One week to go!  Have you made your March Break plans yet? Well, unless you’ve already committed yourself to day after day of macaroni crafts at home (*shudder*) now is the time!  The great thing about Spring Break for kids in Ontario is that there are always tons of options to help save parents’ sanity and keep kids happy. This week I’ll share the ones that are making their way to my inbox.

Here’s the first batch to get you started. Put down that macaroni. Put away that string. You’re better than that! ;)

Deerhurst Resort, HUNTSVILLE, ON

Deerhurst’s indoor PlayZone (open March 7-16) offers non-stop fun with over 11,000 square feet of amusements including inflatables, mini putt and Xbox Kinect stations. Kids can also enjoy the resort’s indoor rock climbing wall, aquatic themed pool and Stargazers’ Ridge arcade. For mom and dad, there’s even a lounge area to relax in while the family lets loose.

HOLIDAY-caterpillar

Guests can also take to the great outdoors with Deerhurst’s four-legged friends by experiencing horseback riding, sleigh or wagon rides or the very popular Kids’n Ponies and Kids’n Critters programs. More adventurous family members can try their hand at winter Tree Top Trekking, paintball, or go for a guided snowshoe, snowmobile tour, or take in the slopes at nearby Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area (home of Olympic Gold medalist Slopestyle skier, Dara Howell). Whatever the weather, there are lots of options for fun.

All throughout March, Deerhurst’s Eclipse restaurant will tempt taste buds with a maple menu that features maple syrup from the resort’s own production. A rare treat, guests can drop by the on-site sugar shack during March Break to see the operation up-close and take home a bottle of Deerhurst syrup from the General Store.

With 425 guest rooms ranging from newly renovated main building rooms, to fully equipped one, two and three-bedroom condos, Deerhurst Resort accommodates families of all sizes. And with 20 per cent off bookings on three nights or more, it’s easy for guests to stay longer and save over March Break.

For more information visit deerhurstresort.com/marchbreak or call 1 (877) 377 6990.

CN Tower , TORONTO

This March Break make the CN Tower your next big adventure.  Explore the world’s #1 elevator ride, Look Out and Glass Floor observation levels, the ride, movie, plus enjoy March Break activities. At a height of 553.33m (1,815 ft., 5 inches), the CN Tower is Canada’s National Tower, an engineering Wonder and Toronto’s must see.

Come search for ne

photo courtesy of Tourism Toronto

Tuesday, March 11 – Friday, March 14-  Engineering Fun!
Design your very own tower of power!  Learn how super structures are constructed and put your building knowledge to the test.  Discover all the cool ways engineers influence the world around us with fun activities designed by the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers in celebration of National Engineering Month.
(10am-3pm daily)

Monday, March 10 – Friday, March 14 – 5 days of Frozen* Fun!
Celebrating the in-home release of Disney’s “Frozen”, complete Anna, Elsa and Olaf activity sheets and enter for a chance to win a Blu-ray copy of the popular Disney flick.

Plus, throughout March Break kids can participate in a fun, fact-filled scavenger hunt throughout the CN Tower and enter for a chance to win great prizes!

EdgeWalk – OPEN March 8-16 for March Break
Due to popular demand EdgeWalk will open during March Break and then officially for the full season as of April 14, 2014.
www.edgewalkcntower.ca

Costs:Plenty of options to keep you visit costs down

* $99 Family Pass (plus taxes) save up to 23% on 4 General Admission tickets (4 tickets with a maximum of 2 people between the ages of 18-64).
Available for purchase onsite at the CN Tower only.
* SAVE 42% with a Toronto CityPASS –  Visit 5 famous Toronto attractions for one-low-price! Includes tickets to Casa Loma, CN Tower, Ontario Science Centre, Royal Ontario Museum, and the Toronto Zoo.
Adult (13+) $61.50 plus HST; Child (4-12) $39.60 plus HST

*Book Online – Save on your ticket price when you purchase General Admission tickets in advance online, then save time when you bypass the ticket counters during your visit. (Please note: 8 tickets maximum per transaction, 90 day expiry and online tickets must be purchased a minimum of 24 hours prior to a visit.  Family Pass, Premier and SkyPod can only be purchased on site. )

Bata Shoe Museum, TORONTO, ON

Event:  Sneaking Around: March Break Spy Fun at the BSM

Kids can make a secret agent ID card, get a cover identity and learn their spy mission! Then learn the skills you need in our Spy Class. Once they’re prepared for their spy adventure, they can dress up in secret disguises in the ‘Top Secret Hideout’ and then search for clues throughout the galleries to complete their mission. Along the way, decorate a magnifying glass cookie, make your own jigsaw puzzle, check out spy gadgets (including shoes!), leave your spy-print at the Museum and so much more!

Dates:  Saturday, March 11th – Sunday, March 16th

Location: Bata Shoe Museum, 327 Bloor Street West (at St. George)

Cost:  $8 per child and $8 for an adult accompanying a child

For more information batashoemuseum.ca

 

ROM kids

Royal Ontario Museum – photo courtesy of Tourism Toronto

Royal Ontario Museum, TORONTO, ON

Royal Ontario Museum has a number of special events planned to engage kids, parents, grandparents, and care-givers! Kids are invited to go on a global adventure through the ROM’s galleries, stamp their ROM Passports and learn more about the world around them.

During March Break visitors to the ROM will enjoy:
·         Return of the popular Wild Journey Earth Rangers show (Daily: 1:00 pm, 3:00pm, and 5:00pm)
·         Touch a space rock and stand on an actual piece of the Moon
·         Learn to write your name in Egyptian hieroglyphics, Ancient Greek, and in cuneiform like a Babylonian
·         Explore animal artefacts and specimens at touch tables throughout the ROM
·         Travel the world of ROM research and find out what happens at a real dinosaur dig
·         Meet and take a photo with the ROM dinosaur mascots:  Gordo, Gertie, and Gurgle

Plus, take a journey inside the gates of the Forbidden City with the ROM’s new exhibit, Forbidden City: Inside the Court of China’s Emperors which opens March 8, 2014, presented by The Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation, and lead sponsor Manulife.

When:  Saturday, March 8 to Sunday, March 16, 2014
Activities take place 11:00 am to 4:00 pm (Museum hours daily 10:00 am to 5:30 pm, to 8:30 pm Friday)

Where:  Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queens Park, Toronto, ON M5S 2C6, 416.586.8000