You may have noticed – we’re big TVO fans. Whether it’s Steve (and The Agenda) or Gisèle (and her Big Backyard), we always find something interesting (and educational) for adults and kids in TOw.
We recently organized a backstage pass for the kids to see where all that magic takes place at the TVO studios at Yonge and Eglinton. TVOKids offers free tours of The Space studio weekday afternoons. (You need to book in advance.)
The behind-the-scenes experience started in the control room where we met super welcoming and really fun hosts Daniel and Melissa. They made us feel right at home. And even though they were in and out of live television, they answered all our questions and let us explore their studio space.
The kids loved the adjacent room (best toys!), goofing around with the “green screen” (some budding TV personalities here), and checking out the area with costumes and props. The producers then walked us through a live hit. The concept of live television may have been slightly lost on my 5-and-unders. Thankfully, the kids did not press any buttons (phew.) So maybe The Space will have us back again.
- Entrance
- Off studio
- In studio
- Control room
- Green screen fun
TRIP TIPS:
Getting there: Parking, paid private lots and limited paid street parking ($3/hr in the immediate area.) Certainly the simplest is a TTC ride to Eglinton Station, then walk south to the entrance to TVO on west side of Yonge Street.
Low-down: The free tours of The Space are offered Monday to Friday at 4:10 pm. All tours must be booked in advance. No drop-ins are allowed. The tour does not include Gisele’s Big Backyard. Given the studio size, the max is six people per tour, including adults. All kids must be accompanied by an adult. Call to arrange: 1-800-613-0513 x 2292. Tours vary from 20 – 40 minutes depending on how keen your kids are.
In the hood: There is an Indigo, Toys R Us and Metro in the Yonge Eglinton Centre north of Eglinton. For eats, there is a food court in the underground near Eglinton Station. Above ground about five blocks north is the kid-friendly restaurant Uncle Betty’s Diner (on our to-try list) 2590 Yonge Street.
DETAILS:
www.tvokids.com
TVO studios
2180 Yonge Street
@TVOKids
@TVOParents
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