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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! |
This week we've got a Sonic Playground, Rubik's Cubes, nature games, buttons, lanterns and dinosaurs! But first, Canada Day -- what are you doing tomorrow?
Everyone knows about the big celebration at Canada Place, including the relighting of the Olympic cauldron, downtown parade and evening fireworks in the Burrard Inlet (full details here). If I didn’t have a three year-old, that’s exactly where I’d be. But gianormous crowds and very loud noises are not Cassandra's idea of a good time, and as I'm sure you all know, if your kid isn't having fun, no one’s having fun. Lucky for us, there are plenty of smaller scale celebrations in Vancouver. Here are five OTHER great things you can do with the family on Canada Day:
1) Join the Granville Island Canada Day Parade. Okay, this is not exactly a small event, but it’s fantastic for families. If you’ve got bikes, go early, attend the free bike decorating workshop from 10am-1pm, and become part of the parade! There’s a Canada Day ceremony afterwards and lots of other free activities and entertainment. Check out the full program here.
2) Hit up the Vancouver Maritime Museum for free! The museum is offering free admission to its exhibits and galleries all day, as well as wooden boatbuilding, pirate hats and paper crafts, balloon artistry and children’s puppet theatre.
3) Come to the Canada Day Jamboree at Strathcona Park and cheer on VIA’s soccer team! Music, food, basketball...and soccer too! Details here.
4) Keep it local. Several community centres are hosting Canada Day festivities, including Britannia, Hastings, Kensington, Kerrisdale, Mt. Pleasant Pool, Renfrew and Sunset. So chances are there’s a party in your neighbourhood with all the elements needed to put smiles on your kids’ faces: balloons, bouncy tent, face-painting and free cake. Get more info here.
5) Keep it simple. If none of the above appeal to you, the weather forecast is "partly cloudy" so it should be a decent day to hit the beach. Picnic, sand toys and a Frisbee – really, do you need anything more to celebrate Canada Day?
Okay, on to some weekend activities! Get a big ol’ serving of awesomesauce at the Roundhouse on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with Sonic Playground:
What do samurai warriors, lemonade recipes and kitchen utensils have to do with sound?
Back by popular demand SONIC PLAYGROUND explores new sounds and music prepared especially for families and children of all ages. Check out installations and performances by some of Vancouver’s most creative musicians and sound artists.
Sonic Playground is happening July 2, 3 and 4 from 10am-4pm at the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre. And it’s my favourite price – free!
Science World is hosting a Rubik’s Cube Competition this weekend. When I was ten I peeled the stickers off my Rubik’s Cube in order to make it look like I’d solved it. Shameful, I know. I’m in awe of anyone who can complete the Cube, much less do it in record time. If you’re curious you can check out the competition on Saturday. Or, if you think you can hang with the speed-cubers, register to compete here.
It’s Children’s Weekend at the Stanley Park Nature House. Play nature games with Jody and Louis from Hinterland Who’s Who on Saturday from 2-4pm (this is a Young Naturalist Club event for ages 5-14 so please register at 604-718-6522). And on Sunday, Rachelle Delaney reads from her latest children’s book, Ship of Lost Souls – a free event for all ages, no registration required!
And a few things that are coming up:
Button Bonanza! Laura Bucci is running button-making workshops in July at The Art Way:
Express yourself & make mini art on 1.5 inch button pins or magnets. I
will show you some cool ideas using different materials and techniques
such as paper collage, rubber stamping, and working with fabric. Your
small compositions will make great professional and personalized gifts!
You will come out with 20 buttons, 1.5 inches each. Magnets are .50
extra per button and payable at the workshop.
Workshops for kids age 8-12 are on July 21 & 24. You can register on Laura’s website here.
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In last week’s Playground I mentioned that Illuminares is coming up on July 24th. Public Dreams is holding several lantern-making workshops in the next few weeks: |
Finally, Walking with Dinosaurs is coming to Vancouver from August 26-29! If you’ve never heard of the BBC TV series, have a look at the live show’s website. Fifteen life-size dinosaurs take over GM Place, COOL. I’m pretty sure this would terrify Cass, but my husband is dying to go! We may have to borrow a niece or nephew. Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster.
That’s it for this week -- see you next Wednesday. Happy Canada Day everyone!
