vancouver: what to do, what to do?
Filed Under Events | March 31, 2011
Welcome to yoyomama’s weekend guide! Your go-to list of family friendly fun things to do with kids in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.
This weekend we are celebrating all that blossoms with the spirit of spring. There are concerts, festivals, stories, reptiles, picnics and a big birthday party!
Celebrate Vancouver’s 125th Birthday!
Wednesday, April 6th, 2 pm – 10 pm, Jack Poole Plaza (site of the Olympic Cauldron) outdoor plaza at Thurlow and Cordova Street, adjacent to the Vancouver Convention Centre, 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver
On April 6, 2011, Vancouver will come together to celebrate 125 years of history with a fun-filled, family-friendly event that honours our city’s diversity, First Nations’ heritage and our current designation as a 2011 Cultural Capital of Canada. Celebrations start at 2 pm and continue through the evening with children’s activities, live music and entertainment, innovative art displays, and more. Mayor Gregor Robertson, First Nations leaders and other dignitaries will be on hand for official ceremonies including lighting the cauldron and cutting a BIG birthday cake: vancouver.ca
Vancouver’s Cherry Jam Downtown!
Thursday, March 31st, Noon – 1:30 pm, indoor concourse of Burrard skytrain station, Vancouver
It’s the free noon-hour Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival kick-off concert featuring musical traditions from around the world. From guitar, sitar and taiko drums to accordions and keyboards; enjoy the music while watching beautiful song and dance performances underneath a spectacular canopy of cherry trees in bloom. Audience participation is welcome: www.vcbf.ca
Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre presents Treetop Tales
Friday, April 1st, 11 am – 11:30 am, Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre, 3663 Park Road, North Vancouver
Kids from two on up (with an adult) are invited to visit the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre for Nature Story Time. Listen to stories, songs and rhymes with a seasonal theme. Drop-ins welcome; by donation: www.dnv.org
Sakura Days Japanese Fair
Saturday April 2nd & Sunday April 3rd, 10 am – 5 pm, VanDusen Botanical Garden, 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver
Immerse your kids in Japanese tradition at this celebration of the spirit of spring and all that blossoms. The Sakura Matsuri (cherry blossom festival) Japanese fair celebrates modern and traditional Japan through tea ceremonies, festival food, origami, flower arranging (ikebana), guided flower viewing tours, and a Haiku Invitational. Festivities also include geisha dances, taiko drumming, the Cherry Blossom Dance, bamboo flute and Japanese harp, kimono demonstrations, martial arts performances and more: www.vcbf.ca
TELUS World of Science presents Radical Reptiles!
Saturday, April 2nd & Sunday, April 3rd, 11 am – 3 pm, Science World at TELUS World of Science, 1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver
Is there a budding Herpetologist in your family? Then it’s definitely time for a visit to Science World. Learn everything you ever wanted to know about lizards, snakes and iguanas! There’s also a really radical reptile exhibition at Centre Stage starting at 1 pm: www.scienceworld.ca
Vancouver Waldorf School Spring Craft Market
Sunday, April 3rd, 10 am – 3 pm, Vancouver Waldorf School, 2725 Street, Christophers Road, North Vancouver
Vancouver Waldorf School cordially invites you to their inaugural Spring Craft Market. Celebrate the season with beautiful, one of a kind, hand crafted gifts and accessories made by VWS parents, faculty, and alumni. You’ll find Waldorf inspired art supplies, toys and playthings for children including Ostheimer, Kinderkram, Lyra, Sarah’s Silks and more. Hint: this is a perfect chance to fill your Easter basket: www.vws.ca
Iranian Family Picnic
Sunday, April 3rd, 10 am – 6 pm, Ambleside Park, Marine Drive & 13th Street, West Vancouver
Enjoy spring with this annual event celebrating Iranian heritage, family and nature: www.westvancouver.ca
Parent Education Session: Cultivating Caring Children
Wednesday, April 6th, 7 pm – 8:30 pm, Grand Boulevard Parent Participation Preschool, 520 East 20th Street, North Vancouver
You are invited to an informative session on Cultivating Caring Children. In this session Deborah MacNamara, PhD, Clinical Counsellor will address the developmental roots of caring and teach parents how to cultivate these characteristics and social responsibility in their children. Be sure to pre-register by emailing karen_randall@telus.net: www.gbppp.com
Start Swapping
Is it time for some new clothes, toys and books? Is it time to get rid of some clothes, toys and books? Here’s your chance to earn a little money or find a great deal. See the listings below for a swap meet in your area.
UBC Kids Swap Meet
Saturday, April 2nd, 10 am – Noon, UBC Acadia Community Centre, 2707 Tennis Crescent, Vancouver
If you wish to be a vendor, you must reserve a table by registering at the commons block front desk. For more information call 604.822.3172
Marpole-Oakridge Community Centre Kids Swap Meet
Saturday, April 2nd, 10 am – 1 pm, Marpole-Oakridge Community Centre, 990 59 Avenue West, Vancouver
Admission is free with the cost of a food donation. In-person pre-registration is recommended to reserve a table. For more information call 604.257.8180
North Langley Community Church’s Kids’ Swap Meet
Saturday, April 2nd, 10 am – 1 pm, North Langley Community Church, 21015 96 Avenue, Langley
Call North Langley Community Church for more information at 604.888.0442.
Farther Afield:
New and Green Baby Company Cloth Diaper 101 Workshop at Optimum Family Chiropractic
Thursday, March 31st, 7:30 pm – 9 pm, Optimum Family Chiropractic, 7-121 Brew Street, Port Moody
New and Green Baby Company has taken the most commonly asked questions about cloth diapering and developed a workshop with practical, hands on instructions that is perfect for parents who want to cloth diaper and want to learn how to make it work. Be sure to visit their site to pre-register: www.newandgreen.com
Port Moody Library Family Fun Night
Friday, April 1st, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm, Port Moody Library, 100 Newport Drive, Port Moody
Kids from three to six (with an adult) are invited to the Port Moody Library Family Fun Night. Help your child get ready for kindergarten by building important pre-reading skills with alphabet stories, activities, and early literacy tips: library.portmoody.ca
Seedy Saturday 2011
Saturday, April 2nd, 11 am – 3 pm, Historic Stewart Farm, 13723 Crescent Road, Surrey
Get a great start on this year’s garden at the Stewart Farm’s annual seed and plant sale. Visit the heirloom gardens; tour the 1894 farmhouse with costumed guides, sample fresh baked goods from the woodstove, and do “seedy” crafts with your kids: www.surrey.ca
Can You Dig it?
Saturday, April 2nd, 1 pm – 3 pm, Fraser River Discovery Centre, 788 Quayside Drive, New Westminster
The Fraser River Discovery Centre presents “Can you Dig it?” Kids from five to nine and their families are invited to discover their inner Indiana Jones while digging for clues to find the location of a hidden treasure: www.fraserriverdiscovery.org
Circus Terrifico
Sunday, April 3rd, 2 pm, Studio Theatre, Evergreen Cultural Centre, 1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
The Evergreen Cultural Centre is presenting Circus Terrifico, a combination of magic, juggling, physicality, humour, tight-rope walking and dancing as you’re taken on a hilarious interpretation of Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. Be sure to get your tickets in advance: www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca
Wee Expressions – Supporting Japan
Wednesday, April 6th & Wednesday, April 13th, 3:30 pm – 4:15 pm, Bodies By London, 2625 Clarke Street, Port Moody
In light of the recent news regarding the tsunami and earthquake tragedy in Japan, Musical Expressions will be hosting a Wee Expressions class for children newborn on up to four to raise funds for Japanese disaster relief. Each class is 45 minutes long and cost $10 and all proceeds will go to the Red Cross Japanese disaster relief effort. Be sure to email info@musicalexpressions.ca or call 778.316.4101 to register: www.musicalexpressions.ca
Do you have an event you would like to see in our weekend guide? Then send us your details and we’ll help you get the word out. Looking for a feature listing? Contact Erin, our Director of Sales and Marketing, for more information.
And we wanted to remind you to always call or visit the website for event info before you head out just in case any changes have been made since we posted it. And of course, have fun!
Leave a Comment
Let us know what you think or share your great finds with us so we can share them with other Vancouver mothers!
