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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 [email protected]. Because Vancouver is awesome for kids too! |
Hope you're all loving the summer weather as much as we are. I took Cassandra to the Granville Island Water Park for the first time last week, SO much fun. Go early if you can -- it gets pretty busy on hot days.
In this week's Playground: babies, blueberries, free outdoor movies, Theatre on the Lake and more. But first, Sponge Bob!
Did you know you can catch Sponge Bob Square Pants in 4D every morning this summer at the Vancouver Aquarium? It's free with regular admission, find out more on the Aquarium's website.
Here are some other fun things to do with the kids this week:
Wednesday, July 14
Movies for Mommies is showing Babies, the documentary that follows four babies from around the world for the first year of their lives. 12:30pm at the Rio Theatre.
Today is also the Blueberry Festival at the Main Street Farmer’s Market, 3-7pm. Yum. Blueberries are my daughter's favourite food, we'll be stopping by for sure. More info at Vancouver Farmers Markets.
The West End BIA presents Goonies at Ceperley Meadow in Stanley Park. Free!! Movie starts at dusk, approximately 9:30pm.
Friday, July 16
Treetop Tales at Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre: Leaping lizards, it’s nature story time! Join us for stories and songs that celebrate the summer season. Ages two and up with an adult, drop in by donation, 11:00-11:30am. By the way, the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre has lots of other great programs for children, check out their summer brochure for details.
Saturday, July 17
Pamper baby -- and yourself -- at Crème de la Crème Baby, a posh event featuring Vancouver's finest providers of luxurious products and services for mama and baby. 11am-4pm at the Roundhouse Community Centre.
It's Saturn 5 Saturday at the HR MacMillan Space Centre. Bring a 2L pop bottle and learn how to construct your own rocket! Event is included with regular admission.
Killarney Community Centre is hosting Slice of Summer, a free summer celebration. Kids activities as well as dance, gymnastics and martial arts performances, 1:30-5:30pm.
Also at Killarney Community Centre, free movie night! Kung Fu Panda is playing Saturday night, start time approximately 9pm. This is an outdoor event so bring blankies and lawn chairs. More details here.
Sunday, July 18
Buzz about Flowers at VanDusen Gardens Examine flowers and pollinators in the Garden and why pollination is so important for all of us. Visit VanDusen’s beehives, and partake in the Honey Taste Test. 10:30am-12pm or 1:30-3pm, for families with children ages 5 and up. Please pre-register by calling 604.718.5898 or via email: [email protected].
There's a Gardening with Kids workshop at Walrus Home: What better way to engage with your children then by spending time with them in the garden? Come and explore the many projects and activities that you and your kids can do together as a family. Learn fun ways to teach them to care for the environment, where their food comes from and the living world around them. Free, 11am-12pm, please RSVP [email protected]
Lots of fun for kids at the Burnaby Discovery Day Festival. Music, live theatre, street performances and visual arts activities, all happening at Deer Lake Park and the Shadbolt Centre of the Arts, 10am-4pm.
For a shopping adventure, check out the 21st Century Flea Market at the Croation Cultural Centre on Sunday: 175 different vendors offering everything from shabby chic to 50's kitsch, collectibles and memorabilia to vintage kitchenalia. 10am-3pm, general admission $4, kids under 13 free. Or, if you're serious treasure hunters, $20 for early-bird admission at 7am.
Tuesday, July 20
Finally, a special event at the Vancouver Aquarium: Meet Alexandra Cousteau and the Expedition Blue Planet Team! Vancouver Aquarium invites visitors to a day of thrill and adventure as the Expedition Blue Planet Team, including Alexandra Cousteau, join us for an exclusive and rare opportunity of engagement to explore the wonders of nature and investigate critical global water issues in our backyards. This is a one-day-only event, so if you've got an aspiring marine biologist be sure to put it on your calendar.
That's all for this week. See you next Wednesday!
