THE LITTLE LADY WHO LUNCHES
She loves Eloise. Yoga is divine. And when she tries on mummy's evening gowns, it isn't dress-up -- it's a dress rehearsal for the future.
To prepare your little darling for a life of leisure, visit a tony historic home over the break. At Gibson House, five- to eight-year-olds can loll about the 1851 manor, bake in the kitchen and make old-fashioned toys.
Upper-crust children from 6 to 8 can also immerse themselves in high culture at the Canadian Opera Company's camp. This year, kids put on a production of Verdi's Aida. Or, wee fashionistas can try on shoes or ice a shoe-shaped cookie at the Bata Shoe Museum.
Then again, why try when you can buy? Visit clothing stores Bon Lieu or Jacadi for Euro-chic. And when being a small socialite gets too much, splurge on a spot of high tea at the King Edward Hotel.
THE 411
Gibson House Museum
5172 Yonge St., 416-395-7432. $1.75 per child.
March Break Opera Program
5183 Sheppard Ave. E., 416-292-9293, ex. 232. $50.
Bata Shoe Museum
327 Bloor St. W., 416-979-7799. $6 per child.
Bon Lieu
890 Yonge St., 416-963-4322.
Jacadi
87 Avenue Rd., 416-923-1717 or 2901 Bayview Ave., 416-733-1717.
King Edward Hotel
37 King St. E., 416-863-3131. Fri. to Sun. $28 per person.
THE BUDDING BOHEMIAN
Macaroni is her current métier -- though she dabbles in finger paint. And sometimes she jams on her recorder. She's beyond labels, man.
It may sound Dickensian to send her to a paper mill for March break, but at Todmorden Mills, kids 5 to 7 can try papier-mâché, painting and watercolour. There are also art workshops for kids 3 to 9 at Avenue Road Arts School. Or create together at the Art Gallery of Ontario's "Think Big Lab," inspired by the Bruce Mau show Massive Change. The Royal Conservatory of Music has camps too -- including the trippy "Rainbow Explorers" program that matches dance and song to colours.
After a tough day of self-expression, pick her up handmade togs from Fresh Collective or funky duds at Kingly. Then keep creative juices flowing with an organic drink at Fresh.
THE 411
Todmorden Mills Museum
67 Pottery Rd., 416-396-2819. $90 per workshop, March 18 and March 21 to 24.
Art Gallery of Ontario
317 Dundas St. W., 416-979-6648. $6 per child.
Avenue Road Arts School
460 Avenue Rd., 416-961-1502. Call for pricing.
Royal Conservatory of Music
90 Croatia St., 416-408-2825. $185 for half-day camp; $310 for full day. March 21 to 24.
Dressing up
Fresh Collective, 692 Queen St. W., 416-594-1313. Kingly, 1078 Queen St. W., 416-536-2601.
Fresh
521 Bloor St. W., 416-531-2635.
THE BRAINIAC
His first word was "why" and the questions haven't stopped since. He can't wait for Monday mornings. His idol: Harry Potter, silly.
On top of an exhibit on dinosaurs and birds, the Royal Ontario Museum hosts camps for inquisitive minds 5 to 14 years old on the stars, magic, the African savannah and more. For up-and-coming Bobby Fischers, there's also a chess camp at Harbourfront for 8- to 13-year-olds. And at the Ontario Science Centre, there's a new centre with plasma screens, an expanded kids play area and special demonstrations.
For evening engagement, browse the stacks at Mable's Fables bookstore, pick up challenging games at Mastermind or let him explore at The Rainforest Café.
THE 411
Royal Ontario Museum
100 Queen's Park, 416-586-5549. March Break activities free with ROM admission -- $6 for children 5 to 14.
Harbourkids Chess Camp
York Quay Centre, 416-973-4093. $150 for March 21-24, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ontario Science Centre
770 Don Mills Rd., 416-696-1000. $8 for children.
Mable's Fables
662 Mount Pleasant Rd., 416-322-0438.
Mastermind
3350 Yonge St., 416-487-7177 and other locations.
The Rainforest Café
Yorkdale Mall, 416-780-4080.
THE SHOWBIZ KID
He sang along at The Lion King. He cracks up the stodgiest teachers with school-yard jokes. He worships the Culkins.
While a director's chair in the dining room is out, over the break he can bask in the limelight at two Harbourfront programs. Second City pros give 10-to-14-year-old yuksters improv instructions at comedy camp and 6-to-16-year-old big-top types learn juggling at circus camp.
For behind-the-scenes fans, there's a stage and costume design camp at the Design Exchange and a four-day animation film camp at the National Film Board's Mediatheque. Another option: Let 25 Chinese acrobats bend over backward for him at the Imperial Circus, on March 18 to 20 at Roy Thomson Hall.
To get into character, take Hollywood honeys to dance-wear hot spot Jumpin' or pick up a costume and clap board at Malabar. Afterward, your star can enjoy the aura of celebrity -- and a kids' menu -- at the Hard Rock Café.
THE 411
HarbourKids Camps
York Quay Centre, 416-973-4093. Circus camp: $170. Second City: $200. Both for four days, March 21 to 24.
Design Exchange
234 Bay St., 416-216-2138. $290 for four days, March 14 to 18. $235 for March 21 to 24.
NFB Mediatheque
150 John St., 416-973-3012. $200 for March 21 to 24.
Imperial Circus
Roy Thomson Hall, 416-872-4255. $19.50 to $37.50.
Dressing up
Jumpin', 2871 Bloor St. W., 416-231-2555. Malabar costume shop, 114 McCaul St., 416-598-2581.
Hard Rock Café
279 Yonge St., 416-362-3636.
THE JUNIOR JOCK
This adorable athlete is always running. And jumping, climbing, throwing and kicking. She wears her Jays jersey to school -- even in winter. Her bedtime prayer is always for gold.
In addition to Toronto's myriad pools, rinks and gyms, sporting sweeties can play high-tech tag at Laser Quest or try virtual hang-gliding and 200 other games at Playdium. At the new Olympic Spirit complex, there will also be Olympians on hand to share stories about the games.
She's still driving you up the wall? Send her to do the same at Joe Rockhead's Indoor Rock Climbing gym. Then reward her with gear from Mountain Equipment Co-op, a pair of sneakers at Sporting Life or a winner's happy meal -- a meat-free burger and "fro-yo" shake -- at Lick's.
THE 411
Laser Quest
1980 Eglinton Ave. W., 416-285-1333. $8 per player. Also in Brampton, Mississauga and Richmond Hill.
Playdium
99 Rathburn Rd. W., 905-273-4810. $2 to $23 per game.
Olympic Spirit Toronto
35 Dundas St. E., 1-888-466-9991. $10.26 per child.
Joe Rockhead's
29 Fraser Ave., 416-538-7670. $25 per person (call ahead).
Mountain Equipment Co-op
400 King St. W., 416-340-2667.
Sporting Life
2665 Yonge St., 416-485-1685.
Lick's
49 Eglinton Ave. E., 416-544-9689, plus other locations.
THE TINY TRUMP
This junior achiever has never lost a game of Monopoly. He invests his allowance in stocks. Alex P. Keaton is long gone, but his prototype lives on.
Let your tycoon-in-training play "man about town" at the faux main street at The Kidsway. Or get him ready for schmoozing on the green with indoor mini-golf at Eaglequest Golf Centre. Biz kids may also enjoy the assembly-line gems collected at the Canadian Automotive Museum or a peek at Casa Loma, businessman Sir Henry Pellatt's former 98-room estate.
To outfit your master of the universe with a snappy suit -- or Hilfiger chinos -- check out Zero 20. For supper, head to the financial district for child-friendly pizzas at Il Fornello.
THE 411
The Kidsway
2885 Bloor St. W., 416-236-5437. $8 per child.
Eaglequest Golf Centre
150 Burncrest Rd., 905-475-3663. Call for pricing.
Canadian Automotive Museum
99 Simcoe St. S., Oshawa, 905-576-1222. $3.50 per child.
Casa Loma
1 Austin Terrace, 416-923-1171. $6.75 per child.
Zero 20
7700 Pine Valley Dr., 905-851-6041.
Il Fornello
214 King St. W., 416-977-2855 and other locations.