Kids in Toronto: Royal Ontario Museum

We visited the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto (known to locals as the ROM) with our kids for the first time a few weekends ago. We didn’t know what to expect as both my husband and I visited more than 20 years ago when we were in elementary school and we weren’t sure if our kids would enjoy it. They absolutely LOVED it and have been requesting to visit again.

About the ROM

Founded in 1912, the ROM is Canada’s largest natural history and world cultures museum.

In 2007, a steel, glass and aluminum structure known as The Crystal and sometimes the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal was added onto the main entrance of the museum. Although some say the angular design doesn’t match with the stone building behind it, my husband and I and the kids thought it looked pretty neat.

Unfortunately when we visited it was raining so I didn’t get main good shots of it. Local photographers have used it as background for engagement and wedding photos and some of the photos I’ve come across online (after a quick search) are absolutely stunning.

Equally breathtaking is the domed mosaic ceiling of the Rotunda (one of the entrances of the museum). Made of imported glass from Venice, it features images that represent different cultures throughout history.

Royal Ontario Museum with Kids

The museum has a stunning collection of displays including birds, bat cave, dinosaurs, and mammals and artifacts from all over the world – Canada, China, Japan, Korea, Africa, Europe, Greece, Middle East, and Rome to name a few.

The CIBC Discovery Gallery is a dedicated play area just for kids 12 years old and under. Divided into three themed activity areas: In the Earth, Around the World, and Close to Home, each area offers activities for children based on collections at the ROM.

While we tried to see it all in one day, we just couldn’t. We spent about 5 hours at the ROM with the kids and spent the large majority of our time on Level 2 – Dinsosaurs, Hands-on Biodiversity, Mammals, Birds and the Discovery Gallery.

Miss L loved participating in the Animal Explorers Search and Rescue (a scavenger hunt around the museum)  and walking through the butterfly and dinosaur galleries.

She shared some random facts with her younger brother, Mr. C, and quizzed my husband and I on our animal knowledge (some of which we got wrong).

The ROM is extremely stroller friendly with wide aisles and walkways to and between displays. We had our side by side double stroller with us that day and found it really easy to get around. The only place strollers aren’t allowed is in the Discovery Gallery. All strollers must be parked outside before entering.

Here are a few more shots from our visit:

If you have kids who love dinosaurs, the ROM currently has an Ultimate Dinosaurs Exhibition running until March 17. Entrance to this exhibition costs extra on top of regular admission.

Ms L was a bit scared (dark and loud on the basement level of museum) and our family decided not to walk through Ultimate Dinosaurs exhibition during our visit.

Win 4 Passes to the Royal Ontario Museum

***** GIVEAWAY ENDED *****

One lucky Kids On A Plane reader will win 4 passes (regular admission) to the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto.

Transportation to the ROM is the winner’s responsibility and is not included in this giveaway.

Must be 18+ to enter. Void where prohibited. Contest ends Monday March 4, 2013. Winner will be emailed and given 48 hours from initial congratulatory email to respond. A new winner will be chosen if he/she does not respond within that time frame.

Good luck everyone!