Hey Toronto👋

How is it almost August already?! While my family is off on their camping adventure, I opted to stay home with my youngest. As much as I love family time (I have major FOMO as I write this), sometimes the divide and conquer approach is critical to avoid summer parenting burnout. Silver lining? The kids get quality time with their other caregiver and I get the closest thing to a vacation I've had in years.

So here's your list of free activities this week - tackle them as a family, divide and conquer, or skip them altogether for some backyard chill time. However you're rolling into this long weekend, we've got you covered!

-Mayhem Mamas

Here's what's happening this week around Toronto

🚑 Toronto Paramedic Services Meet and Greet – TORONTO-EAST YORK
🚚 Toronto Food Truck Festival (kid’s games!) – TORONTO-EAST YORK
🎪 Toronto Carnival Monday: Kids & Family Fest – ETOBICOKE-YORK
🍖 Scarborough Rib Fest with midway rides – SCARBOROUGH
🇬🇭 GhanaFest cultural celebration – NORTH YORK
🇮🇳 Taste of India Festival at Nathan Phillips Square – TORONTO-EAST YORK
🌿 Healthy Living Festival (60 vendor booths & doggie contests!) – NORTH YORK
🎬 Evergreen Brick Works Outdoor Movie: The Lorax! – TORONTO-EAST YORK

THURSDAY, JULY 31

🍫 Mommunity Scoop and Stay | NORTH YORK
Date: Thursday, July 31 | Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Lindt at CF Shops at Don Mills
Cost: Check event details | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Mom meet-up at Lindt! Check Instagram for live event updates. Perfect evening to connect with other parents.

🚴 Mid-Summer Bike Check Up @ Eglinton Square | SCARBOROUGH
Date: Thursday, July 31 | Time: 9:00 AM–11:30 AM
Location: Eglinton Square Shopping Centre
Cost: FREE | Age: 7-11 years
🔗 Event Details
Registration required. Help support Food Banks Canada with the Fill a Fridge campaign! Bring spare change to stick on the giant foam board fridge - a fun way for kids to learn about giving back.

🎬 Evergreen Brick Works Outdoor Movie : The Lorax | TORONTO-EAST YORK
Date: Thursday, July 31 | Time: 7:30 PM–dusk
Location: Evergreen Brick Works
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
From 3:30-7:30pm, it's a neighborhood block party with fun and games before the movie! Take the free shuttle from Broadview Station - extended service every Thursday in July and August.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1

🍖 Scarborough Rib Fest (Day 1/4) | SCARBOROUGH
Date: Friday, August 1 | Time: 11:00 AM–11:00 PM
Location: Thomson Memorial Park
Cost: Admission by donation | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Kick off the weekend with the best ribs contests, midway rides, and daily karaoke contests! Four days of family fun starts here.

🎬 Family Movie: The Wild Robot | TORONTO-EAST YORK
Date: Friday, August 1 | Time: 1:00 PM–3:00 PM
Location: Toronto Public Library - S. Walter Stewart Branch
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Perfect family afternoon at the library with this heartwarming animated film.

🚚 Toronto Food Truck Festival (Day 1/4) | TORONTO-EAST YORK
Date: Friday, August 1 | Time: 5:00 PM–10:00 PM
Location: Woodbine Park
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Free children's games, eating contests and live music every day! Plus Woodbine Park's amazing water play area, playground, climbing wall, and soccer fields.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2

🌿 Healthy Living Festival (Day 1/2) | NORTH YORK
Date: Saturday, August 2 | Time: 12:00 PM–9:00 PM
Location: Bodhi Meditation Centre
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
60 vendor booths offering farm-fresh produce, homemade dressings and baked goods, international bites, plus photo booths and doggie contests! Kids will love the bouncy castles, fossil digs, and magical Balloon Rain Drop.

🍖 Scarborough Rib Fest (Day 2/4) | SCARBOROUGH
Date: Saturday, August 2 | Time: 11:00 AM–11:00 PM
Location: Thomson Memorial Park
Cost: Admission by donation | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Weekend festivities continue with the best ribs contests, midway rides, and daily karaoke contests!

🇮🇳 Taste of India Festival 2025 (Day 1/2) | TORONTO-EAST YORK
Date: Saturday, August 2 | Time: 12:00 PM–11:00 PM
Location: Nathan Phillips Square
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Experience authentic Indian culture, food, music and entertainment right in the heart of downtown Toronto!

🚚 Toronto Food Truck Festival (Day 2/4) | TORONTO-EAST YORK
Date: Saturday, August 2 | Time: 12:00 PM–10:00 PM
Location: Woodbine Park
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Full day of food truck fun with free children's games, eating contests and live music! Don't miss the water play area, playground, and climbing wall.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 3

🇬🇭 GhanaFest | NORTH YORK
Date: Sunday, August 3 | Time: 10:00 AM–8:00 PM
Location: Earl Bales Park
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Celebrate Ghanaian culture with music, food, dance, and family-friendly activities in beautiful Earl Bales Park!

🌿 Healthy Living Festival (Day 2/2) | NORTH YORK
Date: Sunday, August 3 | Time: 12:00 PM–7:00 PM
Location: Bodhi Meditation Centre
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Final day! 60 vendor booths with farm-fresh produce, homemade goodies, and international bites. Last chance for bouncy castles, fossil digs, and the magical Balloon Rain Drop!

🍖 Scarborough Rib Fest (Day 3/4) | SCARBOROUGH
Date: Sunday, August 3 | Time: 11:00 AM–11:00 PM
Location: Thomson Memorial Park
Cost: Admission by donation | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Sunday family fun continues with ribs contests, midway rides, and karaoke - perfect for a summer Sunday!

🇮🇳 Taste of India Festival 2025 (Day 2/2) | TORONTO-EAST YORK
Date: Sunday, August 3 | Time: 12:00 PM–10:00 PM
Location: Nathan Phillips Square
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Final day to experience authentic Indian culture and cuisine in the heart of Toronto!

🚚 Toronto Food Truck Festival (Day 3/4) | TORONTO-EAST YORK
Date: Sunday, August 3 | Time: 12:00 PM–10:00 PM
Location: Woodbine Park
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Sunday food truck fun with free children's games, eating contests and live music! Enjoy the water play area and playground.

MONDAY, AUGUST 4 (CIVIC HOLIDAY)

🦚 Toronto Carnival Monday: Kids and Family Fest | ETOBICOKE-YORK
Date: Monday, August 4 | Time: 2:00 PM–9:00 PM
Location: Royal King Event Centre
Cost: $20 for kids, $10 for adults | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Celebrate Caribbean carnival culture with bouncy castles, TikTok stage, gaming, singing competitions, face painting, parent refreshments, popcorn and snow cones!

🍖 Scarborough Rib Fest (Day 4/4) | SCARBOROUGH
Date: Monday, August 4 | Time: 11:00 AM–8:00 PM
Location: Thomson Memorial Park
Cost: Admission by donation | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Final day of the ribfest! Last chance for the best ribs contests, midway rides, and karaoke fun.

🚚 Toronto Food Truck Festival (Day 4/4) | TORONTO-EAST YORK
Date: Monday, August 4 | Time: 12:00 PM–8:00 PM
Location: Woodbine Park
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Final day of food truck festival! Perfect Monday activity with water play and playground fun.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 5

🚑 Toronto Paramedic Meet & Greet | TORONTO-EAST YORK
Date: Tuesday, August 5 | Time: 10:00 AM–11:00 AM
Location: Toronto Public Library - Parliament Street Branch
Cost: FREE | Age: 4-12 years
🔗 Event Details
Registration required. Learn about emergency services and meet real paramedics! Register in branch or call 416-393-7663.

🐾 Pawsitively Pets | TORONTO-EAST YORK
Date: Tuesday, August 5 | Time: 3:00 PM–4:00 PM
Location: Toronto Public Library - Spadina Road Branch
Cost: FREE | Age: 4-12 years
🔗 Event Details
Registration required. Hands-on animal education program offering positive animal interactions for children and adults of all ages. Call the Spadina Road branch at 416-393-7666.

🎭 WonderPhil Magic Show | TORONTO-EAST YORK
Date: Tuesday, August 5 | Time: 2:00 PM–2:45 PM
Location: Toronto Public Library - Evelyn Gregory Branch
Cost: FREE | Age: 6-12 years
🔗 Event Details
Professional magic show designed to entertain and amaze kids! No registration required.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6

🎬 Avondale Movie Night: The Wild Robot, Artisan Market and Block Party | NORTH YORK
Date: Wednesday, August 6 | Time: 3:00 PM–10:00 PM
Location: Avondale Park
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
A perfect community evening featuring The Wild Robot movie under the stars, local artisan vendors, and block party fun! Free cotton candy and ice cream available on first come, first serve basis.

🎬 Movie Night in the Beach: Jumanji | TORONTO-EAST YORK
Date: Wednesday, August 6 | Time: 8:00 PM–sunset
Location: Kew Gardens by the Gazebo
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Bring your Queen St E receipts for raffle tickets to win prizes! Games, trivia, and giveaways before the movie starts. Another movie on August 13th!

🛍️ Yonge + St. Clair: The Midtown Market | TORONTO-EAST YORK
Date: Wednesday, August 6 | Time: 4:00 PM–8:00 PM
Location: Yonge + St. Clair
Cost: FREE | Age: All ages
🔗 Event Details
Great family-friendly evening market running August 6-7. Perfect midtown location for shopping and community fun!

COMING UP NEXT WEEK

• 🐛 Toronto Bug Day – Toronto-East York (Saturday, August 10)

• 🎬 Movies Under the Stars: Captain America – North York (Wednesday, August 7)

• 🎭 Wayo Children's Festival – Toronto-East York (August 7-10)

• 🎨 CF Don Mills Kids' Crafts & Movies – North York (August 8-9)

💫 Have a wonderful week exploring Toronto with your little adventurers!

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This Toronto mom is our go-to for discovering hidden gems and new adventures across the GTA! From newly opened museums to lesser-known parks, she curates the coolest family activities with helpful tips and detailed guides (oh, and frequent giveaways!).

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