The Toronto Zoo

The Toronto Zoo

view website

361A Old Finch Avenue
Scarborough, ON, Canada M1B5K
416-392-5929

You have successfully saved this Thing To Do.

See it in My Wishlist

Rate The Toronto Zoo:

Babies

Toddlers & Pre-K

School-Age Kids

Pre-Teens & Teens

The Toronto Zoo Description

With two acres set aside just for fun, the Zellers Discovery Zone is a monster hit. Kids sport grins as wide as their hair is wet from atop the killer whale sprinkler, take turns going down the slide from the mile-high treehouse or looking for the skunk who lives near the bottom. A petting zoo and theatre round out the offerings. The rest of the zoo is divided into world zones. Highlights include the Great Barrier Reef, the African Savanna and the new tundra exhibit which means the polar bears are back and ready for nose to glass action.

Kid Tips

Babies: Moms will find a quiet place to nurse in the family center near the African exhibit.

Toddlers & Pre-K: If you're pushing a stroller or traveling with a tot you may want to think twice before taking the walk down to the Canada pavillion. It's all uphill coming back when the thrill of seeing the animals is over. Ditto for the Eurasia exhibit where animals are far apart.

School-Age Kids: Change rooms at Splash Island are one big room each for boys and girls. If you'd prefer they had more privacy, have them change in the bathrooms on the other side .

Pre-Teens & Teens: Don't pack their swim gear — teens aren't allowed in Splash Island unless they're 16 or older, and then only as chaperones to kids younger than 12.

Planning Notes

Hop a Ride. If the kids are likely to run out of steam two steps into the zoo or are craving some down time, hop on a zoomobile — $7 per person (4 years and older) gets you unlimited rides between stations throughout the zoo.

Brown bag it. There are plenty of picnic areas and green spaces to spread a blanket. Just don't get too close to the animals with your lunch. Restaurant optons abound but expect to pay almost $4 for a hot dog and $2.50 for a bottle of water.

Timing is Everything. Check the Web site in advance if you want to catch a certain keeper talk or animal show (doors tend to close right as the show starts so late entries aren't permitted) and avoid the weekends when attendance swells into the thousands.

Related Vacations