Here is some ideas for parents who are searching for interesting things to keep their children busy.
More than a dozen area facilities including Marie Curtis Park will be taking part in Summer in the 6IX, a new City program to keep youth busy.
The free program, which kicks off on July 20 and runs for the summer, is designed for Toronto teens and young adults from the age of 13 to 24, who will be offered opportunities to drop in, meet up with friends and take part in fun, themed activities.
”Summer in the 6IX will be available to all Toronto youth at a variety of parks,” according to promotional materials. “There will be three session times offered daily at multiple locations across the city, seven days a week.”
Some of the activities include dance, fitness, ecology, sports, leadership, employment, arts and the media.
The programs are taking place at Marie Curtis Park, Sir Adam Beck park, James S. Bell, Gus Ryder Pool, Ken Cox Community Centre, Rotary Peace Park outdoor pool, Prince of Wales park, Ourland park, Amos Waites Park, Mimico Memorial park and many others.
City officials say the program was developed with Toronto Public Health with a strong focus on health and safety and for participants to maintain physical distance from other individuals and groups.
The equipment will be sanitized between uses, or individual supplies will be provided. Staff will conduct a verbal health screening with each participant prior to the program start and collect caregiver or participant contact information, should tracing be required.
Children under the age of 12 are eligible for another program, called ParksPlayTO, which is also being run by the City, MLSE Foundation which brings sports programming.
ParksPlayTO will offer activities such as nature exploring, gardening, active games, arts and crafts, family fitness, story-telling and music circles for children and their caregivers. Any child age 12 and under accompanied by a caregiver age 18 or older can participate in ParksPlayTO.
Find out more at www.toronto.ca. Registration required.