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.
We’ve got a Play Palace, a 4-D movie, May Day Celebrations, and Stone Soup, including some fun ongoing events you can pencil into your calendar. Farther afield, the Burnaby Museum is free all season long, and there are several fairs, salmon releases, and Mother’s day festivities. Come join the fun!
Kerrisdale Play Palace Is Open!
Monday, May 2nd – Thursday, September 1st, open 7 days per week, see schedule for times, Kerrisdale Cyclone Taylor Arena, 5670 East Boulevard Vancouver
For those of you uninitiated in the Play Palace world, we highly recommend you check it out. A mecca of bouncing, running, riding and climbing; this facility really has it all for children 12 and under: vancouver.ca
Planet Earth: Shallow Seas 4-D Experience
Starting May 2nd, 11 am – 4 pm, Vancouver Aquarium, 845 Avison Way, Vancouver
Immerse yourself in the Aquarium’s new 4-D Experience, a cinematic adventure filled with thrilling sensory effects. Hear the power of the ocean’s waves as they crash along the shoreline. Feel the salty spray as you surf the coast with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in search of food. Glide alongside a cast of balletic sea lions as they dive through vast swirling bait balls of anchovy, and track a mother humpback whale and her calf as they navigate from their tropical nursery to the Arctic Circle: www.vanaqua.org
Riley Park Community Centre Kids Stuff Only Market and Car Trunk Sale
Saturday May 7th, 10 am – 1:30 pm, Riley Park Community Centre, 50 East 30th Avenue, Vancouver
Great bargains on new and used kids clothing, toys, bikes, books, household items and more! And it all happens rain or shine: www.rileypark.ca
Sea to Sky Regional Heritage Fair
Saturday, May 7th, 11 am – 3 pm, 3203 Institute Road (Lynn Valley Rd. and Mountain Hwy), North Vancouver
Drop by for a jam-packed schedule of entertainers and events, including live music, arts and craft workshops, and vintage vehicles. This fair promises to be a fantastic day of education and free fun for the whole community: www.northvanmuseum.ca
Stone Soup Festival
Saturday, May 7th, Noon – 5 pm, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier St at Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Bring the kids and celebrate food, art, environment and community. The Stone Soup Festival includes food vendors, local artists, community groups, talks and workshops, live music, children’s activities, free soup and more: www.britanniacentre.org
CityFest 2011
Saturday, May 7th, Noon – 4 pm, Centennial Theatre parking lot and skate park, 2300 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver
The youth of North Vancouver will present a skateboard competition, a youth art display, dance and drama performances, a live band showcase, a free photo booth, and a free barbeque with food giveaways: www.cnv.org
Kindie Rocks GapKids
Saturday, May 7, 1pm – 4pm, Park Royal GapKids, 2002 Park Royal South, West Vancouver
Bunch Family has teamed up with GapKids to throw a big old party this weekend. The launch of Kindie Rocks GapKids is this Saturday in Vancouver – think Coachella for kids with music festival treatment, all-access lanyards, DIY rock pin-making, VIP shopping and the rockin’ tunes of Seattle’s Board of Education who’ve been described as Ben Folds Five meets Schoolhouse Rock: twtvite.com
Farther Afield:
West Coast Amusement Midway
Friday May 6th, 3 pm until Dusk & Saturday May 7th, Noon until dusk & Sunday May 8th, Noon until dusk, Port Coquitlam
There’s something here for the whole family! Older daredevils will love the classic and modern rides, while younger children will enjoy everything available at Kiddieland. There’s also a bunch of Fairway games guaranteed to put a nostalgic smile on your face: www.portcoquitlam.ca
Laity View Elementary School Midway in May Carnival
Friday, May 6th, 4 pm – 7:30 pm, Laity View Elementary School, 21023 123 Avenue, Maple Ridge
Join the fun with games, prizes, a petting zoo, dunk tank, cake walk, silent auction, watermelon eating contest, basket raffles, great food, and more: laityevents.com
Alouette Elementary Hosts A Spring Carnival
Friday, May 6th, 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm, Alouette Elementary, 22155 Isaac Crescent, Maple Ridge
Family and friends are invited to join in for a fun filled evening of games, prizes, cake walks, dunk tank, cotton candy raffles, auctions, food and much, much more! All funds raised will support the purchase of school computers, smart boards, and sports equipment: www.facebook.com
FAMILY FUSION 7: Cinco de Mayo
Friday, May 6th, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm, Queensborough Community Centre, 600 8th Street, New Westminster
Join the Queensborough Community Centre for a Cinco de Mayo Celebration. Full of brightly colored decorations, dancing, mariachi music, foods, and parades, this fiesta is guaranteed to be delicious and memorable! Be sure to register in advance: www.qspc.org
Southridge Country Fair
Saturday, May 7th, 9 am – 4 pm, Southridge School, 2656 160th Street, South Surrey
Take a scenic drive to South Surrey and check out one of Greater Vancouver’s most popular fairs; live entertainment, clowns, balloons, face painting, a cake walk, plus one of the largest garage sales in Greater Vancouver: www.southridge.bc.ca
Queens Park Garage Sale
Saturday, May 7th, 9 am – 4 pm, Queen’s Park Neighbourhood, New Westminster
The neighborhood of Queens Park will be holding their annual Garage Sale to raise money for Canuck Place. This is a community event in support of a great cause, so grab your family and friends and come out for a day of fun: www.canuckplace.org
16th Annual Ukrainian Cultural Festival
Saturday, May 7th, 9 am – 7 pm, Clark Theatre, 33700 Prentis Avenue, Mission
This Festival has something for the whole family to enjoy including a dance competition, demonstrations, music (featuring bandura and tsymbaly), as well as various displays of arts and crafts. And don’t miss out on the wonderful Ukrainian cuisine: www.bcucf.ca
Burnaby Art Gallery Presents Red Circle, Blue Line
Saturdays starting May 7th, 10 am – 11 am, Burnaby Art Gallery, 6344 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
This hands-on class teaches children about mixing paint, drawing, and collage, while engaged in discovering shapes, colours, and lines. Hand-eye coordination and hand dexterity are developed in fun exploratory projects with introductions to new and recycled art materials: www.burnabyartgallery.ca
Mother’s Day Nature Tea Party
Saturday, May 7th, 10 am – 1 pm, Surrey Nature Centre, 14255 96th Avenue, Surrey
Treat your kids to a special celebration for Mother’s Day! Decorate cookies, enjoy a cup of nature-inspired tea in the forest, and take a walk down a nature trail at the Surrey Nature Centre at Green Timbers: www.surrey.ca
Asian Heritage Fair
Saturday, May 7th, 10 am – 3 pm, Richmond Chinese Community Society, 208-8171 Park Road, Richmond
Learn about and celebrate the diverse culture and achievements of Chinese Canadians who play a vital role in the unique and multicultural mosaic of Canada. This fair features cultural booths, performances, and Chinese Canadian history workshops: www.richmond.ca
May Day Parade
Saturday, May 7th, 11 am, Parade begins at Shaughnessy and Welcher Avenue and ends on Tyner Street (click here for route), Coquitlam
Come out and see the May Day Royal Party and community floats, marching bands, motorcycles, and antique vehicles. Cheer on the Terry Fox Foundation, the various local soccer clubs, the Girl Guides, and Boy Scouts of Canada. Remember to bring a lawn chair or a blanket to sit on, some sunscreen, a hat, and water: www.rotarymayday.ca
White Rock RCMP and Fire Department Open House
Saturday, May 7th, 11 am – 1 pm, White Rock RCMP office, 15200-block of Pacific Avenue, White Rock
This is an open house like no other! Bring the kids down for pony rides, a bike rodeo (bring your own bike), crime prevention and fire safety games, a mini depot, Mounties in Red Serge, Safety Bear, a Soft Ball Throw (clock your speed!), prizes, and games: www.city.whiterock.bc.ca
Cloverdale Recreation Centre Grand Opening
Saturday, May 7th, 11 am – 2 pm, Cloverdale Recreation Centre, 6188 – 176 Street, Cloverdale
Bring the family and tour Cloverdale’s new 66,000 square foot multipurpose recreation centre featuring three full sized gymnasiums, a large fitness/weight room, and a variety of rooms including Preschool, Senior, and Youth spaces: www.surrey.ca
Burnaby Village Museum Opens for its 40th Season
Saturday, May 7th, 11 am – 4:30 pm, Official Ceremony 11:30 am, Burnaby Village Museum, 6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
The historic Burnaby Village Museum officially opens this Saturday, marking its 40th year as one of the city’s most iconic and significant attractions. To mark this anniversary, complete with new exhibits and programs, gate admission is complimentary for the entire season: www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca
South Burnaby Preschool Open House
Saturday, May 7th, 1 pm – 3 pm, 7551 Gray Avenue (Rumble and Gray), Burnaby
South Burnaby Parent Participation Preschool invites you to an open house to check out their facilities and learn more about their program. Accepting enrolment now for 2 ½ – 4 year olds for September 2011: www.southburnabypreschool.com
Maple Ridge Lions Mother’s Day Breakfast
Sunday, May 8th, 8 am – Noon, Hammond Community Hall, 20641 Westfield Avenue, Maple Ridge
Bring the family out for all you can eat pancakes, sausages, bacon, fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, coffee, tea and juice. Admission is $6, and children under 2 eat for free: www.mapleridge.ca
Lions Park Celebrates Mother’s Day
Sunday, May 8th, 8:30 am – 3 pm, Lions Park, Lions Way at Shaughnessy Street, Port Coquitlam
Enjoy a wonderful Mother’s Day Picnic at Lions Park Co-sponsored by Costco Wholesale! There are tons of family activities, including a family fun walk/run, a children’s pet contest, a hands on children’s art workshop, an opportunity to decorate your bike and ride in a bike parade with Ronald McDonald, the Queen Storytime show, May Pole dancing, a magician and a roving clown: www.portcoquitlam.ca
Mother’s Day Tea on the Train
Sunday, May 8th, Noon – 3 pm, Port Moody Station Museum, 2734 Murray Street, Port Moody
Enjoy tea and scones on our 1920s rail car while listening to the music of the 1940s. While you wait, visit the Museum for the Memories of Mother tour and make a clothespin doll: portmoodymuseum.org
Stewart Farm Mother’s Day Tea
Sunday, May 8th, 3 sessions: Noon – 1 pm, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm, 3 pm – 4 pm, Historic Stewart Farm, 13723 Crescent Road, Surrey
Bring the family to Stewart farmhouse for a tasty tea. Select one of three seatings, and enjoy cucumber sandwiches and woodstove-baked goodies on the verandah. Tour the garden and make a card just for mum. Be sure to register by calling 604.592.6956: www.surrey.ca
Kilby Historic Site Mother’s Day Event
Sunday, May 8th, 11 am – 4 pm, 215 Kilby Rd, Harrison Mills/Agassiz
Bring the family for an old-fashioned Mother’s Day at Kilby Historic Site. Enjoy a leisurely walk down memory lane with your mother in our 1920’s General Store Museum. There will be fun crafts in the Orchard Shed, and a delicious lunch at the Harrison River Restaurant: www.kilby.ca
Beatrix Potter and Friends: The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies
Tuesday, May 10th, 10:30 am – Noon & 12:30 pm – 2 pm, Surrey Museum, 17710-56A Avenue, Surrey
Teach the Flopsy Bunnies to garden and then take home a little garden. Find out how Mrs. Tittlemouse made her holiday clothes using real antiques from the Surrey Museum Teaching Collection. Pre-registration required: www.surrey.ca
Release Salmon Fry into the Wild
There are several opportunities for your children to release baby salmon into the wild. Find one in your neighborhood:
Great Salmon Send Off
Saturday, May 7th, 10 am – 2 pm, north end of the Stoney Creek Community School grounds, 2740 Beaverbrook Crescent, Burnaby
Join Fisheries and Oceans Canada for this fun family event: www.scec.ca
Fingerling Festival
Saturday, May 7th, 11 am – 3 pm, Noons Creek Hatchery and Port Moody Rec. Centre, 300 Ioco Road, Port Moody
Enjoy lively family music by Bobs and Lolo, crafts, food and games for all ages: www.noonscreek.org
Salmon Send-off
Sunday, May 8th, 11 am – 3 pm, Tynehead Regional Park, 96th Avenue entrance between 160th and 168th Streets, Surrey
Enjoy a great hatchery tour, take part in children’s activities, and take a nature walk.
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!