Now that school is out for the summer, the kids will be wanting, and expecting, an exciting and adventurous summer. But, going on day trips and exploring the city can be costly. Credit Canada understands the demands parents feel to ensure their children's summers are filled with enjoyment and new activities. "We know the pressure our clients feel to take their children on outings throughout the summer," says Laurie Campbell, Executive Director of Credit Canada. However, there are many families who have financial constraints that limit the activities they can enjoy. "But, enjoying Toronto this summer doesn't have to break the bank. There are a number of free and low-cost activities you and your children can enjoy," says Ms. Campbell.

Here are twelve free or low-cost summer time activities in Toronto:

1. Royal Ontario Museum - 100 Queen's Park @ Museum Substation - the Museum is free from 5-6 p.m. daily and is free Friday's from 4:30 - 9:30. http://www.rom.on.ca/

2. Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) - 317 Dundas Street West, at the corner of Dundas and McCaul.  The AGO is free Wednesday evenings 6 - 9 p.m. www.ago.net

3. Centre Island Toronto - Ferry is located at the foot of Bay Street on Queens Quay between Harbour Castle Westin Hotel and Harbour Castle condominiums.  Ferry costs $6.00 adults, $3.50 Students and Seniors (under 19 with Student Card and over 65), $2.50 Juniors (under 14), free for children under 2. 

Inexpensive activities at Centre Island Include:

The Franklin Children's Garden http://www.toronto.ca/parks/franklin/index.htm. For more information on the Franklin Children's Garden, call: Access Toronto, 416-338-0338.

4. Riverdale Farm - 201 Winchester Street, three blocks east of Parliament Street along Winchester Street, three blocks north of Gerrard Street East along Sumach Street, Open daily, 9 - 5.  
http://www.toronto.ca/parks/riverdalefarm.htm

5. Public Swimming Pools / Splash Pads - Various locations throughout the city.  
http://www.toronto.ca/parks/recreation_facilities/swimming/index.htm

6. Ontario Early Years Centers - (Various locations throughout Toronto and Ontario) A place for parents and  their children ages 0 - 6 years (drop in programs, group activities and more, all services are free)  http://www.ontarioearlyyears.ca/oeyc/oeyc.htm

7. High Park - (Stretching between Kennedy Subway Station and High Park Subway Station on Bloor West and along  Lake Shore Blvd). Visit http://www.toronto.ca/parks/highpark.htm to find out more.

Activities include:

•  High Park Zoo
•  Jamie Bell Adventure Playground
•  High Park Children's Garden
•  And much more

For information on other parks in Toronto visit http://www.toronto.ca/parks/index.htm

8. Harbourfront Centre - http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/noflash/frontpage.php  Various cultural activities (plays, music festivals, street performers "buskers")

9. Walking Trails and Bike Trails and Paths - Kilometers of scenic trails weaving throughout the city's parks,  lakefront and streets. Visit  http://www.toronto.ca/parks/maps.htm to down load a map of the city's parks and  trails.

10. Beaches - There are several beaches located in Toronto. To locate the beach nearest to you and to find out if  the water is safe for swimming visit http://www.toronto.ca/beach/

11. Street Festivals including - Taste of the Danforth, Celebrate Toronto and much more. Visit www.toronto.com  and www.toronto.cahttp://www.toronto.ca/special_events/index.htm

12. Toronto Public Libraries feature many events for children including story times, movies and more visit
 http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/pro_index.jsp to locate the branch nearest you and a list of upcoming  activities and events.

Credit Canada is a not-for-profit charitable community service. We help consumers by providing credit education, counselling on budgeting and wise use of credit, and planned debt liquidation programs. Our service reach extends across Canada, and involves the operation of 12 branch offices in the Greater Toronto Area, a new network-enabled administration, and a new in-house Call Centre. Over the past 40 years, we have helped more than 550,000 individuals and families get through difficult financial troubles.

For more information contact:
Laurie Campbell
Executive Director
416-228-2526

*Credit Canada is an operating name for Credit Counselling Service of Toronto