Looking for family-oriented summer activities that are easy on the wallet? Check these out.

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Fly away with me

Humber Bay Park East Butterfly Habitat, which is home to 100 types of native and ornamental plants, is open to the public Monday through Sunday. The plants attract many types of butterflies, including Mourning Cloaks, Red Admirals, and American Painted Ladies. Admission is free. Limited free parking is availabe along Marine Parade Drive. Pay lots are nearby. For more information call 416-392-5323.

 

Park and pet

High park zoo, located on Deer Pen Road, has been attracting visitors since 1890 when deer were first kept in the park. The zoo is home to many exotic and domestic species, including bison, llamas, peacocks, deer, highland cattle, and sheep. The park is open to the public from 7 a.m. until dusk. The keepers ask that you do not feed the animals as their diets are supervised.

 

Indoor fun

The Fantasy Fair in the Woodbine Shopping Centre has attractions for children of all ages, including bumper boats, a play village, bumpercars, an antique carousel, and an arcade. Children get a free all day pass on their birthdays, when booked in advance. Most rides are wheelchair accessible. The fair is open from noon until 7 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Friday to Sunday. For a full price listing and height requirements visit www.fantasyfair.ca or call 416-647-5437.

 

Get cooking

High Park offers a youth cooking program Aug. 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is a fun cooking program for youth ages 11 to 16 in which they learn how to prepare vegetarian dishes that are simple, delicious and low budget. The program is free, but registration is required. Call 416-338-5055.

 

Family time

High Park hosts an Art in the Park Family Picnic Sunday, Aug. 17 from noon to 4 p.m. Enjoy fun activities including crafts, garden art, storytelling, musical performances and lots more. All ages are welcome. A garden lunch will be provided while it lasts.

 

Theatrical fun

Take in a show at Theatre Scarborough. Known as "Playhouse 66", Theatre Scarborough is home to Scarborough Music Theatre, Scarborough Players, and Scarborough Theatre Guild. Group ticket packages are available. Shows run Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, with curtain at 8 p.m. For Sunday matin�©es curtain is at 2 p.m.

Doors to the theatre open one half hour before the show.

 

Jazzy evenings

Featuring the very best in swing, big band and jazz acts to compliment Toronto's warm summer evenings. Sunday Serenades runs every Sunday until Aug. 24 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St.

 

And they're off!

Kids are welcome at Woodbine Racetrack, 555 Rexdale Blvd., during live racing events. Bring the family down and choose your favourite for the race.

 

Animated Saturdays

From 10:30 a.m. to noon, the National Film Board, 120 John St., hosts a workshop on animation for kids aged three to five. Kids view NFB animated movies then get to do their own hands-on animaiton. Admission is $5 per child per session.

Call 416-973-3012 for information and reservations. Reservations are recommended. An adult, at no extra charge, must accompany children.

 

Get your hands dirty

The Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Arts, 111 Queen's Park, has drop-in clay classes on Friday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. and Sunday afternoons from 1 to 3 p.m.. For a nominal fee, ($10 for adults and $5 for kids) families can use the clay wheels to learn a variety of techniques from a professional ceramist. Fire your piece for an extra $3 and take it home. Arrive 30 minutes early, sessions are first come first served and space is limited. Visit www.gardinermuseum.on.ca for details.

 

Fish on!

Grab your fishing rod and a can of worms and try your luck fishing on Grenadier pond. According to local legend British Grenadier Guards fell through the ice and drowned, while trying to make their way across the pond to the defense of York in 1813 . Catch perch, crappie, largemouth bass and pike while you enjoy the peaceful and historic surroundings of High Park. Park is open 7 a.m. until dusk. For more information visit www.toronto.ca/parks/highpark.htm.

 

Exploring our waterways

Paddle your way up the Humber river with Toronto Adventures. Rent a single kayak for $25 for 2 hours. Add 10$ for each additional hour. Rent a two person kayak or a canoe for $50. Add $20 for each additional hour. See wildlife like blue herons, night herons, egrets, deer, foxes, coyotes, geese, ducks and swans. Hire a guide for $25. Canoes can carry two adults and children, or one parent a guide and children. For more information call 416-536-2067 or visit www.paddlethehumber.com.

 

Get in the game

University of Toronto's Varsity Blues kicks off its season at Varsity Stadium against the Waterloo Warriors on Sept. 1 (Labour Day). Tickets are $10 for adults and kids are free. Students pay $5. Purchase tickets online at www.ticketbreak.com or at the gate on game day. Game time is 7 p.m. at Varsity Stadium (Bloor Street and St. George St.)

 

Free flicks

Watch family-themed movies under the stars every Friday night in August at Downsview Park after sunset (approximately 9 p.m.). Bring your own chair or blanket and cozy up for a different show each week (except Aug. 8). Aug. 1 Bee Movie, Aug. 15, Shrek the Third, Aug. 22 Surf's Up and Aug. 22 TBD.

 

Go wild

The Toronto Zoo, in Scarborough 361A Old Finch Ave., which has more 220 hectares full of more than 5,000 animals in seven tropical pavilions, an African Savannah exhibit. General admission (ages 13 to 64) is $20, Seniors (65) pay $14, and Children aged between four and 12 years pay $12. Children three or younger enter for free. Get up close and personal in Stingray Bay from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. until Sept 1. 9:30 a.m. to 5 pm from sept 2 through to October. Tickets are $3 for adults and children enter free. For more information call the Zoo at 416-392-5929.

 

Blast from the past

The Scarborough Historical museum 1007 Brimley Rd. is the place to go to find out about the area's history dating back to 1796 when it was a just a rural community. Adults pay $2.83 and seniors (60) pay $1.42. Youths (13-18) pay $1.42. Children pay $0.94. Pay as you can on summer weekends. The museum is located in Thompson Memorial Park. For more information call 416-338-8807.

 

The view from up here

Get a view of the surf at Scarborough Bluffs, a 14 kilometre stretch along the shore of Lake Ontario. The Bluffs line the Eastern Beaches of Toronto in the west, to West hill in the east end. They reach 65 metres above the water at their highest point. Witness first hand the interesting shapes sculpted out of the clay soil by erosion.