Dinosaur galleries
Towering skeletons that make even the biggest toddler feel tiny.
Toddler tip: Head here first, before the crowds and before attention runs out.
Museum, Downtown
The ROM with a toddler
Dinosaurs, a walk-through bat cave and a hands-on discovery gallery, all under one roof.
- Cost
- Paid admission. Kids under 4 are free.
- Best for ages
- 2+
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Stroller
- Stroller-friendly, with elevators
- Washrooms
- On several floors
- Getting there
- TTC Line 1: Museum station
Free · ages 3–6
The ROM Explorer booklet
Two pages of stops, counting games, bingo and wow facts, from the Dinosaur Galleries to the Bat Cave. Ends with a drawing box and an explorer badge.
Download free (PDF)Visiting with a younger toddler? Try the simpler The ROM picture hunt (ages 2–4, PDF).
Toddler highlights
CIBC Discovery Gallery
A hands-on gallery where kids can touch fossils and real artifacts.
Toddler tip: It's a good place to let little hands explore after a lot of "don't touch."
Bat Cave
A dim, walk-through cave that kids find thrilling.
Toddler tip: It's dark, so hold hands with anyone who might be nervous.
Ancient Egypt
Mummies and ancient treasures that spark big questions.
Toddler tip: Pair it with the "Something from Egypt" find on the scavenger hunt.
A day at the ROM with little ones
Morning: Arrive at opening and go straight to the dinosaurs, then the Discovery Gallery while energy is high.
Lunch: Eat at the museum café, or grab something nearby in Yorkville.
Early afternoon: Walk to Queen’s Park for quiet time and a nap.
Back inside: Visit the Bat Cave and the biodiversity galleries for a second wind.
Wind down: A slow stroll along Philosopher’s Walk. Then it’s home for dinner, or downtown for a family meal.
Tips: pre-book tickets, bring a stroller that’s comfortable for napping, pack snacks, water and a first-aid kit, wear comfortable shoes, and stay flexible. The best museum days follow the toddler’s mood.
Plan your visit
Tickets
Book online to skip the line. The third Tuesday night of every month is free for everyone, and the ROM sometimes offers free or discounted family days, so check the website before you go.
Getting there
Museum station on Line 1 is right outside. If you're driving, a taxi or ride-share drop-off at the front saves wrangling a car seat into a downtown garage.
Food
The museum has a café for family-friendly lunches. Bring snacks for the galleries, and save them for breaks outside the exhibit rooms.
Naps and breaks
Queen's Park is a short walk away, with shady spots for a stroller nap. Philosopher's Walk, just behind the museum, is a lovely quiet path to finish the day.
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