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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 September 29-October 5: Baker's Market, kite-making, Main Street Art Drift, the 32nd Annual Motorcycle Toy Run and more. But first --
UPCOMING AWESOMENESS ALERT! Tickets are now on sale for the Stanley Park Ghost Train. This year's theme is Alice in Nightmareland:
Accompany Alice and hold onto your head as you travel down the rabbit hole into a dark forest filled with demonic playing cards, a disturbed Caterpillar and a Queen with an axe to grind.
The Ghost Train rides from October 8-31, but as I'm sure you all know, it's extremely popular so it's best to get your tickets as soon as possible. Click HERE for more info.
Starting October 16, experience spine-chilling adventures with Spooky Seas at the Vancouver Aquarium:
Explore the exclusive Skulls, Bones and Creeps of the Deep exhibit, peer inside the jaw of a great white shark or come face to fin with the skull of a killer whale! Get swept along on a pirate’s search for cursed treasure in the award-winning 4D film The Curse of Skull Rock. And join in on a haunted treasure hunt for your chance to win an Octopus Encounter for two. Don’t miss out - these spooktacular activities are here for a limited time only October 16-31.
For more details on Spooky Seas click HERE.
And here are some fun things to do with the kids this week:
Wednesday, September 29
Movies for Mommies is showing The Business of Being Born, 12:30 at the Rio Theatre.
Saturday, October 2
The Fall 2010 Baker’s Market begins Saturday!
If you have a "sweet tooth", this is the place for you. Inspired by traditional farmers markets in Vancouver, this market is even better since it is indoors with lots of free parking too.
You'll find talented budding, professional or home bakers selling fresh artisanal breads, soft German pretzels, butter croissants, chocolate croissants, cupcakes, yummy cookies, hand made chocolates, brownies, Belgian Liege waffles, vegan cupcakes, mini bundt cakes, muffins, gluten-free baked goods and much more!
The market runs from 11am-3pm every Saturday until December 11. Located down on East Kent Ave between Main and Fraser, it’s a bit out of the way but definitely worth the drive. For more information on the market and detailed driving directions, click HERE.
The Main Street Art Drift is on this weekend. This free event showcases local artists in all media and takes place in shops, cafes, galleries and open studios all along Main Street. There are some great family-friendly events, like mask-making at Java-Liscious Cafe and spinning demos at Birkeland Brothers Wool. Check out The Drift's website for more information.
Collage Collage is hosting a kite-making workshop with artist and designer Heather Martin. Spend the afternoon creating a beautiful kite, for adults or children who bring an adult to help them. Registration required, for more info click HERE. And if you've never been to Collage Collage, be sure to check out Erin's other fantastic art workshops for kids.
The 3rd Annual Oktoberfest Brewskidaddle Fun Run/Walk is this Saturday at Brockton Oval in Stanley Park. Despite the fact that this event is hosted by Granville Island Brewing, it's not just for grown-ups -- there's a kid's race too! Click HERE for details.
Sunday, October 3
The 32nd Annual Motorcycle Toy Run is this Sunday. Expect to see between 7,000 and 10,000 bikes carrying toys for the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau form Coquitlam Centre through Port Moody, down Hastings to the PNE grounds. If you've got kids who love motorcycles, make their weekend and go check it out. For more info click HERE.
That's all for this week -- and that's all for me. As I mentioned in previous posts, I'm signing off as Playground editor so I can focus on my family, my other writing pursuits and my new job. This will be my last post. Thanks so much to Bob for letting me play, it's been an absolute blast!
