Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)

The Art Gallery of Ontario is one of the largest art museums in North America, but what makes it exceptional for families is how deliberately it has been designed to welcome children. With over 120,000 works spanning centuries and continents, the AGO could be overwhelming — instead, it offers thoughtful entry points for visitors of all ages.

The crown jewel for families is the Dr. Mariano Elia Hands-On Centre, a dedicated creative space where children 14 and under can explore art-making through painting, sculpting, drawing, and mixed-media projects inspired by the gallery's current exhibitions. Staffed by trained educators, the centre provides a genuine creative experience — not just colouring pages.

Activities rotate regularly, so repeat visits feel fresh.

The building itself is an attraction. The Frank Gehry-designed renovation added the stunning Galleria Italia, a 137-metre-long corridor of glass and Douglas fir beams that curves along the north face of the building. Kids are captivated by the architecture — it feels like walking inside a giant wooden ship.

The Henry Moore Sculpture Centre houses the world's largest public collection of Moore's work, and the bronzes are intentionally touchable, making it one of the few gallery spaces where kids are encouraged to interact physically with the art.

The AGO's collection includes European masterworks, Canadian art from the Group of Seven through to contemporary Indigenous artists, and rotating special exhibitions that often feature interactive or immersive elements. Family Sundays offer guided activities, and the gallery provides self-guided family activity sheets that turn a visit into a treasure hunt through the collections.

The admission policy is remarkably family-friendly. Ontario residents under 25 enter free with valid ID, which means your teenagers can visit independently as they get older. The first Wednesday evening of each month is free for everyone, making it an excellent date-night-with-kids option.

Located at Dundas and McCaul in the heart of downtown, the AGO sits on the doorstep of both Chinatown and Kensington Market, creating natural before or after-visit dining options. The on-site AGO Bistro offers a kids menu, and the FRANK Restaurant provides a more refined option for families celebrating a special occasion. Strollers are welcome, and the gallery is fully accessible.