vancouver: what to do, what to do?
Filed Under Events | April 29, 2010
There are lots of events for mums in the next week or so, must be because of the lead up to Mother’s Day. Plus there are heaps of swap meets and ways to connect your kids with nature. And we’ve added even more sales to our sample sale list in case you want to shop and seriously save.
Evening address with Dr. Gordon Neufeld
Thursday, April 29th, 7 pm, Unity Church of Vancouver, 5840 Oak Street, Vancouver
Neufeld is the renowned author of Hold On To Your Kids and his talks usually sell out. Catch him talking about raising resilient children who can deal with adversity, trauma and everyday things such as not getting their way: www.gordonneufeld.com
Picky Preschoolers – 3 Common Reasons for Picky Eating and How to Support Your Child to be a Good, Healthy Eater
Friday, April 30th, 9 am – 10:30 am, Riley Park Community Centre, 50 East 30th Avenue, Vancouver
Get info on the what and how of feeding kids healthily and how to teach them to enjoy food at this interactive, informative, hands-on workshop. You can register in advance through the Riley Park CC site : www.vitaminkconsulting.com
Bev Bos
Saturday, May 1st, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm, Highlands Elementary School Gym, 3150 Colwood Drive, North Vancouver
Bev Bos is an internationally renowned speaker on Early Childhood Education and she’ll be speaking on exploring the power of real play at this event put on by the Parent Participation Preschool Teacher’s Association and Council of Parent Participation Preschools in BC: www.cpppreschools.bc.ca
Wealth University in a Day
Saturday, May 1st, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm, False Creek Community Centre, 1318 Cartwright Street, Vancouver
This one day workshop for women is all about money and features many of Vancouver’s money mavens addressing issues like understanding debt management, developing a working relationship with banks, setting realistic goals, and making sure we are where we want to be with our careers. As well, they’ll discuss learning to negotiate, and ask, for better salaries and much, much more: www.wealthuniversity.ca
Kids Stuff Only Market and Car Trunk Sale
Saturday, May 1st, 10 am – 1:30 pm, Riley Park Community Centre, 50 East 30th Avenue, Vancouver
This much-anticipated annual sale is a great place to stock up on new and used kids clothing, gear and more. It’s like a great big garage sale and will go on no matter what the weather: www.rileypark.ca
Sea to Sky Regional Heritage Fair
Saturday, May 1st, 11 am – 3 pm, Community History Centre, 3203 Institute Road, Lynn Valley, North Vancouver
Check out hundreds of students’ history projects along with dozens of heritage-themed activities and performances including Yukon Dan, the Gold panning man, the North Shore Celtic Ensemble and the Eagle Song Dancers: www.northvanmuseum.ca
Beaty and the Beast
Saturday, May 1st – Sunday, May 2nd, 11 am – 3 pm, Search: The Sara Stern Gallery, Science World, TELUS World of Science, 1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver
Experts from the soon-to-open Beaty Biodiverstiy Museum will be on hand talking about the blue whale, the earth’s biggest animal: www.scienceworld.ca
Got Craft?
Sunday, May 2nd, 10 am – 5 pm, Royal Canadian Legion, 2205 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
It’s Vancouver’s largest indie craft fair’s fourth annual Spring show and they’re featuring 50 local and handmade vendors, plus giveaways, live demos, a DIY table and swag bags for the first 30 people through the door: www.gotcraft.com
Music with Marnie at Coal Harbour Community Centre
Sunday, May 2nd, 10:45 am – 11:30 am, Coal Harbour Community Centre, 480 Broughton Street, Vancouver
Marnie will be playing from 10:30 to 11:15 and afterwards there’ll be free playtime, arts & crafts and ballet for kid while parents can check out Kardio Kickboxing, Felting and Button Making and Watercolour Art. The whole event runs from 10:30 am – 2 pm as part of the Community Centre’s free Open House: www.musicwithmarnie.com
Take Another Look
Sunday, May 2nd, 1 – 4 pm, Pacific Spirit Regional Park, meet at 29th Avenue and Imperial Drive, Vancouver
Discover where the little creatures that live in the forest eat, sleep and just hang out. Kids can play “find the spot where the deer mouse has been”, little ones can play “can you see the toy?” and you’ll be given a page of picture clues to see how many matches you can make: www.pacificspiritparksociety.org
Ross Laird: Purposeful Mentorship of Children
Wednesday, May 5th, 6pm, Florence Nightingale School, 2740 Guelph Street, Vancouver
The Florence Nightingale PAC is hosting this event featuring Ross Laird talking on how to purposefully mentor your child to help them navigate through life. It’s free to attend, but please do let them know you’re coming by emailing: pac_nig@vsb.bc.ca.
5th Annual BC Women in Business Luncheon: Secrets of Being Highly Productive and Happy
Thursday, May 6th, 11 am – 1: 30 pm, Hycroft Mansion, 1489 McRae Avenue, Vancouver
Hear from working women who are balancing fabulous careers and fabulous lives outside the office as they share the coveted secrets of being highly productive and happy. The session will feature Linda Oglov, Nicole Byres, Sue Sinclair and Rita Rogers: www.womeninleadership.ca
Foggy Book Launch
Wednesday, May 5th, 7 pm – 9 pm, Vancouver Kidsbooks, 3083 West Broadway, Vancouver
Local mamas Judith Steedman and Robin Mitchell have just released the newest book in the Windy series, Foggy and they’re celebrating with a book launch soiree that includes a book reading and tasty treats!
Farther Afield:
How to Raise a Caring Child
April 29th, 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm, Coast Bastion Inn, 11 Bastion Street, Nanaimo
Okay, this is a little farther afield than normal, but we know there are island mamas on our list and Dr. Michele Borba, author of The Big Book of Parenting Solutions will be talking on boosting self esteem, getting kids to listen, handling strong feelings, taming tantrums and lots more useful stuff for parents. RSVP via email.
Funzone Children’s Fair
Friday, April 30th – Sunday, May 2nd, Planet Ice, 23588 – 105 Avenue, Maple Ridge
As part of the Ridge Meadows Home Show kids can enjoy the fun zone which will be full of magical fun, live entertainment, face painting, clowns and lots more: www.ridgemeadowshomeshow.com
Pro-D Daycamp: It’s a Bug’s Life
Friday, April 30th, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Langley Centennial Museum & National Exhibition Centre, 9135 King Road, Fort Langley
Kids from six to 12 are invited to the museum on this Friday’s Pro-D day for a day camp focusing on creepy crawlies featuring the Langley Environmental Partners Society, an art instructor and, of course, the museum. Call 604.888.3922 to register: langleymuseum.org
8th Annual Richmond Delta Regional Heritage Fair
Friday, April 30th – Sunday, May 2nd, various times, Richmond Cultural Centre & Plaza Space, 7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond
Here’s your chance to celebrate Canadian history and heritage with student project displays on Canadian heroes, legends, achievements and milestones along with family entertainment from the Richmond Museum and other community groups. And it’s all free: www.richmondmuseum.ca
Port Coquitlam May Day Celebration
Friday, April 30th, 7:30 pm, Port Coquitlam Recreation Complex, 2150 Wilson Avenue, Port Coquitlam
The City of Port Coquitlam has been celebrating May Day since 1923 and it kicks off with a traditional May Pole Dance and family fun: www.portcoquitlam.ca
Lil Rascals Kids Swap Meet
Saturday, May 1st, 9 am – 1 pm, Chilliwack Heritage Park, 44140 Luckakuck Way, Chilliwack
Here’s your chance to buy or sell new and used goodies for infants to teens. There’ll be everything from maternity clothes to toys to furniture and gear at more than 200 tables: www.lilrascalsswap.com
13th Annual B.C. Championship Forklift Rally
Saturday, May 1st, 9 am – 2:30 pm, Cloverdale Agriplex, 17760-62A Avenue, Surrey
Any little one who loves machines will enjoy this chance to check out skill testing tasks like Forklift Basketball in a competition to identify BC’s best forklift operators. There’ll also be a bouncy castle for kids and free breakfast and lunch: forkliftrally.com
BookFest – A Magical Day
Saturday, May 1st, 10 am – 2:30 pm, Vancouver Island University’s Nanaimo campus, Nanaimo
Another quite a bit farther afield event but the 24th Annual Vancouver Island Children’s Book Festival deserved a shout out! BookFest is presenting some of Canada’s finest children’s authors, illustrators and storytellers including Dianna Bonder, Jeremy Tankard, Ruth Ohi, Nan Gregory, Mireille Levert, Shelley Tanaka and more. You can also catch the Kerplunks, free sessions for preschoolers and more. Be sure to register in advance by calling 250.716.FEST: www.bookfest.ca
Doors Open
Saturday, May 1st and Sunday, May 2nd, 10 am – 4 pm, various heritage landmarks, modern structures, hidden gems, places of worship, artist’s studios, museums and national historic sites in Richmond
Here’s your chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at more than 40 heritage landmarks, historic sites and more in Richmond. Some will be offering guided tours and activities and feature special displays. Check their site for all the open details: www.richmond.ca
National Mom 2 Mom Sale
Saturday, May 1st, 10 am – 2 pm, Cloverdale Fairgrounds, 6050 – 176 Street, Cloverdale
In an attempt to break a Guinness World Record™ and raise more than $250,000 in attendance (across Canada), Just Playdates is hosting a huge sale with lots of vendors, prize draws, gift bags and more: vancouver.kijiji.ca
For the Tots – Chickadee Capers
Saturday, May 1st, 10:30 am to Noon, Burnaby Lake Regional Park, Burnaby
Kids are invited to follow the flight of excited chickadees, listen to their calls and play chickadee games. Be sure to register in advance by calling 604.421.5225: www.metrovancouver.org
Noons Creek Fingerling Festival
Saturday, May 1st, 11 am – 3 pm, Noons Creek Hatchery and Skating Arena on Ioco Road, Port Moody
Release young salmon chum and help them on their journey to the Pacific Ocean. This annual event includes performances by Bobs & Lolo at 11:30 am and 2 pm, a chance to learn about local wildlife from groups such as OWL and Critter Care and displays about taking better care of the environment along with lots of children’s activities: vangogreen.com
Princess Playdate with Cinderella
Saturday, May 1st, 8 sessions from 11 am – 3:40 pm, ABC Banquet Centre, Best Western Hotel, 5978 Glover Road, Langley
There are limited tickets for this chance to hang out with Cinders which includes stories, stickers and a gift to go. Call 604.418.3796 to hold your spot: www.asyouwishprincess.com
Asian Heritage Day
Saturday, May 1st, 1 pm – 4 pm, Surrey Museum, 17710 – 56A Avenue, Surrey
This all ages event will include demos and performances, films and a chance to learn the Japanese craft of origami and make a paper kimono and samurai helmet: www.surrey.ca
Children’s Swap Meet
Sunday, May 2nd, 9 am – 1 pm, Poirier Community Centre, 630 Poirier Street, Coquitlam
Here’s your chance to get great deals on clothing, toys and more for your kids: www.coquitlam.ca
Mom’s Unite Swap Meet
Sunday, May 2nd, 10 am – 1pm, South Arm Community Centre, 8880 Williams Road, Richmond
Richmond mamas can shop for gently used household items plus children’s clothes, toys and sports equipment for sale at great prices: www.richmond.ca
Frog Search
Sunday, May 2nd, 1 – 4 pm, Campbell Valley Regional Park, meet at the Visitor Centre located at the corner of 8th Avenue and 204th Street via the South Valley Park entrance, Langley
You’ve got special permission to go pond dipping to look for egg masses and tadpoles while learning abut the mysterious process of metamorphosis. Best for kids of three+ and they’ll provide equipment: www.metrovancouver.org
Baby Shower for the Survival Guide for Rookie Moms!
Tuesday, May 4, 7 pm – 9 pm, Baby’s World, #6-1300 Woolridge, Coquitlam
Baby’s World is hosting the launch party for the Survival Guide for Rookie Moms with swag bags, door prizes and raffles to aid BC Children’s Hospital Foundation plus a portion of proceeds from any sales of the book will go to the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. Oh, and there’ll be cupcakes. If you can’t make it they’ll also be holding a virtual celebration on Twitter on May 5th, all the details will be on their site: survival4moms.com
Surrey Arbor Day
Saturday, May 1st, 11 am – 2 pm, Bridgeview Park, Surrey
Celebrate Surrey’s trees by planting more of them and while you’re at it enjoy games, crafts, music and more: www.surrey.ca
Soul Surfing: Writing Into Your Life
Sat May 15th & Sunday, May 16th, 10 am – 3 pm, IOOF Hall, 5425 Trunk Road, Ladner
We’ve included this early because the registration deadline is Friday, April 30th. So if you’ve ever wondered what is the master narrative of your life, what kind of hero you are and what you’re questing for, here’s your chance to answer those questions. Led by Agent Story (aka Laura Thomas) you’ll be coached through a blend of autobiographical writing, creativity exercises, guided visualization, oral and non-verbal storytelling, and group discussions. Email or call 604.307.4971 to hold your story spot: www.agentstory.net
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