Situated on the shores of Lake Ontario, Sandy Island Beach State Park is a wonderful place weekend spot for swimming and sunning. The beach is very kid-friendly, with lifeguards to keep an eye on little swimmers and plenty of spots for a picnic. I highly recommend Sandy Island Beach for an afternoon of summr fun!

Stacy Park is a wonderful neighborhood park. Kids love the fun playground equipment (my daughter particularly likes the mini "rock climbing" wall). For parents, the park has lots of shade trees, benches and porch-style swings that make perfect spots for reading while the kids play, as well as trails for walking or running. Another great thing about Stacy Park is the atmosphere. Despite its location in generally homogeneous Olivette, the park attracts surprisingly diverse visitors. I've met parents from all over the world at Stacy Park, and am always struck by how friendly everyone is. In the summer, don't miss the Stacy Park carnival, which the park hosts during one weekend in July (at least I think its the July-check the schedule for the exact weekend). If your kids enjoy rides, games and funnel cake (and what kid doesn't?), you won't want to miss the carnival.

Paint Me Pottery is really fun for kids who enjoy crafts. It offers a wide selection of unpainted, unfired pottery, which visitors can paint to create their own unique work of art. Paint Me Pottery is also a fun (but a bit expensive, depending on the number of guests) place to host your child's birthday party.

I have attended several children's programs at Beaver Lake Nature Center with six year old my daughter and have been thoroughly impressed each time. The center is staffed by friendly, knowledgable nature enthusiasts who seem to genuinely enjoy teaching children about the outdoor world. A trip to Beaver Nature Center is a wonderful way to encourage a love of learning and an appreciation of nature in your children.

My family loves to visit Sunnrycrest Park in the winter. The park, which is conveniently located on the city's northside, has great trails for crosscountry skiing. There's also a nice ice skating rink in the park, making Sunnycrest a wonderful family destination for winter fun.