Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stuffed pencils into backpacks, talked to Shakespearean actors and met with indigenous youth.

It was all part of a tour through southwestern Ontario Friday that included stops in Goderich and Stratford.

Trudeau kicked off the tour at the Salvation Army thrift store in Goderich to help stuff one of 300 backpacks that will be delivered to low-income children across Huron County ahead of the start of the school year.

"Being there for each other is important because we know if we want to succeed as a country then everyone has to be there for each other," said Trudeau, who wore a red and white apron as he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with volunteers.

Hundreds of people lined up to shake hands with the prime minister.

Among them, 11-year-old Carys McEllistrum, who shared he ambitious goals with her prime minister.

"I'm going to be the prime minister one day. Don't believe me? It's true though," she said. "I want to change things … Because mostly it's boys and men [in politics] and I feel like women should have a chance to be the prime minster."

Trudeau also met with a crowd of people at Stratford's Festival Theatre, which was his second stop.

It was his first time to tour the 64-year-old facility as prime minister. He took part in a practical workshop alongside indigenous actors and teachers at the theatre.

Antoni Cimolino, who's the theatre's artistic director, said the prime minister's visit boosted attention to local arts.

"We forget what a miracle Stratford is," he said. "There are thousands of people who work here. There are hundreds of thousands of people who visit from around the world. There's a company of 130 extraordinary actors from the highest level of accomplishment. It really is a resource for the international world."