The new two week spring break is almost upon those of us with elementary school aged kids and some preschools break too so whether you’ve got two weeks to fill with kid-friendly fun or you’re just on your usual hunt for daily things to do, we think you’ll enjoy this collection of special events around town.
Please Note: we haven’t included day camps, that would just be too overwhelming but instead one-off or drop in type of fun. And do we think we’ve found everything going on? Despite our combing and scouring we doubt it, so feel free to add other suggestions to this article on the yoyomama site. And lots of these events are farther afield, making for great day tripping when you’ve got a bit more time to spare.
Spring Break at Granville Island Kids Market
Saturday, March 19th – Sunday, April 3rd, various times, 1496 Cartwright Street, Vancouver
The market will be abuzz with kid-friendly fun including potato arts and crafts on the main floor each day from 11 am – 3 pm, ceramics and sand art in the second floor party room on weekdays from 11 am – 4 pm and face painting from Noon to 3 pm daily on the second floor landing: www.kidsmarket.ca
Explore the New Amazon at the Vancouver Aquarium
Saturday, March 19th – Sunday, April 3rd, 9:30 am – 6 pm, Vancouver Aquarium, 845 Avison Way, Vancouver
Get your dose of the tropics even if you’re staycationing, with new animals and experiences including Goeldi’s Monkeys, a life-sized buttress root crawling with insects and invertebrates, a tropical rainstorm complete with thunder and lightning cracks and butterflies released daily. And Dora & Diego’s 4D Adventure will be playing in the 4D theatre: www.visitvanaqua.org
Science World
Saturday, March 19th – Sunday, April 3rd, Monday – Friday, 10 am – 5 pm & Saturday & Sunday, 10 am – 6 pm, TELUS World of Science, 1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver
There’ll be both ongoing daily programming and one off events each day at Science World with a focus on wacky weather and natural disasters so be sure to check their schedule to find what takes your (or your tot’s fancy). We plan to catch the Earthquake Preparedness session on the 29th and 30th among others: www.scienceworld.ca
Spring Break at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum
Saturday, March 19th – Sunday, April 3rd, Wednesday – Sunday, 11 am – 5 pm, 2212 Main Mall, UBC, Vancouver
The museum will have hands-on activities including scavenger hunts, tours, crafts and more. Karen Needham, curator of the Spencer Entomological Collection, will guide you through an Outdoor Pond Poke and Linda Jennings, collections manager for the UBC Herbarium, will introduce you to some curiosities of the plant world, plus catch story time and learn about evolution: www.beatymuseum.ubc.ca
Vancouver Art Gallery Weekly Spring Break Family Programs
Saturday, March 19th – Saturday, April 2nd, Noon – 4 pm, 750 Hornby Street, Vancouver
Each day over this two week period the Art Gallery will be hopping with chances to explore, experiment, get curious with the Art Agents on hand, follow Art Tracks tours led by artists, educators, musicians and more and have fun at hands-on workshops and activities in The Making Place. Or just go up and down and around and around their amazing staircase, as our kids are wont to do: www.vanartgallery.bc.ca
Wildlife Week at Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre
Sunday, March 20th – Friday, March 25th, see schedule for times and programs, Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre, 3663 Park Road, North Vancouver
Wildlife Week promises to be fun for the whole family. You’ll learn about the secrets of the solar system and amazing arctic animals and maybe meet a real live snake or bird of prey. All the programs are drop in and by donation: www.dnv.org
HR MacMillan Space Centre Spring Break Week
Monday, March 21st –Friday, March 25th, 10 am-5 pm, HR MacMillan Space Centre, 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver
Every day from 11 am – 2 pm you can build and launch your own air rocket (be sure to bring your own empty two litre plastic bottle) and from 11 am – 3 pm you can participate in their space science experiments and demos and at 1:30 each day you can catch their newest show: Questioning the Answers: Science Truth on the Web: www.spacecentre.ca
Vancouver Police Museum Forensics Drop-in Program
Monday, March 21st – Friday, April 1st, Noon – 4 pm, City Morgue and Coroner’s Court, 240 East Cordova Street, Vancouver
Kids (and adults) of all ages can drop in and try and solve a crime. You’ll get real hands-on forensic science experience and discover how police investigators collect and analyze evidence from crime scenes by doing it yourself, think taking fingerprints, examining bullets and measuring blood splatter. The cost is regular museum admission plus $1: vancouverpolicemuseum.ca
Spring Break Theatre Festival
Tuesday, March 22nd – Sunday, March 27th,The Improv Centre & the Waterfront Theatre on Granville Island
Catch the Big Sneeze, 500 Words, a little Instant Improv or Carousel’s Munscha Mia at this festival designed to keep elementary-aged kids entertained over Spring Break: www.vtsl.com
Farther Afield:
West Coast Amusements & Safari World Train & Tiger Carousel
Friday, March 18th, – Sunday, March 27th, 3pm – 11pm & Friday, March 18th – Sunday, March 3rd, Lansdowne Mall, No. 3 Rd & Alderbridge Way, Richmond
Take in the rides and fun in the Mall’s parking lot with West Coast Amusements or younger children may be happier taking a tour in the train and a whirl on the carousel: lansdowne-centre.com
Morgan Crossing Free Skating
Saturday, March 19th – Wednesday, March 23rd, 10 am – 7 pm, Morgan Crossing, 24th & Croydon Drive, South Surrey
Check out this synthetic ice rink that feels like real ice but isn’t affected by the weather. Skate rental and sharpening is available by donation and while you’re there you can take advantage of Bopomo’s Spring Break Special and get your session fee waved when you book a session on weekdays from March 21st to April 1st: www.theshopsatmorgancrossing.com
Spring Break Day Programs: Gold Fever
Saturday, March 19th – Sunday, March 27th, 10am-5pm, Fort Langley National Historic Site, 23433 Mavis Avenue, Fort Langley
Get Gold Fever while imagining you’re a prospector joining the 1858 Fraser River gold rush and picking out supplies and carrying them on your back, sign a gold license and have a prospector’s lunch. Be sure to get your tickets in advance: www.pc.gc.ca
Spring Break in Burnaby
Monday, March 21st – Friday, March 25th, various times and locations, Burnaby
The Eileen Dailly Pool will be reopening after it’s annual maintenance just in time for Spring Break. Enjoy games and activities geared toward kids from eight to 12 daily from Noon to 4 pm. Meanwhile at the Burnaby Village Museum they’ll have activities for kids of two on up each day from Noon to 4 pm including spring break scavenger hunts. Plus the carousel, the blacksmith, the general store and the tram barn will be open: www.burnaby.ca
Spring Break Festival
Monday, March 21st – Friday, April 1st, see schedule for times, Evergreen Cultural Centre, 1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
The Centre will be abuzz with plays and workshops for dramatically inclined kids of five and up. Catch Hansel and Gretel or the Circus Terrifico and then get inspired to take a theatre adventures workshop but be sure to get your tickets or book your workshops in advance: www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca
New West Spring Break Programs
Monday, March 21st – Friday, March 25th, various times and locations, New Westminster
With one off and multi-day programs for kids from six to 14 you’ll find opportunities for them to do everything from learn manners (which may be more exciting for you than them), discover drama and partake in pottery. Most events do require preregistration: www.newwestpcr.ca
Greater Vancouver Zoo Jr. Zoologist Spring Break Camps
Monday, March 21st – Friday, March 25th, various times, 5048 – 264th Street, Aldergrove
The zoo’s throwing a whole series of discovery camps focused on invasive species and their threat to various ecosystems. With a Parent & Tot Discovery Camp for the three to five set and half and full day camps for older kids, they’re geared to all ages. But sure to register in advance and check their site for the right camp for your child: www.gvzoo.com
Camp MAC Spring Break Art Sessions
Monday, March 21st – Friday, March, 25th, Ages 5- 9: 10 am – 11:30 am & Ages 10 -13: 12:30 pm – 2 pm, Mission Arts Council, 33529 First Avenue, Mission
Each day’s crafty session has a different theme including dioramas, dragonflies, oceans, friendship bracelets and more. Each class is $8 and be sure to pre-register by calling 604.826.0029: www.missionartscouncil.ca
Spring Break Fun at Brentwood Town Centre
Monday, March 21st – Friday, March 25th, Noon – 4 pm, Brentwood Town Centre, Centre Court, 4567 Lougheed Highway, Burnaby
Centre Court at the Mall will be buzzing with activities and crafts including a chance to join the Burnaby Arts Council’s community art project on Monday, kids games and crafts on Tuesday and Wednesday, a visit to the Burnaby Library Display and crafts on Thursday, and an afternoon of stories and crafts on Friday: www.brentwoodtowncentre.com
Spring Break Spectacular – Ladner Leisure Centre
Monday, March 21st – Friday, April 1st, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm, Ladner Leisure Centre, 4600 Clarence Taylor Crescent, Delta
Join in on themed games and prices for all ages with a play leader each afternoon during spring break: www.corp.delta.bc.ca
Historic Stewart Farm Spring Break Children’s Lit Series
Tuesday, March 22nd – Friday, April 1st, see schedule for times and programs, Historic Stewart Farm, 13723 Crescent Road, Surrey
Kids from six to ten are invited to come out and celebrate classic children’s literature by visiting the Farm’s series featuring Anne of Avonlea, Treasure Island, Wind in the Willows, and the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Be sure to preregister for the book of your child’s choice: www.surrey.ca
Children’s Spring Break Programs at the Richmond Nature Park
Nature Detective Series
Tuesday, March 22nd – Friday, March 25th, 9:30 am – Noon & Smelly Science Series, Tuesday, March 29th – Thursday, March 31st, 9:30 am – Noon, 11851 Westminster Highway, Richmond
Kids from six to eight are invited out to uncover nature’s secrets with this series of nature detective sessions exploring everything from insects, to snakes, to birds and frogs. And during the second week of spring break the Richmond Nature Park is also hosting a Smelly Science series for kids from nine to 12. With both series you can go for one morning or sign up for all five but be sure to pre-register by calling: 604.276.4300: www.richmond.ca
Spring Break Family PlayCamp
Tuesday, March 22nd – Friday, March 25th & Tuesday, March 29th – Friday, April 1st, 10:30 am – 2:30 pm, Surrey Museum, 17710-56A Avenue, Surrey
Drop in and rummage through a steamer trunk full of costumes, props and more. Not only do they bring the early history of stage theatre to life but you can also put on a production of your own as you’ll also have a chance to create masks, puppets and plays: www.surrey.ca