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 are so many interesting and entertaining things to do this weekend (and beyond) we hardly know where to start! The Vancouver and Surrey Children’s Festivals are must-sees, and there are some fantastic community carnivals happening. Kids can also learn about bogs, slugs, and tracking animals, and enjoy a bike treasure hunt and a kids fishing derby. Sweet!
 Vancouver International Children’s Festival |
Mom’s the Word: Remixed
Thursday, May 26th to Saturday, July 23rd, see schedule for times, The Revue Stage 1601 Johnston Street, Granville Island, Vancouver
They’re back! The shockingly funny Moms reunite to bring highlights from the smash hits, Mom’s the Word and Mom’s the Word 2: Unhinged to Granville Island. In this production they’ll share their true, intimate tales of the heartache and joy of parenthood, from “bun in the oven”, to the “terrible twos”, to the “terrifying teens.” Here’s our review from their last production – so funny! This is ideal mom’s-night-out fodder – so grab some fellow moms and go. You’ll have a great time: www.granvilleisland.com
The Charles Dickens Elementary School Spring Fling
Thursday May 26th, 4 pm – 8 pm, Charles Dickens Main School, 1010 E 17th (between Windsor and Glen, just off Kingsway), Vancouver
Spring Flings are always perfect for the age 10 and under set, and this one includes a dunk tank, face painting, carnival games, live entertainment, and much more. Plus, you’ll be providing funding for field trips, programs, facilities, and classroom supplies. Support the community while having fun: www.facebook.com
Friends of the Library Book Sale
Friday, May 27th, 10 am – 7 pm, Saturday, May 28th, 10 am – 4 pm, and Sunday, May 29th, Noon – 4 pm, Lynn Valley Library, 1277 Lynn Valley Road, North Vancouver
This is a great opportunity to refresh your children’s library and find some great summer reads for yourself. Proceeds for the sale will go towards book prizes for the Summer Reading Club and the North Vancouver District Library Trick is To Read Halloween program. Everything $2 or less: www.nvdpl.ca
Lynn Valley Days
Saturday, May 28th, 7 am – 4 pm, Parade: Lynn Valley Road, Festivities: Lynn Valley Park, North Vancouver
Bring the family for a pancake breakfast, watch the parade along Lynn Valley Road, and then head over to Lynn Valley Park for the festivities: www.lvca.ca
Learn to Track Animals at the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre
Saturday, May 28th, 10:30 am – Noon, Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre, 3663 Park Road, North Vancouver
Show your kids how to use all their senses as they learn to track animals in the forest.
For ages 3 – 6 accompanied by an adult. Registration required: www.dnv.org
Drumming with Fana Soro
Saturday May 28th, 11 am & 1 pm, ArtStarts – 808 Richards Street, Vancouver
This free 45-minute, culturally diverse workshop is led by one of BC’s best children’s performers, and will teach the whole family infectious West African rhythms and songs. Drums are provided: http://artstarts.com
Burns Bog Conservation Society Presents Boggy Science
Saturday, May 28th & Sunday, May 29th, 11 am – 3 pm, second floor in front of Science Theatre, Science World at TELUS World of Science, 1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver
Come and learn about Burns Bog, the largest peat bog on the North American coast and conveniently located in Delta. Pose your questions to the Burns Bog Conservation Society, and learn how you can help preserve this precious piece of wetland. Complement your visit by seeing the show Burns Bog: A Road Runs Through It in the Science Theatre: www.scienceworld.ca
Once Upon a Belly
Saturday, May 28th, 11 am – 4 pm, Roundhouse Community Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews (Davie and Pacific), Vancouver
Join Once Upon a Belly for an informative and entertaining showcase highlighting the best products, services, and information for new and expecting parents. Admission is by donation to Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, and the first 250 moms will receive a tote bag full of products and samples: www.onceuponabelly.com
Used Kids Toy and Clothing Sale
Saturday, May 28th, 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm, Sunday, May 29th, 2 pm – 4 pm, Lynn Valley Community Recreation Centre, 3590 Mountain Highway, North Vancouver
This is a great opportunity to find kids gear at great prices, like gently used toys, clothing, equipment, sports gear, and more. To book a table call 604-987-PLAY
Pedalheads Treasure Hunts
Saturday, May 28th, 10 am – 1 pm, Blue Mountain Park, 975 King Albert Avenue, Coquitlam & Sunday, May 29th, 10 am – 1 pm, Jericho Beach Park, near the Duck Pond close to the Main Parking Lot for Jericho Beach, Vancouver
Join the Pedalheads team for a free bicycle treasure hunt beyond compare! There will be lots of riding, activities, and prizes for all ages. The hunt will take approximately one hour, so bring your bikes and helmets (trikes, training wheels, and run bikes also welcome). Get on your bikes and find clues to lead you from station to station. At the finish line there will be prizes for everyone. Registration required: www.atlantisprograms.com
Salmonberry Days Community Festival
Sunday, May 29th, 11 am – 3 pm, Memorial West Park behind Dunbar Community Centre, 4747 Dunbar Street, Vancouver
The Dunbar Community Association wraps up their month-long Salmonberry Days with games, crafts, activities, performances, and lots more: dunbar-vancouver.org
Lullaby League Mixer
May 31st, 7 pm – 8 pm, Hip Baby, 2110 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver
Hip Baby will graciously hold this “last chance” mixer, which is the perfect time to meet and interview (note: if it’s ‘a dozen’ exactly, I would put in ‘12’. If ‘a dozen’ was more in reference to ‘many’, I would leave it out) quality sitters for your summer child care needs: www.lullabyleaguesitters.com
Farther Afield:
Surrey Community Spirit Barbeque
Thursday, May 26th, 4 pm – 7:30 pm, Surrey Central Plaza, 13450 102 Ave, Surrey Central
Bring the family and join the RCMP District One Community in thanking the RCMP for their 60 years of service to Surrey. The fun includes entertainment, games, a bouncy castle, face painting, contests, and a dunk tank. The RCMP will be on site showcasing their vehicles and equipment, and special guest Safety Bear will be handing out stickers: downtownsurreybia.com
Baker’s Corner Preschool Open House and Registration
Thursday, May 26th, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm, 101- 885 Baker Drive, (at Baker Drive Elementary), Coquitlam
Baker’s Corner Parent Participation Preschool offers a variety of learning activities with an emphasis on learning though play. They have spaces available in their 3-year-old and 4-year-old classes for the 2011/2012 school year. Take a tour, meet the faculty, and learn more about this preschool: www.bakerscornerpreschool.com
Surrey Children’s Festival
Thursday, May 26th — Saturday, May 28th, see schedule for times and events, Surrey Arts Centre and Bear Creek Park, 13750 – 88 Avenue, Surrey
For those of you who have never been to the Festival before, there are four performance venues, as well as hands-on arts activities inside tents and roving performances throughout the park. This year’s performances include Anne Glover, Be the Circus, Charlotte Diamond, and many more: www.surrey.ca
Ladner Pioneer May Days
Friday, May 27th – Sunday, May 29th, see schedule for times, Memorial Park, 5010 47th Avenue, Ladner
This is one of BC’s largest, free family fairs, with a community parade, live bands, children’s activities, entertainment, carnival rides, and a broad range of food. Don’t miss this small town fair offering big time fun: www.ladnermaydays.com
Visit the Gilmore Country Carnival
Friday, May 27th, 4 pm – 9 pm, Gilmore Community School, 50 S. Gilmore Avenue, Burnaby
Put on your cowboy boots, round up your kids, and join an evening of fun for all ages!
Come and enjoy BBQ, a bouncy castle, an obstacle course, a giant slide, carnival rides, airbrush tattoos, dunk tank, carnival games, gladiator jousts, and much, much more: www.childrensdirectory.net
Learn How to Mentor Your Boys to Become Caring Courageous and Ethical Men
Saturday, May 28th, Star of the Sea School, 1504 -24 Avenue, Surrey
Whether you are confused, mystified, or awed by the front row seat you have watching your son’s emerging development, Barry MacDonald will show you how to strengthen your loving responses to your boy’s changing needs: www.mentoringboys.com
Visit the Old School Market
Saturday, May 28th, 9 am – 4 pm, Clayburn Village School 4315 Wright Street, Abbotsford
Hosted by Birch + Bird Vintage Home Interiors, this market features handmade goods and vintage collectibles showcasing the wares of 23 talented local artisans, crafters, and collectors. This is an ideal opportunity to find that perfect nursery gift or child’s birthday present: www.birchandbird.com
2011 European Festival
Saturday, May 28th, 10 am – 1 am, Scandinavian Community Centre, 6540 Thomas Street, Burnaby
Explore 32 European countries in one day! Highlights include folk dancers, singers, and musicians in authentic costume performing non-stop throughout the day, cultural displays, a European marketplace, children’s tent with face-painting, balloon-twisting, crafts, and much more: www.eurofestbc.ca
Check out Darts Hill Garden Spring Open House and Plant Sale
Saturday, May 28th, 10 am – 4 pm, Darts Hill Garden, 16th and 170th Street, South Surrey
As part of the City of Surrey’s Environmental Extravaganza, Darts Hill Garden will be open to the public with a number of special activities, including a scavenger hunt for kids, a birding tour by Lynn Pollard, and a fabulous plant sale: www.dartshill.ca
The HIVE Neighbourhood Centre Free Children’s Clothing Exchange
Saturday, May 28th, 11 am – 2 pm, The HIVE Neighbourhood Centre at Eric Langton Elementary School, 12138 Edge Street, Maple Ridge
Clean and gently-used children’s clothing is collected and then offered to families living in the community: http://events.crayon.ca
Alexandra Neighbourhood House Alexandra Festival
Saturday, May 28th, 11 am – 5 pm, Alexandra Neighbourhood House, 2916 McBride Avenue Crescent Beach, South Surrey, White Rock
Bring the kids and enjoy high-end crafters and artists, a Family Fun Zone, activities and entertainment, and a variety of food and drink available to suit every palate.
There’s something for everyone at this free family event, so round up your family, friends and neighbours, and help support your neighbourhood house: www.campalex.com
Como Lake Kids Fishing Derby
Sunday, May 29th, 7 am – Noon, Como Lake Park, Gatensbury Street, Coquitlam
This is a free event for children 15 and under. Hundreds of prizes are awarded each year for a variety of catches, from the largest and smallest fish, to the strangest catch of the day. As children fish, parents are welcome to enjoy a pancake breakfast cooked by the Coquitlam Kinsmen Club: festivalcoquitlam.citysoup.ca
Celebrate Queensborough Day
Sunday, May 29th, Noon – 4 pm, Queensborough Community Centre, 920 Ewen Avenue, New Westminster
Celebrate community living in the Queensborough neighbourhood. The day is filled with lively entertainment, valuable information, and a wide variety of delicious food for you to choose from: qspc.org/main/events.aspx
Richmond Nature Park’s Slugfest
Sunday, May 29th, 1 pm – 4 pm, Richmond Nature Park, 11851 Westminster Hwy., Richmond
Get to know slugs! Bring your kids to Slugfest to make friends with some of the most maligned creatures of the backyard. Enjoy carnival games, slime-making workshops, contests, and the Great Richmond Slug Race. And don’t miss the appearance from Richmond’s Giant Slug: www.richmondnatureparksociety.ca
Surrey Nature Centre’s Insect-O-Rama
Wednesday, June 1st, 6 pm – 7:30 pm, Green timbers Urban Forest, 14600 block of 100 Avenue, Surrey
Wiggly, slippery, fuzzy, or slimy- how do insects look and feel to your kids? Learn about the little critters that call Green Timbers Park home, and see some amazing insects up close. Take home a fun “bug” craft too. For kids ages 5-12. Parent participation and registration required: www.surrey.ca
Sun Valley Spray Park Opens
Wednesday, June 1st, 11 am – 7 pm, Sun Valley Park, 3700 Hamilton Street, Port Coquitlam
Bring the family out for day of water play. This renovated spray park is located adjacent to a wading pool, a wonderful children’s playground, and rolling grassy knolls: www.portcoquitlam.ca
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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!