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

Canada Line Grand Opening

August 17, 2009

Since we got the bid for the Olympics in 2010 there has been a lot of construction and confusion in the city of Vancouver. One of the major projects that was undertaken was the building of the Canada Line skytrain from downtown to the Vancouver International Airport. While it wasn't open in time to take for our trip out east it is opening today at 1 pm.

I wish we were home to take advantage of the grand opening. From 1 pm to 9 pm tonight you can ride the whole line for free. Let me know how it goes!

Birthday Train

July 13, 2009

Unfortunately for me and my son, his birthday is in the wettest part of the year. It may be sunny or it may be really cold and rainy. It is too bad because the West Coast Railway Association now has reasonably priced birthday parties.

The Railway park in Squamish has lots of trains, a train play structure and a really cool miniature railway that runs around the park. At $12.50 per kid and including free admission to the park, free mini-rail ride (weather permitting),hot dog, juice & chips for each child and an age-appropriate gift for the birthday child,it is actually one of the better bangs for your buck. You can also add a theme (pirate, princess or you guessed it train) for and additional fee and add an hour, face painting and some activities.

If you have a train loving child this may make your search for a birthday party venue a little easier. I will admit though that I can't wait till my son is old enough to have a bowling party.

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?

A Little Further Afield: Ferry to Victoria

by Gwendolyn Floyd

July 28, 2008

Living in Vancouver we are close to the water but not really the Ocean. Every once in a while it is nice to head to Vancouver Island and really smell the salt air. The ferry is expensive so while a day trip isn't the best bang for your buck, a weekend isn't really too expensive and is a nice break for the family. (If you can get dropped off at the ferry terminal, walking on and taking  Read more...