The city is serving up new experiences for kids (and parents) in TOw this year — and we can’t wait.
1. Toronto loves a (cold) plunge. My first hot-cold circuit was at Body Blitz, and the women-only venue became a go-to escape for my fellow moms in T.O. Since then, new hot and cold plunge experiences have emerged — Othership (two locations on Adelaide and in Yorkville) offers performance saunas, ice baths and areas for socializing. A few more destinations have opened and we can’t wait to visit them in 2026.
Trip tip: one of them is open to kids under 16.
- Löyly Floating Sauna, a finish-style sauna on the waterfront has a 12-person sauna and outdoor cold plunge. Yes for the kids & teens in TOw. Kids under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Alter on College West and in Leslieville has self- and instructor-led sessions hot, cold experiences.
- SANA’s sauna, steam, cold plunge, lounge and bar on Geary Ave in Toronto’s west end has added health shots and cocktails to the thermal experience.
2. Toronto loves to splash. For the big and little kids in TOw, there’s a new spot to play. The City of Toronto recently opened the new indoor aquatic centre at the Rouge Valley Community Recreation Centre in Scarborough, the first net zero energy and emissions community recreation facility. The 25-metre-long lap pool also has a gradual entrance for kids in TOw. Plus outdoors, Joyce Trimmer Park has a new skatepark, mini soccer field, a basketball court and playground.
Also in Scarborough, Kidstown Water Park is expected to reopen for the 2026 season. What to expect: new pools, waterfall play area, a hill water slide, splash pad, and the dump bucket. You can check out the construction progress here.
3. Toronto loves its sports — especially women’s sports. In the past couple of years, the city has welcomed the Toronto Sceptres (hockey team), AFC Toronto (soccer team) and now its newest sister — the Toronto Tempo. It’s probably my favourite team name and logo to date and it has the star power with Lilly Singh and Serena Williams as part of the ownership group.
The team will begin play in May 2026 at the Coca Cola Coliseum. Tickets are not on sale yet, but fans interested in securing season tickets can make a $100 deposit to secure a priority number for the season ticket wait list. Until then, you can buy your fan gear now (team jerseys were just dropped).
4. Toronto loves the Ontario Science Centre. I know, we all miss the OG. The original Ontario Science Centre built in the late 1960s closed its doors in 2024 and is scheduled to make a big move to its new home at Ontario Place at some point. In the meantime, a few interim locations and pop-ups kept families and their kids in TOw connected to its great programming. KidSpark at Harbourfront Centre, currently the hands-on experience for the 10-and-unders, is scheduled to expand into an interim location at Harbourfront in summer 2026, housing 86,000 square-feet of exhibitions, including classrooms and outdoor program areas.
5. Toronto loves its skyline. Our beloved CN Tower turns 50 (just like me!) this year. At 553 metres (1,815 feet), it was the tallest freestanding structure in the world (until surpassed by Dubai’s Burj Khalifa in 2009). Millions have visited the observation decks while a brave bunch walk its parameter 116 storeys above the city hands-free as part of the EdgeWalk. For me and my family, it’s a memorable spot. About a decade ago, my mom and oldest kid in TOw climbed the 1,776 steps for the WWF’s CN Tower Climb. Kid climbers need to be 13-years or older to participate and I am excited to do it with my youngest in TOw in May 2026. If you miss the action this spring, the United Way hosts its ClimbUp in November 2026. And if you’re not into climbing, keep an eye out for the tower’s big 50th anniversary bash on June 26, 2026.
6. Toronto loves soccer. Or football. However you say it, and whether or not you like it, the city is hyped to host six FIFA World Cup matches, including the first-ever men’s match on Canadian soil on June 12, 2026. BMO Field (aka Toronto Stadium) has been upgraded with an additional 17K new seats (bringing capacity to 45,736). High fives to those who got the chance to get tickets. The rest of us will be neighbourhood hopping enjoying the games in the community.
Trip Tip: Fort York and The Bentway are the FIFA Fan Festival locations, and both sites will be free!
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