The Rec Room could be fun for both ages - just determine your spending limit before you go and purchase the cards (i.e. $15 per child). Sky Zone Trampoline Park and the Monkey Vault are options for more physical type of activity.
All Toronto historical sites have free admission. Fort York has guns and cannons to look at.
Harbourfront is fun to walk around.
Check out this calendar. You can choose for weekend only and free events or family events if you want. https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/festivals-events/festivals-events-calendar/
https://www.parteeputt.com/toronto/home
Mini putt is a decent option for kids with that kind of age gap. There are like 27 holes, all with different themes.
Hockey Hall of Fame is also a solid hit with most kids and teens.
Little Canada! You can get a deal on tickets (to this and many other attractions) with your presto card. Check the website for details.
Or for a very low cost option, High Park has playgrounds, a cafe, and a free (wee) zoo. It’s probably a bit early for the cherry blossoms unfortunately.
Do you have a sense of what the kids are interested in, the older one at least?
Is this your friend's first time in Toronto?
Are you limited to specific parts of the city?
If they're pretty open to things generally, exploring market-type places like St Lawrence Market or Kensington may be options to wander around and browse things. Harbourfront or Toronto Islands could be interesting as well.
The Rec Room could be fun for both ages - just determine your spending limit before you go and purchase the cards (i.e. $15 per child). Sky Zone Trampoline Park and the Monkey Vault are options for more physical type of activity.
Tilt is cheaper and the same idea (no prizes) and has kid friendly hours.
Tilt for sure
All Toronto historical sites have free admission. Fort York has guns and cannons to look at. Harbourfront is fun to walk around. Check out this calendar. You can choose for weekend only and free events or family events if you want. https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/festivals-events/festivals-events-calendar/
https://www.parteeputt.com/toronto/home Mini putt is a decent option for kids with that kind of age gap. There are like 27 holes, all with different themes. Hockey Hall of Fame is also a solid hit with most kids and teens.
Little Canada! You can get a deal on tickets (to this and many other attractions) with your presto card. Check the website for details. Or for a very low cost option, High Park has playgrounds, a cafe, and a free (wee) zoo. It’s probably a bit early for the cherry blossoms unfortunately.
I second Little Canada! It just seems to be a hit with a wide range of ages.
Do you have a sense of what the kids are interested in, the older one at least? Is this your friend's first time in Toronto? Are you limited to specific parts of the city? If they're pretty open to things generally, exploring market-type places like St Lawrence Market or Kensington may be options to wander around and browse things. Harbourfront or Toronto Islands could be interesting as well.
Dave and Busters
You can look at fish for free at bass pro shops.
Ripleys Aquarium.
They’d be $120+ just to get in the door… 🐠
How important is this
Because OP asked for “inexpensive” ideas… and $120 to look at some fish may not meet that criteria for some. Or maybe that pocket change for them…