Published 2 November 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
My top five kids activities in Vaughan and Markham are Canada’s Wonderland (WinterFest from 21 November 2026), LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto at Vaughan Mills (indoor, ages 3 to 10, from $21.99), the Kortright Centre for Conservation, Markham Museum and the free Rouge National Urban Park. Check each official page for 2027 hours.
This guide is for parents in Vaughan and Markham, and for families thinking about moving to York Region, who want reliable things to do with kids through 2027. You get my five picks, with hours, prices and seasons taken from each operator’s own page, plus indoor options for winter and what family homes cost in both cities.
What are the best things to do with kids in Vaughan and Markham?
My five picks are Canada’s Wonderland and LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto in Vaughan, the Kortright Centre for Conservation in Vaughan, Markham Museum, and the Markham side of Rouge National Urban Park. Together they cover a big theme park, an indoor play space for younger kids, nature trails, a hands-on history site and a free national park. The order is my judgement, not an official ranking.
| Activity | City | Indoor or outdoor | Best ages | Cost (as posted) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada’s Wonderland (WinterFest) | Vaughan | Outdoor | All ages | Tickets from $39 plus fees and tax |
| LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto | Vaughan (Vaughan Mills) | Indoor | 3 to 10 | Tickets from $21.99; annual pass $59 |
| Kortright Centre for Conservation | Vaughan | Mostly outdoor | All ages; programs for ages 1 to 4 | Adult $8.30, child $5.50, under 4 free, plus HST and parking |
| Markham Museum | Markham | Both | All ages; GPS trail for 4 to 12 | Admission; check the City’s page |
| Rouge National Urban Park | Markham, Toronto, Pickering, Uxbridge | Outdoor | All ages | Free |
Source: Canada’s Wonderland, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto, TRCA Kortright Centre, City of Markham and Parks Canada pages, checked 10 November 2026. Prices and hours change; confirm before you go.
1. Canada’s Wonderland (Vaughan)
What it offers this winter
Canada’s Wonderland at 1 Canada’s Wonderland Drive in Vaughan runs WinterFest on select dates from 21 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. The park says it adds millions of lights, more than 20 family rides, live shows, a nightly tree lighting with two 50-foot trees, visits with Santa, cookie decorating with Mrs. Claus and skating on Snow Flake Lake beneath Wonder Mountain. Skating costs extra, and skate rentals are available.
Tickets and passes
- WinterFest park tickets start at $39 each, plus a processing fee of up to $9.99 and tax.
- The park says seniors 65 and over get free admission to WinterFest, which helps if grandparents come along.
- A 2027 Silver Pass includes 2026 WinterFest and visits through Labour Day 2027. It was listed at $75 each when buying four or more, or $89 each for one to three.
Summer 2027 opening dates were not posted when I checked. If your family will go three or more times next year, compare the season pass price against single tickets before you buy.
2. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto (Vaughan Mills)
What it offers
This is my first pick for younger kids on a cold or rainy day. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto is inside Vaughan Mills and describes itself as an indoor LEGO playground with millions of bricks and more than 12 attractions, including rides, 4D movies and building zones. It is designed for children aged 3 to 10.
Practical notes
- Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with last entry at 3:30 p.m. The LEGO shop stays open later.
- Tickets: from $21.99. An annual pass was listed at $59, which pays for itself in about three visits.
- Ticket prices vary by date, so compare a few days online before weekends and school holidays.
3. Kortright Centre for Conservation (Vaughan)
What it offers
Run by Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), Kortright sits on 325 hectares of woodland at 9550 Pine Valley Drive in Woodbridge, about 10 minutes north of Toronto. It has more than 16 km of trails open year-round, through forest, meadow and a boardwalk across the marsh. TRCA says the centre hosts about 100,000 visitors a year.
Programs for young children
Kortright runs Little Seedlings and Little Saplings for children aged 1 to 4, and a Nature School program. The general store sells snacks and maple syrup products, with a bigger selection during the spring Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival.
Hours and 2026 prices
- Open daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Buy tickets in advance.
- Adults (14 to 64) $8.30; students and seniors $7.00; children 4 to 13 $5.50; 3 and under free with an adult; parking $6.25. All plus HST, credit or debit only.
- Leashed dogs are welcome on trails but not in the Visitor Centre. Bikes are not allowed.
Instant Home Valuation
What’s your home
worth today?
Answer six quick questions and get an instant value range built from current Toronto & GTA sale data — property type, size, condition, lot and location all weighted the way a real pricing conversation weighs them. Takes about ninety seconds.
Reading recent GTA sale data…
Building your estimate
Estimated market value
—
$0–$0
Most likely value $0 · roughly $0 per square foot
What moved the number
Starting from the area baseline for your property type, here’s what each answer added or subtracted.
Market context
Recent local averages for comparison.
—
A range is a starting point.
A strategy is what sells.
This model doesn’t know that your neighbour’s identical semi went $80,000 over asking last month, or which two upgrades actually pay back in your area. That conversation is free and takes twenty minutes.
4. Markham Museum (Markham)
What it offers
Markham Museum, run by the City of Markham at 9350 Markham Road, spreads across 25 acres with hands-on galleries and a collection of historic buildings. It changes with the seasons, which is why I like it for families who want one place to visit all year.
- Story time: every Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. in the Everyday Superheroes exhibition, about 30 minutes each.
- Winter: snowshoeing on the grounds, with final entry at 4 p.m., and an outdoor rink run by the City. Both depend on the weather.
- Summer: a nine-hole mini golf course themed on Markham landmarks, not recommended for children under 3.
- GPS trails: the Nature Navigators trail is recommended for ages 4 to 12.
Hours and access
Fall hours are Wednesday to Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; it is closed Monday and Tuesday. Guided tours of the heritage buildings are included with admission. The museum lends free sensory kits with headphones and fidget toys, and support persons with an Easter Seals Access 2 card get in free. Enter through the John Lunau Centre.
5. Rouge National Urban Park (Markham side)
What it offers
Parks Canada says Rouge National Urban Park spans Toronto, Markham, Pickering and Uxbridge, with forests, creeks, farms, marshland and trails. It is free and open 365 days a year, and parking lots are open from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Parks Canada runs guided walks, tours and Learn-to Camp programs, which suit families new to the outdoors.
Before you go
Check the park’s bulletins first. When I checked on 10 November 2026, Parks Canada listed the Zoo Road day-use area and Rouge Beach and Marsh as closed. Parking lots can also close in bad weather, and the Rouge River can flood after heavy rain or snowmelt, so keep kids well back from the water.
Where can kids play indoors in York Region in winter?
Beyond LEGOLAND and the Markham Museum galleries, the City of Markham’s big community centres are the practical answer for weekly winter activity.
- Angus Glen Community Centre and Library, on Major Mackenzie Drive East between Warden Avenue and Kennedy Road, has two NHL-size arenas, a pool, a gymnasium and a library branch.
- Markham Pan Am Centre, built for the 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games, offers sport drop-ins such as lane swims, pickleball, badminton and table tennis. It suits older kids and teens.
- City recreation programs in both Vaughan and Markham open registration by season, so sign up early for swim and skate classes.
When families ask me about Vaughan or Markham, I tell them to think about the activities they will do every week, not the big outings. A theme park visit happens a few times a year. A pool, a library and a trail within ten minutes of home get used every week. Before you buy, map the nearest community centre and park to the exact street. My guides to the best Vaughan neighbourhoods and the best Markham neighbourhoods are a good place to start.
What do family homes cost in Vaughan and Markham?
The two cities are priced almost the same for houses. The bigger gaps are by home type, not by city.
| Home type | Vaughan median | Markham median | Vaughan change vs 2025 | Markham change vs 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detached | $1,415,000 | $1,420,000 | -5.0% | -6.5% |
| Semi-detached | $1,040,000 | $1,025,000 | -9.2% | -12.2% |
| Freehold townhouse | $1,014,500 | $999,990 | -9.3% | -10.9% |
| Condo apartment | $530,000 | $558,000 | -10.9% | -13.2% |
Source: TRREB MLS data via REALM, January–October 2026 vs the same period of 2025. Median sold prices, city-wide.
Detached homes in both cities took about 29 to 30 days on average to sell this year. Prices are lower than a year ago, so a family upsizing in 2027 may be able to negotiate. Schools matter as much as parks for most of my clients, so read my guide to Markham schools too.
Do not rely on older lists of Vaughan attractions. The McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg, long a family favourite, is closed for a major redevelopment and says it expects to reopen in 2029. Its parking lot and the trail access through its site close once construction starts. Always check an attraction’s own page before you drive out.
What to do next
- Pick a WinterFest night or a LEGOLAND day this winter and buy tickets online in advance.
- Add the Markham Museum weekend story time and a Kortright trail walk to your list for quieter weekends.
- Check the Parks Canada bulletins page before any Rouge visit.
- If you are moving, map the nearest community centre, library and park to each home you view.
- Compare family-friendly cities with my top GTA cities for families in 2027, then check your current home’s value with the estimator above.
Need help with this? Talk to me.
I’m Jatin Dua, Broker of Record at RE/MAX Quantum Realty, and I’m the best agent to do this kind of work for you in Toronto and across the GTA. Over $100 million in GTA sales and 100+ families helped sell. Feel free to contact me any time: call or text 833-330-1925 or email [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
What are fun things to do with kids in Vaughan?
The top things to do with kids in Vaughan are Canada’s Wonderland, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto at Vaughan Mills and the Kortright Centre for Conservation. Wonderland runs WinterFest on select dates from 21 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. LEGOLAND is indoor and suits ages 3 to 10. Kortright has more than 16 km of year-round trails on 325 hectares.
What are good kids activities in Markham?
Markham Museum and Rouge National Urban Park are two of the best kids activities in Markham. The museum covers 25 acres, with weekend story time at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., snowshoeing and a rink in winter, and mini golf in summer. Rouge is free year-round. For indoor sport, Angus Glen Community Centre has two arenas, a pool and a gym.
Where is indoor play in York Region for toddlers?
LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto at Vaughan Mills is the main indoor play attraction in York Region, designed for ages 3 to 10, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with tickets from $21.99. For children under 3, Markham Museum’s indoor galleries and story time work well, and city community centres offer indoor swims and drop-in programs. Check each page for 2027 schedules.
When is WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland in 2026?
WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland runs on select dates from 21 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 at 1 Canada’s Wonderland Drive, Vaughan. Park tickets start at $39 plus fees and tax, and the park says seniors 65 and over get free WinterFest admission. Skating on Snow Flake Lake costs extra. Check the park’s calendar for exact operating nights.
How much does LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto cost?
LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto tickets start at $21.99, and an annual pass was listed at $59 in November 2026. The centre is inside Vaughan Mills, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with last entry at 3:30 p.m., and is designed for children aged 3 to 10. Prices vary by date, so book online before you go.
How much is admission to the Kortright Centre?
Kortright Centre’s 2026 admission is $8.30 for adults, $7.00 for students and seniors, $5.50 for children aged 4 to 13, and free for children 3 and under with an adult, plus HST. Parking is $6.25 plus HST, and payment is credit or debit only. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 9550 Pine Valley Drive, Vaughan.
Is Rouge National Urban Park free?
Yes, Rouge National Urban Park is free and open 365 days a year, with parking lots open from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Parks Canada says the park spans Toronto, Markham, Pickering and Uxbridge. As of 10 November 2026, the Zoo Road day-use area and Rouge Beach and Marsh were listed as closed, so check bulletins before you visit.
Is the McMichael Gallery open for families in 2027?
No. The McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg, Vaughan, is temporarily closed for a major redevelopment and says it expects to welcome visitors back in 2029. The gallery shop is closed too, and trail access through the site ends once construction begins. Trails along the Humber River stay open from other access points.
Is Vaughan or Markham better for families?
Neither is clearly better; both suit families and cost almost the same for houses. From January to October 2026, the median detached price was $1,415,000 in Vaughan and $1,420,000 in Markham, per TRREB data via REALM. Vaughan has Canada’s Wonderland and Kortright nearby, while Markham has Markham Museum and Rouge park. Choose by schools and commute.
Sources
- Canada’s Wonderland: WinterFest
- LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto
- TRCA Kortright Centre: Plan your visit
- City of Markham: Markham Museum, plan your visit
- Parks Canada: Rouge National Urban Park, visit
- City of Markham: Angus Glen Community Centre and Library
- City of Markham: Markham Pan Am Centre
- McMichael Canadian Art Collection: Plan your visit
Related reading
- Top 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Live in Mississauga in 2027
- Top 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Live in Brampton in 2027
- Top 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Live in Markham in 2027
- Top 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Live in Oakville in 2027
About the author — Jatin Dua, Toronto and GTA real estate broker
I am Jatin Dua, Broker of Record and co-founder of RE/MAX Quantum Realty Inc., Brokerage, Unit 101, 799 The Queensway, Toronto. I work with buyers and sellers across Toronto and the GTA and have helped more than 100 families sell. Four-plus years of active GTA transactions and over $100 million in sales volume.
Reach me at [email protected] or 833-330-1925, or book a call.