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!

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.

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!

Victoria Day Weekend

May 15, 2009

I love a long weekend as I am sure most of us do. This is also the weekend some of our favourites open back up for the summer. On Saturday the following are open again:

The Kits Outdoor Pool opens at noon on Saturday. Keep in mind that the pool is heated, though it may yet be a little on the cool side. Here is the schedule for summer 2009. They also host swimming lessons throughout the summer.

Trout Lake Farmers Market. From 9 am to 2 pm.

West End Farmers Market: From 9 am to 2 pm.

Granville Island Water Park. Open from 10 am to 6 pm. Open weekend till June when the spray park opens weekdays. Full park opens June 25.

Sunday the Kitsilano Farmers Market opens. 10 am to 2 pm.

I must say these are some great ways to celebrate the coming of summer. What are you doing this weekend?

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.

Spring Weekend

April 23, 2009

This Saturday the 25^th is a busy day in False Creek. Two major events are happening, one on Cambie and another on Granville Island. I am hoping we will attend both, though the one on Granville Island has more appeal for my truck loving son.

Ocean Concrete will be having their annual open house. Made for kids of all ages you can climb into big concrete mixers, big and small earth moving machines and play in the huge sand pit with all the other children. We go every year and my 4 year gets more excited every year. The first year he was a little intimidated by the huge trucks up close, but last year was running to line up to get into those bad boys. Open from 9 am to 5 pm this is a great chance to get up close and personal with the big trucks.

Best Buy and Canada Line are celebrating the completion of local Canada Line Construction with a huge street party, "Cambie All Access." Merchants from Broadway to the Cambie Street Bridge will be celebrating with food, concerts (including 54-40 at 3:30 pm) and other fun activities. Come and celebrate the relief that is an open Cambie Street. Festivities start and 11 am and go till 5 pm.

Have fun in False Creek!

99 things to do in Vancouver Before You Grow Up (or at Least Your Kids Do)

March 03, 2009

As I recall when I started this list last year I didn't get very far. That is not because there aren't a hundred and one things to do here, but because I find it hard to put them all down in one place without saying way too much about them. So today I am only listing and linking where I can, but I will write more on these places in later posts.

So now in no particular order we will now reveal our top 99 things to do in Vancouver before you grow up:

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?

One Year Until the 2010 Games

by Gwendolyn Floyd

February 06, 2009

One more day till the weekend and I am so looking forward to it. I am planning a really lovely weekend full of absolutely nothing. For those of you who would like something to do with your preschooler there are a few activities happening around the greater Vancouver area.  Read more...

Free Celebrations on Sunday: Lunar New Year

by Gwendolyn Floyd

January 29, 2009

In Celebration of the Lunar New Year's Festival there are a number of free family activities. The first is the famous Chinese New Year Parade through Vancouver's Chinatown. It starts at noon at the Millennium Gate on Pender to Gore to Keefer back to Carrall. Photo by  Read more...

Author Event: Ashley Spires, "Penguin and the Cupcake"

by Gwendolyn Floyd

January 28, 2009

Once Upon a huckleberry bush is having another author event this Saturday, 31 January 2008, from 1 to 3 pm. Author Ashley Spires will present her book "Penguin and the Cupcake." Come to find out if on Penguin's trip to the Northern Hemisphere is successful, and if he finds the delicious pink frosted cupcakes. There is also a rumour that there will be some delicious cupcakes  Read more...

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...

Give A Little Food

by Gwendolyn Floyd

November 20, 2008

Since before my oldest son was born I have been attending CBC Vancouver's Food Bank Day the first Friday in December. The local radio shows The Early Edition, BC Almanac and On the Coast host lots of local entertainers and businesses that donate time and prizes for people to  Read more...

What is up this weekend? Rain

by Gwendolyn Floyd

October 03, 2008

Since it will be raining all weekend and conceivably for the rest of the winter it is time to bring some of the weekend activities inside. Good thing planners know the weather patterns in Vancouver. There are lots of things going on at the main branch of the Vancouver Public  Read more...

Word on the Street

by Gwendolyn Floyd

September 24, 2008

I let you know earlier in the fall that this Sunday is The Word on the Street. A sure sign of fall and fun for the whole family. Starting at 11 am until 5 pm all around the Vancouver main branch of the public library downtown. The Kid's Tent and The Vancouver Sun Raise-a-Reader  Read more...

Fall is in the Air

by Gwendolyn Floyd

August 28, 2008

Fall is in the air and to me that means a few things, shiny new school supplies, a brand new start at school, bright crisp days and the Word on the Street . The Word on the Street is a national book and magazine festival held across Canada. I first became aware f the Word on the Street or  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...

Book Nooks for Tots: Once upon a huckleberry bush

by Gwendolyn Floyd

August 18, 2008

There is a new independent children's bookstore in town and its name is Once upon a huckleberry bush . Located at 4387 Main Street (about 28 th and Main) Once Upon a huckleberry bush is a little away from the trendy parts of Main street but has a nice atmosphere. My son and I went during the opening week last week, and while it was a little smaller than I thought  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...

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...

Exploring the Urban Jungle: Richmond Nature Park

by Gwendolyn Floyd

July 03, 2008

Another of the great things about living in the lower mainland is that there are so many trails and parks to enjoy. As a teacher the Richmond Nature Park was a great field trip for both the littlest ones and the older children for a number of reasons. The Richmond Nature Park opens daily from  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...

Queen Elizabeth Park, From Quarry to Beauty

by Gwendolyn Floyd

June 06, 2008

One of the lovely things about history is that sometimes something ugly can be made into something beautiful as Queen Elizabeth Park . As the remnant of a quarry, the scared landscape was left for a long time before it was restored to a garden in1949. It took more years for the garden to become the respite from city life that it is now. I like to take my son to the park and let  Read more...