free things for kids this summer

Top Five Free Things for Kids to do Near Riverside This Summer


Even though school is over for kids, parents across the country have been diligently doing their homework researching fun things to do in their community that will keep their little students busy during their time off. Luckily for you, when you’re living in a Riverside home, you’ll have no problem scheduling a summer for your children that they’ll be bragging about in September. Keep reading for our list of the top family-friendly events and programs in your community this summer that both you and your children are sure to love. The best part? All of the events are completely free!


free things for kids this summer

TD Summer Reading Club

This weekend, plan a trip to either the Weston Library or Amesbury Park Library, your local Toronto Public Library branches, and sign your little ones up for a summer of reading fun with the TD Summer Reading Club! In case you have never heard of it before, this is a free program developed by the Toronto Public Library to encourage children to read and develop a lifelong love of books. By registering for the club, your kids will be able to win stickers for every book they read, be invited to tons of fun library programs, and have access to amazing e-books and online resources meant to encourage their summer reading adventure. The best thing about this program is its attention to inclusivity and accessibility so that children of all abilities and learning styles can participate in this nationwide book club! For more information about the reading club, check out their website!

learn more


Friday Night Lights at Downsview Park

Throughout July and August, Downsview Park will be hosting Friday Night Lights, an event in which the entire community is invited to come together and watch an evening screening of a great family-friendly flick! Your kids will love sitting under the stars on the park’s huge football field and munching on some yummy movie snacks as they enjoy some of today’s box office hits like Black Panther and Coco! Movies begin at around 9:00pm, but make sure to arrive early for a good spot on the lawn, free ice cream, and a chance to win a mystery prize pack! For the complete movie schedule, check out the event’s website.

learn more
free things for kids this summer


free things for kids this summer

Grup the Clown in “At Work (and Play)”

Drop by Rustic Park with your kids on July 28th and 29th and August 18th and 19th for an interactive storytelling adventure with the hilarious clown, Grup, who has been tasked with collecting information about the park’s ecosystem for his job at the Clown High Commission! This spontaneous event invites your children to interact with Grup in whatever way they feel comfortable, either helping him with his mission or sitting back and watching the hilarious action unfold. Grup’s free-flowing and improvisational style of comedy allows children to come and go as they please, and to create a relationship with Grup that they can continue to develop with each summer visit! This event is sponsored by Arts in the Park, a city-wide initiative to encourage community building and the enjoyment of local parks through the use of art and theatre!

learn more

Summer Fun at Black Creek Pioneer Village

From every Monday to Friday in July and August, Black Creek Pioneer Village is welcoming children 14 years and younger to visit for free with an accompanying adult to make summer memories that are both educational and exciting! Your children will love immersing themselves in the lifestyles, customs, and surroundings of the early 19th century Southern Ontario residents through exploration of the over 40 heritage buildings, participation in fun outdoor games, and visits to the discovery stations! Don’t forget to pack a picnic for your kids to enjoy as they watch live musical performances, or sit in the shade of one of The Village’s many gorgeous gardens. Keep an eye on The Village’s daily programing schedule to plan a visit for your children that is sure to keep them having a blast in the past!

read more

Jr. Forest Explorers at Downsview Park

There’s no reason why even your youngest kids can’t get in on the summer fun! Throughout the summer, Downview Park will be hosting nature programs for children three years old and younger to participate in with their caregiver. The programs are meant to help teach your little ones about the natural world through fun games, interactive workshops, and hands-on activities! Check out the Downsview Park website to learn more about scheduled programs and to register your kids for upcoming sessions.

read more