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

BC Day Weekend

July 31, 2009

After the sleep I am planning to have this weekend there are quite a few things on the list to do for the weekend.

Science World is having from August 1 to 3 a celebration of 20 years and BC Day. Take the family to their air conditioned facility and take $20 off the family rate. No coupon is necessary.

Saturday the Powel Street Festival is moved for this year only while they are renovating Oppenheimer Park to Woodland Park. Starting at 11:30 and going till early evening this is the annual celebration of Japanese-Canadian arts, culture and heritage.

Sunday is the Pride Parade and Sunset Beach Festival. The Parade runs from noon until it finishes and goes along Robson (from Burrard), along Denman and around Pacific. The entire westend of Vancouver will be a party this weekend as the Pride weekend celebrates 30 years.

Check out Carousel Theatre's student production of MacBeth. Running from August 1 to 15 these free performances are not to be missed. Playing at the outdoor stage of Performance Works on Granville Island. For younger kids I suggest taking in one of the 2pm matinées.

The Celebration of Light finishes up on Saturday night. Get there early to find good seating and remember that a lot of streets will be closed. We usually avoid English Bay and goes across the water to Vanier Park. Make sure to bring lots of snacks to avoid the money sucking food vendors.

Have a fantastic long weekend!

Fusion, Folk and Active Kids

July 16, 2009

This weekend there is the gamut of kid and family friendly activities and I have chosen some of the best bets for you and your children.

In Surrey this weekend is the annual Fusion Festival. A two day event the Fusion Festival is a culturally diverse extravaganza of food and entertainment. Best of all the Festival taking place in Holland Park is free. All entertainment at all stages is free and runs the gamut of types of music, theatre and dance. Food is a little expensive, but you if you bring a picnic you are set. There is very little shade though so hats, drinks and sunscreen are a must.

In Vancouver the Folk Festival in Jericho park is back in full force. A staple of July in Vancouver for over thirty years, passes for adults are expensive, but kids under 12 are free. As it is packed with performers from around the world it is a hit with people from all over the lower mainland.

Agoo Kids Active Day is a fun charity event for Canuck Place. With a performance by Bobs and Lolo, bouncy castles and Phoenix Gymnastics running a kids obstacle course you kids should have a ball. Tickets are $7 per child, adults are free and it is running from 10 till 3 at Kits Arena.

What are you doing this weekend?

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.

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.

Children's Festivals

April 28, 2009

As May comes closer it is really time to figure out when we are going to the children's festivals and what we plan to see to get the most out of our experience. The Vancouver International Children's Festival runs from the 11^th May to the 18^th May 2009 at Vanier Park in Vancouver. Tickets for the venue itself are $10 and tickets to the main stage shows are $16 and include admission to the venue for all other activities on the day. The Surrey Children's Festival runs from 28^th May to the 30^th May 2009 and entrance to the venue is free, main stage tickets are $6 for under 3 years old and $10.50 for regular tickets.

The Vancouver Festival has a number of great performers including Fred Penner, Music With Marnie and several other world acts. Site Activity hours are from 9:30am to 3 pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 5 pm Saturday and Sunday. The site is big and has lots of free concerts and activities, so pack a lunch and bring a blanket to give yourself a place to sit. There are food vendors, but like all festivals the fare is expensive.

The Surrey Children's festival boasts one of our Vancouver faves, Bobs and Lolo. They have concerts on all days. There will be a number of other activities in Bear Creek Park, including free concerts, face painting and crafts.

Get a group of kids and caregivers together and have 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?

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...

What's Up This Weekend: 16-17 August

by Gwendolyn Floyd

August 15, 2008

While I may wish I was on the other coast this weekend, (two birthdays and a wedding I would love to attend) there is still a lot to do this weekend in Vancouver. The biggest thing happening this weekend is the opening of The Fair at the PNE Vancouver . Open from August 16 th to  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...

Enjoying the BC Day Weekend

by Gwendolyn Floyd

August 01, 2008

This weekend we have an extra day and I am sure that with all the summer revelling we all need it. I know that since my goddaughter has been visiting we have had really busy weekends. For me this means taking some extra time Sunday and Monday to do the things we have been neglecting, like the vacuuming. For those of you who have the time and the energy there is still a lot to do around  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...

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...

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...

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...