This year we went to the CNE with both of our children. It was a totally different experience compared to the last time we went. We spent our entire half of the day on the side where the kid midway rides were. There were places on this side I had no idea even existed at CNE. Which is also why I was inspired to share my top 8 things to do at the CNE with kids! Although today is the last day to attend the CNE, save this for next summer and plan out your day ahead of time!
- Reptilia – This is an exhibit that has more than one daily show about reptiles. We watched the snake show and Baby D loved the interactive part of the show. Children get to pet the reptiles and after the show, there’s a Q&A period, while you pet the reptiles. On average for something like this, it’s $7/child. I know this because we had animals at Baby D’s birthday (twice). At the CNE it’s FREE. (Found at the Kids’ World Park area).
- Kids Center – What I wish I knew about the last time we went with Baby D, was this center where you can change diapers. If you have more than one child, you have an entire room shared with other parents to change your child’s diaper. There’s a movie playing and lots of toys for kids to play with. Also in case you’ve run out of diapers, they have every size at this center, along with wipes and other baby items. After changing diapers we were here accidentally for about 20 minutes. They just didn’t want to leave!
Top 8 Things To Do at the CNE with Kids – A Guide to keeping them Entertained
- Kids’ World Park – It’s just a regular park area, with your standard swings and such but what makes it fun for kids is that it’s in the center of all the fun stuff for them. There’s also a stage nearby where all the shows happen. You’ll find the reptilia mobile on one side, and the kid center, workshops and more on the other. Oh, and the midway rides are very close by. So you can make this your meeting station for older kids and a place for your kids to burn off energy before you sit down for lunch/dinner.
- Midway Rides – I didn’t think there would be good rides for my 3-year-old toddler to ride but boy was I wrong! He went on his first roller coaster (dragon midway ride) and there’s always the classics, train, carousel, tea cups etc.
- Farm Animals – There are about farmyard yard animals at the CNE for kids to enjoy watching. Cows, goats, and sheep to name a few! People also get to pretend they’re farmers by picking apples off a tree, collecting eggs from the chickens and more.
- Toddler Center – The toddler center may change every year based on who is sponsoring the room. This year half the room was sponsored by Air Transit; with a make-believe airplane and stairs going up to it. You could sit at the front and be the pilot or be a passenger in the seats behind it. The seats are big enough for adults to sit on. There’s a slide to come down.
FUN ACTIVITIES AT THE CNE FOR KIDS
- Pizza Nova Pizza Making Workshop – They have many classes throughout the day. You get to learn how to make pizza by the pizza nova professionals and then you get to eat it too! Awesome workshop to do with your kids.
- Art Studio – At this studio kids get to paint, make things out of clay and more!Overall, I’d say that the admission for CNE gives you a lot more bang for your buck than most people know. I highly recommend to get their early, have a plan before you go and bring family with you if possible. You can have your toddler/babies play in that kid area for hours with a family member supervising while you go to the other side and play some CNE games or go on rides. Or stick around with them and plan out your day so you see all the shows and do all the workshops with your little ones. Excited for next summer!
