Best 2022 Summer Day Camps in Ontario

ToDoOntario.com is best place to find summer day camps near you or worth the drive. 

Summer Vacation in Ontario is a time for kids to enjoy activities they love, or try some new ones. Kids who loves sports camps, nature camps, arts camps and more, can look forward to a fun summer. They can be doing their favourite activities while making new friends and perhaps, having ‘the best summer ever’. 

Full day and half day summer camps offer a flexible schedule for parents and kids alike.

Whether you’re looking for a kids summer day camp near your home or cottage, OR while on an amazing Ontario getaway – check out this list and start planning your children’s’ summer fun. 

Discovery Camp @ Snow Valley Resort
Barrie

Discovery Camp, Snow Valley will provide an exciting and engaging environment filled with outdoor activities that combine sport, nature, art, and free play. Discovery Camp will ensure each camper is given opportunities that will encourage them through play and supports their learning through guided exploration and experiences. Each camp week presents a new theme kids will love.

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Blue Mountain Resort Kids Day Camps
The Blue Mountains

Unlock a new achievement every day at Blue Mountain Summer Camps. Watch as your children reach new heights in their outdoor development and conquer the summer one activity at a time.

Bike and Skills Camp: Multisport

We’re rounding out our summer camp line up with two new specialty camps, available for a limited time only this summer. Skills Camp offers two options specific to biking or multi-sport training that will help keep kids aged 8 to 12 fit and active during their time at Blue.

Mountainside Camp

Calling all junior mountaineers and wild ones! Mountainside Camp takes place at the heart of Blue Mountain with access to outdoor adventure all summer long including ropes courses, challenging hikes, daily swim lessons and more.

Beachside Camp

Spend your summer on the shores of Georgian Bay with Beachside Camp. This unique, water-based camp offers traditional beach games like capture the flag and volleyball, in addition to time spent in the clear and shallow waters of the Bay.

Monterra Tennis Camp

For those with dreams of being in Grand Slams, Monterra Tennis Camp is the perfect option for aspiring pros! Serve up some fun and friendly competition this summer at Monterra Tennis.

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Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre Summer Day Camps
Midland

During Wye Marsh’s Summer Day Camps your child will have the opportunity to learn about reptiles, amphibians, and birds of prey through interactive live demonstrations; explore over 25km of wilderness trails; plus much, much more. 

Wetland & Wildthings Camp
Ages 6-12

Kinder Camp
Ages 4-5

Art Critters Camp
Ages 6-12

Discovery Camp
Ages 12-17

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Aquarium Camps @ Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
Toronto 

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is excited to welcome Campers eager to explore the wonderful world of water! Each day of Summer Camp includes adventuring through Aquarium galleries and participating in aquatic- and animal-inspired activities. Campers will enjoy various science activities, crafts, and games — all within a safe environment.

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Kids Summer Golf Camps @ Nottawasaga Inn Resort
Alliston

Plan ahead for your child’s summer holidays! The end of the school year is fast approaching and so is the warmer weather. It’s time to book summer camps for the kids before your schedule gets crazy and the kids are bored and restless at home. Nottawasaga Inn Resort is especially excited about their half day golf camp. Tailored to a variety of skill levels this camp not only offers more range and course time, it features more time with a CPGA certified professional. 

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Mountain Bike Camps @ Bike Trails at Hockley
Mono

Bike Trails @Hockley summer mountain bike camp is geared towards kids who are familiar with riding their bike and have been exposed to riding on cross-country mountain bike trails. These camps run for 5 consecutive days, Monday to Friday and accommodates skill levels from beginner to intermediate. Camp participants will spend a minimum of 3 hours each day riding on our newly constructed trail network, being guided and taught by our team of instructors. Other daily group activities are also organized in the afternoon, including Archery, Beach Volleyball, Orienteering and more

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Summer in Ontario is wonderful time to enjoy nature and the great outdoors. Check out our Ontario events and activities calendar to help you plan things to do in Ontario.

Exercise, Fresh Air and The Easy Way to Bike With Kids

With no shortage of fun things to do in Ontario, biking is at the top of the pack of family activities. So, who wants to go for a bike ride?

Family biking is a popular pastime in the province in Ontario. With city trails and rural trails of all skill levels, exploring Ontario by bike is a fun (and healthy!) way to spend time as a family. 

Parents who go cycling with kids can tell you that including your children in this activity is a great way to keep them active and entertained. Generally families use mountain bikes, as street cycling is more dangerous and difficult. 

The first tip in family cycling is of course, safety. Safety equipment for children’s biking range from training wheels, to productive padding and helmets. Without these items, you shouldn’t go on a family bike trip. It is the law to wear a helmet when biking in Ontario. 

The second tip in tips for biking with kids is to have the proper equipment that properly fits your child. A child should not ride a large adult bike. If your child is too small to bike there are rear mounted seats, front mounted seats or pull along carriers. These items are great if your children have an age gap. Some might be big enough to bike, some might not.

Even if you don’t have bicycles, you can still enjoy biking as a family. Many resorts in Ontario have bikes guests can use on trails near them. 

Hidden Gem Family Cycle Getaway Packages in Ontario

Check out these Ontario getaway packages that offer bicycle tours or activities. From Muskoka to Ottawa, you’ll find a vacation package here to suit your bike loving family. These cycling trips can take you on woodland trails, waterfront trails and even city trails and have you back in a comfy hotel room or back at the hotel pool leaving parents less stressed and able to enjoy the activity too.

Family Bike Tours in Ontario

Have you heard of Humdinger Bicycle Tours? Humdinger offers premium, single- and multi-day supported, guided, and self-guided bicycle tours in southern Ontario, specializing in Georgian Bay, Muskoka, Haliburton, Bruce, Grey and Simcoe. They also offer family friendly cycle tours! Humdinger will provide the support to make it fun for kids and parents alike.

Check out this 3 day, 2 night fully support family bike tour in the Thornbury region of Ontario!

Duration: 3 days/2 nights
Distance: Long or short – it’s up to your family!
Skill/Fitness Level: Kids & adults of all ages 

Trip Departure: Thornbury

Visit the Humdinger website for pricing. Ontario Staycation Tax Credit: Documentation for claiming the tax credit will be provided. Conditions apply. 

Humdinger, who are Ontario cycling experts, also wrote a very helpful ‘Kids Love Cycling Trips Too!’ blog. 

Here are helpful tips from that blog:

“What ages work for family cycling trips? 

Keep in mind that every kid and family is different, and these are general guidelines only. That said, with lots of food, water, and breaks, and with very clear and concrete safety instructions, kids in the 6 to 10 age range should be able to cycle for a couple of hours each day. Kids 11 or older will generally have better stamina, and should have a better understanding safety issues and rules of the road.

Very young children, 6 and under, may need to use a bike trailer to go on a day or multi-day cycling trip and should be familiar with these before. A very helpful tool for kids 4 to 8 years old is the TowWhee bungee, remarkably easy to use, it will give a good boost when needed and can truly save the day.

For any age, following the kid’s pace is ideal.  If you are on a bike trail, riding side-by-side and chatting is often a great strategy. This allows kids to focus on the fun and social aspects of riding rather than on the physical challenge. 

As individual energy ebbs and flows, kids may alternate being slower or faster than their siblings or friends. Asking one to slow down or the other to catch up may be demotivating – we suggest letting each kid go at their own pace as much as possible. 

Cycling safety

A couple of excellent safe cycling resources are available through the Ontario government: a general guide to safe cycling and a young cyclist’s guide. Both are well worth reviewing. Some of the key takeaways are to ensure equipment is sized properly and is in good working order, and ensure all cyclists in the group know the rules of the road, including hand signals for stopping and turning. In Ontario, bicycles are considered vehicles, and must obey traffic laws of the Highway Traffic Act.

In some situations having one adult at the front of the group and one riding last as a “sweeper” is recommended. Proper-fitting helmets are, of course, a must. Cycling gloves give the kids a good grip, and protect their hands in case of a fall. They also make the kids feel like legit cyclists!”

Already, these are two fantastic tips. You can read more tips and the full blog, here. 

Bicycling adventures are a great way to enjoy the province of Ontario as both an activity and as transportation. We wish you great weather and fun family times! Be sure to tag #ToDoOntario on your travels. 

While some markets and grocery stores sell Ontario-made maple syrup, did you know you can also order lots of delicious sweet maple products online and have them delivered to your home? 

If you love Ontario maple syrup and want more, here is a handy list of links of maple producers that offer online ordering and delivery across Ontario (and more!). 

Ontario Maple Syrup AVAILABLE ONLINE 

Fulton’s

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Fulton’s Pancake House (@fultonsmaple)

Pakenham, Ontario
Fulton’s is a family run Maple Farm producing Pure Organic Ontario Maple Syrup as well as several Gourmet Maple products.

Williams Farm

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Williams Farm (@farmwilliams)

Tiny, Ontario
Williams farm produces Maple Syrup and maple products from 55 acres of maple bush located just south of the Wye Marsh.

McCutcheon’s Maple Syrup

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by The Orillia Farmer’s Market (@orilliafarmersmarket)

Coldwater, Ontario
Producing high quality maple syrup McCutcheon’s Maple Syrup has been committed to perfecting this Canadian tradition since 1972. 

Sugarbush Hill Maple Farm

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Sugarbush Hill Muskoka (@sugarbush_hill_maple_farm)

Huntsville, Ontario
Sugarbush Hill is a “State of the Art” sugaring operation in the heart of Muskoka, district of 1,600 lakes and endless forests. Situated just 10 minutes south of the picturesque Town of Huntsville Sugarbush offers locally produced, year round sales, of maple syrup, candy, cream and sugar all produced to the highest of standards. 100% pure, natural, and of course always delicious.

Get the whole breakfast package delivered to your door! 

Ontario Maple Breakfasts For Take-Home

These Ontario’s Highlands’ region sugarbushes have created fun at-home breakfast bundles that will keep your sweet tooth satisfied. The best part is most of these packages are available for online ordering and shipping, so you won’t even need to change out of your comfy clothes to get one.

• Fulton’s Breakfast
  Choose between family-sized, romantic couples, or personal breakfast bundles so everyone can have a fun at-home experience. Order through the website. Bundles can be shipped and vary in products.
• Temple’s Breakfast
  You can choose from ordering a take-out pancake brunch to pick up at Temple’s Sugarbush Fridays to Sundays or make your brunch at home with Temple’s at-home kit that includes pancake mix, granola, maple syrup and maple butter. Both can be ordered through their e-commerce website here.
• Wintergreen Breakfast
  Take home a frozen breakfast complete with pancakes, French toast, waffles, sausages, and maple syrup. Order by calling Wintergreen directly at 705-286-3202.

If pressed on the issue, could you pick just one favourite winter activity? With so many fun sports and activities to do in snowy Ontario, it really does make it hard to pick a favourite. 

To celebrate 8 of the winter activities we love, we’ve produced an 8 poster series of fun colourful images. The posters promote lists of places you find and do the activities in the province. Below the poster gallery you can find links to places in Ontario that offer the activity. Each poster also has a bit of cheeky cute comment about the activity.

The posters don’t just look amazing, they were meant to inspire you to keep busy, active and enjoying winter. Believe it or not, spring will be here before we know. Use the links before to find places ‘to do’ activities celebrated in the posters. 

Where ToDo Snowshoeing | Where ToDo Downhill Skiing | Where ToDo Snowmobiling | Where ToDo Snowtubing | Where ToDo Cross Country Skiing | Where ToDo Après-Ski | Where ToDo Snowboarding | Where ToDo Outdoor Skating

Winter Ontario Travel Tips

Winter in Ontario can be pretty cold weather wise. Be sure to always check the weather in the region you are in or planning to visit and plan accordingly. Also be sure to dress and use the right gear to make the activity much more enjoyable. 

Same goes for winter road conditions. Snow and ice can make a road trip dangerous, especially if you’re not used to driving in winter and worse, if you don’t have winter tires on your vehicle. Read our driving safety blog for tips on how to travel and to learn what you should keep in an essential safety kit for your vehicle. 

We hope you feel inspired to have some fun this winter in Ontario. We love seeing you enjoy Ontario so please continue to tag us on social media using #ToDoOntario #ToDoWinter

Take Out At Ontario Resorts & Tourism Businesses

Did you resolve to eat well this new year? You can eat well this January AND help support the hard hit tourism industry in Ontario by ordering take-out at Ontario resorts and other tourism businesses. 

Even though you can still travel and stay at a resort, hotel or motel in Ontario, these businesses will be affected by the closure of indoor dining and other reduced capacities of goods and services.

Furthermore and for this reason, the hospitality industry should be supported as much as possible. Let’s crush some take-out records this January! I’m sure you’re sick of cooking and cleaning and this is the perfect excuse to indulge in frequent take-away meals. 

Altogether we can help make a difference to these hosts we love!

Here is a list to help you find delicious hotel-kitchen meals for take-out. 

Where: Various
Orillia & Lake Country Region

Orillia & Lake Country boasts dozens of restaurants, many of which pride themselves in using locally sourced ingredients. Indulge in and continue to support some of the region’s favourite culinary hotspots during the indoor dining closure. 

Where: Kawartha Lakes
Eganridge Resort, Golf Club & Spa

Message from Eganridge:

Read the take out menu HERE

Where: Alliston
Nottawasaga Inn Resort

Bring home the taste of the Resort’s Riverview Room and treat yourself to a break from cooking this January. Nottawasaga Inn Resort is offering menu selections available for take-out. Just call 705-435-5501, ext. 293 or place your order online. Meals are available for pick up from the Resort at the Restaurant. Orders must be placed a minimum of 45 minutes prior to pick-up.

Available Daily. 11:00am-7:00pm

Take Out Menu + Order Online

Where: Haliburton
Heather Lodge

Takeout at Heather Lodge

TBA

Where: Haliburton
Haliburton Forest Cookhouse

TBA

Where: Haliburton
Abbey Gardens

TBA

Where: Mono
Hockley Valley Resort

Cabin Curbside Dinners Meal Takeout

Where: The Blue Mountains
Blue Mountain Village

Update From Blue Mountain Village

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