You just finished your errands at Parkway Mall. The cart is packed, the grocery bags are loaded — and your kids are eyeing you with that look. The one that says we are absolutely not getting back in the car right now.
Sound familiar?
Here’s the thing most Scarborough parents don’t know: one of the GTA’s most exciting indoor entertainment venues for young children is literally inside the same building where you just bought your groceries. No driving across the city, no expensive parking downtown, no weather excuses.
This guide covers everything you need to know about indoor fun near Parkway Mall — from what’s available right on-site to how to plan a proper family outing in Scarborough’s east end.
Why Scarborough Families Need Reliable Indoor Options
Toronto’s weather is not kind to weekend plans. Between the roughly 120 rainy days per year and months of winter cold, outdoor activities can feel like a gamble even in spring. For parents of young children — especially toddlers and kids under 9 — finding a venue that’s safe, stimulating, and consistent takes real effort.
Scarborough has plenty to offer, but many options are spread out, age-limited, or simply not designed with young children in mind. That’s exactly what makes the Parkway Mall area such a practical destination: you can combine your regular shopping run with a genuinely great activity for your kids. No separate trip needed.
The Anchor: Kart Town Indoor Playground (Inside Parkway Mall)
If you’ve walked through Parkway Mall and wondered about the sound of tiny engines and excited kids, that’s Kart Town — located at Unit 102 inside the mall, right at 85 Ellesmere Rd, Scarborough.
Kart Town is North America’s first all-ages inclusive indoor go-karting experience designed specifically for young children. It’s not a scaled-down adult track — every detail of the venue is built around kids aged 2 to 9, from the kart sizes to the track layout to the staff supervision model.
Here’s what’s inside:
Classic Karts — For First-Time Racers
The Classic Karts are the entry point for younger or first-time riders. They’re perfectly sized for children who are new to the experience — lower speeds, intuitive steering, and a track that’s forgiving enough for a nervous four-year-old to complete their first lap without stress.
Parents often stand at the side and watch, but don’t be surprised if you’re the one cheering the loudest by lap three.
Formula Karts — For the Experienced Little Racer
The Formula Karts are the step up. Styled after real open-wheel race cars, these are for kids who’ve graduated from the Classic experience or have a bigger appetite for speed and the feeling of a genuine racing setup. The karts are still fully age-appropriate and safely supervised — they just look significantly cooler.
Bouncy Castle
Included with admission, the bouncy castle gives younger children a place to burn energy between kart sessions. For toddlers who aren’t quite ready for the track, it’s often the main event on its own.
Arcade Games
A selection of arcade games rounds out the experience. Token-based, kid-friendly machines that add another layer of choice to the visit. Parents report kids going through tokens faster than expected — budget accordingly.
Birthday Party Rooms
Kart Town is one of Scarborough’s most popular birthday party venues, offering custom packages that combine karting, arcade time, food, and balloons for groups of children. The venue is designed for smaller, more intimate parties (under 8 kids) — which, if you’ve ever tried managing 20 sugar-fueled children at a party, is actually a feature, not a limitation.
Kart Town hours:
Monday: 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday–Friday: 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Saturday–Sunday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Public Holidays & TDSB PA Days: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Check current pricing and packages →
What to Do Before or After Kart Town
Parkway Mall and its surrounding area have more to offer than a single stop. Here’s how to build a full family outing around your Kart Town visit.
Eat Inside the Mall
The Parkway Mall food court has several options suited to families with kids. Gabby’s inside the mall is a well-rated sit-down restaurant with a proper kids’ menu, including a meal with a soft drink and dessert for children 12 and under. Wild Wing is another Parkway Mall option for something more casual. If you’re in the food court, Warung Kampung is a popular Indonesian restaurant offering a taste of something different.
After an hour of racing and bouncy castle action, hungry kids are practically guaranteed.
Grab Groceries While You’re There
One of the most practical aspects of choosing Kart Town for a family outing: you can run your regular grocery errands in the same trip. Many Scarborough parents combine a Saturday grocery shop with a two-hour Kart Town session — the kids get their fun, you get your errands done. A genuine win-win.
Explore the Surrounding Area
Parkway Mall sits at the corner of Victoria Park Avenue and Ellesmere Road, making it a central point in Scarborough’s east end. Nearby parks like Thompson Memorial Park are a short drive away for warmer days when you want to extend the outing after your indoor session. In the colder months, staying in the Parkway Mall area and finishing with a meal makes for a complete, low-effort day out.
Who Is Kart Town Best For?
The honest answer: kids aged 2 to 9 and their parents.
Kart Town is not a venue that tries to be everything to everyone. It’s purpose-built for young children, and that focus shows in the experience. Parents of toddlers who’ve been burned by venues with minimum height requirements of 120cm (leaving their 4-year-old watching from the side) will find Kart Town refreshingly inclusive.
It works particularly well for:
- Families with multiple children of different ages — the Classic and Formula Karts give each child an appropriate experience, and the bouncy castle serves the youngest members.
- Parents who want to stay and watch — the track layout means parents can see their kids on every lap. You won’t be staring at a wall hoping your child is okay.
- Spontaneous visitors — walk-ins are welcome. No advance booking required for a regular visit, though birthday parties do benefit from a reservation.
- School groups and daycares — Kart Town offers dedicated field trip packages with structured programming designed around classroom groups. Teachers and organizers can book directly.
Planning Your Visit: Practical Tips From Experienced Parents
After reading hundreds of reviews and talking to Scarborough families, here’s the practical advice that actually makes a difference:
1. Go on a weekday afternoon if you can.
Weekends, especially Saturday mornings, are the busiest. If you’re flexible — a PA Day, a work-from-home afternoon, or an early-school-dismissal day — you’ll find shorter waits and a more relaxed pace.
2. Fill out the waiver before you arrive.
Kart Town has an online waiver you can complete in advance. Doing this at home saves 10–15 minutes at the venue and means you skip straight to the fun. Find the waiver link on their website.
3. Let kids do both kart types if budget allows.
Most children want to try both the Classic and Formula experience once they’ve warmed up. Building that into the budget from the start means no disappointed looks when you have to say no.
4. Arrive hungry — or eat first.
Plan your meal timing. If you’re eating at Gabby’s or the food court, doing it after the karting session works well — kids are naturally winding down and ready to sit. Eating first also means no upset stomachs during racing.
5. Bring socks.
Like most indoor play venues, closed-toe footwear is required for karting. Kids in sandals will need to swap before they can ride.
How to Book a Birthday Party at Kart Town
If you’re considering Kart Town for a birthday party — and many Scarborough parents do, with the 30% off birthday promotions running regularly — here’s how the booking process works.
The party packages include a private or semi-private setup, go-kart sessions for each child, arcade tokens, food (varies by package), and balloon décor. Packages are designed for groups of fewer than 8 children, which keeps the experience personal and manageable.
The venue handles setup and cleanup. Parents consistently note this as one of the biggest stress-relievers compared to hosting at home or at a larger, chaotic party venue.
View birthday party packages and pricing →
For questions or to reserve your date, contact the Kart Town team directly →.
