vancouver: what to do, what to do?
Filed Under Events | July 7, 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.
This weekend the city is hopping with fun things to do! Summer Live at Stanley Park should be phenomenal, or if you’d prefer something that caters solely to ages six and under, check out Rockin’ in the Park. Marpole is also hosting a street party and there’s a Bobs and Lolo concert at the Village in Park Royal. Get out on the water with MEC’s Paddlefest, or check out the local fire hall open houses. And farther afield there are a ton of local outdoor activities geared for kids ages 12 and under. To quote Martha and the Vandellas, “Summer’s here and the time is right for dancin’ in the streets”. Get out there and join the party!
Vancouver Library Summer Book Sale
Thursday, July 7th, 10 am – 9 pm, Friday, July 8th, 10 am – 6 pm, Alma VanDusen and Peter Kaye Rooms, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street, Vancouver
This is an excellent opportunity to flesh out the family library while taking a visit to the Children’s library section. Thousands of books are on sale at fantastic prices. All items are cash and carry. Please bring your own bags: www.vpl.ca
Summer Live at Stanley Park
Friday, July 8th — Sunday, July 10th, Noon – 11 pm, Brockton Point, Stanley Park, Vancouver
Come out for this fabulous and free three-day festival hosted by the City of Vancouver to celebrate Vancouver’s 125th anniversary. Not to be missed activities include face painting, tall ship building, puppet making, kite making, and juggling workshops. There are tons of family activities, including mini soccer and a BC Lions kicking and throwing clinic, life-sized Jenga and Twister boards, phenomenal live entertainment, canoe races, giant robotic creatures, and much, much more! A free shuttle bus from Waterfront Station runs from 11 am — 11pm each day: www.celebratevancouver125.ca
Maples and Cedars
Saturday, July 9th or Saturday, August 13th, 10:30 am – Noon, Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre, 3663 Park Road, North Vancouver
From big leaves to tiny needles, discover the trees of Lynn Canyon and how they create homes and food for animals. This fun outing will leave your kids with a new appreciation for these beautiful trees, and trees in general: www.dnv.org
Rockin’ in the Park
Saturday, July 9th, 11 am – 2 pm, Coal Harbour Park, Vancouver, BC
This is a fantastic outing for kids ages 6 and under. Grab a picnic and head down to Coal Harbour to enjoy bouncy castles, carnival games, face painting, balloon animals, arts and crafts, and live family performances: www.vancouver.ca
Marpole Summerfest 2011
Saturday, July 9th, 11 am – 3 pm, Granville Street between 63rd and 71st Avenues, Vancouver
Celebrate the community of Marpole with this family fun street festival. Alive with fantastic merchant sidewalk sales, local restaurants offering tastings, a wide variety of entertainment including balloon artists, clowns, face painting, bouncy castles, spin art and temporary tattoo stations. Plus the annual classic car show and shine: www.marpoleonline.com
Bobs and Lolo
Saturday, July 9th, 1 pm – 2 pm, Park Royal Shopping Centre, 2002 Park Royal South, West Vancouver
The Village at Park Royal is hosting a one hour Bobs and Lolo concert. If you haven’t heard of this fabulous performance duo, they are dedicated to connecting kids to the natural world through music, movement, and make-believe. They teach children to care about themselves, their neighbors, and the planet. These two are very popular with the 6 and under set: www.shopparkroyal.com
East Hastings Family Nature Walk
Sunday, July 10th, 9 am – Noon, everyone will meet at the North West entrance to the Sanctuary near the memorial benches, Hastings Park, Vancouver
Join a local naturalist who will be leading a kid-friendly, interactive wildlife walk through Hastings Sanctuary. This activity is geared to kids ages 5-10 and their families. Registration required. Call 604-708-0975, or email sunrise.nature8@gmail.com.
MEC Paddlefest Vancouver
Sunday July 10th, 9:30 am – 5 pm, Jericho Sailing Centre, 1300 Discovery Street, Vancouver
This is a great opportunity to introduce your kids to paddling sports. Learn new skills while demoing canoes, kayaks and paddleboards. This event also features water and dry land clinics, tours, food, and prizes. Registration required: blog.mec.ca
Vancouver Fire Hall Summer Open Houses
Sunday, July 10th, 1 pm – 3 pm, Fire Hall #1, 900 Heatley Avenue, Strathcona, Fire Hall #10, 2992 Wesbrook Mall, University, Fire Hall #20, 5402 Victoria Drive, Vancouver
Are your children enthralled with fire trucks? Now’s your chance to let them explore all things fire truck related to their hearts’ content. Plus, this is a great chance to meet your local firefighters, learn what they do, and discuss any fire and life safety concerns you may have: www.vancouver.ca
Sunday Musical Performances at Granville Island
Sundays, July 10th, 17th, 24th, August 14th, 21st, 28th, 2 pm, Ron Basford Park, Granville Island, Vancouver (In case of rain, performance will be moved indoors to Performance Works)
Any outing with your kids to Granville Island is sure to entertain, but there’s a little something extra this summer. Every Sunday between this weekend and August 28th Granville Island is hosting the music and dance series All Over The Map. These are fun, family friendly, and live performances, featuring jazz, aboriginal, folk, Latin, percussion music, and dance. See schedule for performances: www.granvilleisland.com
Jax and Jena Boutique Trunk Show
Wednesday, July 13th, 4:30 pm – 7 pm, Gymboree Play and Music, 942A West 16th Street, North Vancouver
This is a one of a kind shopping experience for parents and children alike! Shop for baby and maternity clothing and products while your children play in the Gymboree Play and Music gym: www.facebook.com
Farther Afield:
Tanabata Japanese Star Festival
Thursday, July 7th, 11 am – 9 pm, Japanese Canadian National Museum, #120-6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby
Teach your kids the romantic story behind Tanabata and celebrate this summer festival by making paper decorations; write your wishes on colourful paper streamers then hang them on bamboo: www.jcnm.ca
Paw Fest 2011
Thursday, July 7th, 6 pm – 8:30 pm, Queensborough Dog Park, Queensborough Community Center, New Westminster
Does the family dog reign supreme in your household? Well, this is an event sure to please both your kids and “their” dog. There’s a canine obstacle course, all kinds of games, and treats for both humans and dogs: www.newwestpcr.ca
Madagascar 2
Thursday, July 7th, movie will begin no later than 8:30 pm, Memorial Peace Park on 224 Street, Maple Ridge
This free movie night is guaranteed to entertain the whole family! Come out and enjoy a movie under the night sky. All movies are rated PG. Start times vary depending on weather and lighting. Movies by Moonlight is a summer series that runs every Thursday night until August 18th. For more information and movie listings visit: www.youthservices.ca
Friday Fun in Lang Park
Friday, July 8th — Friday Aug 20th, 10 am – 12:30 pm, Lang (Saba/Buswell) Park, 8211 Saba Road, Richmond
Start Fridays off right with some summer fun! Enjoy games, arts and crafts, face painting, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, story time, and more: www.richmond.ca
Reading Magic with Peter Rooke!
Friday, July 8th, 10:30 am – 11:15 am, Memorial Peace Park Bandstand, 11900 – 224 Street, Maple Ridge
Reading is like magic — full of wonder and surprises! That’s the message magician Peter Rooke shares with children of all ages in his 45-minute magic show filled with laughs and lots of audience participation. Tricks involving books and the importance of reading are cunningly woven into Peter’s entertaining show. In case of rain, this program will take place in the Fraser Room at the library: www.fvrl.bc.ca
Surrey Museum Cosmic Fridays
Fridays, July 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th, August 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th, 10:30 am – Noon, Surrey Museum, 17710-56A Avenue, Surrey
Has a space station been on your child’s Christmas wish list? Head over to the Surrey Museum where you can learn about space by making stars, creating aliens, and participating in a different cosmic craft each week during the summer: www.surrey.ca
Tour de Delta Kids Bike Race
Friday, July 8th, 5:45 pm – 6:15 pm, start line: 84th Avenue and 114 Street, North Delta
This is the kids bike race to end all kids bike races, so shine up those fenders and sign up for this non-competitive race through Delta’s city streets. There’s racing fun for everyone, including the Purple Pirate, face painting, arts and crafts, a nylon zoo, the Dohl Nation Drummers, and a Flowriders mountain bike stunt show: tourdedelta.ehosting.ca
Cinema under the Stars Presents Avatar
Friday, July 8th, 9 pm, Sun Valley Park, 3700 Hamilton Street and Lincoln Avenue, Port Coquitlam
There’s nothing like watching a movie outside on a towering, 26-foot silver screen. Grab the family, a picnic and some blankets, and enjoy this fantastic experience. The movie line-up this summer looks to be for a more mature audience, so make sure you check out what’s playing before bringing kids aged 10 and under: www.portcoquitlam.ca
Burnaby Outdoor Flea Market
Saturday, July 9th, 10 am – 2 pm, Willingdon Centre, 1491 Carleton Avenue, Burnaby
Do your kids have change to burn? Stroll through the various tables and hunt for treasures! Items on sale include toys, books, clothes, figurines, dishes, jewellery, lamps, small furniture, and odds and ends: www.burnaby.ca
Abbotsford Berrybeat Festival
Saturday, July 9th, 10 am – 8 pm, Sunday, July 10th, 11 am – 4 pm, Historic Downtown Abbotsford (see website for directions)
There’s something for everyone at the Berrybeat festival. Activities include fashion shows, a show and shine car show, strawberry tea gardens, country farm patios, cupcake decorating, and ice cream sampling. There will be all kinds of food vendors, a mini golf course, arts and crafts, balloon animals, and a roving magician, plus tons of live performances all set in a historic downtown setting: www.tourismabbotsford.ca
Q Fest on the Boulevard
Saturday, July 9th, 11 am – 4 pm, Whalley Boulevard between 108 Avenue and 107A Avenue, Surrey
This fun, family-friendly block party includes a bouncy castle, face painting, arts and crafts, live performances, and an appearance from some very talented Cinemazoo animals: www.downtownsurreybia.com
Critter Care Open House
Saturday, July 9th — Sunday, July 10th, 11 am – 4 pm, 481 216 Street, Langley
Are your kids always bringing home animals and insects? Take advantage of a unique opportunity to see a working wildlife rehabilitation center up close and personal. Learn all about our native mammals and support this phenomenal wildlife refuge: www.crittercarewildlife.org
Historic Stewart Farm Pioneer Fair
Saturday, July 9th, Noon – 4 pm, Historic Stewart Farm, 13723 Crescent Road, Surrey
This is a terrific opportunity to have a family picnic while enjoying live music, watching cold forge and hot forge blacksmith demonstrations, touring the 1894 farmhouse and grounds, and playing traditional sports and games: www.surrey.ca
Mackin House Heritage Summer Fair
Saturday, July 9th, Noon – 4 pm, Mackin House Museum, 1116 Brunette Avenue, Coquitlam
Enjoy the beginning of summer at Mackin House with musical performances, kids crafts, storytelling, museum and railway station tours, hat making, antique car displays, and much more: www.citysoup.ca
Caribbean Festival
Saturday, July 9th — Sunday, July 10th, Noon – 9 pm, 224th Street, and Peace Park, Maple Ridge
Celebrate summer with live Caribbean bands, colorful costumes, dancing, arts and crafts, and delicious food: www.caribbeanfest.ca/home.htm
Burnaby Discovery Day Festival
Sunday, July 10th, 10 am – 4 pm, Shadbolt Centre for the Arts (Deer Lake Park), 6450 Deer Lake Ave., Burnaby
Burnaby’s largest community grassroots festival provides opportunities for fun and creativity for the whole family. There are art activities, a variety of music, live theatre, street performances, mini golf, vintage car displays, and much more: www.shadboltcentre.com
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!
One Response to “vancouver: what to do, what to do?”
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Let us know what you think or share your great finds with us so we can share them with other Vancouver mothers!
Indo-canadian families like mine look for kids entertainment at Indian first birthday party Vancouver BC especially face painters and balloon clowns who have their own battery-powered spotlights because our banquet halls are always dimly lit. Can anybody suggest event/party performers?