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.
Summer is here and there are some great opportunities to literally play in the streets! Check out The Strawberry Festival, Carnaval del Sol, and Greek Day on Broadway. Farther afield, there’s the Thompson Community Picnic, kid-friendly BC Highland Games, Park Play Palooza, and if you live near Megan’s Place, Tot Playground in New West, so grab your kids, a scrub brush and join in the fun!
 Coquitlam Celebrates Canada Day Friday, July 1st, Noon – 11:00 p.m. Lafarge Lake and Evergreen Cultural Centre, Coquitlam Celebrate Canada Day with the City of Coquitlam in this fun-filled day for the whole family. Try food from around the world and experience the arts with roving entertainers, theatre, musical entertainment and interactive activities. With six themed villages from adventure to arts, food tents galore and musical performances all day, this Canada Day event is the one to go to! And the best part is…admission is free: www.culturecoquitlam.ca |
Infant and Toddler Sleep Seminar with Jennifer Garden
Thursday, June 23rd, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm, Active Baby, 73-935, Marine Drive, Capilano Mall, North Vancouver
Jennifer Garden returns to Active Baby this June with another informative sleep clinic! Active Baby understands that every sleep problem is different and hopes that through their clinics, sleep-deprived moms and dads can find their own root causes, set positive boundaries, and teach healthy sleeping habit for their children. Registration required: www.activebaby.ca
Harry and the Potters Rock VPL
Thursday June 23rd, 7 pm – 9 pm, South Plaza, Vancouver Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street, Vancouver
Wizard Rock originators Harry and the Potters return to remind us why we fell in love with the lightning-scarred wizard in the first place. Slap on your house ties and join in on the South Plaza for an evening of Potter-inspired music: www.vpl.ca
Vancouver Central Library Presents a Harry Potter Movie Marathon
Friday, June 24th through Wednesday June 29th, Alma VanDusen and Peter Kaye Rooms, Lower Level, Vancouver Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street, Vancouver
As the opening of Deathly Hollows Part Two draws nearer, there won’t be many more chances to celebrate all things Harry Potter. The Vancouver Public Library will be screening all seven Potter films in the lead-up to the final film’s release. Dress up as your favourite Harry Potter character and come watch one, some, or all of the Harry Potter movies. See schedule for details: www.vpl.ca
MEC Bikefest Vancouver
Saturday, June 25th, 10 am – 4 pm, Athlete’s Village Plaza, Southeast end of the False Creek Plaza on Athletes Way, near the Creekside Community Centre, Vancouver
This festival is a celebration of all things cycling. Admission is free and there are clinics, workshops, and many experts to help you with your family biking needs. Join a guided bike ride, watch a bike demo, and participate in a variety of kid-friendly activities. Check out the website for updates on the Bikefest weekend program. And don’t forget to bring a little cash for food, beverages, and any products you may wish to purchase: blog.mec.ca/events
Dancers of Damelahamid
Saturday June 25th, 11 am & 1 pm, ArtStarts gallery, 808 Richards Street, Vancouver
Learn traditional Gitksan and Cree dances when members of this First Nations dance collective bring their captivating stories, songs and dance to ArtStarts. ArtStarts on Saturdays is a free workshop series for families and kids, featuring 45-minute, multi-disciplinary lessons led by some of BC’s best children’s performers: www.artstarts.com/free-weekend-activities
The West End Senior’s Network Society Strawberry Festival
Saturday, June 25th, 1 pm – 4 pm, Barclay Heritage Square, 1416 Haro Street, Vancouver
This Strawberry Festival celebrates the beginning of summer with craft sales, bocce, croquet games, live music, and of course, strawberries! Check out the fabulous baked goods and strawberry shortcake, and try your luck with the Strawberry Festival Raffle: http://www.wesn.ca/events.html
Carnaval del Sol
Sunday, June 26th, 10 am – 10 pm, Granville Street, between Smithe and Dunsmuir, Vancouver
Come enjoy a street soccer street tournament with the Vancouver White Caps and Mayor Gregor Robertson, an authentic Latin American open-air food court and marketplace, Salsa and Zumba street dancing, live music performances, games and activities for kids, and much more: www.latincouver.ca/carnavaldelsol
Greek Day on Broadway
Sunday, June 26th, 11 am – 9 pm, Broadway, between McDonald and Blenheim, Vancouver
Don’t miss this fantastic street festival filled with the sights, sounds and tastes of Greece, including delicious food, interesting kiosks, and exciting entertainment. Be Greek for a day: www.greekday.com
National Aboriginal Awareness Celebration
Sunday, June 26th, Noon – 4 pm, Canada Place, 999 Canada Place Street, Vancouver
Join Canada Place and the Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC to celebrate National Aboriginal Week. Highlights include George Taylor and the Le-La-La dance troupe performing “Spirit of the Masks”, Alex Wells, the three time world champion hoop dancer, and the Git Hayetsk Dancers, whose traditional hand-made regalia, masks, skin and box drums are used to perform ancient and contemporary songs and dances: www.canadaplace.ca/Events/Community_Events
Vancouver Public Library hosts a Multicultural Fair
Monday June 27th, 1 pm-5 pm, Promenade and Alice MacKay Room, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street, Vancouver
Celebrate Canada’s official Multiculturalism Day at the library. Enjoy arts, culture, exhibits and performances from around the world — right at home: www.vpl.ca
Farther Afield:
Thompson Community Picnic
Thursday, June 23rd, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm, Thompson Community Centre, 5151 Granville Ave, Richmond
Join Thompson Community Association for an evening of free entertainment, including a children’s carnival with games, bouncy castles, and a hot dog barbeque with lemonade and popcorn: www.richmond.ca
Child Health Fair
Friday, June 24th, 11:30 am – 2:30 pm, Queen’s Park Arenex, New Westminster
This fair gives expecting parents and parents of young children access to community services and health care professionals who are working toward positive health and developmental outcomes for all children. A Motoring Munchkins area will be open for play, with games and prizes rounding out the fair: www.royalcityrecord.com
Cloverdale Fairgrounds Kids Swap Meet
Saturday, June 25th, 9 am – 1 pm, Cloverdale Fairgrounds, 6050 176 Street, Cloverdale, Surrey
This is one of the most established kids’ swap meets in the lower mainland, and an ideal place to refresh your child’s closet, toy box, and bookshelf.
BC Highland Games
Saturday, June 25th, 9 am – 6 pm, Percy Perry Stadium, 1299 Pinetree Crescent, Coquitlam
Fun for all ages, the BC Highland Games is an awesome place to take your kids. Check out the mini-golf, haggis toss, kite-making workshop, McDonald’s Fire House, Border collie shepherding demonstrations, bouncy castle, chair swing, arts and crafts, face-painting, caber toss, stone putting, and so much more: www.bchighlandgames.com
Park Play Palooza
Saturday, June 25th, 11 am – 3 pm, Cloverdale Athletic Park, 6330 – 168 Street, Surrey
Kick off the Park Play program summer season with a big community bash featuring games, treats, live music, and more: www.surrey.ca
Webster’s Corners Day
Saturday, June 25th, 12 pm – 11:45 pm, 256th Street Dewdney Trunk Road Maple Ridge
This annual family event features games and interactive activities for kids of all ages. Enjoy the historic pioneer and community display and then meet old friends at the Heritage Tea: www.mapleridge.ca
Delta Community Animal Expo
Sunday, June 26th, 10 am – 4 pm, Memorial Park, 5010 47h Avenue, Ladner, Delta
Bring your kids (including the furry ones) and support the Delta Community Animal Shelter. Enjoy agility performances, dancing dogs, dog training workshops, face painting, a family photo booth, and much more: www.deltacommunityanimalshelter.ca
Pitt Meadows Regional Airport Day
Sunday, June 26th, 10 am – 4 pm, 100-18799 Airport Way, Pitt Meadows
This one is for the aviators in your family. Pitt Meadows Regional Airport is opening their gates and allowing visitors a backstage pass. You and your family will have the opportunity to view regular airport operations, as well as participate in an array of additional displays and activities: www.pittmeadowsairport.com
North Delta Family Day
Sunday, June 26th, 11 am – 3 pm, Sungod and North Delta Community Park, 112 Street from 79 Avenue to 84 Avenue, Delta
Watch the parade and then head over to the park for live performances, children’s activities, displays, games, and a BBQ: www.corp.delta.bc.ca
Bonsor Community Centre Multicultural Festival
Sunday, June 26th, 11 am – 4 pm, Bonsor Complex, 6550 Bonsor Avenue, Burnaby
Celebrate diversity with this wonderful multicultural festival that offers delicious food, live entertainment, and much more: www.burnaby.ca
Megan’s Place Tot Playground Clean Up
Sunday, June 26th, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm, Ryall Park, 920 Ewen Avenue, Queenborough, New Westminster
Many hands make light work! Join in the fun to clean Megan’s Place Tot Playground. There is a free BBQ for all those who help out and entertainment will be provided by the Special Programs Committee, plus the New West Fire Services will be on hand to blast away the bubbles: www.qspc.org
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!