A Family Christmas
2025-12-14 10:00 - 16:00 (America/Toronto) | Hillary House National Historic Site, 15372 Yonge Street, Aurora, Ontario, L4G 1N8, Canada
Hillary House is decorated for the Holidays! Bring the whole family to have some festive treats, holiday crafts, and take a picture with Santa Claus.
Come by Hillary House National Historic Site with your family to see a beautifully decorated historic home and participate in festive activities! On Sunday, December 14th from 10AM to 4PM, we will have timed-ticket entry guaranteed for pre-registration participants. Create some holiday-themed crafts, take photos with Santa, grab a treat, and get cozy!

Magical Christmas Forest
2025-12-14 17:00 - 21:00, 2025-12-18 17:00 - 21:00, 2025-12-19 17:00 - 21:00, 2025-12-20 17:00 - 21:00, 2025-12-21 17:00 - 21:00 | Kortright Centre for Conservation, 9550 Pine Valley Dr, Woodbridge, Ontario, L4H4Z2, Canada
Escape into the Magical Christmas Forest at Kortright Centre!
Experience a winter wonderland filled with lights, crafts, activities, wagon rides, and treats for the whole family – and enjoy a private visit with Santa in his cabin!
Hot chocolate, marshmallow roasting and cookie decorating included with the purchase of tickets.
Advance tickets required. Parking is available at no charge on site.
Receive 10% off when you book prior to October 31, 2025!
(10% off coupon code: MCF10)
DATES:
November 28 – 30 | December 4 – 7, 10 – 14, 17 – 23
TIMES:
Monday to Saturday: 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | Sunday: 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
PRICING:
Child – $32.10 | Adult/Senior – $38.30 | 1 and under – Free

City of Vaughan Menorah Lighting
2025-12-17 15:30 - 20:00 | Vaughan City Hall, 2141 Major Mackenzie Drive, Vaughan, Ontario, L6A 1P7, Canada
Mayor Steven Del Duca and Members of Council invite you to join us in the Menorah Lighting at City Hall.

Understanding the Science of Reading Through Child-Led Play by Laura Shea, M.S.Ed
2025-12-18 14:00 - 15:30 | https://www.cfcollaborative.ca/event/understanding-the-science-of-reading-through-child-led-play-by-laura-shea-m-s-ed/
You care deeply about nurturing early literacy—but you’re tired of being caught between play and pressure. Maybe you’ve heard about the Science of Reading but aren’t sure how it applies to young children—or how to implement it in a play-based setting. Maybe someone has told you to stop the play and start the worksheets. Or maybe you’re simply searching for a clear, developmentally responsive way to support all your learners as they build the foundation for reading. In this engaging and practical session, Laura Shea, M.S.Ed., early childhood educator, adjunct-professor, and founder of Little Stories That Stick, will show how the Science of Reading can complement—not compete with—child-led play. With over a decade of experience in literacy development and play-based learning, Laura will unpack what the research truly says, how children build foundational reading skills before decoding begins, and why oral language, storytelling, and play are powerful tools for building brains ready to read. You’ll walk away with ideas you can implement right away—whether you work with toddlers, preschoolers, or pre-K students. Expect a balance of relatable classroom examples, real-world analogies, and actionable takeaways. You’ll leave feeling more confident in your approach and more equipped to speak to families, administrators, and peers about how and why play supports reading. Learning Objectives:

Understand how play-based experiences support key components of the Science of Reading, including oral language, phonological awareness, and vocabulary development.

Identify the difference between developmentally appropriate literacy learning and early reading instruction.

Explore ways to support emergent reading and writing through storytelling, storyacting, and incidental teaching.

Gain language to explain and advocate for play-based literacy practices with families and administrators.

City of Vaughan Chanukah Celebration
2025-12-18 17:30 - 19:00 | Garnet A. Williams Community Centre, 501 Clark Avenue West, Vaughan, Ontario, Canada
Mayor Steven Del Duca and Members of Council invite you to join us in celebrating Chanukah.

Fire and Stars Torch-lit Walk
2025-12-19 18:30 - 21:00, 2025-12-20 18:30 - 21:00, 2026-01-01 18:30 - 21:00, 2026-01-02 18:30 - 21:00, 2026-01-03 18:30 - 21:00, 2026-01-16 18:30 - 21:00, 2026-01-17 18:30 - 21:00, 2026-02-14 18:30 - 21:00 and 1 more date | Maidenhair Fern Trail – Sibbald Point Provincial Park, 26071 York Rd 18, Sutton West, Ontario, Canada
Join us for a magical evening under the night sky at Sibbald Point Provincial Park‘s Maidenhair Fern Trail.
This hike takes visitors along the 2km loop trail, with stops along the way where your Discovery interpreter will share stories and information on the natural features of the trail.
Guided hikes start at 7pm sharp, so please plan to arrive 5-10mins before the start time. If you arrive late, you’re welcome to catch up to the group – the Discovery interpreter will be carrying a lantern, so you’ll know who to look for!
Walk Free
Sibbald Point Admission – $21 per day per car
This registration does NOT guarantee entry to the park.
Visitors can purchase their vehicle permit online up to five days in advance. When reserving your permit, Select the “Day Use + Fire and Stars” option.
How to get tickets? https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/sibbaldpoint/events

Winter Wonders
2025-12-20 10:00 - 13:00 | Kortright Centre for Conservation, 9550 Pine Valley Dr, Woodbridge, Ontario, L4H4Z2, Canada
Enjoy the magic of Kortright’s forest in December!
Bundle up and explore how animals and plants get ready for winter on a short, self-guided hike through the forest, then enjoy hands-on activities and warm up by a campfire as you enjoy our Natural Playground Space.

From Overwhelmed to Joyful: Caring for Children and Yourself with Intention by Christina Fecio
2026-01-08 14:00 - 15:30 | https://www.cfcollaborative.ca/event/from-overwhelmed-to-joyful-caring-for-children-and-yourself-with-intention-by-christina-fecio/
Working in early care and education requires you to show up every day with your whole heart, and sometimes, that heart can feel stretched thin. This session is an invitation to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the deep purpose behind your work. Join author and educational consultant Christina Fecio in this session inspired by her latest book, Small Things, Great Love, where you’ll explore simple, heartfelt practices that transform everyday moments into something meaningful. You don’t need more time or a longer to-do list—just a gentle reminder to reclaim simplicity and joy. Done with great love, these small things are the key to nurturing children’s well-being while also protecting your own. Together we’ll rediscover the power of presence, the impact of noticing, and the importance of small gestures that build trust and connection. You’ll also learn how to offer that same care to yourself through intentional language and mindset. This is intended to be joyful work—and joy is something we can choose, protect, and practice. Come as you are and leave with fresh energy, practical ideas, and a renewed sense of purpose in the work only you can do.What you’ll take from this session:

Identify simple, everyday practices that support children’s sense of safety, connection, and belonging. Participants will explore how small, intentional actions care create meaningful moments that nurture child well-being.

Describe strategies for protecting and replenishing your own sense of joy and purpose in early care and education work. Participants will learn how to apply affirming language and self-reflective tools that promote personal resilience and wellbeing.

Recognize the importance of presence, noticing, and relational gestures as leadership and teaching tools. Participants will deepen their understanding of how small acts—done with great love—can build trust, strengthen relationships, and uplift your team or classroom culture

Brrrrring It On! Embracing Cold, Snow and Rain Outdoors with Young Children by Kirsten Haugen, M.A.
2026-01-14 14:00 - 15:30 | https://www.cfcollaborative.ca/event/brrrrring-it-on-embracing-cold-snow-and-rain-outdoors-with-young-children-by-kirsten-haugen-m-a/
Facing cold, wet, or snowy weather? No need to stay indoors! In this engaging session, you’ll learn how to prepare for cold weather play so children can enjoy it in safety and comfort—and how to thrive as you discover the wondrous possibilities of all kinds of weather. Join Kirsten Haugen, Research Director for Dimensions Educational Research Foundation, and Early Learning Consultant at Nature Explore for a practical and inspiring exploration of outdoor play in the cold months. Discover how real-world programs not only cope with snow, rain, and wind but embrace it through thoughtful preparation, clear communication, creative scheduling, innovative use of materials, and—most importantly—a shift in mindset that makes it all possible. You’ll hear inspiring stories and practical ideas for playing in snow, rain, wind, and mud, as well as guidance on supporting holistic learning, honoring children’s agency, partnering with families, and caring for the adults who care for children. We’ll even unpack the “dark side” of the familiar phrase, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing choices.” Join us for a cool and captivating opportunity to: · Witness the benefits of cold-weather play · Embrace an attitude shift · Prepare with confidence and awareness · Make time for winter play· Adopt cold-weather comforts· Expand possibilities with your space and materials· Support the well-being of educators and caregiversWhether you’re in a snowy climate or a region with rain and wind, you’ll leave ready to expand possibilities for outdoor learning and embrace the beauty of every season.

An Introduction to Child Development: Milestones, Behavior, & Best Practice
2026-01-17 11:00 - 14:30 | https://www.cfcollaborative.ca/event/an-introduction-to-child-development-milestones-behavior-best-practice/
Learn about child development basics, milestones, behaviors, and best practices to support growth & foster positive outcomes for children

Aurora Cultural Centre presents a WeeFestival Performance
2026-05-16 11:00 - 12:00 | Aurora Cultural Centre, 50 Victoria Street, Aurora, Ontario, Canada
WeeFestival, the internationally acclaimed celebration of theatre and performance for very young audiences, returns to Aurora! Designed especially for children ages 0–6 and their families, this enchanting festival brings imaginative, age-appropriate performances from around the world to our stage. Through music, movement, puppetry, and storytelling, WeeFestival sparks curiosity, creativity, and joy in our youngest theatre-goers.
Stay tuned—full program details are coming soon. You won’t want to miss this magical experience for little ones and the grown-ups who love them!
Please note that all MAGIC CARPET and FAMILY shows require that every person attending have a ticket, including caregiver and child.
Who is it for?
All ages
Buy tickets: https://boxoffice.auroratownsquare.ca/
