👋 Hey! Lots of new faces here, so we wanted to introduce the moms behind Mayhem. We're 4 moms from the GTA who curate a weekly list of free activities in Toronto, Durham, Peel and York. We also add those helpful tips like where to park, what to bring, and facility info - basically all the details that can make or break an outing with little ones.

This week, we're hunting for free activities to fill those tricky gaps between summer camp sessions and your already chaotic summer schedule.

Oh, and if you're like me and have been doing the great splash pad tour of the city to beat this heat, you'll love that we put together a list of our Top-rated 32 Splash Pads in the GTA🌊 !

Here's a teaser of what's happening this week around Durham Region:

ONGOING THIS WEEK

🏖️ Free Ajax Summer Playgrounds Program | AJAX

Monday-Friday | Various playgrounds in Ajax | FREE for Ajax residents | Event Details 

Please note this program is open to Town of Ajax residents only. However, other regions offer similar free programs so check your local region's website! Playgrounds Program (6-12 years) runs daily 9am-12pm and 1-4pm. Preschool Hour (3-5 years) runs daily 10-11am.

📚 Cobs Bread Brooklin Children's Book Exchange | WHITBY

Ongoing through July | Cobs Bread Brooklin, Brooklin | FREE | Event Details 

Starting July 7th until the end of July - children's book box in store! Have your child donate one old book in exchange for a book from the box and they'll receive a free bookmark with a treat to redeem in August! All remaining books donated to children in need.

🦘 Flying Squirrel Whitby - 1 Hour of Jump Time Promotion | WHITBY

Valid through August 29 | Flying Squirrel Whitby, Whitby | Show report card for FREE hour | Event Details 

From Kindergarten to College students - show your report card (printed or on screen) and get 1 FREE hour of jump time. In-store only, same-day use only.

THURSDAY, JULY 10

📖 Sleepover Storytime  | BOMANVILLE

Thursday, July 10 | 6:30 PM | Bowmanville Library, Bowmanville | FREE | Event Details 

👶 Little Toddler Farmer Program | UXBRIDGE

Thursday, July 10 | Times vary | Forsythe Family Farms, Uxbridge | $105 for 3 sessions | Event Details 

Farm program for toddlers. Can't make all 3 July sessions? Summer is flexible - you can forward to August sessions. Just let them know during registration which 3 sessions you can attend.

FRIDAY, JULY 11

🏁 Chevrolet Grand Prix Day 1 | CLARINGTON  

Friday, July 11 | Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Clarington | See website for tickets, discount prices until July 9th | Event Details 

🎟️Advanced discount ticket pricing until July 9th! Children 16 and under FREE when accompanied by paying adult. Includes access to CTMP Marketplace with interactive displays, vendors, food trucks and Beer Garden. The Canadian Tire Fun Zone will keep families with younger kids entertained.

🎉 Thank Goodness It's Summer Teen Reading Challenge | PICKERING

Friday, July 11 | Esplanade Park, Pickering | FREE | Event Details 

Reading challenge launch party behind Central Library. Snacks and refreshments provided!

🚚 Port Perry Touch a Truck | SCUGOG

Friday, July 11 | Port Perry Fairgrounds, Port Perry | FREE | Event Details 

Look, touch and sit inside the trucks and vehicles at this year’s event! All new expanded Kids Fun Zone!

🎬 Movies in the Park: Mufasa | WHITBY

Friday, July 11 | Whitby Civic Park, Whitby | FREE | Event Details 

Outdoor movie night featuring Mufasa. Don't forget your blankets, lawn chairs and popcorn!

SATURDAY, JULY 12

🏁 Chevrolet Grand Prix Day 2 & 3 | CLARINGTON

Saturday & Sunday, July 12-13 | Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Clarington | See website for tickets, discount prices until July 9th | Event Details 

Three-day racing event continues. Children 16 and under FREE when accompanied by paying adult. Canadian Tire Fun Zone for families with younger kids.

🌸 Flower Pot Paint & Plant | OSHAWA

Saturday, July 12 | Oshawa Zoo & Fun Farm, Oshawa | $30/child | Event Details 

Creative art activity for kids. Email [email protected] to register your little artist today!

🎨 Summer Saturdays for Kids: Summer Craft Event | PICKERING

Saturday, July 12 | The Shops at Pickering City Centre, Pickering | FREE | Event Details Free craft activities for kids at the shopping centre.

🍖 Kidfest @ Whitby Ribfest | WHITBY

Saturday, July 12 | Whitby Victoria Fields, Whitby | FREE | Event Details 

Family fun zone at Whitby Ribfest. Spot the Dog will be coming by on Sunday afternoon!

SUNDAY, JULY 13

🌾 Uxbridge Farmer's Market Summer Social | UXBRIDGE

Sunday, July 13 | Second Wedge Brewing Co. parking lot, Uxbridge | FREE | Event Details 

Outdoor markets run from 9 AM until 2 PM every Sunday from May through October on the grounds of Second Wedge Brewing Co.

TUESDAY, JULY 15

🐾 Critter Portraits | BROCK

Tuesday, July 15 | Brock Library - Sunderland Branch, Sunderland | FREE | Event Details Creative art activity for kids in SK-Grade 6.

💃 First Nations Dance Workshop | BROCK

Tuesday, July 15 | Brock Library - Beaverton Branch, Beaverton | FREE | Event Details 

Cultural dance workshop for grades 1-8. This workshop is also running at the Cannington Branch at 2:00 PM on the same day.

🔧 STEAM Workshop: Pizza Box Pinball | CLARINGTON

Tuesday, July 15 | Clarington Public Library - Newcastle Branch, Newcastle | $5.65 | Event Details 

Hands-on STEAM workshop building pinball machines from pizza boxes.

✈️ Fly-In Story Time | OSHAWA

Tuesday, July 15 | Oshawa Library - Delpark Homes Centre Branch, Oshawa | FREE | Event Details 

WEDNESDAY, JULY 16

🎨 Toronto Film School Interactive Workshop | CLARINGTON

Wednesday, July 16 | Bowmanville Library, Bowmanville | FREE | Event Details 

Graphic design workshop for high school students. Check out the website for details on the final free workshop in the series on July 23rd: Video Game Design/Animation!

COMING UP NEXT WEEK (JULY 17-23)

🎮 Toronto Film School Workshop: Video Game Design/Animation | CLARINGTON

Wednesday, July 23 | Bowmanville Library, Bowmanville | FREE

🎨 Summer Saturdays for Kids: Craft Events | PICKERING

Saturdays | The Shops at Pickering City Centre, Pickering | FREE

Have a wonderful week exploring Durham with your little adventurers!

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