREE: What could be better than going to the Tweed Stampede & Jamboree this August 2 – 5 at Trudeau Park in Tweed? Why, going with free admission, of course! Follow the link below to find out 3 ways that you can win! View the video on our video page!

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If you’re heading out in the family truck-ster on an Ontario road trip, you’ll definitely want to read our ROAD TRIP TIPS! 

Ontario Kid Friendly Attractions offer great entertainment this weekend as well with special programming and events, check out our article and tips in BEST KIDS ATTRACTIONS NORTH OF TORONTO.

Have a fun and safe long weekend!

Did we miss posting an event? Please fill free to CONTACT US and let us know what’s happening!