Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in vancouver, CN

Another Summer Weekend

June 04, 2009

With the warmer weather comes tons of fun for the weekends. With so much to choose from I will highlight a few things.

West Vancouver is having its community day with a parade starting at 9:45 am, and other activities in the Civic Centre. From personal experience the floats are very competitive, and a lot of the schools put together floats. For more information check the website.

There may still be tickets available for A Day Out With Thomas for this weekend, but there are definitely tickets left for next weekend. If you have a Thomas obsessed tot Squamish is the place for you next weekend. Make sure to get your tickets now so you are not disappointed.

I have already mentioned the Bowen Island Children's Country Fair, and that this is where we will be this Sunday. If you have a yearning to take a short ferry ride, Bowen is beautiful place to be.

In case you haven't heard the Vancouver Museum has been re-branded as the Museum of Vancouver. As part of the re-branding they have a new exhibition VeloCity, exploring the history of bicycle transportation in Vancouver. To celebrate the opening come take a self-guided Tour de France themed scavenger hunt and art activities that explore Vancouver's cycling revolution.

What are your plans for the weekend?

Surrey Children's Festival

May 28, 2009

This weekend starting Thursday, the Surrey Children's Festival is once again taking over Bear Creek Park and there are some fabulous acts ready to entertain. A great mixture of ticketed performances and free performances and activities there is something for all.

The ticketed performances are geared toward different age groups and tickets can be purchased by phone from the box office or at the door. We are going to see our favourite Vancouver duo, Bobs and Lolo. If you haven't seen them yet make sure to see them this weekend at the Leapfrog Stage. They will also be at the Bowen Island Children's Country Fair. (Click the link, this is amazing!) There are still tickets for Bobs and Lolo's Saturday concert and ticket prices are very reasonable.

There are a ton of other free activities as well including face-painting, a preschool play zone, mehndi stations, circus school, a place to learn how to do some South Asian dance and many more. I fully expect to have a very tired little boy at the end of the day.

To get the most out of your experience here are a few tips:

• If there is a concert you want to see, call the box office and book your tickets for pick up on the day.

• Make sure you have drinks, and sunscreen, and hats for all.

• Pack a blanket to sit on for the free performances.

• Remember your camera.

• Have fun!

Children's Festival This Week

May 11, 2009

This week through to Victoria Day, the Vancouver International Children's Festival is happening at Vanier Park. There are still ticket to some of the concerts which are a reasonable 16 dollars a piece and include entrance to the rest of the venues. If you are looking for the best weather day, Thursday looks to be it.

I am planning to go on Friday with a bunch of parents and kids from my son's preschool class. We are bringing a picnic and rain gear and hope to spend a few hours hanging out, doing crafts, dancing and playing up a storm.

What about you? Do you go to the children's festival? If so, maybe I will see you there.

Books, Stories, and Baseball

May 01, 2009

Stories are the theme of this weekends what to do list. With three literary events for kids and a concert featuring baseball, a fun and educational time can be had by all.

Starting Friday 1 May, the West Vancouver's Children's Literary Festival Booktopia runs until Saturday 9 May. The opening reception of the art exhibit is Friday May 1^st with an exhibition of art work created by local youth. From preschoolers to graduating students there is a wide variety of work. The exhibition runs until May 31^st. Next Saturday, 9 May, there is a presentation of the Jungle Book with puppets. Ticket are $5 and are available at the door or in advance at the Kay Meek Centre or the West Vancouver Memorial Library.

There is the Spring Book Hatching at the main branch of the Vancouver Public Library on Saturday 2 May in the Alice MacKay room on the lower level. A celebration of the release of the latest books by local children's authors and artists. The afternoon will feature presentations, displays, a book sale and the chance to meet your favourite BC author or illustrator.

Agent Story is making a visit to Once Upon a Huckleberry Bush. On Saturday 2 May from 1pm to 3pm Agent Story will entertain the troops with storytelling at 4387 Main Street,Vancouver. Come and cheer on these made in BC stories written and performed by Laura Thomas. This is gear to the 3 to 8 crowd.

As a part of Music in the Morning's Family Musik series, Play Ball is the brainchild of Composer, conductor and commentator Rob Kapilow. Using the poem Casey at the Bat as the basis for this concert, Play Ball is a major blend of music, comedy, audience participation. Having heard Rob Kapilow interviewed you are in for a big treat, all the while enjoying an engaging musical education. The concert starts at 3pm Sunday 3 May at the Chan Centre. Tickets can be purchased through the Chan Centre box office (in person only) from 12pm to 5 pm Monday to Saturday, and on performance days from 12pm until intermission. You can also purchase through Ticketmaster.

Classical Kids

March 24, 2009

When I was writing about music play-lists yesterday I remembered the Classical Kids music by Susan Hammond that I have from my time as a music teacher. I love the stories and the way that they introduce classical music and composers to children. The stories are involving and take the listener on a journey that explains the music they are listening to.

Music Makes the Rainy Day Better

March 23, 2009

As a weekend of sunshine makes its way into another rain filled week I am working to make the days filled with fun, and maybe fitting a little work time for me. To this end I am making new play-lists to go along with the free play, track making and a barrage of "Whys."

There are a couple of kids albums that don't make me crazy and get put into pretty heavy rotation as well as tons of adult music that we love. My son is just as likely to be singing The Ramones or U2 or stuff from Fred Penner or a song he has made up on his own. I think the key to a good play-list is fun tunes that both you and you kids enjoy. Luckily a lot of the time preschoolers enjoy the music you like to play, especially if you take the time to get up and sing and dance with them.  Here are a few albums I would recommend for children and adults.

Music Makers and Shakers

March 02, 2009

Have you ever said "I don't have enough percussion instruments in the house?" Yeah me too, all the time! While I am kidding a little bit about the lack of percussion instruments in our house, there are times when a home made instrument can be a lifesaver. There are lots of easy ways to make a quick instrument.

The quick shaker is a really easy craft and only requires a yogurt container or other small container with a tight fitting lid. Taking into account the child you are making this with and choose the appropriate size. Try different sized of rattles inside the shaker. Some interesting sounds are rice, pasta, beans and chestnuts. If this isn't going to be around children under three you can also put jingle bells inside for a different sound. Try decorating the shaker with stickers or labels that you child has coloured.

We have also made some drums with the lidded yogurt containers and ice cream containers. Have fun playing with the different sizes and checking out the different sounds each of them makes. For an even lower sounding drum use dishwasher detergent buckets. Wooden spoons make great drum sticks, or if your house is like ours use daddy's Rock Band drumsticks. This may be the life saver when you are trying to get through a Rock Band song and your child has their own drums.

The real coup is that once you have had enough you can recycle the lot. How about that for fun?

Wild and Woolly Winter Weekend

February 19, 2009

Welcome to the weekend, now what do you do? There is a lot going on with concerts, parades and winter carnivals.

Granville Island's Winteruption has tons of activities going on for the whole family. Tonight is the Circle of Light at False Creek Community Centre from 5pm to 9pm (free), and Sunday from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm is a winter carnival with games, crafts and fun for the whole family ($3 per person.) Try your hand at Circus School at the New Festival Garage Sat & Sun 10:30am, 12:30pm, 3pm (free.) There is so much else going on you need to check out the schedule of events online. For the sake of your sanity, do not try to drive and park at Granville Island.

Bobs and Lolo are playing a concert at the Roundhouse Community Centre. Sat Feb 21, 11-12pm, Tickets: $10 or $35 for a family of four. Children under 6 months free. Pre-registration required. Call 604.713.1800 to register early! Tickets will sell out!

Pottery Barn Kids is finally opening in Vancouver at 2935 Granville Street. Saturday 21 February is the grand opening with children's activities and giveaways.

What are your plans for the weekend?

Nutcrackers

by Gwendolyn Floyd

December 12, 2008

When I think of Christmas performances, I always think of The Nutcracker. There are at least two different ballet companies performing The Nutcracker this weekend. The Goh Ballet presents The Nutcracker on the 12 th and 13 th of December at 7pm at the Michael J. Fox  Read more...

We Review Toys Too

by Gwendolyn Floyd

December 02, 2008

I now direct your attention to the book and toy reviews at the Savvy Source main site. If you are looking for a gift for your preschooler this is a good place to start. These five toys are ones that are in our house and are well used. Fisher Price Kid Tough  Read more...

Holiday Traditions in Vancouver

by Gwendolyn Floyd

December 02, 2008

In a city as big as Vancouver there is always lots to do around the holidays especially for Christmas. I will be exploring the other holidays later in the month, but for today's list I am exploring some of the Christmas Traditions that my husband and sons enjoy each year. Number one is something that you could well do for any season, but we go every Christmas Eve.  Read more...

Music, Junkology and Lights

by Gwendolyn Floyd

November 28, 2008

Are you up in the air as to what to do this weekend? Well you have lots of different things to choose from. How about a trip to Science World on Saturday? Junkology with Dr. Recycle Creative re-use of man-made refuse. Come join Dr. Recycle and his imaginative  Read more...

Puppets and Preschoolers

by Gwendolyn Floyd

October 16, 2008

My son loves his preschool and is full of songs and actions of things that happen there. One of the things his teachers did to learn the kids name and have the kids learn each others names was sing a few songs with props and puppets. At least once a day lately he has been using the puppets we have at home  Read more...

One Elephant Came Out to Play

by Gwendolyn Floyd

September 25, 2008

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! A very important announcement for the weekend that will be fun for young and old alike! Sharon and Bram (minus Lois) will be playing the Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver this  Read more...

Extra Classes for the Preschooler: Dance

by Gwendolyn Floyd

September 17, 2008

In this series I am highlighting a few of the classes you can find around the city, especially at community centres. There are so many Community Centres that I will only highlight some. To find a community centre closer to you check out the Vancouver Park Board's web site for more information. West Point Grey Community Centre has Ballet, and Jazz with spaces left. Classes  Read more...

Extra Classes for the Preschooler: Music

by Gwendolyn Floyd

September 11, 2008

In this series I am highlighting a few of the classes you can find around the city, especially at community centres. There are so many Community Centres that I will only highlight some. To find a community centre closer to you check out the Vancouver Park Board's web site for more  Read more...

Carousel Theatre Company for Young People

by Gwendolyn Floyd

September 04, 2008

Carousel Theatre for Young People is dedicated to giving young people and their families an inspiring, enlightening and entertaining experience through accessible theatrical experiences that develop audiences and artists. They have performances fro ages 5 with the exception of special  Read more...

Sea Shanties Galore

by Gwendolyn Floyd

August 21, 2008

I am excited to share some of my favourite sea shanties, though I am not entirely sure what makes them a sea shanty over a folk song. After looking it up it makes perfect sense, a sea shanty was a rhythmic song sung by sailors to make the work go faster. With that in mind I will take you  Read more...

Summer Music: Celtic Edition

by Gwendolyn Floyd

August 14, 2008

Though I now live on the left coast, I am still firmly rooted in the east and it seems that summer brings this out in my music. I must admit is is not just my Nova Scotian roots that make me feel this way about Celtic music but my Irish roots as well. Even though I have not been there yet, I  Read more...

What to Do This Weekend

by Gwendolyn Floyd

July 18, 2008

It is Friday and another weekend is upon us. So what is in store for this weekend? Lots of music and festivals. First up, the Vancouver Folk Festival . While a little expensive for the adults in the household, kids 12 and under are free. There is a ton of family friendly  Read more...

Favourite Summer Reads

by Gwendolyn Floyd

July 15, 2008

I am a bibliophile, and my love of books is well addressed in our very small house. Of the hundreds of books there are a few hundred that are my son's. At three he is now trying to read some of them himself, but he still loves to be read to. I fully expect to be reading aloud to him for many, many years to come. He is not quite ready to stay still for some of my favourites yet, but if you  Read more...

What to do this weekend

by Gwendolyn Floyd

July 04, 2008

As always there are a lot of great things to do this weekend. From dance and stories to festivals it should be a fun and busy weekend. Photo by: Anthony Floyd The All Over the Map dance series kicks off in Ron Basford Park on Granville Island. Silk Road Music and Friends combines central Asian music with Chinese and African dance. The free performance starts at 2 pm. If it  Read more...

Sounds of Summer

by Gwendolyn Floyd

July 01, 2008

Growing up on the east coast bagpipes are always a sound of summer to me. Whether is be in a parade, an outdoor concert or a summer festival, bagpipes are everywhere. When I moved to the west coast the bagpipes were still there (hello, world famous SFU Pipe Band resides here) but not as  Read more...

Canada Day Events Tomorrow

by Gwendolyn Floyd

June 30, 2008

As we celebrate the 141st anniversary of Confederation, what is happening for Canada day in the Lower Mainland tomorrow? The answers is lots, though not as much as in Ottawa. One of these years I plan to take a family Vacation to Ottawa around Canada Day. I think it would be a blast. Here in the lower mainland there are things to do in almost every municipality. Photo by: Anthony  Read more...

Festivals, Stories and Jazz, Oh My!

by Gwendolyn Floyd

June 27, 2008

Another weekend is upon us and this one seems to actually have some good weather forecast. This last weekend of June has a number of great events planned with lots of kid friendly activities. First off is GreekFest at Boundary Road just south of 29 th Ave. Running from Friday 27  Read more...

Picnic Fun

by Gwendolyn Floyd

June 26, 2008

I don't know about everyone else, but food always tastes better outside to me. That is a big part of the reason I love picnics. During the summer I try to have at least one picnic a week. This usually entails the boy and I picking up his father at work and heading to the beach or the park. We usually head for somewhere for the boy to run or with a playground nearby. For this reason there  Read more...

What to do This Weekend

by Gwendolyn Floyd

June 19, 2008

As June starts its wrap-up there are a number of events you can take in with your children. This weekend has a number of free events including the Dragon Boat Festival and the Jazz Festival. The Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival runs both Saturday and Sunday the 21 st and 22 nd of June. This year all activities are free, including lots of music including the Trews. The  Read more...

Extra Classes for the Preschooler: Keeping Busy During the Summer

by Gwendolyn Floyd

June 17, 2008

There are a lot of extra classes and activities for your preschooler out there. It is hard to know what, if any you should be putting you child in. I am going to point out a few of the more interesting classes I have seen online, and some that I have taken with my son. I have a music background and I can't think of anything more enriching than music classes. That is not to say  Read more...

Vancouver International Jazz Festival

by Gwendolyn Floyd

June 13, 2008

One of the great things about living in Vancouver is realizing that at the end of June you have a whole host of free concerts to take in. The Vancouver International Jazz festival has been around forever and every year has a multitude of fantastic free concerts around Vancouver. From June 20th to 29th and also at special venues on Granville Island on Canada Day (July 1st), you have a  Read more...