Best Things to Do with Teens in Toronto

Summer is coming and that means many Toronto families and visitors to Toronto will be planning fun events in Toronto. If you have younger kids, you’ll want to look at activities such as going to Centre Island, the Toronto Zoo or the Ontario Science Centre, but it’s a whole different ballgame if you are planning things to do with teenagers in Toronto. Many teens don’t even like to hang out with their parents so you really have to be clever and strategic when planning events with teens. Read further to find out about the best things to do with teens in Toronto.

Canada’s Wonderland

Canada’s Wonderland is a summer amusement park for all ages, but your teens will love the giant water slides at Splashworks, the high divers at Wonder Mountain and the newest attraction: the Yukon Striker. This dive coaster features a 90 degree drop for three full seconds, as well as four inversions and a 360 degree loop. You probably have to be a teen to stomach this kind of thrill! I certainly don’t plan on riding the Yukon Striker. Read about my experience at Splashworks . Canada’s Wonderland is located at 1 Canada’s Wonderland Drive (near Jane Street and R

utherford Road), Vaughan.

The Docks Driving Range

The Docks Driving Range is located about 1 10-minute taxi drive east of downtown Toronto and features a spectacular view of the city skyline. This all-season golf course is open from 9 a.m. in the summer. The 75 hitting stations have heaters if you’re golfing in cooler weather. There is also a chip-n-putt area to practice your short game. Parking is provided free of charge for our patrons! Take lessons with C.P.G.A. certified instructors. After your golf practice, you can enjoy a snack or beverage at the licensed lower deck or fully stocked and licensed patio.

Fees are $17 per bucket or 2 buckets for $30 from Monday to Friday; $19 per bucket or 2 buckets for $34 from Saturday to Sunday. Senior (60+) are $13 per bucket BEFORE noon or 2 buckets for $22.

The Docks Driving Range is located at 176 Cherry Street (near Lake Shore Blvd. E. and Parliament Street), 416-465-4653.

St. Lawrence Market

Teens like to eat, right? I mean, many of them have huge appetites, so why not take them to St. Lawrence Market to experience the bustle of shoppers buying fresh produce and prepared foods from local vendors. Primarily a food market, the 120 vendors sell meat, seafood, cheese, dairy, coffee, bulk foods, specialty foods and prepared foods. There are also artisans selling jewelry, clothes and accessories and there’s even a kitschy souvenir shop on the main floor. Don’t forget to stop by Carousel Bakery for their famous peameal bacon sandwiches…a Toronto favourite. St. Lawrence Market is open Tuesday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. St. Lawrence Market is located at 95 Front Street East.

Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre

If your teens are ball fans, you’ll want to take them to the Rogers Centre to see a Toronto Blue Jays game. The Rogers Centre (originally the SkyDome), features a retractable roof, which, when open, gives you a worm’s eye view of the CN Tower. The Rogers Centre is an exciting place to be on a hot summer day and even moreso since the Jays signed slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The 20-year-old is said to be the top prospect in all of professional baseball. You can purchase Toronto Blue Jays tickets online at Ticketmaster.

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

One of the best things to do with teens in Toronto is a visit to Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada in Toronto…the only Ripley’s Aquarium location in Canada. The Rainbow Reef tank features species from the Caribbean and Indo-Pacific regions including tangs, surgeonfish, butterfly fish, angles, butterfly fish, clownfish, damsels, and chromis. The public can watch stingrays play in the water at Ray Bay and touch four species of stingrays at the Shoreline Gallery. But one of the most exhilarating attractions is Dangerous Lagoon where you’ll get to walk underneath a pool of sharks along the longest moving sidewalk in North America! Ripley’s Aquarium is located at 288 Bremner Boulevard across from the Rogers Centre. Ripley’s Aquarium is open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Kensington Market

Kensington Market has experienced many iterations over the past century. It originated as a Jewish market in the 30s and 40s and then opened up to Jamaican, Chinese and immigrants. As it exists today, Kensington Market is a cool, urban neighbourhood of less than a handful of streets with indie shops and cafes, food vendors, and retail. Your teens are sure to find something they love at Blue Banana Market on Augusta Avenue. If eclectic is what you’re after, you’ll find it at Kensington Market. The food ranges from Tijuana-inspired Mexican eats at Seven Lives Tacos to vegan Caribbean fare to Indigenous-inspired cuisine at Pow Wow Cafe to Vietnamese food…and yes, they even have pizza…all at affordable prices. Kensington Market is located just west of Spadina Avenue between Dundas Street West and College Street.

Do you have any places to add to Best Things to Do with Teens in Toronto? Please let us know in the comment section.