vancouver: what to do, what to do?
Filed Under Events | April 28, 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.
There’s a carnival, a festival, fun with life-size cement trucks, an ecological treasure hunt, and an opportunity to give back this weekend with several park cleanup activities. And a sure sign that summer will arrive (no matter how slowly) – Playland opens for the season! The Vancouver Marathon is happening this Sunday, which means lots of road closures and crowds along the marathon route. So be sure to check out their site before you head out!
Free Bugaboo Spring Tune-up Event |
Vancouver Public Library Spring Book Sale
Thursday, April 28th – Sunday, May 1st, see schedule for times, Alice MacKay Room, Lower Level Vancouver Public Library, 350 West Georgia Street, Vancouver
Is it time to augment your children’s book library? Check out the fabulous deals at the Vancouver Public Library Spring Book Sale. Prices range from $0.75 to $2.50. And you might even find something for yourself: www.vpl.ca
Kerrisdale Carnival Days
Friday, April 29th & Saturday, April 30th, see schedule for times and locations (parade: Saturday at 10 am) most events are located along West 41st between Larch and Maple Streets and on West Boulevard and Yew Street, Vancouver
This not to be missed, free, two-day celebration offers roving entertainment, children’s rides, balloons, food, face painting, musicians, horse and carriage rides, a pooch poetry contest, a parade with marching bands, and much more: www.kerrisdalevillage.com
Ocean Construction Open House
Saturday, April 30th, 9 am – 5 pm, Ocean Building and Construction Supplies Ltd., 1415 Johnston Street, Granville Island
Ocean Building Construction Supplies is hosting their annual kid-friendly open house. For those of you with kids who love cement trucks, this event is a dream come true. Explore North America’s largest concrete mixer, crawl all over a multitude of mighty machines, and play in a huge sand pile. There will also be interactive displays, prizes, and tours. Rain or shine, it promises to be a blast: www.granvilleisland.com
MamaMaven Presents Diapering Alternatives 101
Saturday, April 30th, 10 am – 12 pm, at Sacred Space Studio, 3574 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver
Not crazy about disposable diapers but not super comfortable with the notion of cloth? Don’t worry, there are many diapering options. MamaMaven invites you to learn about them all and how they compare from an environmental, health, cost, and convenience perspective. Leave with information you need to decide what will work for your family, and where to find it in Vancouver: www.mamamaven.ca
Loutet Park Ivy Pull
Saturday, April 30th, 10 am – 1 pm, Loutet Park, 14th and Rufus Avenue, North Vancouver
Join the City of North Vancouver, Edible Garden Project, and the North Shore Mountain Bike Association for a community Ivy Pull. Meet your neighbours while your children pull invasive plants from the park. Tools and light refreshments will be provided. Just bring your plant-pulling energy: www.cnv.org
Release a Baby Salmon
Saturday, April 30th, 10 am – 1 pm, West Vancouver Memorial Library and Memorial Park, West Vancouver
Release your own baby salmon into McDonald Creek for its first swim as a wild fish! Join the West Vancouver Streamkeeper Society and the Coho Society for this free, fun event: www.westvancouver.ca
Kitsilano Community Centre Family Toy and Clothes Sale
Sunday, May 1st, 10 am – 1 pm, Kitsilano Community Centre, 2690 Larch Street, Vancouver
This is a terrific opportunity for families to buy and sell used children’s clothing and toys. There are some great bargains for parents with growing children: www.kitscc.com
VanDusen Garden Plant Sale
Sunday, May 1st, 10 am – 4 pm, VanDusen Botanical Garden, 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver
Bring your budding horticulturist and pick up some plants for a kids garden at home while supporting VanDusen Gardens. Garden admission is free and Master Gardeners and volunteers are available to answer all your questions: www.vandusengarden.org
Playland Opening Day
Saturday, April 30th (Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays until June 26th), 10 am – 6 pm, PNE, Hastings Street, just off Highway #1 West – Exit #26, Vancouver
You know summer is just around the corner when Playland opens for the season. Bring your kids and have a blast! There are rides appropriate for preschoolers on up, and who doesn’t enjoy a midway? For little ones, arriving early is best to avoid the lines: www.pne.ca
Join DuffleBag Theatre for a Free Interactive Performance
Saturday April 30th, 11 am & 1 pm, ArtStarts Gallery – 808 Richards Street, Vancouver
Fairytales come to life when DuffleBag Theatre presents their hilarious, interactive adaptations of classic stories. Don’t miss this opportunity for your child to play the starring role! This free workshop for families with kids 5-12 features activities led by some of BC’s best children’s performers: artstarts.com
Everett Crowley Park Celebrates Earth Day!
Saturday, April 30th, 11 am – 3 pm, Everett Crowley Park, 8200 Kerr Street
(@ SE Marine Drive), Vancouver
Bring your family down for live entertainment, music, nature walks, a food fair, tree planting, kid’s activities and much, much more: vancouver.ca
Italian Inspired Arts and Crafts!
Saturdays, April 30th, May 7th, May 14th, 11 am – 3 pm, Il Museo, Italian Cultural Centre, 3075 Slocan Street, Vancouver
The Italian Cultural Centre is running a series of free, fun, and drop-in arts and crafts sessions for children. Help them grow their giant tree, make a jigsaw puzzle, or sow some seeds for their very own Italian window box: www.italianculturalcentre.ca
Join Pacific Spirit Park Society for an Ecology Treasure Hunt
Saturday, April 30th, 1 pm – 4 pm, University Chapel parking lot, 5375 University Boulevard, Vancouver
Discover where forest creatures eat, sleep and just hang out. Test your skills on this ecology treasure hunt with three levels of difficulty suitable for toddlers, children and adults: www.pacificspiritparksociety.org
Kids’ night out at the Y!
Saturday, April 30th, 5 pm – 9 pm, Robert Lee YMCA – 5th floor, 955 Burrard Street, Vancouver
Let YMCA provide a night of fun for your kids (ages 3-12), including exciting activities such as a bouncy castle, games, and a movie – all while you enjoy an evening without the kids! Registration required: www.vanymca.org
Swedish Cultural Society Spring Bonfire Roast
Saturday, April 30th, 5 pm – 10 pm, Ambleside Park, Marine Drive & 13th Street, West Vancouver
Join the Swedish Cultural Society at their annual spring celebration family event with singing around the bonfire and a hotdog roast: www.swedishculturalsociety.com
Farther Afield:
Abbotsford Children’s Theatre Presents Charlotte’s Web
Friday, April 29th, 7 pm, & Saturday, April 30th, 1 pm, Matsqui Centennial Auditorium, 32315 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford
EB White’s famous and touching story comes to life as you join Wilbur the pig and Charlotte the spider, as they share adventures on the Zuckerman Farm: www.abbotsfordchildrenstheatre.org
Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Children’s Festival
Friday, April 29th – Sunday, May 1st, see schedule for times, Maple Ridge Fairgrounds & Albion Fairgrounds, 23448 – 105 Avenue, Maple Ridge
Three days of magical fun, great stage performances, and all sorts of “try it” activities for kids and families: www.ridgemeadowshomeshow.com
Ready, Set, Join the Suburban RUSH Kids Bike Race!
Saturday, April 30th, see schedule for times, Rocky Point Park, 2800 block Murray Street, Port Moody
Join Suburban Rush for a fantastic age appropriate bike race at Rocky Point. Children from age 3-7 (with adult supervision) will ride/push their bikes between 500 meters to a full kilometer, with a fun checkpoint activity in the middle of the race. Registration required: www.suburbanrush.com
Surrey’s Early Years Festival with Bob’s & Lolo and Chris Hamilton!
Saturday, April 30th, 10 am – 2 pm, North Surrey Recreation Centre, 10275 City Parkway, Surrey
Bring the family down for this free fun day designed for children up to age 6. Interactive games, arts and crafts, bouncy castles, children’s performers, face painting, balloons, community resources, and much more! This year features Bob’s & Lolo and emcee Chris Hamilton. The first 500 people will receive a free goodie bag: www.surrey.ca
OWL’s Annual Open House!
Saturday, April 30th and Sunday, May 1st, 10 am – 3 pm, 3800 72nd Street, Delta
Join the Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society (OWL) for a behind the scenes tour of the facility, from the exam room to some of the pre-release cages not normally open to the public. Visit the Interpretive Centre, OWL’s Nest Gifts and the Schoolhouse. You may even see the release of a rehabilitated bird of prey: www.owlcanada.ca
Spring Fling Fundraiser for Autism BC
Saturday, April 30th, 10 am – 4 pm, Earl Marriott Secondary 15751 16th Avenue, South Surrey
This event features a kids’ marketplace, kids swap, and a family fun zone. Come meet Joyful Jorge, the Surrey Eagles, the Vancouver Canadians and Click & Clown all while you enjoy treats from ABC Country Restaurant, see fitness demos, and play a little Sportball after a turn in the bouncy castle: ecoquestkids.ca
Penzer Park Clean Up & BBQ
Saturday, April 30th, 12 pm – 3 pm, Penzer Bike Park, 200th Street and 47th Avenue, Langley
We all love using Penzer park, so why not teach your kids how to take care of it. Bring the family down for some general park maintenance. Once you’re done, enjoy free BBQ and some live music: www.city.langley.bc.ca
Date Night Hosted by the Ladner Leisure Centre
Saturday, April 30th, 6 pm – 9 pm, Ladner Leisure Centre, 4600 Clarence Taylor Crescent, Delta, Ladner
Register the kids for Date Night! A play leader will provide crafts, games, and snacks while you enjoy a night out: www.corp.delta.bc.ca
Walk for MS
Sunday, May 1st, check-in: 8 am, walk starts: 10 am, Garry Point Park, 12011 7th Avenue, Richmond
Take the family out to the Scotiabank MS Walk and maybe your family’s steps with be the ones to end multiple sclerosis! Funds raised will support local programs for people affected by MS and will also support Canadian research to end MS. Be sure to register in advance: www.mswalks.ca
49th Annual Langley Walk
Sunday, May 1st, Entertainment & Registration starts at 12 pm, walk start 1:30 pm, George Preston Recreation Centre, 20699 42 Avenue, Langley
Bring your family and friends and walk, stroll, or roll your way through the 5km route. This event is free and features a variety of fun, family-oriented activities following the walk, including live entertainment, a bouncy castle, kids’ crafts, clowns, draw prizes, refreshments, and trophy presentations: langleychamber.com
Managing Your Children’s Anger – Parenting Seminar
Wednesday, May 4th, 7 pm, Kiddies Korner Preschool, 2211 Prairie Avenue, Port Coquitlam
Anger is a normal emotion, and with certain strategies both adults and children can learn to manage it so that they can engage in productive interactions. Learn more at this Kiddies Korner Preschool Parenting Seminar: www.kkp.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!
Today’s Deal is 25% off Shoe labels from Emily Press Labels. Labeling all their new shoes, boots, sandals and runners before summer will help these soles find their way home. Choose from cute, cool and chic designs with a protective topcoat built in. Enter code YYSHOES at checkout. Be quick! This deal ends April 30, 2011. (Cannot be combined with other promotions)
|
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!
