Planning for Play with Two Littles in Toronto

How front-loading the trip made room for fun and fewer meltdowns

We just got back from Toronto as a family of four - a 6-month old, 3-year old plus mom and dad - and it was our best trip yet! I’ve always wanted to visit the city, so when my husband suggested we go over a long weekend, I immediately went into planning mode. When it comes to traveling with kids, my rule of thumb is this: about 80% of trip management is done before we even leave for the airport. This reduces our cognitive load and leaves about 20% for unexpected things like emergencies or quick decision-making in the moment.

Shared Packing

Before my husband and I hauled out our suitcases, we created a shared packing list in a notes app. That way, either one of us could add or check things off as we went along, and we both knew what was left to handle. Our schedules are busy and we seldom have time to catch up over mealtimes, so using a tool like this doubles as communication. The packing list also helped us avoid duplicate items and the dreaded “I thought you packed it!” moment.

We also made sure the hotel had two essentials: a crib for the baby and a mini fridge with a freezer compartment for expressed milk. It turned out to be a busy weekend at the hotel, and the staff member who wheeled in our fridge told us we’d snagged the very last one in the entire building. Well worth the effort to check beforehand!

Researching Activities

Doing research about what to do every morning, afternoon, and evening also helped. Our Marriott hotel was located in the heart of Toronto and was incredibly comfortable. There’s just something amazing about crisp white hotel sheets and the big fluffy covers. We knew there was a heated pool and had packed bathing suits for everyone (including swim diapers for the baby), so we headed for a dip within thirty minutes of checking in. It was a great way to have fun together and pass the time before dinner. 

Toronto itself was an incredible experience. The city has this unique energy: equal parts American industrialism and European panache. We visited Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada twice because our toddler loved the moving glidepath reef exhibit, and our baby was mesmerized by the sharks, jellies, and other sea life. We also stopped by the CN Tower and let our toddler set the pace, taking in the view from 1,000+ ft up high.

Meal Planning

We ate breakfast at the hotel every morning, which was convenient and healthier than trying to grab something on-the-go. For lunch, we knew there would be several family-friendly options within five minutes of whatever activity we were doing. We loved the Rec Room’s shrimp and salmon pasta (and they give complimentary popcorn!). On another day, we had a special reunion lunch with our longtime friends at Great Lakes Brewpub, and then stopped by the popular St Lawrence Market, where we ate the best oysters ever. There were so many amazing vendors and I wish we had more time to explore the sprawling space. 

We made dinner reservations at restaurants also within the walking distance from the hotel. Planning ahead meant we weren’t frantically Googling or negotiating preferences when we were already tired and hangry. Besides, our toddler didn’t care which sushi spot had the best aburi salmon – for the record, it’s a toss up between Miku and Cactus Club Cafe. We still made sure there were familiar options on the menu (for example, he likes shrimp, rice, and miso soup) so we could all enjoy the meal without a meltdown.

Also, we treated ourselves to dessert every night as a reward for a beautiful day spent together. It’s vacation, after all!

Lessons Learned 

Not everything went perfectly… I packed the wrong size diapers so we had to make a Rexall run and use a different brand! And while walking 10,000+ steps with a 15lb baby strapped to my chest everyday was an insane workout, we could’ve looked into using public transit here and there. Nevertheless, the entire trip was memorable and it was so special seeing my two boys observe and engage with the world around them. 

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About the Author

Balu Belz is a community strategist and podcast host on the Founding Mothers who loves creating experiences that bring joy and spark connection; that feel like magic. Her children inspire her to find the magic in travel. With a few trips done and so many more to come, she is loving being stringent about planning but spontaneous in the moment so she can truly be free on vacation, and enjoy every adventure.

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