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

Baby Beluga

June 12, 2009

I love Science World and we have had a membership there for 3 years, but until this year I haven't had a membership to the Aquarium. I think I really should have bought one earlier for a few reasons.

The first great reason to buy a membership is that it pays for itself in 2 visits and then all other visits are gravy. The second is that despite being crowded on sunny days, there is always lots to do and see. If your child is under 4, they are free, and there is still lots to do for younger preschoolers and toddlers. It is a little hard to get a few places with a stroller, but there are ways to get everywhere.

The main reason to go right now is of course the newest addition to the Aquarium. Aurora gave birth to another female (they are pretty sure) calf, so now there is a baby beluga and a toddler beluga. They are letting small groups of people down to the underwater viewing tank every 5 minutes, so while the line is long, it moves pretty quickly. We decided not to go down, but instead watched from up top. It was nice to eat our lunch and watch 2 adult and 2 baby belugas swimming around.

If you do decide to go this weekend go early. If you are going to line up to go downstairs, get that over with first and remember that you can also see them on the outside platform. Bring snacks and lunch because this is a line up you can easily avoid. Do bring your stroller, but avoid bringing the huge one if you can. If you and your child need a bit of a break where they can play safely while you sit, go to Clownfish Cove. This play area has bathrooms right there as well, and seating for the adults. Also make time (and go a little early) for the Dolphin show. It is fun for all, but always gets a big crowd. The fences have windows for little ones, but you may need to be a bit pushy to get space for your kids there.

If you do not decide to get a membership, you have until Saturday 27 June when the rates go up for the summer. This also means that they still have winter hours which is from 9:30 am to 5 pm. Whenever you decide to go, have fun!

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?

Whales, Singing and Munsch

March 19, 2009

This week we went to the aquarium to see the fish and hang out with Bobs and Lolo. I will tell you all to brave the crowds at the Aquarium on Spring Break and go watch the dolphin show and take the time to go see the belugas. While you are down in the Beluga viewing area take the time to check out Bobs and Lolo. They have a performance in the morning and one at 1pm and at 3 pm. They will be at the Aquarium through till Sunday.

On Sunday I am taking my 4 year old son (well almost 4 year old) to his first play. Munsch Alley is being put on by Carousel Theatre with a number of toddler performances geared toward the under 5 crowd. This is the perfect show for my son as he loves all of the Robert Munsch stories and he will not be expected to be silent. This is a good thing because while he will love the show, I am not sure anything would be able to keep him quiet during the performance.

What are you doing for the last weekend of Spring Break? Are you activitied out or raring to keep going?

Animals and Science, What More Could You Ask For?

by Gwendolyn Floyd

December 16, 2008

Looking for a great gift that won't take up any more of your precious real estate? I know that I am always trying to make sure that the gifts my son gets will fit in our small space. This why I am recommending a number of memberships for places that your preschooler will love. Science World : Children 3 and under are free so you only need to buy a membership for the adult until  Read more...

Best Places to See the "Fish"

by Gwendolyn Floyd

August 19, 2008

I like fish and I have a small aquarium, thought right now it is not a good place to actually see the fish because of an insane algae bloom I can't seem to get rid of. So if my son wants to see some fish we need to go a little further afield to actually get a good look at some. My first suggestion for some fish watching is a Petcetra . They have a huge wall of different fish  Read more...