Many ways to celebrate a winter long weekend

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This weekend, most Ontarians will enjoy a mid-winter long weekend as part of Family Day (Feb. 18) introduced by Premier Dalton McGuinty following his re-election last fall. While most enjoy tried and true traditions for other well-known long weekends like Thanksgiving and Canada Day, here's some places in the city you can spend time with your loved ones for this newest holiday.

Toronto Zoo
Toronto Zoo is providing half-price off regular admission Monday.

Families are invited to meet some of the wild animal families, enjoy special keeper talks and more. Watch for the fun family trees with lots of animal information in the balmy tropical pavilions.

The Toronto Zoo is located north of Hwy. 401 on Meadowvale Road in Scarborough. Regular admission prices are $20 for adults, $14 for seniors, $12 for children aged 4 to 12. Kids three and under get in free. Hours of operation: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Note: last admission is 3:30 p.m. Visit www.torontozoo.com for details.

 

Ontario Science Centre
Gadgets and Gizmos, a family toy building workshop, is free with admission on Monday.

Build interesting toys from everyday objects, try them out and then use the ideas to create more toys at home.

The Family Day event takes place in the Great Hall on level B.

The Science Centre is at 770 Don Mills Rd. at the corner of Eglinton Avenue East. Admission is $18 for adults, $13,50 for seniors and youths aged 13 to 17, $11 for children aged 4 to 12. Kids three and under get in free. Parking at the Ontario Science Centre is $8 per vehicle. Call at 416-696-1000 or send an e-mail to call_centre@osc.on.ca.

 

CN Tower
From Feb. 16 to 18, buy one CN Tower admission package and get another one free.

Explore all that the CN Tower has to offer on Family Day with a special admission offer, activity sheets, chances to win prize packs, plus visits with special guests SpongeBob and Patrick at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m.

Admission prices are adults $21.99, children $14.99, and seniors $19.99. The admission offer applies to all tickets except City Pass and Premier, and are valid Feb. 16 to 18.

CN Tower is at 301 Front St. W. at John Street. Call 416-86-TOWER or visit online at www.cntower.ca.

 

Casa Loma
Kids get in free to Casa Loma on Family Day.

Children accompanied by a paying adult will receive free admission all day, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Last admission is at 4 p.m.

Tickets are $16 for adults, $10 for seniors and youths (14 to 17), and $8.75 for children (4 to 13). Call 416-923-1171 or visit online at www.casaloma.org. Casa Loma is at 1 Austin Terrace, near Davenport and Spadina.

 

Art Gallery of Ontario
Take the whole family to the AGO's Sunday Smorgasbord starting Sunday to unleash some creativity; in honour of the new Ontario Family day, the first Sunday is absolutely free.

This month-long series, happening Sundays, draws on various inspirations such as yoga, whimsy and wonder. Take yoga off the mat and onto paper. Breathe, draw, stretch and get creative with your children or learn how to turn an accident into a piece of art.

Sunday Smorgasbord starts this Sunday and continues until March 16. The gallery is at 60 McCaul St. Visit www.ago.net.

 

ROM
The Royal Ontario Museum is celebrating Ontario's newest statutory holiday with special programming centered around dazzling dinosaurs and wicked weather from Saturday to Monday.

Families can explore the ROM's many galleries and enjoy a variety of fun programming and special guests, such as a visit from Global News meteorologist Anthony Farnell, all included free with museum admission: $20 for adults, $17 for seniors, $14 for children (5 to 14), free for children four years and under.

The ROM is at 100 Queen's Park, near Avenue and Bloor. Visit www.rom.on.ca for details.

 

Free Skate
Don't spend your first frosty February holiday hiding indoors.

Bring your kids, skates and helmets and enjoy a free family skate day Monday from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Ricoh Coliseum, 100 Princes' Blvd. on the Exhibition Grounds.

 

Toronto Botanical Gardens
Get the Jump on Spring is a free event Saturday at the Toronto Botanical Gardens from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This annual horticultural open house showcases horticultural societies, garden clubs, environmental organizations, nurseries and garden stores from across Ontario. Learn more about becoming a member of a local garden club and association, or gain information on environmentally friendly products, organic foods, health services, plant and floral supplies and great gifts for garden lovers.

Green Activities for Kids
Listen to magical stories about the wonders of gardening in the Weston Family Library. Story time is free and will take place at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Children from age three to 10 - when accompanied by an adult - are also invited to take part in a variety of fun, hands-on activities at nature stations in The James Boyd Children's centre.

Mini-Lectures and demonstrations
Starting at 10:30 a.m. mini-lectures and hands on demonstrations are scheduled throughout the day with well-known garden experts, such as Mark Cullen, Frank Kershaw and more discussing sustainable urban gardening.

Organic Gardening Sessions
Every hour, starting at 10:30 a.m. Toronto Master Gardeners will be hosting information sessions about organic gardening and organic alternatives to pest control.

No registration required. Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Ave. E. Email: info@torontobotanicalgarden.ca or call 416-397-1340.

 

National Film Board Cinema
Keep Toronto Reading is the library's month-long celebration of the joy of reading, featuring literary and cultural events throughout the city. Here are a few events taking place this weekend:

NFB Storytelling and Animation Workshop: Bring the whole family down to the National Film Board Cinema for storytelling with author Rosemary Sadlier. Then learn how to bring stories to life using clay animation techniques and professional animation equipment from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. To register, call 416-973-3012 or e-mail nfbmediathequeonf@nfb.ca. National Film Board, 150 John St., corner of John and Richmond streets.

 

One Book Walking Tour - In the Footsteps of the Black Victorians:
In the Footsteps of the Black Victorians is a walking tour taking place Feb. 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. Discover Black History in Toronto by walking through parts of Old York where African-Canadians carved a community through struggle and triumph. Learn about different Black leaders such as Mary Ann Shadd Cary, the first Black female editor in North America, and William Peyton Hubbard, a City of Toronto Alderman and Acting Mayor. Hot chocolate after the walk. This easy walking tour starts and concludes at Mackenzie House. Please RSVP in case of inclement weather. Regular admission applies. Admission: Adults: $3.77; Seniors: $2.59; Youth (ages 13 to 18): $2.59; Children (5-12): $2.36; Children 4 and under: free. Mackenzie House, 82 Bond St., two blocks east of Yonge Street, south of Dundas St. E. Call 416-392-6915.

 

Toronto's Early African-Canadian Women
Toronto's Early African-Canadian Women - A Walking Tour takes place Feb. 17 from 1 to 3 p.m. Explore downtown Toronto while listening to the stories of some of our earliest Black settlers. Learn of Chloe Cooley, the enslaved woman whose resistance led to the first Anti-Slavery laws in 1793, and of Peggy Pompadour, a skilled cook and washerwoman, who resisted her enslavement through short leaves of absences called "petite marionage," Hot chocolate is available after the walk. This easy walking tour starts and concludes at Mackenzie House. Please RSVP in case of inclement weather. Regular admission applies. Admission: Adults: $3.77; Seniors: $2.59; Youth (ages 13 to 18): $2.59; Children (5-12): $2.36; Children 4 and under: free. Mackenzie House, 82 Bond St., two blocks east of Yonge Street, south of Dundas St. E. Call 416-392-6915.