It’s go, go, go every day from Christmas until Easter with basically no breaks. The weather is lousy, sports programs are in full gear, school is unrelenting, and the treadmill just doesn’t stop moving. Almost everyone in Toronto would probably agree—it’s time for a rest. Spring break is a wonderful opportunity for families to enjoy quality time together. So take off your work shoes and enjoy a few days with the kids as they’re home from school, and make a few memories. While children love the unstructured nature of the break, the dramatic change in routine is not for everyone. If you have children with autism, you might want to look into a few structured and sensory-friendly activities which can make the break both enjoyable and stress-free. So let’s take a look into Toronto’s plethora of inclusive and autism-friendly experiences that cater to different interests and sensory needs. 

At Monarch House, we’ve put together a little list for you. Here are ten great spring break ideas for children with autism in Toronto.

1. Spend A Day At Ripley’s Aquarium Of Canada

Is your child an endless resource of facts about things that they are interested in? Here’s a few for them. Did you know that an octopus has three hearts? It also has ink that’s made from the same stuff as human hair. They have blue blood: yet skin that can camouflage. Not to mention, that ink of theirs, it’s actually toxic. There is so much to learn about just the octopus, imagine what your child will take in about all the other sea life and animals at the aquarium. Ripley’s Aquarium is a fantastic destination for children with autism. If your child has an unstoppable passion about certain topics, maybe their new special interest can be the sea life that they can find on spring break? If you are looking for a quieter experience, early mornings or weekdays are the best times to visit.  Regardless of when you go, there is comfortable, low lighting, slow-moving exhibits, and mesmerizing underwater life that can be soothing for your child. 

2. Enjoy A Sensory-Friendly Movie At Cineplex

Pow! Bang! Crash! Boom! There’s no immersive sight and sound experience quite like the cinema. For a fantastic few hours on a spring break afternoon, it’s truly an escape. However, if you’re wondering if the sensory experience is overwhelming for your child with autsm—think again. In recent years, they’ve balanced the sound levels with neurodivergence in mind for select screenings. Look to Cineplex Theatres for their special Sensory Friendly Screenings with lower volume, adjusted lighting, and a welcoming atmosphere where kids are free to move around. For children on the autism spectrum, these screenings are a great way to enjoy a movie in a relaxed setting without the stress and deafening noise. 

3. Visit the Ontario Science Centre

Is your child always experimenting with new ways of doing things and getting them just right? Do you wish they had a little more adventurous curiosity? You can foster this spark at the Ontario Science Centre. It’s perfectly suited for bright young minds, offering sensory-friendly experiences for children with autism in Toronto and plenty of inclusive activities. Discover hands-on exhibits, fun games and demonstrations, as well as plenty of quiet spaces for children who may need a break from stimulation. As much as possible, it strives to be a stress-free environment for children with neurodivergence. Families can explore interactive science displays at their leisure, forget about the time, and enjoy educational fun in a supportive, welcoming environment.

4. Explore The Toronto Zoo

Does your child love animals? Do you have all the pets you need at home? There’s a happy medium that can be reached here. The Toronto Zoo is the ideal day outing for any animal loving child with neurodivergence. It offers a calming outdoor environment with peaceful walking trails, plenty of room to breathe in wide open spaces, and designated quiet areas. If the monkeys are a little too shrill for your child, they also offer accessibility features, including noise-reducing headsets, and sensory-friendly maps at guest services.

5. Take A Nature Walk At High Park

We have talked before about ‘forest bathing’ and the concept of getting out into nature as a way to still the mind, body, and spirit. One of the best places in Toronto to do this is High Park. This lush landscape is an excellent place for children with autism who enjoy getting outdoors and breathing fresh air. Over spring break, take the family out to have a picnic in a serene setting, visit the animal farm, or simply explore the quiet walking trails. The best time to go is early morning. You’ll avoid the crowds and ensure a more comfortable experience for your child. 

6. Participate In An Autism-Friendly Art Workshop

From fingerpainting to sculpting with clay, there’s a medium for everyone at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Organizations like the AGO, as well as local community centres often offer autism-friendly art workshops. These fun, hands-on programs provide a creative and therapeutic outlet for your child in a structured and supportive environment.

7. Visit the ROM’s Accessibility Programs

Some children love to look at old photographs of familiar places to see all the changes that have happened over the years. Other kids like to see machines and cars from another era and imagine what the people were like who operated them. If a trip back in time sounds like your child’s idea of an interesting afternoon, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) has sensory-friendly mornings and accessibility resources for families. Children can explore fascinating exhibits at their own pace and enjoy hands-on learning experiences in a quieter setting that’s perfect for children with varying needs. 

8. Play At An Inclusive Indoor Playground

If your child is bouncing off the walls this spring break, maybe think about taking them somewhere with some padding. Indoor play spaces like Sprouts Growing Bodies & Minds offer fun toys, crash mats, and loads of silly fun and games that accommodate  autism-friendly playtimes with reduced noise levels and sensory-friendly play equipment. These spaces allow children to enjoy movement and social interaction in a supportive setting.

9. Enjoy Adaptive Swimming At Local Pools

We’ve written before about all the pool programs in Toronto for children with autism. There are plenty of exciting waterparks to visit as well. Many community pools in Toronto, such as those managed by Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, offer adaptive swimming programs. These sessions provide a low-sensory environment where children can learn to swim, develop water confidence, and improve upon their aquatic motor skills.

10. Join A Sensory-Friendly Music Class

Music sounds better when you’re in a good mood, and, ironically, there’s nothing that lifts you up quite like good music. There’s a reason for music therapy programs. They keep the blues at bay. Music has been proven to work wonders when dealing with anxiety, depression, as well as mood disorders. Inspiring classes, such as those offered by The Music Studio and community centres, provide structured music sessions designed for children with autism. These classes help with communication, motor skills, and emotional expression in a fun and engaging way.

There are plenty of boring things that you can do when school is not in session. You can have your kids stare at screens 24/7, which isn’t the strongest parenting strategy. You can go on the same road trip you do every year. Or, you can mix it up a bit this year and try out something new from the list each day. Make the most of spring break. This period of their lives can be an especially rewarding time for children with autism. Especially when activities are tailored to their interests and needs. At Monarch House we have a professional, interdisciplinary staff of occupational therapists, behavioural therapists, psychotherapists, and speech pathologists that are here to help find you activities that you’ll both enjoy and prepare your child for the transit, travel, and familiarity with the attraction you are going to visit. This city offers numerous options. So look around. You’ll find plenty of inclusive and fun-filled spring break adventures for children with autism in Toronto to enjoy, along with everyone else in the family.