Browsing “The Playground”

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.

Family Fuse at the VAG
Saturday June 8th & Sunday June 9th
Vancouver Art Gallery
10 am – 5 pm

One of my favourite weekends in the city.  This is a great way to experience the Vancouver Art Gallery with your child through a range of exciting and fun activities, performances and hands-on sessions around the Gallery.

Inspired by the Gallery’s new exhibition Grand Hotel: Redesigning Modern Life, this family event provides travel-themed activities.  Highlights include a traditional Japanese travelling storytelling show called kamishibai, build the hotel of your dreams, The Grand Hotel Ballroom Spectacular, sketch stations and Lego.

Gallery Members and children age–12–and–under are free when accompanied by an adult. Regular Admission Rates apply. $20 Adults, $15 Senior (65+), $15 Student (with valid ID).

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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.

Forest Fairy Gathering
Saturday May 18th
Meet at the Burnaby Lake Nature House
11 am – 3 pm
Grab your wands and strap on some wings and head down to Burnaby Lake Regional Park.  Metro Vancouver is putting on a FREE Forest Fairy Gathering where families can explore the world of forest fairies and gnomes.  Spend the afternoon looking for flower fairies in the butterfly garden, visit the fairy market for building supplies to construct your very own fairy or gnome home and face painting.

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.

Looking for something to do this sunny weekend?  Playland opens tomorrow, May 4th for the 2013 season (weekends only from 10am – 6pm).  A day at Playland can be a pretty affordable family outing.  Toddlers are free and parents can purchase a “guardian pass” (limit two per child under 12) for $18.50.  More info on admissions can be found here.

Our favourites include trying to spot our house from the top of the Ferris Wheel, the glittery motorcycles  and the happiest helicopters in town.   Check out a full list of kid friendly rides here along with height restrictions. There are also two new family rides this year:  Teacups and Balloon Explorers! I know Sadie will be eager to try those.   One ride that she is less eager to revisit is the Kettle  Creek Roller Coaster:

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.

Rather than playing with toy animals or looking at pictures in books, visiting a farm is a great chance for children see and interact with the real thing.  It was on a recent trip to Maplewood Farm in North Vancouver that I realized how much I underestimated how much a child learns about animals’ behaviour  by watching goats butt heads, feeding carrots to rabbits and learning how to milk a cow.  There are plenty of places in the Lower Mainland that give families the opportunity to interact, learn or simply enjoy farm animals.   Lots of these places are family owned working farms with people eager to share everything they know about animals and farms.

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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.

Easter is fast approaching and there are lots of festivities taking place through out the city the next few weekends. Here is a list of egg hunts, easter bunny visits, crafts, games, face painting…loads of activities to get you and your family hopping this easter season.  A lot of these events require tickets and/or registration so don’t leave it too late – they have a reputation of selling out.

Egg Hunt at Maan Farms
Saturday, March 30 & Sunday, March 31
90 McKenzie Road, Abbotsford
$5 for kids, parents are free
There will be an easter egg hunt, meet and greet with the easter bunny, facepainting, barrel train rides, petting zoo and dollar hot dogs!

Easter Train + Activities at Stanley Park
Saturday March 23 – April 1
10am – 5pm
Children $8.75, parents are free ($3.50 to ride the train though)
op on by for a fun-filled day including a ride on the miniature train, egg hunts, crafts and a visit from the Easter Bunny.  The train runs rain or shine and is fully covered, protecting everyone onboard from spring showers. Be sure to bring your own Easter basket for the egg hunt! Tickets can be purchased at the ticket booth next to the train.

Easter Brunch on Grouse Mountain
Sunday, March 31
10am – 2pm
6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver
$15 for kids, $42 for adults – includes skyride pass, brunch and activities. tots under 4 are free.
Get high on easter at Grouse Mountain with a brunch and egg hunt led by the easter bunny.  Call 604.998.5045 to reserve your table.

Easter at Wesbrook Village
Satuday, March 23
12 – 2pm
3378 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver
FREE.  Register at discoverwesbrook@ubcproperties.com
An afternoon of egg hunting, crafts and photos with the easter bunny.  Bring your own camera and basket. Ages 10 & under.

Easter Egg Hunt at River District
Sunday, March 31
10:00am – 1:00pm (times for hunt vary on age group)
FREE.  Register at syoung@parklane.com before March 25.
8683 Kerr Street, Vancouver
There will be chocolate egg hunts, a bag decorating station, face-painting and prize draws.The chocolate egg hunt will start at different times based on age groups.Under 5 years old  are at 10:00-10:30am (adult participation is required for this age group), 5-7 years old at 11:15-11:45am
8-12 years old at 12:30-1:00pm.  Registration required.  Email syoung@parklane.com before March 25.  No drop ins.

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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.

Along Dollarton Highway in Deep Cove is one of my favourite parks in the Lower Mainland – Cates Park.  It’s got the perfect balance of everything you would want in a park – easy beach access, lots of greenspace, forest trails, a sweet playground and some hidden treasures.  Sadie and I spent a foggy winter morning at Cates to enjoy some sun, fresh air and exploring.

One of the first things I like to do at Cates is head to the beach.  A stone’s throw away from the parking lot, it’s really accessible and kid friendly.  Lots of rocks for skipping, logs for climbing and sand for digging.  The shoreline is that large but it’s enough and there is some seating through out so you can stare out a the passing boats in the Indian Arm.

After some quality beach time we like to head out on a mini forest walk (perfect for little legs) along the Malcolm Lowry Trail to Mini Cates.  The entrance to the trail is just east of the large plaground, near the washrooms.  The tree lined trail takes you along the shoreline with a few stairs along the way to take you down to the beach.  This walk is great for kids – it’s not too long, lots of nature to explore and there is quite the reward at the end… …READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>