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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! |
In the Playground for the week of August 25-31: The Wooden Boat Festival, Kerrisdale Days, African Market, Spread the Feeling, The Never Ending Story and more. Here are some fun things to do with the kids this week:
Wednesday, August 25
If you missed it in Yaletown, you can still catch a free screening of Back to the Future at McSpadden Park tonight. Show starts at sundown, approximately 9pm. Don't forget to bring blankies, it's getting chilly in the evenings.
Thursday, August 26
If your kids love things that float, you'll want to check out the Wooden Boat Festival at Granville Island this weekend:
Afloat and ashore, there’ll be a floating exhibition of wooden boats, displays, hands-on boatbuilding and demonstrations, including knot tying and marlinspike seamanship. Hear some sea shanties (and sing along) or join in the workshops, listen to maritime storytellers, explore our replica of an 18th century Spanish long boat, check out the exquisite kayaks or join in the races on Saturday and Sunday. Family fun will include the ever-popular Kids’ Boatbuilding and Family Boatbuilding where families and youth groups will build 12-foot boats.
The Festival begins Thursday and runs all weekend. Admission is free. For more info, click HERE.
KidsBooks is celebrating the release of two home-grown children's books on Thursday evening. Up We Grow by Deborah Hodge introduces children to a year in the life of a small, cooperative farm. Stanley’s Little Sister by Linda Bailey continues the adventures of Stanley the dog. A free event from 7-9pm, local refreshments will be served.
Celebrate Kerrisdale's birthday! Kerrisdale Days begin Thursday and continue until Saturday. There's lots to do including free horse and carriage rides, the Kerrisdale Idol contest, plenty of street performances and, of course, birthday cake. For more information click HERE.
Also, don't forget that Walking with Dinosaurs starts Thursday and runs until August 29th. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, HERE is the photo and trailer that Bob posted a couple weeks ago. I also posted a clip of the baby t-rex that visited Science World in The Playground – Week 13. Tickets are still available, more info HERE.
Friday, August 27
Join Kellie Haines and her puppet friends Kamilla and Magrau at this week's Kids Friday at Lonsdale Quay, free from 1-2pm.
Saturday, August 28
The Canadian Network for International Surgery is hosting an African Market in Kitsilano on Saturday. Music, dance, interactive drumming, live readings of African children's books, food, jewelry, clothing, crafts and more. 12-6pm at Broadway and Maple. Get more info HERE.
The Kraft Peanut Butter - Spread the Feeling Tour is stopping by the Vancouver Aquarium this Saturday. Every bear hug from Crunchie or Smoothy means one jar of peanut butter for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, so stop by between 11-4pm to spread some love.
The Vancouver Police Museum is visiting Science World this weekend with treasures from their collection. Also, learn about the ancient art of falconry with Joanne Bentley, House Falconer at Academie Duello.
Sunday, August 29
Take the whole family on an Afternoon Summer Cruise. Two levels of music plus ballooning, juggling and magic for the kids. Oh, and two hours of cruising around gorgeous False Creek. Brought to you by Salsa Cruises, for more information click HERE.
Monday, August 30
And finally, another awesome free movie at McSpadden Park, and one of my all-time favourites: The Never Ending Story! Monday evening at sundown, see you there.
That's all for this week. See you next Wednesday!
