The Playground: November 4th - 10th, 2011

Welcome to The Playground, a place for Vancouver families.I’m always on the lookout for fun stuff to do, so if there’s something happening that you think I should know about, don't hesitate to contact me .

It will never cease to amaze me how easy (and inexpensive) it can be to entertain a small child. Sadie and spent a morning taking three types of transit to North Vancouver's Lonsdale Quay Market where she got to enjoy the free (!) ball room, check out the food market and ride in a glass elevator.

For $7.50 (2 zone adult fare round trip) we had a great time riding a bus, taking the skytrain and going on a boat. No one enjoys transit as much as a toddler sitting at a window seat.

Before we make our way upstairs to Kid Alley, Sadie likes to check out all the fresh food at the market. We walk around labeling all the fruits, veggies and meat but her favourite is the fish stall. On this visit they had a giant frozen octopus!

On weekday mornings (they open at 9am) the market is relatively quiet so there is plenty of room for lil' ones to roam.

After a short ride in the glass elevator, we clock in a good hour and a half at Kid Alley. There are several kid friendly shops one can visit - a candy store, clothing store, toy store and hair salon. We spend most of our time in the (free!) ball room.

With a seating area near by for parents, one can sit back with a coffee and relax while your child goes down that green slide several dozen times. The ball room is designed for little people and it gets busy so it doesn't fit adults too well. I recommend it for kids that can walk up stairs and go down slides unassisted.

Other happenings in the city this week:

Young Naturalist Club: Nature Journal

Saturday, November 5th

10:00am - 12:00pm

Salmonberry Room in the Stanley Park Pavilion

For kids 5 - 14, keep track of which plants and animals you've seen in your own Nature Journal. Be sure to bring two pieces of cereal box type cardboard. This event will take place in the Salmonberry Room in the Stanley Park Pavilion - above the Stanley Park Bar and Grill. For directions and to preregister as space fills up fast please contact 604-718-6522 or ync@stanleyparkecology.ca.

Music with Marnie Band at the Roundhouse Community Centre

Sunday, November 6th

11:00am - 12:oopm

Roundhouse Community Centre, Yaletown

Check out one of Vancouver's favourite local children's musician, the Musice with Marnie Band. Must register by phone: 604.713.1800.

Draw Me a Lion Website Launch

Sunday, November 6th

3:00 - 5:00pm

Collage Collage, Vancouver

Local picture book illustrator, Lisa Cinar, is launching her own online shop! Drawmealion.com is a line of products for kids of all ages that specializes in imaginative, limited edition prints, colouring activities, greeting cards and a 'Story Activity Kit'. Visit Collage Collage on Sunday afternoon to celebrate the website's launch and enjoy colouring activities, delicious treats and meet Lisa Cinar.