April 2015

Page 1

April 2015

An agency of the Government of Ontario

Rainy Day Activities PG 3

April Fool’s Day Pranks PG 4

Guide your Kids to Succeed in Sports PG 5

Earth Day Books PG 6

Earth Day Activities PG 7

April Events PG 8-9

Easter Events & Activites PG 10-11

Big Block Singsong PG 12

Spring Citrus Recipes PG 13

Colouring PG 14

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Now offering 6-week Arrowsmith Program Summer Intensive targeting logical reasoning and comprehension.

Full-Time, Part-Time and Summer enrolment available. We also provide assessments of individual learning profiles.

Parent information sessions at 7pm: Wednesday, May 13th, 2015 Wednesday, June 17th, 2015

www.arrowsmithschool.org A COGNITIVE PROGRAM ADDRESSING: READING WRITING MATHEMATICS VISUAL MEMORY AUDITORY MEMORY DYSLEXIA NON-VERBAL LEARNING ADD

245 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto, ON 416-963-4962 info@arrowsmithprogram.ca 2 | TORONTO KIDS - April 2015

www.arrowsmithschool.org @ArrowsmithWeb

/arrowsmithprogram

feature | swing into spring

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Splish Splash FUN RAINY-DAY ACTIVITIES When skies turn grey and the rain falls, kids often find

themselves

bored

and

feeling

gloomy,

and

turn

to

their

video

games,

television

shows

and

movies.

But

even

those

can’t

keep

kids

entertained

all

day.

Try

these

creative

ideas

to

help

boost

everyone’s

spirits,

and

chase

those

rainy

day

blues

away.

These

quick

play-and-pretend

ideas

will

keep

kids

busy

and

content

for

hours. Put on a show with homemade puppets Create

puppets

out

of

paper

lunch

bags

and

have

the

kids

make

their

characters.

Use

glitter,

dried

beans,

dried

pasta,

sequins,

tinsel,

pipe

cleaners,

string,

ribbons,

yarn,

buttons

and

appliqués,

holiday

decorations,

stickers,

and

whatever

else

you

can

find

in

your

craft

bins. Build a fort in your house Get

some

old

sheets,

blankets,

or

comforters

and

drape

them

over

the

living

or

dining

room

furniture.

Give

your

kids

a

battery-operated

camping

lantern,

sleeping

bags,

camping-themed

books,

and

flashlights

for

that

added

outdoorsy

experience.

Huddle

in

your

tent

telling

spooky

stories

or

playing

with

hand

shadows.

Sing

camp

songs

and

snack

on

s’mores

you

can

make

in

the

mircrowave.

Make greeting cards Birthday,

Get

Well,

Thank

You,

Congratulations

...

Have

your

kids

pull

out

the

craft

box

and

make

all

kinds

of

themed

greeting

cards.

When

you

need

a

card,

you’ll

have

it!

Prepare a picnic lunch and pack it in a basket Then

find

that

perfect

picnic

spot

in

your

house.

Is

your

living

room

suddenly

a

grassy

pasture

high

atop

Create a rainy-day dress-up chest Fill

it

with

interesting

old

clothes

and

accessories

a

mountain?

Or

perhaps

the

family

room

has

magifrom

around

the

house.

Pick

up

items

on

discount

cally

become

a

sandy

beach

with

palm

trees?

Get

racks,

at

dollar

stores

or

thrift

shops.

Stock

up

on

ever

more

creative

and

tailor

your

picnic

to

your

adscarves,

crazy

hats,

costume

jewelry,

and

shoes.

Col- venture.

Spread

your

blanket

and

imagine

the

wonderful

sights

and

sounds

around

you.

lect

anything

that

can

lend

itself

to

make-believe.

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Organize an indoor treasure hunt Small

toys,

stickers,

and

little

packaged

art

projects

are

perfect.

Hide

all

the

treasures

somewhere

in

the

house.

For

younger

kids,

draw

a

map

of

the

house

with

a

big

red

“X”

marking

the

treasure

spots.

For

older

kids,

create

a

map

with

clues

that

lead

to

the

treasure

spots. Create

a

book

to

keep

a

record

of

all

your

rainy

day

activities

and

ideas

so

you’ll

always

be

prepared! And

best

of

all,

go

for

a

walk

in

the

rain!

If

the

weather

is

only

wet

there

is

no

thunder

or

lightning,

let

the

kids

take

a

walk

out

in

the

rain.

Take

an

umbrella,

or

just

go

out

in

your

r ubber

boots

and

enjoy

dashing

through

all

the

puddles

you

encounter! —www.Toronto4Kids.com

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)

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¡¡¡Fwr¤ }¡ r } } yr Fyr TORONTO KIDS - April 2015 | 3

holidays | april fool’s day

Fool me once

SILLY AND SIMPLE PRANKS FOR APRIL FOOL’S DAY Everyone loves a good gag so why not let your kids play a few harmless pranks on April Fool’s Day. Here are 10 safe jokes families can pull to get everyone into the spirit. But remember, play your pranks before noon or you might be the fool! 1. For a fun practical joke, get a few gummy worms and carefully poke them into fresh fruit, especially apples. Give your mom or dad a wormy apple to snack on. 2.

Put

a

fake

ice

cube

with

a

fake

fly

or

bug

in

it,

in

someone’s drink. 3. Glue a quarter to the sidewalk and wait until someone tries to pick it up. 4. Take your mom or dad’s cellphone and tape it underneath their chair at the kitchen table. When they are eating breakfast, call their cellphone and watch the reaction. They will look everywhere for that phone and will not think of looking under the kitchen chair! 5. If your kids enjoy having a glass of milk for breakfast or pouring it on cold cereal in the

morning, dye the milk the night before a colour like red, green, yellow or blue the night before. What a surprise they will have when they pour their milk! 6. Empty your kids’ drawers and switch their clothes before they wake up in the morning. 7. The night before, put cereal and milk into a bowl and

fill

it

about

half

way.

Freeze

it

overnight.

In

the

morning,

take

the

bowl

out

of

the

freezer

and

fill

it

the

rest

of

the

way

with

cereal

and

milk.

Your child will get quite a surprise when he or she tries to eat it. 8. Stuff the inside tips of your children’s shoes with toilet paper, tissues, or cotton balls. They will wonder

why

their

shoes

suddenly

don’t

fit. 9. Swap out sugar for salt and watch Mom or Dad put it in their morning cup of coffee. Have another non-salted cup ready to go! 10. Hide a fake (plastic) bug in Mom’s slippers. Happy April Fool’s Day! — www.Toronto4Kids.com

TORONTO

KIDS &

Interested in advertising with us? To book an ad, contact the

Toronto Kids & Family Advertising Team 416-493-4400 4 | TORONTO KIDS - April 2015

healthy living | sports

Guide your kids to succeed in sports Kids who participate in youth sports such as soccer and hockey are learning just as much from the frustrations as they are from the fun. This may be hard for parents to witness however. Looking at sports through the lens of a protective parent – from all the bumps, bruises and scrapes, to getting benched by the coach – is not the way an enthusiastic child sees this chance to participate. So encourage your children to play the sports they love and remember that bumps-and-bruises are some of the best learning moments of all. A lot of it will be out of your control, but what you can do is lay the groundwork for your child to succeed in any and all of their athletic interests, starting with this: Knowing right versus wrong Fostering good habits at home will help your children develop into healthy, productive and well-balanced adults. Teaching right versus wrong gives them a sense of moral judgment in sports, but also in the daily choices they make. That means not succumbing to peer pressure to smoke or drink alcohol. Eating healthfully Providing proper nutrition not only fuels young bodies and minds, but also allows for the muscles and brain to recover quickly from stress, injury, or fatigue. Make sure your children are getting enough

essential vitamins and nutrients. Stock your fridge with pre-cut fresh fruits and veggies and sneak extra vegetables into their favourite foods, like spaghetti. To


 help

â€¨â€ŠďŹ ll


 in


 potential


 nutritional


 gaps,


 provide


 a


  multivitamin and mineral supplement that includes vitamin D and calcium to help your kids develop physically—and the omega-3 fatty acid DHA, which has


 been


 shown


 to


 have


 neuroprotective


 beneďŹ ts


 for


  the brain. “If you include DHA in a healthy diet during a young athlete’s grade school and high school years, it can aid in proper brain development and functioning,� says Dr. Majid Fotuhi, founder and chief medical


 ofďŹ cer


 of


 the


 NeurExpand


 Brain


 Center. Participating in activities off the field Engagement


  in


  other


  activities


  beyond


  sports


  is


  important for young athletes. Recent research looked at a possible connection between an extracurricular activity and school performance. The overwhelming conclusion: those who participate in a club, sport, or arts program have better attendance, better grades and have a greater desire to continue on to college. Valuing diversity As in their future professional life, working alongside the many different people (and personalities) on their team helps young athletes work toward a

common goal. They learn to treat teammates, classmates and friends with a common respect, and learn to listen to and respect their coaches, teachers, or the adults in charge. During the unlucky bounces and bad calls, kids learn the importance of rallying together to overcome adversity.

These are experiences your children will not have if you keep them in a bubble, or in front of the television. Do what you can as a parent and watch your children


 grow


 in


 ways


 that


 will


 beneďŹ t


 them


 long


 after they hang up their cleats. — www.newscanada.com

TORONTO KIDS - April 2015 | 5

learning | book nook

BOOK NOOK

EARTH DAY IS APRIL 22! EVERY YEAR WE CELEBRATE EARTH DAY AS A REMINDER TO SLOW DOWN AND ENJOY WHAT NATURE PROVIDES US. UNPLUG ON EARTH DAY AND READ A BOOK THAT WILL INSPIRE A LIFELONG APPRECIATION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

The Lorax Dr. Seuss

The Lorax speaks for the trees and warns of the dangers of disrespecting the environment in this Seuss classic. Silly rhymes and vibrant illustrations tell the tale of the Onceler, who harvested the Truffula trees to Ages change the val-

ley’s landscape forever.

The Wump World Dana Lyons

The Wumps lived in a perfectly green little world until the Pollutians invade the Wump World and build a concrete jungle by plowing the forests and grasslands that the Wumps rely on for food and water. Ages

3-5

6-8

You Are the Earth David Suzuki

This revised edition of You Are the Earth includes a discussion of leading environmental issues, information on new environmental technologies, more ways kids can protect the environment, facts, tips, and examples of Ages what kids can do to go green. 9-12

Peek-A-Who? Nina Laden

Flip through a wild kingdom of animals, one after the other. Simple rhymes help children guess what’s peeking through the die-cut windows in this board book

filled

with

brightly-coloured illustrations. Ages

0-2

Out of Breath Blair Richmond

A paranormal love story and an ode

to

the

environment,

the

first

book in the Lithia trilogy tells the story of Kat, a girl who loves to run. After her mother’s death, Kat returns to Lithia, only

to

find

it

inhabited by paranormal Ages creatures.

12+

TAC SPORTS DIFFERENCE Where students learn better, perform better and become impressive leaders SOCCER · TENNIS · BASKETBALL

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TORONTO ATHLETIC CAMPS INC. tacsports.ca 416.627.1092

» Complete Student Tracking » Progress Reports at the end of sessions » 5 Star Development System » Provided Member’s Manual Package » Instruction in English and French (optional) » Low Instructor to Student ratio » Co-ed Ages 4-16 » Spring Development Programs » Summer Camps

6 | TORONTO KIDS - April 2015

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get outside | earth day

It really IS easy being green 15 EARTH DAY ACTIVITIES FOR YOUR FAMILY Celebrate Earth Day with your kids! Earth Day takes place on April 22 each year. In order to inspire awareness of environmental issues, more than 190 countries around the world participate in activities to help protect and preserve the earth each year. Here are 15 things you can do with your family to get into Earth Day spirit. 1. Enlist friends, hand out bags and clean up a nearby park. 2. Plant shrubs or a tree in your yard or participate in a tree planting activity in your community. 3. Make compost. It’s a great way to convert your family’s food scraps into rich fertilizer for your garden or yard. 4. Start a vegetable garden. 5. Collect rain water. Use your rainwater collection system to store the water from those April showers and turn them


 into


 May


 owers! 6. Gather your family, friends and neighbours and get outside to clean up

your community. 7. Look to purchase products that have a recycling symbol or that have recyclable packaging whenever possible. Avoid products that use excessive packaging. 8. Bring reusable bags when you go shopping. 9. Create a home recycling centre. Reduce, reuse and recycle materials around the home. Donate old clothing


  that


  no


  longer


  ďŹ ts


  and


  properly


  dispose of hazardous waste. 10. Bicycle or walk to school rather than being driven by your parents (if it’s safe). 11. Use organic pesticides in your garden if possible. 12. Always turn off lights, fans or the TV when you leave the room. 13. Don’t leave the water running while brushing your teeth or washing your face and hands. Take shorter showers. 14. Upcycle and turn trash into arts and

crafts projects. 15. Do the earth a favour and eat a meatless meal. The production of meat requires a lot of water and land and pro-

foods at a local farmers’ market. duces a lot of greenhouse gas. With older kids, you can talk about other Remember that some of these activities can be done every day! environmental food issues, like eating — www.Toronto4Kids.com locally, and have them help pick out

T.O. Tip Planting a tree is one of the most popular Earth Day activities, it’s also one of the easiest and most sustainable ways to positively impact the environment. Trees improve air quality by producing oxygen and offset the carbon created by burning fossil fuels. Trees also provide food and shelter for wildlife. Not to mention, who hasn’t enjoyed lying in the shade of an old tree in the hot summer? This year, Downsview Park is hosting their annual tree planting and campď€ ďŹ re


 event


 on


 April


 26.


 


 Tools


 will


 be


 provided


 and


 park


 staff


 will


 be


 there


  for assistance to help you help the earth by adding to their urban forest. “A


 society


 grows


 great


 when


 old


 men


 plant


 trees


 whose


 shade


 they


 know


  they shall never sit in.� -Greek Proverb

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TSA OFFERS YOUTH ART STUDIO, PORTFOLIO PREPARATION FOR TEENS AND SUMMER ART CAMPS FEATURING HANDS-ON STUDIO EXPLORATIONS IN DRAWING, PAINTING, SCULPTURE AND MIXED MEDIA TO STRENGTHEN SKILLS AND DEVELOP A CREATIVE VOICE. $ 7 5 ' 6 $ 07 51 (! ( +& # 3 87 # 1 , , 7 ,01 2 ((+& $ 991 ,9 51 (( (!+& , 0 1 1 ,8 $ 991 1 7 1 3 %11 51 (4 ( + , 1 1 3 157 , 7 . $75 , 0 , 1 1,/6 6 / 1 7 6 61 9 / 01 TOkids50 % 157 1 & 7 7 a-art.com, /,88& 0 - 61 3 /1 2 331 7 $ 11 & 0 8 % & " 4 4 4( 4 2( * 7 3 , , / 9

TORONTO KIDS - April 2015 | 7

upcoming events Family Sundays at the AGO With events for little kids, big kids and the whole family, there is fun for everyone. The interactive, innovative family activities change on a monthly basis and are inspired by our ever-changing exhibitions and collections. Sundays in April, 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. Art Gallery of Ontario www.ago.net Shakespeare in Action This is a FREE readers’ theatre program for Shakespeare Kids ages 7-12! Join SHAKESPEARE IN ACTION for storytelling adventures! Explore the world of magic, witches, ghosts, silly mix-ups, and swordplay in some of the greatest stories ever told! April 11 Various Toronto Public Library Branches www.shakespeareinaction.org/td-library-club.html Tea and Tour Sundays at Gibson House There’s a seat for you at the harvest table

in the historic kitchen on Sunday afternoons this spring. Relax and have a chat over tea and homemade cookies. Enjoy a tour of this lovely, 1850s farmhouse. Included with regular admission. Sundays in April Gibson House 5172 Yonge St. www.toronto.ca/museum-events Friday Family Fun Day Visit the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre for a full day of family fun! Kids and parents can play in a bouncy castle, family gym, badminton, or basketball, try the climbing wall or a zumba class! April 3, 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre 875 Morningside Ave. www.tpasc.ca Hairspray You can’t stop the beat in this big and bold musical about one girl’s inspiring dream to dance! The 1950’s are out and change is in the air! Hairspray, winner of 8 TONY Awards including Best Musical, is

Education

a family-friendly musical piled bouffant high with laughter, romance, and deliriously tuneful songs! Until April 12 Randolph Theatre 736 Bathurst St. www.lowerossingtontheatre.com Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr. Step into the enchanted world of Disney’s Beauty And The Beast Jr! Featuring songs from the Academy Award-winning animated feature, this stage version includes music by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice! The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. Randolph Theatre 736 Bathurst St. www.lowerossingtontheatre.com digiPlaySpace presented by TIFF Kids Don’t miss digiPlaySpace, an awardwinning interactive adventure featuring 24 new-media exhibits from around the world! Take your kids on an adventure where they will laugh and learn with new technologies, learning-centric games, and hands-on activities. Tickets to digiPlaySpace are $10 per person. Until April 19 TIFF Bell Lightbox www.tiff.net/digiPlaySpace Print Month at Mackenzie House Mackenzie House joins with the Royal Academy of London and the wider “print� community to present Print Month. Every weekend participate in a different print activity in our reproduction print shop. Weekends in April Mackenzie House 82 Bond St. www.toronto.ca/museum-events

Hands-On

Sports

Outdoor

Food

Princess Ball April 19

You are invited to attend The 2nd Annual Princess Ball. You will be treated like royalty for the entire day; from the moment you set slipper on the red carpet, to your regal herald announcement, to dancing with your favourite princess under sparkling stars of light. This event, complete silent


 auctions,


 rafes,


 gift


 bags,


 and


 a


 host


 of


 surprises


 will


  raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Canada. Liberty Grand

www.theprincessball.com Canadian Pet Expo The Canadian Pet Expo is a true pet lover’s and pet family experience focusing on promoting responsible pet ownership with interactive events, demonstrations, vendor support and workshops. KIDS 15 and under get in FREE on Kids Day - Sunday, April 5! April 3 to April 5 International Centre 6900 Airport Rd., Mississauga www.canadianpetexpo.ca

Cavalia - ODYSSEO This new production is a celebration of the beauty and harmony of the meeting of two worlds: those of horse and human. As friends, partners and inseparable performers, they will lead you on a journey to another world – a world of dreams. April 8 to April 26 Under the White Big Top in Toronto Port Lands www.cavalia.net

TIFF Kids International Film Festival Featuring over 100 films from more than 35 countries, free activities and more, this year’s selection has something for every taste, interest and age group! From high adventure to hilarious comedies, live action to animation, and dramas to documentaries, the TIFF Kids Festival brings the world of film to ages 3 to 13. April 7 to April 19 TIFF Bell Lightbox www.tiff.net/tiffkids

Rocketbaby at Solar Stage In space, no one can hear you giggle. When Dylan and Ruth receive a mysterious toy they embark on a gravity-defying journey to the moon and beyond. Can they find a way to make it back home? Will they be the same when they return? Ages 3 - 8. April 11 Solar Stage 4950 Yonge St. www.solarstage.on.ca

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Arts

upcoming events Snow White at Solar Stage The Nearly World Famous DuffleBag Theatre is back with another classic. Join us for some interactive storytelling - DuffleBag style! (Interactive Play) Ages 4+. April 4 to April 5 Solar Stage 4950 Yonge St. www.solarstage.on.ca TSO’s Shake, Rattle & Roll The Toronto Symphony Orchestra is joined by the Toronto-based, electrifying percussion ensemble TorQ for an exciting programme of orchestral favourites, including Bernstein’s “Mambo” from West Side Story and Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. Come to the concert half an hour early for a special pre-concert performance in the lobby! April 11 Roy Thompson Hall www.tso.ca/en-ca Emily’s Piano at YPT The Search for a Beloved Family Piano Reveals the Healing Power of Hope in Emily’s Piano. A World Premiere Based on the Evocative Children’s Novel. Recommended for kids 10 and up. April 12 to May 2 Young People’s Theatre 165 Front St. E. www.youngpeoplestheatre.ca Toronto Botanical Garden Earth Day Celebration Kick off the growing season with the TBG’s Earth Day celebration! Guided hikes, a nature play and woodland crafts and planting in the Teaching Garden. Free. No registration required. April 18 Toronto Botanical Garden 777 Lawrence Ave. E. www.lowerossingtontheatre.com

Dora the Explorer Live! Search for the City of Lost Toys This interactive live show will have the whole family out of their seats singing and dancing along. Dora welcomes families to discover, communicate, overcome obstacles, solve puzzles and discover a diverse and exciting world along with her on one incredible adventure! April 18 Sony Centre for Performing Arts www.doralivecanada.com The Spectacular Seas at Solar Stage Puppets to Go takes us beneath the waves to reveal why the oceans, along with the exotic creatures that inhabit them, must be protected. (Blacklight Puppet Show) Ages 4 and up. April 18 Solar Stage 4950 Yonge St. www.solarstage.on.ca Earth Day at Todmorden Mills Discover what you can do to help the planet! Participate in creating collaborative, environmentally-friendly artwork. Tour the Wildflower Preserve to discover the natural habitats of the Don Valley. Learn about the impact of industrialization on our landscape through a special guided tour of the site. FREE. April 19 Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum and Arts Centre 67 Pottery Rd. www.toronto.ca/museum-events The Great Kids Stuff Sale Come shop for high quality items for newborns, babies and kids up to 6 years old -- this is the place to be! You will find clothes, strollers, high chairs, toys and more! Thousands of brand name, new and gently used baby and kids’ items at

Education

Hands-On

Sports

Outdoor

Food

Arts

incredible prices! April 25 St. Clement’s Church 70 St. Clement’s Ave. www.greatkidsstuffsale.com Earth Day Celebrations at the Toronto Zoo Celebrate Earth Day at the Toronto Zoo and find out, through the eyes of the veterinarians and technicians at the oo, how they work towards a healthy wildlife population in Toronto. Through hands-on activities learn about the impact of climate change on the ability of wild animals and spaces to stay healthy. April 25 Toronto Zoo www.torontozoo.com FiddleFire! with Chris McKhool Violin sensation Chris McKhool gets children and families dancing, clapping, laughing and singing songs. Chris plays several musical styles (jazz, blues, classical, Rumba flamenco, funk, world beat, East Coast fiddling and more) to engage children and parents in the world of music with Fiddlefire! Kids and their parents scat-sing, become a rhythm section and join Chris on stage to play rare percussion instruments. Cosburn United Church 1108 Greenwood Ave. www.music-toronto.com Elly’s Emotions at Solar Stage Elly’s got a huge imagination and that makes her different. Elly might try to be like everyone else but her original side always seems to get the better of her. Is “being normal” really all it’s cracked up to be? Solar Stage is proud to present this big hit from The 2014 Kids Fringe Festival. Ages 6 and up. Mar 5 and Mar 6 Solar Stage 4950 Yonge St. www.solarstage.on.ca

Commemoration of the Battle of York Have a family adventure and visit Fort York National for the commemoration the 202nd anniversary of the Battle of York, fought on April 27, 1813. Watch 1812-era drill and musket firing demonstrations. Take Battle of York-themed, fortification and 1812 barracks tours. Enjoy demonstrations of Georgian-era cooking techniques in

one of the oldest kitchens in Toronto. Adults: $7.96, Seniors /Youth: $4.87, Children (6-12yrs): $3.76 (plus tax). Children 5 and under are Free. Fort York www.toronto.ca/museum-events For more March events, visit: www.toronto4kids.com/Calendar

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holidays | easter events

Easter Hoppenings The Easter Bunny is on his way to help you celebrate the season! There are plenty of eggs, goodies and more to enjoy this year, in Toronto and the GTA.

Kids,

grab

a

basket

to

fill

at

one

of

the

many

activities in your area. We’ve compiled a list of some of the coolest events in and around the city. Be sure to register in advance,

as

many

of

the

events

do

fill

up.

the Fun Farm Yard – giant pipe slides, animal barn, sandbox, Escarpment lookout, singing chicken show, goat mountain & more. Apr 3 to Apr 5 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Springridge Farm 7256 Bell School Line, Milton www.springridgefarm.com

fun games! Free. Apr 4 from 12:30 p.m. until 3 p.m. Kidz360 & The Motion Room 3431 Dundas St. West www.kidz360.ca

Easter Sweets & Chocolate Tour Treat yourself and your loved ones to a sweet Easter on Toronto’s only sweets tour, as you eat your way Brooks Farms Easter Fest Egg Hunt Weather Permitting: Events Includes: Train or Wag- through the colourful neighbourhood of KensingEaster Traditions at Colborne Lodge Visit inside Colborne Lodge and learn about 19th- on Ride, Barnyard Playland (weather permitting), ton Market. What to Expect: Guided tour on the century Easter traditions. Families will tour the Maple Sugar Bush Tours (see below), Meet & Greet history of sweets, introduction to six sweet stores, museum and spot Easter treasures hidden in the with our Mascots! Take part in an Easter Egg Hunt samples from each location, discounts at select restored rooms. Children dye their own eggs using (1 to 6 years) and a Scavenger Hunt (7 to 12 years). merchants. Fun yum times for all! natural dyes. Last tour at 3:15 p.m. Included with Easter weekend 2015 overlaps with the Maple Sugar Adult $35 - Children $20, two regular admission. Adults $6.19, Seniors/Youth Festival, which means Sugar Bush tours will be in- tours throughout the day. Apr 5 at 11:30 a.m. and 2 cluded with admission to the Easter fun Festival. $3.54, Children $2.65 (plus tax). p.m. Apr 3 to Apr 5 Mar 21 to Apr 5 from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. Ding Dong Pastries & Cafe Brooks Farms Colborne Lodge - High Park 321 Spadina Ave. 122 Ashworth Rd., Mount Albert 11 Colborne Lodge Dr. www.tastytourstoronto.com www.brooksfarms.com www.toronto.ca/museum-events Easter Bunny Photos at Eglinton Square “Bunny Hop” on down to Eglinton Square and enjoy some Easter fun. Enjoy cupcake decorating and meet the Easter bunny! Have your photo taken with the Easter bunny and receive a FREE photo to take home. *All cupcakes are nut free. Apr 4 from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. Eglinton Square 1-70 Eglinton Square www.eglintonsquare.ca Easter Festival at Springridge Farm Experience the magic of Easter with activities the whole family will enjoy. Admission to Easter Festival is $12 per person and includes: Egg Hunt with the Bunny, Eggcellent Easter Professional Puppet Show, Bunny Face Painting, Bunny Ears to Wear, Baby Animals, Wagon Ride & Farm Tour, Access to

Community Easter Egg Hunt at Adventure Valley! Adventure Valley welcomes all families in the community to enjoy entertainment, food, Easter egg hunting, arts and crafts, and more. Come meet the Easter bunny and play with your friends and family! Come enjoy a jam-packed day of fun and laughter for the entire family! Children $10. Adults $5. Apr 4, 2015 - 10:00 am until 4:00 pm Adventure Valley Day Camp 7015 Leslie St. www.adventurevalleydaycamp.com Kidz360 Easter Bunny Hop The Kidz360 Easter Bunny Hop will include a bouncy castle, egg decorating, chocolate (of course) and even a visit from the Easter bunny himself! You should also be prepared for face painting and lots of

Toronto Beaches Lions Club Easter Parade Over the years the Toronto Beaches Lions Club Easter Parade has grown into an event that the entire city enjoys. The parade attracts more than 50, 000 spectators of all faiths, religions and cultures. This is a very important event to the Beaches Lions

Club, and the community and the charitable organizations they serve. Parade will start on Queen Street at Munro Park and proceed west along Queen Street ending at Woodbine Avenue. Free. Apr 5, 2 p.m. Queen Street at Munro Park www.beacheslions.com Easter Chocolate Workshop Apr 5, 4:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. A fun and interactive afternoon for parents and children playing with chocolate! Learn about chocolate history and tasting, then get creative making your own

vanilla

chocolate

truffles

&

lollipops

with host chocolatier Odile (Odile Chocolat). What to Expect: Taste and learn about different chocolates, roll your own vanilla chocolate

truffles,

for

the

children,

create

chocolate lollipops, Take home your handmade treats, Happy times for all! Adult $49 - Children $39. Odile Chocolate 829 Dundas St. West www.tastytourstoronto.com Easter Brunch at Casa Loma Join us to celebrate Easter with a spectacular Easter Brunch. This unique buffet brunch will feature a delectable array of traditional brunch classics and signature dishes. The complete menu can be viewed on the Casa Loa website. Reservations are required. To reserve please call or email. Apr 5 Casa Loma 1 Austin Terr. www.casaloma.org — www.Toronto4Kids.com

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holidays | easter crafts

Egg-citing Easter Activities! Easter is just a hop, skip and a jump away, falling on April 5! Here are 10 ideas to celebrate! Easter Tea Invite your friends and family to an Easter afternoon tea. Cover a table with a bright yellow tablecloth and serve Easter-inspired treats. Decorate Eggs Hard-boil some eggs and colour them with natural homemade dyes. Try various fruits and vegetables that have strong colours such as blueberries, raspberries, carrots, spinach and more. Decorate a basket Organize a craft activity by having the kids make or decorate their own baskets. Recycle ones from previous years and add some spark with inexpensive Easter craft supplies, stickers and glitter. Or, have them decorate a paper lunch bag to store their treats. Take your picture with the Easter Bunny! Check your local shopping centre to see if the Easter Bunny will be stopping by to take pictures with the kids! Host an Easter Egg Hunt Easter is not complete without a little Easter Hunt! Make this one a treasure hunt and give the kids a map with clues. X marks the spots with eggs. Your

little plastic eggs mustn’t just contain candy! Surprise them with other Easter treats such as stickers, toys, temporary tattoos, silly putty, slime, bouncy balls and other items you can pick up at the dollar store. Make some special eggs which may be harder to

find

but

contain

cooler

goodies. Cook Eggs! Eggs are a symbol of Easter so cook up some eggs in a special way. If you’re looking for more Easter egg ideas and recipes, visit: www.eggs.ca. Make Easter candy bag cards for little friends Pick up some Easter-themed cellophane bags at the dollar store. Have your kids decorate some small Easter cards. Punch holes through the card and cellophane and thread with coloured ribbon. Fill the bags with delicious homemade cookies or Easter treats and candy. Plan for an Easter Games Day The Egg Relay Game is a classic but kids will really enjoy a Carrot Scavenger Hunt or an Egg Scramble. Or take your kids’ favourite games – and add an Easter twist: Pin the tail on the bunny, musical bunny, or Guess the Jelly Beans in the Jar. For quieter

activities,

find

Easter-inspired

word

scrambles,

counting games, connect the dots and printable jigsaw puzzles. Make Easter Cookies Pick up some Easter-themed cookie cutters (rabbits, chicks,

eggs,

spring

flowers)

and

make

Sugar

Cookies. Have the kids decorate them with coloured icing, sprinkles and candy. Then enjoy their creations!

Easter Crafts Gather up supplies for the kids to put together some great Easter creations. Settle on one craft ahead of time and purchase the necessary supplies. If possible create a sample ahead of time so the kids have something to follow. — www.Toronto4Kids.com

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profile | big block singsong

Block by block MEET THE TORONTO DADS BEHIND HIT SERIES ‘BIG BLOCK SINGSONG’ Blocks are the best, laying with blocks builds up methodical thinking, logic, creativity and coordination in kids. Plus it’s just plain fun. But it’s a set of animated blocks that are now getting Canadian kids laughing daily on CBC. Parents and kids alike are in love with the colourful, singing and dancing block characters in the animated series ‘Big Block Singsong.’ The show airs pm Disney Junior on the US and Nick Jr. in the UK and has been translated into different languages so kids all over the world can sing along with these blockheads. Adam Goddard and Warren Brown are the Toronto-based duo behind the hit series. The pair has been working together on other kids shows and projects for over a decade. Warren is the creative director behind the animations, while

Adam is the composer and voice of the blocks in every episode. When discussing what their next project could be back in 2009, they asked, “What is the simplest character we could do that could still sing?� The answer, a face the same size as the TV, they zoomed out and gave it legs. Although it ended up as a popular show for the preschool set, they didn’t have a kids show in mind when they came up with it. “As we develop


  songs


  and


  characters,


  we


  try


  ďŹ rst


  and foremost to entertain ourselves and make sure anything we come up with genuinely makes us laugh,� says Warren. “We get a lot of parents saying they still watch the show after their kids have

gone to bed,� says Adam. Their secret to the success with a kiddie is their own kids - Warren became a father while working on the show, and Adam was already a dad. “As my son was growing and learning to speak, we were in the middle of the


  shows


  and


  ďŹ nding


  what


  language


  connected to little kids,� says Warren. “When we write lyrics we use real words, fun words, even three syllables words. If a word can make a kid laugh or question it’s meaning, we’ll work with it.� “Sometimes the things my son says just stick in my head when I’m writing songs,� says Adam. “It’s exciting to tell them


 they


 had


 an


 inuence


 on


 something


  that’s on TV.� “I asked my son, ‘What’s something that peeks?’ He said ‘A fox in box.’ Now that’s a lyric in the ‘Owl’ episode,� says Adam. “One of my

favourite things to do is juxtapose a mu- says Warren. They’re now on 70 episodes and haven’t yet found a characsical style with an unlikely subter they can’t turn into a Big ject to produce something Block. That’s also part of fun.� says Adam. like the the delight for the viewers rock and roll princess as well, as the pair often who belts “I’m a prinreceives excited feedback cess! I’m not scared of when kids and parents see no dragon!� a new episode. “Every episode has The


  ďŹ nal


  10


  episodes


  of


  a different song and a ‘Big Block Singsong’ season different character. That’s two air on CBC in April. a challenge. It’s what keeps us — Tasha Zanin really interested in making the show,�

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healthy living | recipe

Citrus sunshine! Citrus fruit is universally popular and for many people it’s an irreplaceable food. From lemons and Navel oranges, to grapefruit and gold nugget mandarins, citrus is known for its distinct and refreshing taste and healthy boost of vitamin C. Citrus is often enjoyed on its own, but has the versatility and

flavour

profile

to

bring

everyday

recipes

to

life

in

unexpected ways. To showcase the versatility of citrus, Kimberly Schlegel Whitman, Sunkist lifestyle expert, has developed two quick and easy recipes that kids are sure to love.

RUg UYBR)

Citrus Salsa The

first

step

is

to

hollow

out

the

peel

of

an

orange.

In

a

bowl,

combine

slices

of

Navel

oranges,

grapefruit and Cara Cara oranges. Then, add fresh lime juice and mix together. Once combined, add a scoop of

the

citrus

salsa

to

the

hollowed

orange

peel.

Then,

simply

add

some

mint

as

a

garnish

and

serve.

It’s

a

delicious and nutritional snack that’s perfect for any play date.

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Citrus Parfait Simply add a layer of Cara Cara orange slices to the bottom of a small clear bowl. Then add a layer of Navel orange slices, followed by grapefruit slices. Place a dollop of whipped cream on top, garnish with some mint and serve. — www.newscanada.com

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TORONTO KIDS - April 2015 | 15

47th Birthday Birthday Sale Sale

% 50 save up to

Check out our exciting new Pop-Up Store, now open at Bathurst & Bloor Bloor,, in the iconic H onest EEd’s! d’s! Honest

& more!

off our regular prices And be sure to enter

Fabricland’s 47th Birthday Draw! Over $180,000 worth of prizes to be won!

Burda 6969, above, featuring Stretch Satin Solids and Prints, only $6 & $7 m during the Birthday Sale.

Burda 9437, above, featuring fabric from Dotty’s Floral Garden Group, 40% off our reg. price during the Birthday Sale.

And if it’s not already on sale, Members Save

40% off 40

our rregular egular prices prices

on almost anything else! April 1-26, 2015. Some exclusions apply. Not a Member? Join & save more! Ask us how!

Sale in effect April 1-26, 2015, on selected merchandise at participating stores. See our flyer for details. Most items available in all stores. Look for the red sale tags.

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