Discover Me (And You'll Discover Love) - Children's Discovery Centre Review

While we've been very lucky this autumn in Toronto with many warm and sunny days there has been a certain bite in the air and it's starting to smell a bit like snow.  It's time for us to spend a little more time inside and explore some of the indoor activities options around the city over the next several months.  

My park/playground/activity review disclaimer: If you don't live in the area I hope you enjoy the pics and can use some of the ideas to inspire and explore in your own city. If you have any recommendations for great playgrounds/centres or activities ideally some in Toronto proper (indoor or out or new criteria I haven't thought of) please post a comment on this post or email me at multiplemomstrosity@gmail.com

Playground Name: 

Children's Discovery Centre

Location: 

45 Strachan Avenue (Liberty Village)

Parking:

There is some street parking nearby and a few pay lots.  You can also take the King Streetcar to Strachan and walk three blocks south if you want to arrive by TTC.

Theme of Park:

Toronto's only Children's Museum with activities that have been designed by a team of early childhood development specialists to encourage play,and imagination.

Cost:

$13 per person (including parents or guardians). There is no cost for children under 12 months.  We funded this visit using birthday money from Molly and Jack's Great Grandmother, as this is beyond our usual budget for a weekend day outing.

 Variety of Equipment for different ages:

This discovery centre is specifically designed for children aged zero to six. There are physical activities or discovery zones including: bikes, scooters and a mini "construction" site in the Mini City and other rooms that highlight imagination.  Other areas include artistic space for painting and sculpting, the Boom Room to make a lot of noise and a number of other dress-up and imagination play activities including a camp site. 

Inside the Campground Room

Best Part(s) of the Park:

The variety of things to do for kids no matter what their interests are is amazing.  There is a kitchen where you can prepare or make-up your own food as well as some reasonably priced snacks available for sale at the front desk.  Molly particularly enjoyed the dress-up at the Make-Believe Station (that includes a stage) as well as painting and playing grocery store in the Eat Street Station.  Jack was a little overwhelmed with all of the choice of what to do, but eventually gravitated towards the Imagination Station (where you can build with foam blocks, tubes and shapes) the Boom Room (where you make loud noises and bang on stuff) and the giant Connect 4 game.  There is also a reading room where you can curl up in an imaginary house and read stories (we used the houses to play 3 little pigs (not sure we were as quiet as intended for the room).  There is also a Pet Vet Station where kids can play veterinarian to a variety of stuffed animals. During the day there are scheduled story and song times, although we did not participate in any during our time at the Discovery Centre.

 Giant Connect Four

 Jack building in the Imagination Station

Making Noise in the Boom Room

Downfalls:

This was not a cheap trip...I understand that this is a grassroots pilot project and that rent in Liberty Village isn't cheap, however the additional cost for guardians prohibits this as a regular destination for us. 

Overall Rating:

I rate this playground a 4/5 for creativity and ingenuity.  Molly and Jack had a really good time and have already asked when they can come back again, perhaps this is something we can do over the December break with some holiday spending money.  I will be keeping an eye out for coupons!  

Plan your visit before May 31 2016 when this pilot project comes to a halt!

Foam Noodle Curtain Exiting the Campground.

To Read my review of other indoor playgrounds in Mississauga click here.   If you have suggested playgrounds for me to review, please leave a comment.

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