Summer birthday parties are a breeze, even in a pandemic: bouncy castles, amusement parks, pool parties, and splash pads make it easy to keep groups of littles entertained. And in winter, it’s all about skating, tobogganing, or just enjoying hot chocolate and pin the tail on the reindeer. That’s a thing, right?
But fall is a little trickier. For one thing, a late-October day could be 15 degrees and sunny, or it could snow. And pumpkin patches, while fun for an hour, probably aren’t going to hold the attention of a dozen little ones amped on sugar. But don’t worry, there are still lots of ways to incorporate fall fun into your child’s celebration. Here’s how:
Brooks Farm
If train rides, pumpkin cannon shows, singing chickens, pig races, and zip lines are right up your birthday kid’s alley, Brook’s Farm in Mount Albert offers two-hour fall party packages that include access to all farm activities, limited food, party room, and a dedicated coordinator to oversee your event. Fall Festival Parties can be booked for weekends in September and start at $299 + hst for eight kids and two adults. Each additional child is $14.50 + hst and additional adults are $10.62 + hst . No outside food, except the birthday cake, is permitted.
Centreville – (post-pandemic)
Stick a pin in this one for next year. Centreville Theme Park at Centre Island features more than 30 rides and attractions including an antique carousel, Twirling Tea Cups, Bumper Boats, and Ferris Wheel. Just make sure you do all this BEFORE they eat. And getting there on the Centre Island ferry from downtown Toronto is half the fun! Centreville’s party packages are on hold for 2021 but a day on Centre Island would still be a great outdoor fall birthday party.
Elite Basketball Training Centre – Open year-round
Perfect for little ballers who can’t wait for the NBA season to start (and for kids with energy to burn!) birthday parties at the Elite Basketball Training Centre in North Toronto run during the shoulder between their elite fall and winter basketball camp programming. They offer party packages that include coaches to run the party for you and help with the food and cake. They do not provide any food or party supplies such as plates, cups, or decorations.
Lionel’s Farm
Located north of Toronto in Markham, Lionel’s is a family-run petting farm that offered (pre-pandemic) two-hour birthday parties for groups of up to 20. Party activities include pony rides, access to the petting zoo with more than 75 animals, indoor play area, and a covered eating area. A number of their activities have resumed with Covid-19 protocols in place, and some private activities can be arranged.
Pirate Life
Your kids could stay home and play pin the feathers on the turkey OR they could search for sunken treasure on the high seas. Pirate Life parties sail from downtown Toronto, and some packages include a special birthday song and dance for the guest of honour, costumes, face paint, pirate names, access to the on-board BBQ facilities and loot bags. Additional tickets are available for purchase.
Toronto Zoo – Open year-round
Stick another pin in this one… Birthday parties at the Zoo can be customized to one of three experiential packages and for groups of any size. Parties include admission to the zoo, Meet the Keeper talks, Carnivore Enrichment Feedings and access to the Discovery Zone. Animal encounters, sleepovers at the Serengeti Bush Camp, “Keeper for a Day” and behind-the-scenes tours (for groups of 4-6 only) are also available for additional cost. Two-hour parties with access to a private, indoor venue start at $197.75 including HST. Guest admission (15% off the regular price), parking and catering options are extra.
Treewalk Village
At Bruce’s Mill Conservation Area in Stouffville, kids can channel their inner spider monkey by climbing from tree house to tree house through 8-foot tall hammock nets and wood bridges, or explore a network of tunnels and challenge themselves on the treewee obstacle course. Parties include two-hour entry to Treewalk Village, a reserved uncovered outdoor space, t-shirt for the birthday kid and option to bring your own food and beverage or order pizza, cake and drinks on-site for an additional cost. Parties start at $274 + HST for up to 12 participants. A ratio of 1:6 between adults and kids must be maintained at all times.
Tagged under: Toronto,birthday parties,kids parties,Fall birthday ideas,Fall birthdays in the GTA,Toronto birthday party ideas
Category: birthday-venues
