A rainy day in Toronto with kids aged 2 to 9 goes better with a plan. Small children need room to run, older ones need something new, and parents need a place that is warm, dry and easy to reach. This guide lists indoor ideas around the city and explains what a rainy-day visit to Kart Town’s indoor playground in Scarborough looks like, so you can pick the right outing before the first drop falls.
Quick Answer: Where to Take Kids When It Rains in Toronto
- To burn off energy: an indoor playground with climbing, a bouncy castle and space to run.
- For something new: a go-kart track built for young children, like the Classic Karts at Kart Town.
- For a calm afternoon: a Toronto Public Library branch with a children’s area and story time.
- For curious minds: a museum or an aquarium downtown.
- For a low-cost drop-in: a City of Toronto community centre with indoor play programs.
Indoor Activities in Toronto for Kids Aged 2 to 9
1. Indoor Playgrounds
Indoor playgrounds are the most reliable rainy-day choice for this age group. Children climb, slide and bounce for an hour or two, and parents know where everyone is. Look for play areas sized for young children, so toddlers are not sharing space with teenagers.
2. Kids’ Go-Karting
Most go-kart tracks in the GTA are built for teens and adults. Kart Town in Parkway Mall is different: its Classic Karts are designed for children aged 2 to 9, and each ride, called an Adventure, is about five minutes of driving with themed lights and sound. Track operators explain the controls before every ride, and the karts have seat belts.
3. Libraries and Story Times
Toronto Public Library branches have children’s areas, picture books and free programs for young children. It is a quiet option for a short visit or a slower morning.
4. Museums and Attractions
Downtown museums and the aquarium are good for a longer day out with school-aged children. Plan around travel time and parking, and check each venue’s hours before you leave.
5. Community Centres
Many City of Toronto community centres run indoor play and drop-in programs for young children. Check your local centre’s schedule, because times change by season.
A Rainy Day at Kart Town: What to Expect
Kart Town is an indoor playground and go-kart track inside Parkway Mall at 85 Ellesmere Rd, Unit 102, Scarborough. Everything is sized for children aged 2 to 9, so the whole family can stay together in one place.
- Playground and bouncy castle: climbing, sliding and jumping for children only, while parents stay nearby.
- Toy car area: for the youngest visitors who are not ready for the track yet.
- Classic Karts: five-minute Adventures of roughly ten laps on the indoor track.
- Arcade: games played with Kart Koins, which come with most bundles.
Walk-In Bundles
Regular visits are walk-in only, so there is nothing to book. Walk-in bundles start at $20 per child and include two hours in the playground, bouncy castle and toy car area, with go-kart rides and Kart Koins depending on the bundle. Tickets and tokens are valid on the day of purchase. See the current bundles on the walk-ins and birthday packages page.
Height Rules for the Karts
The minimum published height for Classic Karts is 31 inches (80 cm). Children over 42 inches (107 cm) must drive on their own, and adults may not ride with them. For children between 31 and 42 inches, ask staff about riding with a parent. The combined kart weight limit is 100 kg (220 lb). Read more in our guide: Is go-karting safe for kids?
Rainy-Day Birthday Parties
Rain cannot cancel an indoor party. Kart Town offers three two-hour birthday packages, each with a private themed room, playground, bouncy castle and toy car area access:
- Cancun (Bird Room): 8 children, 1 Classic Kart Adventure per child, 50 shared Kart Koins, 2 XL cheese pizzas and 8 juice boxes, $328 + HST.
- Hawaii (Dino Room): 8 children, 2 Adventures per child, 50 shared Kart Koins, 2 XL cheese pizzas and 8 juice boxes, $388 + HST.
- Rio (Monkey Room): 15 children, 2 Adventures per child, 100 shared Kart Koins, 3 XL cheese pizzas and 15 juice boxes, $638 + HST.
Compare inclusions and book on the packages page, or read the rainy-day birthday party plan.
Tips for a Smooth Rainy-Day Outing
- Go early on weekends. Wet Saturdays and Sundays are busy at every indoor venue in the city.
- Sign the waiver online. Every child at Kart Town needs a signed waiver, and doing it before you leave saves time at the door.
- Check the hours first. Kart Town is closed on Tuesdays except holidays. See the contact page for current hours.
- Dress for movement. Comfortable clothes make climbing and driving easier.
- Plan two hours. That is how long walk-in access lasts, and it is enough time for every area.
FAQs
What can kids do on a rainy day in Toronto?
Indoor playgrounds, kids’ go-karting, library story times, museums and community centre drop-ins all work well. For children aged 2 to 9, an indoor playground with a go-kart track, like Kart Town in Scarborough, combines active play and something new in one visit.
Do I need to book a regular visit to Kart Town?
No. Regular visits are walk-in only. Only birthday parties are booked in advance, through the packages page.
How much does a rainy-day visit to Kart Town cost?
Walk-in bundles start at $20 per child for two hours of access, with go-kart rides and Kart Koins depending on the bundle.
Can my 2-year-old drive a go-kart?
Classic Karts have a minimum published height of 31 inches (80 cm). For children between 31 and 42 inches, ask staff about riding with a parent.
Where is Kart Town?
Inside Parkway Mall at 85 Ellesmere Rd, Unit 102, Scarborough, ON M1R 4B8. Call (437) 660-5278 with questions.
