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 long weekend we celebrate Earth Day, Easter, and International Children’s Day, so there are a lot of activities for your family to enjoy. If you’re interested in participating in the April 23rd Great Cloth Diaper Change, find all the details here. Plus, there’s a listing of Easter events at the end of each section so best hop to it!

Earth Day Parade!
Friday, April 22nd, 11 am – 4 pm, Commercial Street from Grandview Highway to Britannia Secondary School’s Field, Vancouver
This year’s Vancouver Earth Day parade, organized by Youth for Climate Justice and the Wilderness Committee, will culminate in a family-friendly festival featuring funky live music, a family tent, the “queen of green” student art competition, hands-on activities, and special guest speakers. The parade event will be a celebration of positive change with a focus on global warming and social justice. Please bring your costumes, your art, your bike, your strollers, your friends, and your grandmother…you get the idea: earthdayparade.ca

Spring Beginnings
Saturday, April 23rd, 10:30 am – Noon & 1:30 pm – 3 pm, VanDusen Botanical Garden
5251 Oak Street (37th & Oak St.), Vancouver
Kids ages 5-10 are invited to explore the Garden in search of signs of spring. Collect natural treasures and come back to the classroom to create a mixed-media work of art inspired by your tour of the Garden. Learn about how the bees, the flowers and all the other life forms make spring so special. Registration required, and an adult must accompany children:  www.vandusengarden.org

Celebrate International Children’s Day
Saturday April 23rd, 1 pm – 5 pm, Ukrainian Cultural Centre, 805 Pender Street East, Vancouver
Join the Turkish Canadian Society for a free festival celebrating Children’s Day.  There will be music and dance performances, a CirKids workshop, face painting, egg decorating, a bake sale and much more:  www.april23vancouver.com

Immunization and Autism: The Facts You Need to Know
Wednesday, April 27th, 7 pm – 9 pm, Hycroft, 1489 McRae Ave at 16th and Granville, Vancouver, BC
Many parents remain concerned that a link exists between childhood MMR vaccinations and autism. Dr. Meena Dawar, from The Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, will aim to put this issue to rest by presenting historical and current research showing there is no link between immunizations and autism:  www.edutalksseminars.com

Lullaby League
Wednesday, April 27th, 7 pm, Kids Physiotherapy, 210 – 3369 Fraser Street, Vancouver
Lullaby League has assembled top-notch sitters for you to meet.
Kids Physio is opening up their fabulous studio for this in-demand Vancouver mixer, which includes babysitters experienced at working with special needs children. Space is limited so please register early: www.lullabyleaguesitters.com

The Easter Bunny has landed!  Easter events in your neighborhood.

These events tend to be very popular, so please arrive early or register in advance.

West End Community Centre Easter EGGstravaganza (Ages 2-6)
Thursday, April 21st, 5 pm – 7 pm, West End Community Centre, 870 Denman Street, Vancouver
Registration recommended

Dundarave Village Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 23rd, 11 am – 12:15 pm Dundarave Village, 2400 Block of Marine Drive, Vancouver
Drop-in

Killarney Community Centre Easter Egg Hunt
Friday, April 22nd, 9:30 am – 10:15 am (Ages 1-3) and 10:45 am – 11:30 am (Ages 4-6), Killarney Community Centre, 6260 Killarney Street, Vancouver
Registration required

Creekside Community Recreation Centre Easter Egg Hunt
Friday, April 22nd, 10 am  – 11 am, Creekside Community Recreation Centre,1 Athletes Way, Vancouver
Registration required

Stanley Park Miniature Railway Easter Egg Hunt
Friday, April 22nd – Monday, April 25th, 11 am – 4 pm, Miniature Train, 690 Pipeline Rd. Stanley Park
Don’t forget your basket!

Kids Market Easter Activities & Fun
Saturday, April 23rd, – Monday, April 25th, see schedule for times, Kids Market, Granville Island, Vancouver

Roundhouse Community Centre Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 23rd, 9:30 am-10:45 am (Ages 1-3), 11:15 am-12:30 pm (Ages 4-6), 1:00 pm-2:15 pm (Ages 7-9), Exhibition Hall, Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre
181 Roundhouse Mews, (Corner of Davie & Pacific), Vancouver
Registration required

Heywood Park Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 23rd, 10:30 am, Heywood Park, North Vancouver
While supplies last, so get there early!

False Creek Community Centre Easter Eggstravaganza (Ages 2-8)
Saturday April 23rd, 10:30 am – 12 pm, False Creek Community Centre (on Granville Island), 1318 Cartwright Street, Vancouver
Registration required

Kitsilano Community Centre Easter Eggstravaganza (Ages 1-8)
Saturday, April 23rd, 11 am – 1 pm, Kitsilano Community Centre, 2690 Larch Street, Vancouver
Registration required

Park Royal Easter Craft Day
Saturday, April 23rd, 11 am – 2 pm, Park Royal, North Mall – B, 2002 Park Royal South, West Vancouver
Park Royal will have everything you need for your little ones to make their very own Easter Bunny bags.

Robert Lee YMCA Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 23rd, 12 pm – 1 pm, Robert Lee YMCA, 955 Burrard Street, Vancouver

Renfrew Community Centre Easter Eggstravaganza (Ages 2-10)
Saturday, April 23rd, 12:30 pm – 3 pm (1 pm 2-5yrs 1:30 pm -6-10yrs 2:00pm -2-5yrs 2:30pm -All ages), Renfrew Community Centre, 2929 East 22nd Avenue, Vancouver
Registration required

Kerrisdale Community Centre Easter Eggstravaganza (Ages 2-10)
Saturday, April 23rd, 1 pm – 3 pm, Kerrisdale Community Centre, 5851 West Boulevard, Vancouver
Registration required

Easter Fun at Kingsgate Mall
Saturday, April 23rd, 1 pm – 3 pm, Kingsgate Mall, Kingsway & Broadway, Vancouver

Egg-cellent Easter at the West Vancouver Aquatic Centre
Saturday, April 23rd, 1 pm – 4 pm, West Vancouver Aquatic Centre, 2121 Marine Drive, West Vancouver

Easter Bunny Swim
Saturday, April 23rd, 2 pm – 4 pm, Karen Magnussen Pool, 2300 Kirkstone Road, North Vancouver

Ron Andrews Rec Centre: Kids’ Night Out Easter Party! (Ages 3-12)
Saturday, April 23rd, 6:45 pm – 9:30 pm, Windridge Room (Peanut-free room) – Ron Andrews Rec Centre 931 Lytton Street, North Vancouver
Registration required

Grouse Mountain Presents The Peter Rabbit Easter Brunch & Egg Hunt
Sunday, April 24th, 10:30 am, Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver
Reservation required

Easter at Lonsdale Quay Market
Sunday April 24th, 11am – 3pm, Lonsdale Quay Market, 123 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver
Easter activities for kids, including face painting (small fee), balloons, a craft, the Cobs Bread Easter Egg Hunt, Easter treats, and even a visit from the Easter Bunny himself (1 pm).

West Vancouver Lions Club Easter Egg Hunt
Sunday, April 24th, 12 pm – 2 pm, John Lawson Park, West Vancouver
Drop-in. Hunt begins at 1 pm.

Farther Afield:

Earth Day: Bee Friendly!
Friday, April 22nd, 10 am – 2 pm, Earthwise Garden & Farm, Boundary Bay, 6400 3rd Avenue, Tsawwassen
Join Earthwise Garden and Farm for this fun family event, celebrating bees! There will be hive tours, a bee safari, honey tasting, kids activities, fresh-made snacks from the cob oven, and more:  www.earthwisesociety.bc.ca

The Bear Creek Park Train Easter 2011 Children’s Festival
Friday, April 22nd – Monday, April 25th, 10 am – 5 pm, Bear Creek Park Train, 13750 – 88th Avenue (@ King George Hwy), Surrey
Meet the Easter Bunny and enjoy a candy treat. Make a bunny ears headband and ride the train through the springtime tunnel display: www.bctrains.com

Easter Juggling and Magic
Saturday, April 23 & Sunday, April 24th, see schedule for times, Aberdeen Centre, 4151 Hazelbridge Way, Richmond
Catch free magic and juggling performances at Aberdeen Centre along with photos with the Easter Bunny, mini games, balloon pets, and magical face painting:  www.kidsvancouver.com

Vaisakhi Parade
Saturday, April 23rd, 10 am, parade begins at the Gurdwara Dashmesh Darbar Temple, 12885 85th Avenue, Surrey.
This parade celebrating Vaisakhi, one of the most significant holidays in the Sikh calendar, is bound to be busy, colourful, and fun: www.hellobc.com

Gulf of Georgia Cannery Easter Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, April 23rd, 10 am – 5 pm, Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site, Richmond
With over 55,000 square feet of floor space, the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site offers lots of places for the Easter Salmon to hide his eggs! While completing the scavenger hunt, children will learn about west coast fishing, and make fun and interesting crafts. Everyone gets a treat bag, and all participants will be entered in a draw to win chocolates and passes to the Cannery: gulfofgeorgiacannery.com

Pedagogy Toy’s 4th Birthday Party
Saturday April 23rd, 10:30 am – 2:30 pm, River Market at Westminster Quay, 2nd floor,  810 Quayside Drive, New Westminster
Hop over to River Market at Westminster Quay to celebrate Pedagogy Toy’s 4th Birthday with an Easter-themed Birthday party.  There will be crafts, music, circus performances, face painting, balloon animals, and more: www.pedagogytoys.com

Greater Vancouver Zoo Educational Scavenger Hunt
Sunday April 24th, 2 pm, Greater Vancouver Zoo, 5048 – 264th Street, Aldergrove
Bring the kids and enjoy the Zoo’s Educational Scavenger Hunt and receive a Zoo animal coloring book, along with a chocolate treat (while supplies last): www.gvzoo.com

Seussical Jr.
Wednesday, April 27th – Saturday, April 30th, see schedule for times, The Act, 11944 Haney Place, Maple Ridge
This high-energy musical is sure to keep kids of all ages entertained, and encourage them that we should protect all people because “…a person’s a person, no matter how small”: www.theactmapleridge.org

The Easter Bunny has landed!  Easter events in your neighborhood.

Here’s a list of Easter Egg Hunts and associated activities in your neighborhood:

Ocean Park Pancake Breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 23rd, 8:30 am – 12 pm, 1577 128 St, Surrey

South Delta Recreation Centre Breakfast with the Easter Bunny
Saturday, April 23rd, 9 am – 11 am, South Delta Recreation Centre, 1720 56th Street, Delta

Surrey Nature Centre Eco Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 23rd, 10 am – 2 pm, Surrey Nature Centre, 14255 – 96 Avenue, Surrey

Willingdon Centre Easter Eggstravaganza
Saturday, April 23rd, 10:30 am – Noon, Willingdon Centre, 1491 Carleton Avenue, Burnaby
Registration required.  Call 604-297-4526 for more information

Steveston Community Centre Easter Party
Saturday, April 23rd, 10 am -11:30 am & 12:30 pm – 2 pm, Steveston Community Centre, 4111 Moncton Street, Steveston

Hamilton Community Centre Easter Eggstravaganza
Saturday, April 23rd, 11 am – 1 pm, Hamilton Community Centre, 5140 Smith Drive, Richmond
Registration required

Meet the Easter Bunny at Brentwood Town Centre
Saturday, April 23rd, 12 pm – 3 pm, Brentwood Town Centre, next to the Toddler’s Play Area, 4567 Lougheed Highway, Burnaby

Richmond Centre Easter Crafts for Kids
Saturday, April 23rd, 12 pm – 3 pm, Richmond Centre, 1788 – 6060 Minoru Boulevard, Richmond

Mission Leisure Centre Bunny Madness Pool Event
Saturday, April 23rd, 1pm – 3 pm, Mission Leisure Centre, 7650 Grand Street, Mission

Hyde Creek Recreation Centre Easter Swim
Saturday, April 23rd, 1 pm – 3 pm, Hyde Creek Recreation Centre , 1379 Laurier Avenue, Port Coquitlam

Surrey Museum Easter Fair
Saturday, April 23rd, 1 pm – 4 pm, Surrey Museum, 17710 – 56A Avenue, Surrey

Historic Stewart Farm Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 23rd, 1:30 pm – 3 pm, Historic Stewart Farm, 13723 Crescent Road Surrey
Registration required

Pitt Meadows Lions’ Easter Egg Hunt
Sunday, April 24th, Easter Egg Hunt at 9 am (Ages 0-9) & 10 am (Ages 10-12), crafts at 9 am – 11 am, Harris Road Park, Pitt Meadows

Port Moody Station Museum Easter Extravaganza
Sunday, April 24th, 10 am – 2 pm, Port Moody Station Museum, 2734 Murray St. (next to Rocky Point Park), Port Moody

Fort Langley Easter Egg Hunt
Sunday, April 24th, 10 am – 5 pm, Fort Langley National Historic Site of Canada, 23433 Mavis Ave, Fort Langley

Hyack Easter Antique Car Parade
Sunday, April 24th, 12 pm, parade starts on Columbia Street at MacKenzie, proceeds east to 4th Street where it u-turns and heads west on Columbia Street to 12th Street, goes north to 6th Avenue, then east to 2nd Street, south to 3rd Avenue and into Queen’s Park

Easter in Queen’s Park
Sunday, April 24th, 11 am – 2 pm, Queen’s Park, New Westminster

Kilby Historic Site Easter Celebration
Sunday, April 24th & Monday, April 25th, 11 am – 4 pm, Kilby Historic Site, 215 Kilby Road, Harrison Mills

CG Brown Pool Easter Egg Hunt
Sunday, April 24th, 12 pm – 1:30 pm, CG Brown Pool Memorial Pool, 3702 Kensington Avenue, Burnaby

Whonnock Community Association Easter Egg Hunt
Sunday, April 24th, 1 pm – 4 pm, Whonnock Community Association, 27871 – 113th Avenue, Maple Ridge

Sunbury Park 43rd Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Sunday, April 24th, 2 pm – 4 pm, Sunbury Park, Dunlop and Centre Street, Delta

Lansdowne Centre Presents A Hoptacular Easter Celebration!
Monday, April 25th, 12 pm – 4 pm, Lansdowne Centre, 5300 No 3 Road, Richmond
Free bunny ears to the first 100 children who play mini-golf in Centre Court!

Ladner Leisure Centre Easter Egg Hunt
Monday, April 25th, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm, Ladner Leisure Centre, 4600 Clarence Taylor Crescent, Delta

 

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!

Today’s Deal celebrates Earth Day 2011! Get 30% off Kushies Canadian-made certified organic cotton crib and bassinet sheets from Pebble, the lifestyle store for kids. This sale will last one week or until sold out, so get green and shop early. Use the code yoyomama30 when shopping online at www.pebblebaby.com