What to do in London, Ontario with Kids during the Summer ~ DownshiftingPRO

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It’s 2020 and we are facing a summer with COVID-19 regulations still in place. As many of us are looking for activities to do with our families, I wanted to update the post of things to do with your kids in London, Ontario. Although we would love to visit a museum or attend a festival, those are not possible right now. Although our options are diminished, we can still enjoy many outdoor activities in and around London.

If you find yourself with a child underfoot, have no fear, I’ve got a few suggestions for you and your family on what to do in London Ontario this summer. There are a variety of activities with a variety of prices from free to a little bit pricey but still a lot of fun.

What to do in London Ontario this Summer @DownshiftingPRO

Day Camps

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Day camps are available but will look very different this year. There will be fewer campers, heighten, COVID-19 protocols for parents, children and staff. You can find out more City of London Day Camps. Alas, this year, there will be no drop-in playground programs. With one of my daughters working in these camps, I have a birdseye view of how much fun they have planned for kids this summer. There will also be a limited number of specially trained Inclusion and one-on-one counsellors at certain locations.

Camps are available throughout the city with limited numbers of campers, COVID-19 protocols and fewer weeks available. You will have to check out each individual website for registration information. There are also private summer camp options with the perfect specialized camp (theatre, tennis, cooking). These are always great options to keep your kids busy. Here are a few options to consider:

Museum of London mini-artist camp July 27-31
Mad Science Virtual Camps once a week for 5 weeks (60-minute ZOOM sessions)
Great Big Theatre Company (virtual camps available)
Sports Western Virtual Camp – free activities provided on the website and register for virtual camp
John Hatch Tennis Camp – book a private counsellor for 2 hours with up to 4 kids; tennis camp available; private tennis lessons available
Camp Kee-Mo-Kee@home – offering a virtual option, they also have a unique pen-pal activity

If you are looking for less structured activities, consider a day trip. It will get you out of the house and to a new place to Discover in Ontario. Whether you have one or many children, below you will find a list of places to go and things to do with your children this summer.

Storybook Gardens

At this time Storybook Gardens is only available to City of London Day camps. It is not opened to the public. Keep monitoring the website for updates on opening later in the summer or fall.

If your kids want to make a week of it, consider one of the specialized Storybook Gardens summer camps offered through the City of London, Spectrum. If you want to tire your children out, this is the place to do it. There is a charge to access the facilities in Storybook Gardens but well worth the price of admission if you are visiting with family. You can also access the larger Springbank Park area with covered picnic areas, soccer fields, a wading pool and an expanded playground. There is no charge for using this London outdoor treasure!

East Park

With very detailed COVID-19 protocols illustrated on their website, East Park has opened some of its activities. These include go-karts, mini-golf, batting cage and driving range. These provide some good options when you are trying to find what to do in London Ontario this summer.

Time to hit the green, the putting green that is! @EastParkLondon is home of 2 of London’s favourite mini-golf courses. Take the family out for Harry’s Goofy Golf or head to The Golf Zone that feels like you’re on a real green. Or maybe you prefer a bit of go-karting. With over 1800 feet of race track, it’s perfect for beginners and experienced drivers. Open weekdays 12-8 pm.

East Park is offering 4 different day camps including rock climbing camp, junior day camp and a beginner and intermediate level golf camp. For more info on camps, their new Covid-19 protocols or to book your spot visit East Park Summer Camp page.

TD Sunfest – Connected

01Resized FINAL Sunfest 20 Connected Flyer 03 663x1024 1 Photo credit TD Sunfest Festival in London Ontario July 10 11

This year will be very different for the popular TD Sunfest International Music Festival – it will be online! Give credit to the organizers to adapt in these trying times. Sunfest is one of my all-time favourite festivals, to see amazing acts FOR FREE from around the world. For two days from July 10-11 take in the “Baklava Blues” from Ontario, direct from Bogota, Colombia “NVOS”, Quebec, Sweden, Chile, Brazil, Cape Verde and Mozambique! My personal favourites (returning again this year) are Five Alarm Funk from British Columbia.

River’s Edge Disc Golf

Address: 42 St Julien St, London, ON

Combine frisbee with golf and you have a fun afternoon or evening of disc golf. Located in Pond Mills, this 27 ‘hole’ disc golf course would be ideal for a group of teens. I couldn’t find a lot on this course but it is maintained by both the City of London and volunteers. If you like this sport, it was described as a ‘gem in SW Ontario’. I would think this is worth a visit if you ask me!

Walking Trails

Managed by the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, there are many green spaces available for hiking, picnicking and enjoying. There are hundreds of walking trails in and around London. Check out those found at Westminster Ponds, Byron Woods, the Sifton Bog in Oakridge, Fanshawe Conservation Area, Medway Valley Heritage Forest, Komoka Provincial Park, Medowlily Trail. There are plenty of areas to go for a walk and explore nature.

Geocaching

While you are out on a trail, see if there are any treasures to be found. Try Geocaching (the original Pokemon game)! There are thousands of hidden treasures in and around London, Ontario. For that reason, geocaching is a treasure hunt with the use of your smartphone or GPS and an account on Geocaching.com. You will find this fun FREE activity a challenge for your teens. Consequently, I do think this is a fun activity but best done in pairs for safety reasons.

Family Fun outside of London

If you are still looking for what to do in London Ontario this summer, don’t limit yourself to the city limits. You can also find many activities within an 40 minute drive. Whether you visit neighbouring St. Thomas to take a drive to Aylmer or St. Mary’s you can find activities which will keep you safe in this summer of social distancing.

Pinafore Park, St. Thomas

Address: 95 Elm St, St. Thomas

If you are looking for outdoor fun in St. Thomas, find your way to Pinafore Park. It has beautiful gardens and a waterfall which you will find to be very peaceful. There is a large playground and a splash pad for the kids. Bring a picnic and make a family day of it! Bring your racket because you will also find tennis and pickleball courts.

Waterworks Splash Pad, St. Thomas

2 S Edgeware Rd, St Thomas, ON

Waterworks Splash Pad is now open in St. Thomas (20 minutes south of London). Waterworks emphasizes the quieter forms of family recreation. Enjoy a pleasant stroll across arched footbridges that join a chain of tiny islands where water lilies, goldfish and other wildlife are found swimming amongst exotic water lilies. An ideal spot for any type of nature study! To the south, Waterworks provides a large playground, a new splash pad open in July and August.

Kustermans Berry Farms

Address: 23188 Springwell Rd. Mount Brydges,ON

Kustermans Family Farm provides acres of outdoor fun and incredible memories for young and old alike. There is nothing better than picking fresh berries in the spring and summer. You can come to Pick-Your-Own farm- fresh blueberries, raspberries and in the fall pick pumpkins or shop in the Farm Market & Bakery for pre-picked berries. The market pecializes in the best of locally grown and produced foods and gifts. The Farm Fun Yard is currently closed to the public but you can check out their website for more updates.

Clovermead Adventure Farm

Address: 11302 Imperial Road. (Hwy #73) Aylmer, ON

Just 20 minutes from London, you can visit this family-owned apiary and family fun adventure farm when you pre-book your visit. You have two options here: a two-hour splash pad experience and a 1-hour animal barn visit. You must get tickets in advance for either of the two experiences. Guests must maintain COVID-19 suggested protocols (masked are not currently required but strongly suggested).

The 1-hour pass, allows you to visit the farm animals and to have a picnic at Clovermead. The 2-hour splash pad experience lets you have 1 hour at the splash pad and 1 hour at the farm. Cost varies but you must have a pre-booked time to attend.

Remember to ARRIVE ON TIME, AT YOUR SPECIFIC PRE-BOOKED TIME.
To reduce lines and high traffic contact points, there will only be a limited number of tickets available for specific dates and times. Note: arrive no sooner than 10 minutes before your scheduled booking.

Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum, St. Mary’s

Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in St. Marys Ontario @DownshiftingPRO photo credit CANVAPRO

Located in St. Mary’s (about 40 minutes from London), is the Canadian Baseball Hall of fame. It sits on a 32-acre site with 4 amazing ball fields, walking trails and a unique museum. It’s opened Tuesday – Sunday from 10 – 5 pm, the museum is opened to a maximum of 10 visitors at a time. They are opened and ready to welcome visitors by providing masks.

Fun Family Activities in London Ontario @DownshiftingPRO — What to do in London Ontario this summer?

If you are still wondering what to do in London Ontario this summer, you just have to go outside. Outdoor activities can sill hold adventures within south-western Ontario. Although summer vacation is looking a bit different this year, we can still enjoy some aspects of the city practising proper social distancing protocols. You may have other ideas to spend a fun-filled summer with your kids in and around the London area, I welcome any comments below to help others explore the area.

What to do in London, Ontario with Kids during the Summer