Good morning, Toronto. How brilliant is Family Day? It was created to fill that long stretch between New Year's and Easter when winter feels endless. This week brings Toronto Spring Festival fireworks celebrating Lunar New Year at Nathan Phillips Square, the International Autoshow, and the main event—Family Day Weekend packed with museum fun, Winter Festival at Queen's Park, Winter Stations at Woodbine Beach, and the Illuminite light festival lighting up Downtown Yonge. Stay cozy!
What Toronto’s Talking About
The Corner Re-Store in St. James Town
Have you visited The Corner Re-Store in the St. James Town community? It offers gently used clothes, hand-crafted jewelry, and mending services with items as low as $2!
Motherhood as an Asset: Zoom Session Feb 25
Are you a mom trying to balance motherhood and returning to the paid workforce? Join psychotherapist Lauren Leahy on February 25th for a Zoom session called "Motherhood as an Asset: Reclaiming our Strengths in the Workplace and Beyond."
Toronto Spring Recreation Programs Released
The City of Toronto has released its spring recreation activities. Early local registration for eligible residents at select centres starts February 24th.
What to Do
Thursday, Feb. 12
🎬 Movies for Mommies Beaches: Hamnet + Free Valentine's Day Photo Minis | Parents and babies | Cineplex Cinemas Beaches, East End
👸 Princess Par-Tea: Belle, Tiana, Aurora, Ariel | Ages 3+ | Old Mill Toronto, Etobicoke
📚 Celebrate Lunar New Year with Author Sennah Lee | The Children's Book Bank Sherbourne, Midtown
Friday, Feb. 13
🚗 Canadian International Autoshow | Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Downtown
💡 Illuminite | Downtown Yonge neighbourhood, Midtown
🎵 Scarborough Moms & Minis Baby + Tot Music Class | Parents and young children | North Scarborough, Scarborough
Saturday, Feb. 14
🎆 Toronto Spring Festival Fireworks Celebration: The Lunar New Year | Nathan Phillips Square, Downtown
⛸️ Family Day Skate | Regent Park Ice Rink, Downtown
❄️ Winter Festival at Queen's Park | Ontario's Legislative Building, Downtown
🎨 Family Day Weekend at the AGO | Art Gallery of Ontario, Downtown
🚗 Canadian International Autoshow | Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Downtown
🏖️ Winter Stations | Woodbine Beach, East End
🎬 Free Indoor Winter Movie Night: Little Women | Evergreen Brick Works, East York
💝 Michaels Kids Club: Valentine's Keychain and Mardi Gras Mask | Michaels, Etobicoke
💡 Illuminite | Downtown Yonge neighbourhood, Midtown
🎉 Family Day Weekend at Aga Khan Museum | Aga Khan Museum, North York
❄️ Aga Khan Park: Winter Fest | Aga Khan Park, North York
🧧 MonSee Fair Lunar New Year Market 2026 | S3PACE Business Event Center, North York
🎵 Scarborough Moms & Minis Baby + Tot Music Class | Parents and young children | North Scarborough, Scarborough
🧸 Plushie Adoption Day and Storytime | The Children's Book Bank Morningside, Scarborough
Sunday, Feb. 15
🎆 Toronto Spring Festival Fireworks Celebration: The Lunar New Year | Nathan Phillips Square, Downtown
🎨 Family Day Weekend at the AGO | Art Gallery of Ontario, Downtown
🚗 Canadian International Autoshow | Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Downtown
⛳ Reid's Family Day Mini Putt | Reid's Distillery, East End
🏖️ Winter Stations | Woodbine Beach, East End
🧱 IndigoKids Lego Make & Take | Ages 6+ | Indigo Sherway Gardens, Etobicoke
💡 Illuminite | Downtown Yonge neighbourhood, Midtown
🎨 Michaels Sunday Makebreak: Spring Charm Bracelet | Ages 13+ | Michaels, North York
🎉 Family Day Weekend at Aga Khan Museum | Aga Khan Museum, North York
Monday, Feb. 16 (Family Day)
❄️ Winter Festival at Queen's Park | Ontario's Legislative Building, Downtown
🎨 Family Day Weekend at the AGO | Art Gallery of Ontario, Downtown
🚗 Canadian International Autoshow | Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Downtown
🏖️ Winter Stations | Woodbine Beach, East End
💡 Illuminite | Downtown Yonge neighbourhood, Midtown
🎉 Family Day Weekend at Aga Khan Museum | Aga Khan Museum, North York
🍕 Family Day Fun Fest at Boston Pizza Allen Road | Boston Pizza, North York
🎉 Variety Village Family Day | Variety Village, Scarborough
Tuesday, Feb. 17
💡 Illuminite | Downtown Yonge neighbourhood, Midtown
🚶♀️ Mommunity Walk: Yorkdale Mall | Parents and babies | Yorkdale Shopping Centre, North York
Wednesday, Feb. 18
🐉 Lion Dance Performance | Gerrard Square Shopping Centre, East End
💡 Illuminite | Downtown Yonge neighbourhood, Midtown
🚶♀️ Mommunity Walk: Fairview Mall | Parents and babies | Fairview Mall, North York
Traveling with Car Seats: Tips from the Hive
I know a lot of you are escaping this winter for warmer climates, and I've heard tons of questions about traveling with car seats. Here's what fellow parents have shared with me:
Two Ways to Check: You can check your car seat at the ticket counter with your luggage when you first arrive at the airport, or gate check it right before boarding (the popular option since it means less handling and stays with you longer).
Free Protection: Airlines usually provide plastic bags at check-in to protect your car seat during handling.
Where to Pick Up: If you checked at the ticket counter, pick it up at the oversized luggage area at your destination. If you gate checked, you'll pick it up right at the gate or jet bridge when you land.
The Good News: Most airlines include one free checked car seat per child—it doesn't count toward your baggage allowance. This typically applies for kids under 2 or young children using car seats.
The Fine Print: Policies vary by airline. Check with your carrier before you fly—some have age restrictions or specific packaging requirements.
Tell Us: When traveling by plane with kids, do you:
Thanks for reading! See you back here, next Wednesday!
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