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Welcome to The Playground, a place for Vancouver parents and their awesome kids. Every Wednesday I post a roundup of upcoming family-friendly events and activities. I’m always on the lookout for fun stuff to do, so if there’s something happening that you think I should know about, contact me at theplayground@vancouverisawesome.com. Because Vancouver is awesome for kids too! |
LOTS to do this week if you’re looking for a change from the swings and the monkey bars:
It’s Family Fuse Weekend at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Artists, musicians, filmmakers and performers help families discover personal histories through historic and contemporary art. Rediscover the Gallery through animation and drawing workshops, dance performances, live music, special exhibition tours and much more. I’ve been to Fuse for grownups but never to Family Fuse, so I’m very excited to check this out! May 29 and 30 from 10-5, free for members and children 12 and under, otherwise regular admission rates apply.
EPIC: The Vancouver Sun Sustainable Living Expo is happening May 28-30. A three-day celebration of greener living with 300+ exhibitors, inspiring ideas, exciting entertainment, and smart shopping. You can definitely bring the whole family to EPIC. Besides cooking demos, fashion shows and workshops, there’s a KidZone with arts & crafts, educational eco-activities, a dance floor, and a giant 14’ treehouse! Kids 12 and under are free; buy your tickets online and save $5.
Or, you can celebrate sustainability on a smaller scale at the Salmonberry Days Community Fair. This is the wrap-up celebration for Salmonberry Days, the Dunbar community’s month-long environment festival. Games, crafts, entertainment, and other activities for the whole family in West Memorial Park at the Dunbar Community Centre. There’s also a compost bin sale: $25/bin including a handy wing-digger to help turn soil. Sunday, May 30 from 11 to 3, and it’s free!
The Scandinavian Centre in Burnaby is hosting the 13th Annual European Festival on Saturday, May 29. This sounds really fun: an opening ceremony parade with ethnic costumes and flags; non-stop stage performances; cultural displays; a children’s tent with arts & crafts, balloon twisting and face-painting; festival passports so kids can collect country stamps. And, of course, lots of great food! Only $7 and free for children under 12. Get more details at the festival's website.
The Diversity Health Fair is on at the Croatian Cultural Centre on Saturday. This free community event aims to promote healthy living to BC’s diverse communities with exhibitors, health and dental screenings, cooking and fitness demonstrations, live entertainment and a kid’s activity area. May 29 from 10-4.
Author and TV personality Erica Ehm will be at Kidsbooks on Broadway next week signing copies of her new book, The Mischievous Mom at the Art Gallery. Tuesday, June 1 at 4pm.
And finally, a couple of reminders. I mentioned these in The Playground – Week 1, but in case you missed them:
Around the World in 80 Days, a circus adaptation of the Jules Verne classic presented by Circus West, is on at the PNE Gardens from May 27-30.
A Day Out with Thomas is coming up soon. Ride on a full-size Thomas the Tank Engine and meet Sir Topham Hatt. Storytelling, music and more at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park, June 5 & 6 and June 12 & 13. Have you got your tickets yet?
That’s all for this week. See you next Wednesday!
