Parks, gardens and community centres around Toronto offer gardening, nature and eco programming for kids of all ages.
At the High Park Children’s Garden and Teaching Kitchen, children and youth can participate in organic gardening, nature education and healthy cooking programs.
The Children’s Garden and Teaching Kitchen is located within High Park.
Watch Me Grow Family Drop-In Program
Email kidsgrow@toronto.ca for more information.
City staff lead one-hour tree tours and nature-focused presentations for students and community groups.
The programs are available year-round, subject to availability. Tours and sessions are free.
Learn more about Forestry Talks and Tours.
A variety of nature-based camps are offered across the city, such as CampTO Plus: Environmental Adventure and CampTO Plus: Arts and Nature. Learn more about these and other CampTO programs.
High Park offers active fun-filled camps for kids who love being outdoors. From organic gardening to nature exploration and hiking, there is so much that awaits your camper. High Park Camp offerings include:
Riverdale Farm offers campers the opportunity to enjoy activities on a working farm in downtown Toronto. Visit the resident livestock (cows, pigs, sheep, goats, and chickens) and tour the flower and vegetable gardens. Riverdale Farm’s CampTO Plus: Arts and Nature is offered in the Meeting House.
Climb on board our ferries to be transported to the City’s oasis, Toronto Island, for this complete island experience. Campers will have the opportunity to engage in outdoor education focusing on vegetation and wildlife knowledge which includes learning about edible species and how to survive in the wilderness. Older Campers will learn and practice canoeing, fishing, and urban gardening. The ferry fee is included in the cost of Toronto Island camps.
Take the Centre Island ferry from the Jack Layton Terminal at 9 Queens Quay. After disembarking, turn left toward Avenue of the Island, walk along it about 500m until you reach The Mall. Find the garden next to the Toronto Island Nature School.
An interactive garden on Toronto Island Park, the Franklin Children’s Garden is divided into seven sections where children can enjoy gardening, storytelling, exploring wildlife and visiting seven child-accessible sculptures from the Franklin the Turtle series.
Franklin Children’s Garden is designed for self-guided exploration and discovery and is open seven days a week. Listed below are programs, events and daily activities offered throughout the summer.
Drop in at Little Sprouts Garden between 1 to 4 p.m. daily in July and August for fun kids’ craft projects with creative outdoor themes.
Spend a half-day as a Parent/Guardian with a child at Franklin Children’s Garden. Activities include storytelling, bug identification, organic gardening, nature studies and crafts.
The High Park Nature Centre is a charitable organization that promotes awareness and respect for nature through year-round, hands-on outdoor nature education and park stewardship.
Participants may learn the basics of gardening, composting, recycling and weather systems while exploring the world of insects and plants. Find garden programs.
Hands-on exploration of the environment through projects, games, and activities. Nature programs will include outdoor components.
Nature: Little Farmers with Caregiver is an opportunity to interact and socialize with other participants through a variety of activities and interests. Course designed for parents/caregivers and children to participate together in activities. Each week we focus on a different animal on the farm. We have a story or craft, a visit with the Farmer and the animal of the week.