Hey Vancouver, my name is Kim and I’ll be writing about kids stuff for VIA. I’m a born-and-bred West Coaster who recently moved back to Vancouver after a couple of years on Prince Edward Island. Something that fascinates me is how different Vancouver seems now that I’m experiencing it with my daughter. I love exploring the city from another angle – a child’s eye view – and I’m excited to share that perspective with all of you. My daughter’s name is Cassandra. She’s three. We do a lot of fun things together, and when we come across something especially awesome I’ll post about it here. Also, every Wednesday I’ll be posting a roundup of upcoming family-friendly events and activities. If there’s something you think I should know about, by all means contact me. Here’s some cool stuff to do with your kids this week:

The West End Community Centre Kidzone and Play Palace at the Kerrisdale Ice Rink are now open for the summer. I know. Indoor play is the last thing on your mind right now. But eventually you’ll be looking for some cheap rainy day entertainment, and when that happens you should definitely check these out. I took Cass to Play Palace last week and she had a blast. This is what the preschool play area looks like – the REALLY big inflatable stuff is on the other side of the rink.

The Chinatown Night Market opens this weekend. Good bargains, good eats and live entertainment on Keefer St. between Main & Columbia every Friday, Saturday and Sunday all summer, 6:30-11:00pm.

Animal Grossology opens at Metrotown on May 15. A 3D interactive exhibit based on Sylvia Branzei’s best-selling Grossology books. Learn about some of the stinkiest, slimiest and yuckiest creatures on earth. In the Grand and Atrium Courts until August 25. And yay, it’s free!

Tasty Plants workshop at VanDusen Botanical Garden: Explore different herbs grown at VanDusen and plant your own mini herb garden to take home. May 16, for families with children ages 5 to 11. Pre-registration is required, so if you’re interested call 604-718-5898 or contact familyprograms@vandusen.org

And here’s some stuff that’s coming up soon:

The Vancouver International Children’s Festival starts next week, and I can’t wait! Besides a lineup of amazing performances, there are all kinds of activities on the festival grounds at Vanier Park – storytelling, crafts, music and juggling workshops, roving entertainers and lots more. Festival dates are May 17 to 24 and tickets are going fast. Check out the festival website for more detail: www.childrensfestival.ca

CircusWest presents a unique circus adaptation of Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days. Join CircusWest performers as they embark on a magical journey flipping, flying and flirting with gravity across the globe to London, Paris, Barcelona, India, Hong Kong, San Francisco, Japan and Canada. At PNE Gardens, May 27th-30th. For more info and tickets, visit www.circuswest.com

Pyjama Party at Science World. Explore Science World’s new exhibit, Treasure!, then watch a special showing of Muppet Treasure Island. I wish Cassandra could stay awake past eight because this sounds awesome! May 28 from 6-10pm, tickets sell out fast so get yours now.

If you’ve got a kid who’s into trains, you might want to make the drive up to Squamish for A Day Out with Thomas. Ride on a full-size Thomas the Tank Engine and meet Sir Topham Hatt. Storytelling, music and more at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park, June 5 & 6 and June 12 & 13. Tickets are on sale now.

That’s all for this week. Wishing all of you good times at the playground and the beach during this stretch of gorgeous weather. See you next Wednesday!