With membership passes to the Zoo, Wonderland & science centre, I almost always forget to enjoy some of the FREE stuff the city of Toronto has to offer families. One of those places includes the Riverdale Farm, only 2.5 km away from my house. Last week I was feeling ambitious enough to walk there with my two boys. Strapped in our double stroller, we made the hike out to the farm.
Riverdale Farm is a great way to introduce your little ones to animals. While this isn’t your typical petting zoo (you can’t feed or touch the animals), it’s a great place to walk around and enjoy and learn about farm animals while in the city! The farm is home to a horse, donkey, cows, sheep, goats, chickens, turkey, pigs and bunnies.
Throughout the day, farmers will conduct demonstrations and provide information regarding the farming way of life including animal feeding, egg collection, goat milking and horse grooming.
Just outside the farm is a nice big park with picnic benches full of green space for the little ones to run around and play. There’s a wadding pool that’s open during the summer. From May through to October there’s also a Farmer’s Market open every Tuesday from 3 – 7 PM.
Across the street from the park is a nice little food shop where you can stop by to grab some lunch, a snack or some delicious ice-cream.
I truly believe that the Riverdale Farm is one of the best FREE family attractions that Toronto has to offer. Summer may almost be over but the farm is open daily from 9 – 5.
For more information, check-out the following sites:
http://www.toronto.ca/parks/featured-parks/riverdale-farm/programs.htm
http://www.riverdalefarm.ca/about-the-farm/food-at-the-farm/
I was reminded of the Black Creek Pioneer village while reading about Riverdale. It was very quaint, with lots of activities involving animals and we could touch them and feed them.. It was a wonderful experience. But It was not free. I should certainly check Riverdale out. Thanks for the info.