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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! |
In the Playground for the week of August 18-24: Pirate Paks for grownups, the Fair at the PNE, Summer Dreams, Starry Nights, Zimsculpt, Explore Sundays at the Maritime Museum and more. Here are some fun things to do with the kids this week:
Wednesday, August 18
How many of you are secretly jealous every time your kid orders a Pirate Pak? I KNOW I’m not the only one. Well, today it’s your turn. Pirate Paks are on the grown-up menu at White Spot for the first time ever and ONLY on August 18. Even better, $2 of every Pirate Pak sold today will be donated to the Zajac Ranch for Children – a BC charity dedicated to bringing the summer camp experience to children with serious medical conditions. So you can have your Pak and feel good about it too. Happening all day at your local White Spot Restaurant.
Movies for Mommies is showing Sex and the City 2, 12:30 at the Rio Theatre.
Catch a magic show at Havana Gallery and Restaurant on Commercial Drive. Sensation of Magic is on now and runs until August 21. Vitaly Beckman promises to bend your mind and drop your jaw. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Details HERE.
Saturday, August 21
It’s the 100th Year of the Fair at the PNE and the fun starts Saturday! Highlights for opening day include the Superdogs, Peking Acrobats, Bobs and Lolo, “100 Years of Fun” parade and the “On the Edge” Motorsport show. There’s loads more to do, not just on Saturday but throughout the Fair, so check out the schedule of events HERE to plan your visit. And don't forget to enter the V.I.A Giveaway for four admission passes!
The Summer Dreams Literary Arts Festival is this Saturday. Literary performances, dancers, local bands, panel discussions, open mics and a children’s area with puppet shows, music, story tellers, face painting and craft tables. The Festival is free and taking place all afternoon at Lumberman’s Arch in Stanley Park. Learn more about it HERE.
It's Saturn 5 Saturday at the H. R. MacMillan Space Centre. Bring a 2L pop bottle and learn how to build your own rocket.
Saturday evening is Starry Night at Deas Island Regional Park:
Enjoy an enchanted evening illuminated by starlight and lanterns. Listen for howls and hoots as shadows and magical creatures guide you. The night will be alive with drumming, storytelling and other activities. Bring a flashlight and mug for the Girl Guide concession stand.
Free for all ages, 7-10pm. More info HERE.
Sunday, August 22
Sculpture in the Garden! Zimsculpt is currently on at Vandusen Gardens and this Saturday your kids can explore the exhibit and create their own sculptures out of modelling clay. Pre-registration required, 10:30am-12pm or 1-3pm. Learn more about the amazing display of sculpture from Zimbabwe HERE, and more about the Family Program HERE.
Also this Sunday, participate in a special fundraiser to help Champlain Heights Elementary School buy a new playground. Playdate for Playgrounds combines sport, a creative art workshop and a mini photographic portrait session in a special family event for kids under 8 years old:
The fundraising event is a collaboration between Jump Gymnastics, Klik Photographic and Collage Collage, local businesses that deal directly with kids everyday. For a minimum donation of $50 per child parents will get a modern mini portrait session of their little one, by acclaimed photographer Kyrani Kanavaros of Klik Photographic. Before and after their photo session, kids will enjoy drop in gym time at Jump Gymnastics and an inspiring art workshop with Collage Collage.
Register and learn more about this awesome event HERE.
See Bobs and Lolo in concert at the Roundhouse Community Centre, 11am-12pm. Pre-registration is required, for details click HERE.
Have you checked out Explore Sundays at the Vancouver Maritime Museum? It's your opportunity to check out a part of the Museum that's not usually open to the public. This Sunday you can tour the engine room of the St. Roch, an RCMP Arctic Schooner. 12-4pm, more info available HERE.
That's all for this week. See you next Wednesday!
