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

An Annual Tradition: The Pacific National Exhibition

August 27, 2009

We try every year to spend at least a day at the PNE every August. Running this year from the 22 August until Labour Day (the 7 September) the day before school starts you have this full weekend and next week to go.

A few things to help you and your preschooler get the most out of the day.

Bring a stroller or wagon. If your child doesn't usually use a stroller but can sit in an umbrella stroller if need be, bring it. There is tons of stroller parking and you can give your shoulders a rest from having to carry an exhausted child around. Even if you don't use it for your child you can use it to carry the stuff you will have with you. (Having a luggage tag with your name on it will help with the stroller parking attendants.)

Bring drinks and snacks. This will make the trip a lot less expensive even if you do get some mini-donuts from the concession.

It might be a good idea to put your child in a pull-up even if they don't wear them anymore. It is a lot less fun to change a preschooler accident because you couldn't get to a bathroom on time.

Check out the entertainment schedule online. This way you can figure out the best time of day to go. If you want to wing it there is always lots going on and you can find lots of different animals to look at and rides to go on.

Try to go at a time where your child is freshest. For some this may be the morning and some this may be the afternoon after a nap. There will still be lots to do.

Bring some cash. It is always easier to get cash before than during. Also check out the paper for coupons for the gate pass, you can usually buy it beforehand and save.

Most of all have fun. Enjoy the crowds and make the most of it before the school year starts. Happy end of summer!

Vancouver International Jazz Festival

June 19, 2009

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 26th to July 5th and also at special venues on Granville Island on Canada Day (July 1st), you have a chance to take in great jazz artists from around Vancouver and the world.

On June 27th and 28th you have the Gastown concerts set up in two venues, the Maple Tree Square at Water and Carrall, and The Steam Clock stage at Water and Cambie. Starting at noon and going till after 6 both nights, you can choose the best time for you kids and check out who is playing. The nice thing is because it is outside and free, so if the kids act up all you need to do is walk to another stage or head home. There are a number of kid friendly restaurants and coffee places nearby for the inevitable caffeine fix/bathroom break.

On July 4th and 5th the venues move to the Roundhouse Community Centre or close by. There are 4 venues, but I would suggest going to the venue at David Lam Park stage. This stage is around a big open field with several playgrounds in hearing distance of the concerts. It's a way for you to get some time listening to some good music while giving the kids a place to run, jump and play without bothering anyone.

Canada Day at Granville Island is a whole experience in itself. With all kinds of things for the kids to do from face painting, to activities at the False Creek Community Centre, they also have a number of free jazz concerts to end the festival.

For more information about the ticketed venues please visit the Coastal Jazz and Blues Society.

Endings and Beginnings

June 08, 2009

This week is the last week of preschool for my 4 year old son. He has become very attached to his teachers and the group of kids he has learned to play cooperatively with over the past ten months. Now begins the summer activities. I decided to hold off on day camp and classes until the middle of July, and so far I only have 3 weeks of planned activities, even if they are only a half hour swim lesson each day for two weeks. I am trying to decide if this is enough or should I fill more of his days.

So with that in mind, I am half planning a series of day trips around the lower mainland. I hope to make some of them play dates with friends from his preschool class, and I am still looking for an age appropriate drama or dance class. I am starting to become aware that he needs a chance to get on stage.

We have a membership to the Aquarium, so we are planning to go several times over the summer. It will be interesting to watch the newborn beluga grow over the summer. We will make at least one trip to the Zoo, though I think that will be with the whole family as I can't take the tired feet of a 4 year old and an infant at the same time all by myself. (I think we will bring his bicycle along to make the trip easier.) I plan to spend some time checking out all of Vancouver's Splash Parks and outdoor pools. I will update you on the best ones according to the preschooler.

I am sure I will be able to keep us busy until school starts again in September, but it sure makes me wish for a backyard so we don't always need to go out for our entertainment. It would be lovely to be able to just throw us all out in the backyard. How do you keep your child busy during the summer with or without a backyard?

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.

Kid and Parent Dates: Where to Get a Quiet Bite

February 24, 2009

My son and I like to have some quiet lunches together. While it is a little more difficult now with a newborn in the house I am planning a couple of Mommy and son dates in the near future. There are a few places where we like to go and have some good food and great talks.

The Secret Garden Tea Company in Kerrisdale on West Blvd is one of our favourite places to go. It has wonderful high teas as well as a mini high tea with all the miniature sandwiches and deserts. On weekends and around holidays it is better to make a reservation.

We also go for tea and a sandwich at Steeps at Broadway and Laurel. They have a nice atmosphere and it is friendly to all people. With tables and comfy chairs it is a great place for a cheap and easy tea party.

Minato Sushi is crowded and loud but it makes the best sushi around in my humble opinion. So several times a month we order some sushi and take it away. Most of the time we come home and eat at the table, but when it is warmer we often go to the beach or down by the seawall.

Granville Island Public market is another place we often frequent. Terra Breads makes fantastic foccacia and on a sunny day it is a treat to be outside in the courtyard eating and taking in the entertainment.

Where do you like to go for a date with your child?

Family Literacy Day

by Gwendolyn Floyd

January 22, 2009

Family Literacy Day® (FLD) was created by ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation and Honda Canada in 1999 to promote the importance of reading and learning together as a family all year round Every year on January 27, families and communities across Canada celebrate this special day  Read more...

Chanukah, Skating, Lanterns and the Longest Night of the Year

by Gwendolyn Floyd

December 19, 2008

I know that I have been very Christmas focused the last couple of weeks, but I wanted to remind everyone that Chanukah starts on Monday, and the Winter Solstice is around the corner. With that in mind there are activities for everyone coming up. There are two Chanukah  Read more...

Announcing

by Gwendolyn Floyd

October 27, 2008

I am not posting much today except some very personal news. On Saturday 25 th October 2008 at 1:10 pm PST, I had a baby boy. Quinlan James Floyd, 7 lbs 5 oz. I managed to write the rest of this week's posts last week so I am taking the rest of this week off from the blog. Have a very happy halloween.  Read more...

The Siblings Busy Book

by Gwendolyn Floyd

September 22, 2008

If you have read my biography you know that I am expecting my second child soon. I am trying to find ways to include my son in my activities with the baby and vice versa. To this end I picked up a new book The Siblings Busy Book by Lisa Hanson and Heather Kempskie. I heard about this book on the Manic Mommies podcast and both Lisa and Heather were interviewed. The Siblings Busy Book is  Read more...

Fall Fun? Try Apple Picking

by Gwendolyn Floyd

September 08, 2008

I love fall and almost everything about it. I like the cool crisp air, sunny days, leaves turning, the out of character hot days and the harvesting that goes on. I am thinking this year about taking my son apple picking before the baby is born. I would like a chance to spend some more time  Read more...

Corn Mazes, Another Sign of Fall

by Gwendolyn Floyd

September 03, 2008

With fall well on its way, and not much time left before the almost daily rain starts, it is time to do as much outdoors as you can. With this in mind I am suggesting going to a corn maze. Fun for the whole family most of the local (well lower mainland) corn mazes also have hayrides, petting  Read more...

What's Up for 23-24 August

by Gwendolyn Floyd

August 22, 2008

We again have a lot of activities that might interest you for this weekend, especially if we can get rid of the rain. The events are happening all over the lower mainland so there should be something for everybody. There is still The Fair at the PNE Vancouver . Open from August 16 th to September 1, 2008 from 11 am to 11pm or so. Fair Gate passes are free for those under 6 and  Read more...

Weekend Activities

by Gwendolyn Floyd

August 08, 2008

Happy 08/08/08! There is, as always, a lot going on this weekend all over the lower mainland. The Kitsilano Community Centre is hosting its annual Picnic in the Park on Saturday from 12-4. Tickets are $2 and there should be lots to do for children of all ages including games, a  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...

What to Do this Weekend

by Gwendolyn Floyd

July 11, 2008

There are not as many festivals this weekend but there are still a lot of things to do in and around greater Vancouver. Marpole Summerfest, July 12, 11 am to 3 pm. A free family friendly community celebration. With a children's zone, music and street entertainment. Granville Street  Read more...

Three Days In and Around Vancouver: Day 2

by Gwendolyn Floyd

July 09, 2008

For day two we go across the Lion's Gate Bridge and explore the North Shore and Bowen Island. The North Shore is know for great skiing and hiking and beautiful homes. During the summer most of the snow comes off the mountains, though this year it is being a little stubborn. Photo by: Anthony Floyd Start off day two by going to Capilano Suspension Bridge and Tree Tops  Read more...

Bonus Activities for the Three Day Guide to Vancouver: Kid Friendly Attractions

by Gwendolyn Floyd

July 09, 2008

In the three day guide to Vancouver the days were pretty packed with things to do. However there are still a number of other great things to do in Greater Vancouver and I thought I would list some of our favourites. Photo By: Anthony Floyd Greater Vancouver Zoo . Located  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...

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...

Things to do in Vancouver Before Your Child Grows Up

by Gwendolyn Floyd

June 12, 2008

Vancouver is a great city and there are a number of things that you should do here with your kids before they grow up. Some are easy and you will do many times while others will be once in a lifetime opportunities. I will start with 5, but I expect there will be many added in other posts. 1: Take snowboard or skiing lessons on the local mountains. If you live in greater Vancouver,  Read more...

Best Day Trips Around Greater Vancouver

by Gwendolyn Floyd

June 03, 2008

Whether you live in Vancouver proper or in the Greater Vancouver Area there are lots of day trips within an hour. I am going to highlight five that we have done with our son and will do again. 1: Reifel Bird Sanctuary in Delta, BC. Located on Westham Island the sanctuary is exactly that, a safe haven for both the birds and people. With lots of duck that will eat from your preschoolers  Read more...