Theme & Amusement Parks in Toronto

Spanning 25,000 square feet of living quarters for coldblooded creatures, Reptilia houses more than 200 venomous and nonvenomous reptiles and amphibians. Experienced keepers and handlers educate zoo-goers on the critters that make up the more than 50 exhibits, including star performers such as a 14-foot king cobra, a red-footed tortoise, and Induna—a 14-foot Nile crocodile weighing more than 1,200 pounds. Besides expounding on animals’ eating habits during four live feedings each day, the staff also demonstrates the reptiles’ instinctive vaudeville routines during live shows in an on-site theatre. Furthering its commitment to reptilian education, the zoo helps visitors overcome their irrational fears of snakes, spiders, and terrarium glass in a four-week course dedicated to phobias, and camp counselors guide children through science experiments, arts and crafts, and ecologically focused zoo tours during all school breaks.

Masked by opaque helmets, eight racers at a time tense up to counteract the G-force pressing them to the sides of their karts. As they approach the fastest sweeping turn on the course, The Catapult, they sharpen their focus in order to out-manoeuvre the other racers, their final position hanging in the balance. Grand Prix Kartways' 47,000-square-foot facility's alternating red and white barriers blur as electric, Italian-made karts accelerate into the last straightaway, cheered on by spectators watching from the VIP lounge. Once across the finish line, the competitors clear the track for the next race, using instant printouts of the results to compare placing, reveal who had the best lap times, and determine who was throwing all the koopa shells and banana peels. Between races, daredevils can relax and take a seat in the cushy trackside lounge equipped with leather couches, a restaurant menu, and a full bar. The arcade also offers a view of one of the track's hairpin curves between billiards shots, simulator races, and video games on Kinect-equipped Xbox 360 systems.

Walking the plank is one of the scariest things you can do as a buccaneer, but not at Mega Fun 4 Kids. On its pirate-ship play structure, the plank is a slide kids can zoom down while their fellow playmates pretend to steer the vessel. Elsewhere in the 2,800-square-foot indoor playground, youngsters aged 8 and younger cook meals in the play kitchen, play dress-up in the costume corner, and ride a mini rollercoaster. Along with daily playtime, Mega Fun 4 Kids hosts frequent events, including family nights with movies and pizza and visits from kids’ celebrated characters such as Tigger and the third guy who voiced Piglet. For birthdays, staff party consultants plan soirees that delight kids with private time on the playground and can include extras such as jumping castles or screening of a favourite movie.

The piercing clang of well-struck drives resonates across the grounds at Golden Ridge Golf, their echoes beckoning to clubbers to come groom their game at the multifaceted complex. Guests can smooth out rough-edged swings with a stint at the 300-yard driving range, where players can hit off of natural grass or faux-turf mats and take cover in sheltered hitting bays during rainstorms or pelican pranks. An 18-hole mini-golf course channels the charm of an old country town with a decorative wagon, general store facade, and putters that double as moustache combs. All of the grounds’ score-shaving resources are utilized to the fullest during Golf Academy clinics and lessons, which are overseen by CPGA-certified pro and former touring professional Gordie Burns.

The rumble of engines. The squeal of tires. The victorious flap of checkered flag. Traditionally, the exhilarating sounds of auto racing have been confined to the zooming packs of Indycars that snake around the streets of Exhibition Place every summer. Now, however, visitors to Go Karts at Polson Pier can keep Toronto's race day spirit alive for months at a time. The 0.75-kilometre track invites up to 20 racers at a time to navigate side-by-side traffic in karts that hit top speeds of 40 kilometres per hour. In addition to outmanoeuvring their fellow racers, drivers must also contend with the track itself, where 10 turns challenge reaction time and racing instincts alike. After races end, drivers can recount tales of on-track adventure at other nearby attractions, including a miniature golf course, indoor rock climbing, and a driving range.

Anti-Gravity Trampoline's head coach Stacey Turpin boasts experience coaching both men and women in trampoline and gymnastics and holds several Level 4 certifications from the National Coaching Certification Program. She and her coaching staff train students in the aerial arts on the indoor gym's floor exercise area, dual regulation-size trampolines, and one double mini-trampoline. Coaches help beginners hone basic jumping skills and develop strength, flexibility, and coordination; they also teach more advanced manoeuvres that could help students evade the shadows sewn to their feet. When not leading classes, instructors conduct full- and half-day children's camps filled with trampoline practice, games, and crafts.