πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘§ Everything You Need to Know

For Parents &
Guardians

We know you have questions before trusting us with your child's time. Here's everything β€” safety, logistics, pricing, policies β€” all in one place.

πŸ”’ Background-checked staff πŸ‘Ά Max 12 kids per session πŸ“ Erin Mills, Mississauga πŸ“ž 437 344 4140
TinkerTrail mascot

Your Child's Safety Is Our #1 Priority

Every single decision we make β€” from hiring to venue to group size β€” starts with safety.

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Background Checked

Every TinkerTrail instructor and volunteer undergoes a full criminal background check before working with children.

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Small Groups Only

We cap every session at 12 kids. Every child gets personal attention and no one gets lost in the crowd.

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Safe Venue

All sessions are held at MindShare Workspace inside Erin Mills Town Centre β€” a supervised, well-lit, indoor environment.

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Parents Welcome

You're always welcome to stay and observe. We encourage it, especially for first-time attendees.

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First Aid Ready

Our instructors are first aid certified. A first aid kit is on site at every session.

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Allergy Aware

We collect allergy and medical information at registration. Please inform us of any concerns β€” we take them seriously.

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No Photos Policy

We do not share photos of children without explicit parental consent. You control how your child is represented online.

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Always Reachable

Call or WhatsApp us at 437 344 4140 any time before, during, or after a session. We always answer.


What to Expect

A typical day at TinkerTrail β€” so there are no surprises for you or your child.

1

Arrival & Welcome

Drop-off begins 10 minutes before start time. Instructors greet every child by name and get them settled with a warm-up activity.

2

Intro & Safety Briefing

Kids learn what they'll be building today, get a quick safety rundown for any tools involved, and ask questions before diving in.

3

Hands-On Building

The bulk of the session β€” kids build, experiment, troubleshoot and problem-solve with guidance from their instructor.

4

Show & Tell

Kids present what they made to the group. This builds confidence and communication skills alongside the STEM content.

5

Clean Up & Pack Up

Kids tidy their workspace β€” an important part of the learning experience β€” and pack up their creation to take home.

6

Pickup & Debrief

Parents arrive, instructors give a quick recap of what was built and learned. Your child will have a lot to say on the car ride home!


Drop-off, Pickup & Logistics

Everything you need to know about times, location and what to bring.

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Workshops (2-Hour)

Drop-off 12:20 PM – 12:30 PM10 minutes before start
Session 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Pickup 2:30 PM – 2:45 PMPlease be on time
Schedule Selected Saturdays & Sundays
Ages 6–14 (varies by workshop)
Group Size Max 12 kids
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Camps (5-Day)

Drop-off 8:50 AM – 9:00 AMMon–Fri during camp week
Session 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Pickup 1:00 PM – 1:15 PM
Lunch Please pack a lunchNut-free, please
Ages 6–14 (varies by camp)
Group Size Max 12 kids per camp
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Location

Venue MindShare WorkspaceInside Erin Mills Town Centre
Address 5100 Erin Mills PkwyMississauga, ON L5M 4Z5
Parking Free at Erin Mills Town Centre
Transit MiWay Route 19Erin Mills Town Centre stop
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What to Bring

βœ… Always Water bottle, comfortable clothes
πŸ•οΈ Camps Packed lunch (nut-free)Laptop/tablet for coding camps
⚑ Workshops Nothing β€” all supplies providedWear clothes that can get messy!
❌ Leave Valuables, toys, games at home
πŸ₯œ Allergies Nut-free environmentPlease inform us of all allergies

Pricing & Policies

Simple, transparent pricing. No hidden fees. All materials included.

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2-Hour Workshops

$25–$45 / child

Drop-in weekend sessions. Price varies by workshop type. No recurring commitment.

  • All materials & supplies
  • Take-home creation
  • Instructor-led session
  • Digital activity recap
Browse Workshops
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Learning Paths

$285+ / path

Complete a full path (1 camp + 2 workshops) and earn an official badge.

  • 1 camp + 2 workshops
  • Structured skill progression
  • Physical & digital badge
  • Certificate of completion
View Paths

πŸ“‹ Cancellation & Refund Policy

Workshops

  • βœ” Full refund if cancelled 48+ hours before
  • ~ Credit/reschedule within 48 hours
  • βœ– No refund for no-shows

Camps

  • βœ” Full refund if cancelled 14+ days before
  • ~ 50% refund within 14 days
  • βœ– No refund within 72 hours of start

TinkerTrail reserves the right to cancel or reschedule sessions due to low enrolment or unforeseen circumstances. Full refunds are issued in such cases.


Parent FAQ

The questions we get asked most often β€” answered.

Does my child need prior STEM experience? +

Not at all! Every TinkerTrail program is designed to be fully beginner-friendly. Our instructors meet each child where they are and guide them step by step. Kids who have never held a screwdriver build functional robots by the end of their first session.

What age range do you serve? +

Most of our programs are designed for ages 6–14. Specific workshops and camps may have a narrower age range β€” check the age tag on each program page. We find the sweet spot is usually 8–12 for mixed groups.

What is the instructor-to-child ratio? +

Our sessions are capped at 12 children with a minimum of 1 certified instructor plus 1 assistant. This gives us a maximum ratio of 6:1, and often better than that for smaller groups.

Can I stay and watch during the session? +

Yes! Parents are always welcome to observe from the designated parent area. We find most kids actually focus better when parents aren't directly next to them, but you are always welcome in the space. Never feel like you have to leave.

My child has a learning difference or special need. Can they attend? +

Absolutely β€” please contact us before registering so we can discuss how to best support your child. We've successfully accommodated kids with ADHD, autism spectrum, anxiety and various sensory needs. We'll be honest with you if we think a particular format isn't the right fit.

What happens if my child doesn't enjoy it? +

It's rare but it happens! If your child is genuinely not enjoying a workshop session, contact us and we'll arrange a credit toward a different program. For camps, our refund policy applies based on timing.

Is there a sibling discount? +

Yes β€” contact us at 437 344 4140 or via WhatsApp before booking and mention you're registering siblings. We offer a 10% discount for two or more siblings registered in the same session or camp week.

What if my child is sick during camp week? +

Please keep sick children home β€” we appreciate it for the health of all kids and staff. Contact us and we'll do our best to arrange a makeup session or partial credit depending on the circumstances.

How do I register? +

Click "Get Tickets" on any event page, or call/WhatsApp us at 437 344 4140. We can also take registrations by email. A deposit is required to hold the spot, with the balance due before the session.

Do you offer payment plans? +

Yes β€” for camps, we can split the payment into a deposit and a balance due one week before the camp starts. Contact us to arrange this when registering.


Next Up for Your Child

Full schedule β†’

Upcoming sessions with spots still available.

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Monocular Makers Lab ⚑ Workshop Β· Ages 6–12
πŸ“… Saturday, June 13 πŸ• 12:30–2:30 PM 🎟️ Only 6 spots left!
$25
Get Tickets ⚑
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Build A Breeze ⚑ Workshop Β· Ages 7–12
πŸ“… Saturday, June 20 πŸ• 12:30–2:30 PM 🎟️ Only 6 spots left!
$35
Get Tickets ⚑
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Code Quest Camp πŸ•οΈ Camp Β· Ages 9–14
πŸ“… July 13–17, 2026 πŸ•˜ 9:00 AM–1:00 PM daily 🎟️ Only 6 spots left!
$225
Enroll Now πŸš€

Still Have Questions?

We're real people and we love talking to parents. Reach out any way that works for you.

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Call or WhatsApp

The fastest way to reach us. Call or send a WhatsApp message β€” we respond quickly, including evenings and weekends.

437 344 4140
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Send a Message

Fill out our contact form and we'll get back to you within a few hours. Great for detailed questions or registration inquiries.

Contact Form β†’
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Visit Us

Drop by MindShare Workspace at Erin Mills Town Centre before or after a session. We're always happy to meet in person.

Get Directions β†’

Ready to Book Your Child's Spot?

Spots fill up fast β€” especially for camps. Secure your child's place today and let the tinkering begin!

TinkerTrail robot