It's a holiday long weekend and whether you're celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving or settling in for Halloween preparations, there is a veritable cornucopia (sorry) of events around Vancouver to keep the kids busy.
Creatures of the Night - Stanley Park (October 10 - November 1)
Meet at the train plaza to get your lantern and start out on a guided nighttime adventure through the Stanley Park forest. The Stanley Park Ecology Society will guide you through the trees as you learn about the variety of nocturnal animals that live in and around the park, like owls, bats, and coyotes!
The walks happen every half hour, and are absolutely free! Get more info here
Farmers Markets - Mount Pleasant and Kitsilano (October 12)
This Sunday there are two delicious Farmers Markets that shouldn't be missed. You're hitting a whole list of pros attending these two markets this Sunday: fresh air, music, delicious local and organic food (you definitely need some pies for that Thanksgiving dinner!), playgrounds for the kids to wear themselves out on, and you're supporting B.C. farmers. This will be Mount Pleasant's last of the season, while Kitsilano only has one more left!
Kitsilano Market - 2690 Larch Street at 10th Avenue
Mount Pleasant Market - between Dude Chilling Park and Mount Pleasant Elementary
Both are from 10:00am - 2:00pm
Pumpkin Patch
It isn't October without a visit to one - or more - of the many pumpkin patches around and outside Vancouver. Depending on how long you want to stay in the car you can drive out to Richmond Country Farms, Westham Island Farms in Ladner, or the small oasis of Southland Farms right here in the city. The bigger farms have music, farmers markets, and hot drinks. If you're looking for more than just a pumpkin pick-up, you can organize a tour and learn more about these working farms!
Mother Goose's Ghastly Garden - Stanley Park Ghost Train (October 10 - November 1)
Have you ever found the Stanley Park Ghost Train a little too frightening for your most teeny tiny ones? or maybe it's too nerve-racking for you? Then get on the matinee train! These afternoon performances don't have the live actors jumping out from behind trees or running along the track, and are brought way down to a G-rating by happening during the daytime. If your kids are fearless like mine, we'll see you at a nighttime performance! Please don't sneak up behind me. More info here.
Carina-Marie Nilsson is the co-founder of Peaks and Harbours, a Vancouver “not just for moms” blog that showcases everything our city has to offer the younger crowd. @carinamarienilsson
