Dufferin Grove Park

Rated this place:

875 Dufferin St., Toronto, ON, M5H2N2

Organic market: It is open all year round and is not only a wonderful market full of organic and local produce, but it's an awesome park full of community activities and a great neighbourhood feeling.

SKATING AT DUFFERIN GROVE PARK
Dufferin Grove Park is a fantastic community park and the skating rink certainly is no different. They have chairs for the newer skaters to hang on to (and save mom or dads back!), and parents with no skates are allowed on the ice too. They allow strollers for those not ready to hit the ice with skates yet. They also rent skates and helmets to try it out before going to purchase new ones. They also have a small café serving snacks and drinks and a warm dressing room to warm up little hands and feet. The perfect place to take any member of the family.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• organic market

The Beet

Rated this place:

2945 Dundas Street West, Toronto, ON, M6P1Z2

Organic cafe and market: Yummy, organic, local and super nutritious foods and juices give me a night off without feeling guilty about what my girls are eating! Lovely staff and very child-friendly.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Organic Cafe and Market

Fressen Restaurant

Rated this place:

478 Queen St W, Toronto, ON, M5V2B2

Vegetarian restaurant: Such amazing food that knocks your socks off with flavour and really interesting combinations that I find inspiring!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• vegetarian restaurant

Parentbooks

Rated this place:

201 Harbord St, Toronto, ON, M5S1H6

Great for parenting books!: It is as it says...full of books for parents. They have every possible book you might need, from planning a family to everyday parenting issues to special needs of all kinds. An essential resource for parents of course, but also for professionals such as educators, therapists, caregivers and more. I found a book for new dads for my husband after my daughter was born and it helped him out immensely to understand what was happening with the new dynamic of our family. And of course, passionate and helpful staff make the experience so much better.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• parenting books

Il Fornello

Rated this place:

576 Danforth Av, Toronto, ON, M4K1R1

Il Fornello: Il Fornello (a Toronto-based chain with various locations) is a great modern Italian restaurant to bring anyone with wheat or gluten allergies as they offer gluten-free pizza and pasta! The food is absolutely delicious! In addition to their regular menu, Il Fornello also offers a fantastic seasonal Chef’s Ontario menu, which supports local farmers. I also enjoy coming here on the weekends for brunch where you can enjoy traditional breakfast fare such as Eggs Benedict and omelets. Or, if you are craving something sweet, indulge in a nice fluffy Belgian Waffle!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Pizza
• brunch
• pasta
• italian
• gluten-free

Fresh by Juice For Life

Rated this place:

326 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1W5

Fresh by Juice For Life: Fresh is my go-to restaurant for when I feel like going out to eat but want to have a healthy meal. This super yummy vegan restaurant will impress any carnivore! Although it is a vegan restaurant, Fresh also offers aged cheddar and goat cheese for those who know soy cheese won’t do! Offering an eclectic range of tastes to suit any palette, Fresh is well known for their veggie burgers and “bowls.” They also have a conveniently packed cooler with ready-to-go salads, sandwiches and snacks that you can grab on your way to work. Start off your meal with a fresh fruit-packed smoothie followed by sweet potato fries, veggie burger, and (if there is room!) finish off your meal with a slice of their rich vegan chocolate cake—so decadent!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• brunch
• smoothies
• Juice
• Vegan
• vegetarian
• veggie burgers

Li'L Niblets & Baby Sprouts

Rated this place:

1654 Avenue Road , Toronto, ON, M5M 3Y1

everything you need for your baby & toddler..: For those in North Toronto, you will probably know of this fantastic store. They have everything you need for your baby and toddler. The staff know their stuff and can help you figure out what exactly the difference is with all the products they offer. They also sell Sprout Right’s Mommy Chef DVD’s, so it’s one of our faves in the city. They have a ramp that takes you up to where the strollers are and put in a textured floor so that you can try out the stroller of your choice over different surfaces. This really helped us out when we were researching which double stroller to buy. It sealed the deal with us when I could push my 35lb daughter with one hand and do a 360° turn without any effort. You can’t buy a stroller without a visit to this store!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Baby store
• Baby and Kid Gear

Mastermind Educational Toys

Rated this place:

4242 Dundas W, Etobicoke, ON, M8X1Y6

Great unique toys: This is a great store for kids of all ages. Good quality toys, books, games, bikes, wagons and anything else that you can think of. Toys to inspire your budding astrologer or artist, or unleash their creative side to something new. The staff are incredibly helpful and, even late on Christmas eve, keep the line moving with a smile. They offer free gift wrapping, which is a lifesaver when we are on the way to a birthday party and have not got it together in advance. We bought some snow ball makers over a year ago and get asked all the time where we got them. They are fantastic. It’s those kinds of things that I go to this store for. Something different and yet built to last.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Toys
• educational toys

Moms to Be ... and More

Rated this place:

1642/44 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4G 3C2

Trendiest gear, bags and strollers....: For some, the location may be a trek. But this store being in Leaside is no reason for you not to head over to check it out. It has expanded over the years and now has absolutely everything you could possibly need. I bought all of my strollers (yes, more than one) from here as they had the best price in town. Some of the trendiest gear, bags and strollers and a great discount when you pick up a few essential, larger ticket items. They have just opened their "As Is" store as well close by to the flagship store. And another string to their bow is now the amazing website, so distance is no longer an issue. For those nights that won’t end, shopping might make morning come sooner. Be sure to pick up your Mommy Chef DVDs here too!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Baby and Kid Gear

Treasure Island Toys

Rated this place:

581 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4K 1P9

Treasure Island Toys: Located on the Danforth, Treasure Island Toys is a great independent toy store. I like supporting local stores, and they need our support! Very knowledgeable and friendly staff will help you find a toy or gift for any age. Perfect for those birthday parties where you are not sure what the birthday girl or boy are into. I also like that they have a points system (which means future savings) and a gift-wrapping service which helps save me time from doing it!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Toys
• children
• kids
• danforth

Dana Colson and Associates

Rated this place:

1950 Yonge street, Toronto, Ontario, M4S 1Z4

Dana Colson and Associates: Kids Day, Mr. Thirsty, the cool glasses and treasure chest to rummage through after the appointment are what brings us back here every six months. Lovely and caring staff keep my kids from losing it when it comes time for the big lights and scary instruments coming towards them. The dentist should be a good experience and they go out of their way to make my kids comfortable. They are into more ‘holistic’ and ‘green’ ways of dentistry, so you will not find any mercury fillings here!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• children

The Sleep Doula

Rated this place:

Toronto, Ontario

The Sleep Doula: We all need sleep and for parents we all know how it just doesn’t happen after you have a baby. Tracey Ruiz, "The Sleep Doula", to the rescue. She consults with you, comes to speak with you, or stays over to sort out your baby's or child’s sleep habits so everyone gets a good night’s sleep. Some of Sprout Right’s clients are true followers and have seen huge success when they were too tired or just not up to the task of sleep training. Have her come and do it and you all reap the rewards: happy baby, mom and dad. The world becomes a better place!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• sleep
• babies
• pre natal
• post natal
• doula
• sleep doula

The Kulhay Wellness Clinic

Rated this place:

6 Lawton Blvd., Suite 301, Toronto, Ontario, M4V 1Z4

The Kulhay Wellness Clinic- Janet Neilson : Janet is an amazing homeopath. Whatever your health concern, she takes a look at the big picture and explains thoroughly what she has to help you. With the help of some amazing technology, she can find out where you are weakest, and support that. She can help clear allergies and sensitivies without having to go on a long and difficult lifestyle or diet change. She has helped my family and many clients have been refered to her with positive results. She treats adults and children. Do call, it could be the best thing you ever did!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• homeopath
• allergies

Kim Robertson-Osteopath

Rated this place:

29 Bearwood Dr., Etobicoke, Ontario, M9A 4G5

Kim Robertson-Osteopath: If you have any health concerns (who doesn’t?!) and you have not heard of or considered seeing an osteopath, then you should. They have trained in their field for years and treat in quite a different way than other physical therapies such as chiropractic and physiotherapy. Kim is a fantastic osteopath who really knows her stuff. I have taken both of my children to her and have done so since my second was a newborn. The treatment is an hour and while you usually lay on the comfortable treatment couch. Kim will give you insight into what is really going on in your body and does what she does best to balance it. Osteopathy is particularly amazing for babies and children with something or nothing that you can see to treat as it will help them reach their full potential without invasive or scary treatment.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• osteopath

Astoria Shish Kebob House

Rated this place:

390 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON, M4K1P3

Yummy Souvlaki!: Astoria is a great family-style greek restaurant. A nice place to come to for lunch or dinner in the summertime because they have a great patio where you can enjoy the sunshine and watch the people go by. They make fantastic souvlaki. here. Also great to try is their appetizer platter which includes calamari, dolmades, spanikopita and a choice of two dips with pita. A great place to go if you feel a cold coming on as there is sooo much garlic in their tziki! Overall a nice family restaurant with a friendly atmosphere.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Greek food
• Souvlaki

Body Blitz

Rated this place:

471 Adelaide St. W., Toronto, ON, M5V1T1

Body Blitz: Simply divine! This is a water spa just for women. They have a 38 ft. sea salt pool, hot green tea pool, cold plunging pool, aromatherapy steam, infrared sauna, and 20 treatment rooms! Hydrotherapy is incredible for your body and ranks up there with healthy eating. It is the place to have time to yourself, or get some friends together for an afternoon. They also offer body treatments including massage. I like to go on Tuesday’s when it’s $10 off the regular price. The perfect city getaway to recharge.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Spa
• massage
• water therapy, massage
• water therapy
• sauna
• pool
• body wraps

Dufferin Grove Park

Rated this place:

1873 Bloor St West, Toronto, ON, M5H 2N2

Skating at Dufferin Grove Park: Dufferin Grove Park is a fantastic community park and the skating rink certainly is no different. They have chairs for the newer skaters to hang on to (and save mom or dads back!), and parents with no skates are allowed on the ice too. They allow strollers for those not ready to hit the ice with skates yet. They also rent skates and helmets to try it out before going to purchase new ones. They also have a small café serving snacks and drinks and a warm dressing room to warm up little hands and feet. The perfect place to take any member of the family.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• skating

The Beaches

Rated this place:

Toronto, ON

The Beach: I love that we have a beach within the city! The beach is one of my favorite places to take kids and out of town guests in the summer. Walk the boardwalk, or picnic in the Kew Beach Gardens. Let kids run around in the parks, browse the shops, enjoy a lovely meal in one of the many restaurants and cafes, and of course spread you towel, and read a good book on the beach! Last but not least, The Beaches Jazz festival runs in August every year.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• park
• jazz
• beaches
• picnic
• boardwalk

The Sweet Potato

Rated this place:

2995 Dundas Street West, Toronto, ON, M6P1Z4

Sweet food, sweet prices: Natural foods… sweeter prices are what they are all about. Best prices in the city hands down, without compromising on quality. New products are often launched here too, so you get to check out new foods before anyone else! Great freshly made foods, they roast their own coffee beans and super friendly staff. Interesting produce too, like coconuts, all sorts of mushrooms and butter cauliflower. They also give you eco friendly plastic bags, what could be better. You have to check it out. It is my local fave for sure.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Natural Food Store

Butcher By Nature

Rated this place:

520 Annette St., Toronto, Ontario, M6P1S3

Shop confidently: Frank and Mirella are the two lovely owners who are passionate about their store and what they sell. They can tell you where your meat has come from which gives me more confidence! Be sure to ask how to cook your purchase to wow any crowd. Organic salmon from Claire Island north of Ireland makes it super clean to give to everyone in the family (even pregnant women). Super pies that make a healthy and fast dinner. They also have some organic produce and grocer items so you don’t have to trek to more than one store. Gluten free treats too that are hard to resist. And be sure to check out their sausages, friends say they are the best they have tasted!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Butcher
• bloor west
• organic and natural

Footprints Paediatric Therapy

Rated this place:

245 Fairview Mall Drive, Suite 701, Toronto, Ontario, M2J 4T1

Footprints Paediatric Therapy: This is the number one place to go for any service that you might need for your child(ren). Tema Stein is probably the best-known children’s osteopath in the city and is truly gifted at what she does (as are others at the centre). They have toys galore and stuff hanging from the ceiling to keep the most active little one busy. They have a wide range of services for sorting out just about any situation with your newborn to your teenager. I recommend to all of Sprout Right’s clients to take their wee ones to be checked out at least once. You will be amazed at how things improve even after one treatment.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• children
• osteopath

Chapters Indigo

Rated this place:

55 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 1A5

Online Ordering: I love ordering books from Chapters--they make it so simple! If I spend more than $35 I get free shipping, and it always arrives faster than I expect. When I order books from Chapters online, I get special online discounts and another 10% off with my irewards card. I also love going into Chapters/Indigo as the atmosphere is very relaxing and friendly and I can literally spend a whole afternoon looking through the magazines, and browsing the books. They also sell wrapping paper, cards, home decor, gifts and other products and of course you can sit down at the Starbucks for some tea or coffee.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Books
• magazines
• online ordering

Creative Children’s Dance

Rated this place:

2968 Dundas Street West, Toronto, ON, M6P 1Y8

Show your twinkle toes!: When it’s time to take your budding ballerina or Billy Elliot off to try out their twinkle toes, this is a great place to try. Their philosophy is that dance is learned in a comfortable and confidence building environment. The teacher is appropriately strict not expecting too much from the new dancers, but teaching them about etiquette and discipline. They have different types to try out from ballet to tap, jazz and boy’s street dance, modern and even yoga. Prices are pretty good too!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• dance classes
• dance instructors

FitMom

Rated this place:

85 Thorncliffe Park Drive, Toronto, ON, M4H 1L6

Exercise for body and mind: Exercise is important for everyone and not to be avoided when you are pregnant or a new mom. It is one of those important times to get out there and get some exercise and meet others in the same situation. There is no excuse as Fitmom specializes in pregnancy and post natal yoga and fitness classes. I did Fitmom after both of my daughters were born and I quickly got your body back to pre-pregnancy weight. Imagine doing 50 squats with hand weights and have your baby in a carrier on you. It sounds hard, but it’s so worth it. The extra stamina, energy and muscles to carry this little one around all day. And for those that want a serious fitness class, this is right up your alley. Starting in the spring, Stroller Fit classes start and a whole new world of fitness opens up as we are out there in the park jogging while baby sleeps in the stroller. It’s so much fun too. So get out there and feel good about your body again!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• fitness classes
• Yoga

Toronto Gymnastics International Inc

Rated this place:

77 Browns line, Toronto, ON, M8W 3S2

Gymastics for all ages: Gymnastics is great for all ages. The Toronto Gymnastics Club has their classes and camps down to a fine art. The place is packed with kids, parents and everyone is having a great time. Hour long classes gives the younger ones time to get over their shyness and still have time to participate, or to wear out those that need that too. They have stages or levels that they can work up through to keep it new. We started with parent and tots class which is so much fun, then worked up through the ages. The coaches are great at encouraging while helping to master the techniques. They have different types of trampolines for all wannabe tigers and a huge pit to jump in and play around in too.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• trampolines
• gymnastics
• gymnastic classes