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.

‘Tis the weekend of the Summer Carnival, so grab your camera and go play with your kids. The Fair at the PNE begins this Saturday, and Slocan Park, Yaletown Roundhouse, Burnaby’s Willingdon Centre and Pitt Meadows Peace Park are all hosting carnivals. Check out Ventriloquist Kellie Haines, Edgemont’s Family Street Dance, Stanley Park’s Bioblitz, Kitsilano’s Corn Festival, The Space Centre’s Saturn 5 Saturday, Ambleside Day, and much more.

 

Kellie Haines Ventriloquist Show
Friday, August 19th, 1 pm, Lonsdale Quay Market, 123 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver
When Kellie Haines was really young she started talking to her stuffed animals, and when she turned 8-years old they started talking back. Come out and watch a fantastic, free performance that will leave you and your family thoroughly entertained:
www.kelliehaines.com

Slocan Park Carnival
Friday, August 19th, 11 am – 4 pm, Slocan Park, 2750 E 29th Avenue and Slocan Street, Vancouver
A summer carnival guarantees laughter, excitement and fabulous memories. Head over to Slocan Park for games, a box hockey tournament, a slip and slide, a BBQ, relays, water games, and lots of crafts: www.vancouver.ca

Edgemont Village Family Street Dance
Friday, August 19th, 7 pm – 9:30 pm, Highland Boulevard at Edgemont Boulevard, North Vancouver
Want to get rid of that last bit of energy before bed? Then head over to Edgemont village with your kids for a family street dance. You are in for an evening of fantastic music, dance, and old-fashioned neighborhood camaraderie: www.edgemont-village.com

Stanley Park BioBlitz
Saturday, August 20th, 3 pm – 11 pm, Sunday August 21st, 9 am – 3 pm, Stanley Park, Vancouver
A bioblitz is a citizen science event that enables the public, volunteers, and professional biologists to come together to inventory as many species of flora and fauna as possible in a given period of time. So this is the place to be if your kids love learning about nature. Enjoy family friendly educational displays and opportunities to contribute to the survey. This event is appropriate for children ages 7 and up. See SPES website for details: www.stanleyparkecology.ca

Cypress Challenge Bike Ride
Saturday, August 20th, 7:30 am – 10:30 am, Cypress Mountain, West Vancouver; Start/Finish Line Reception at Mulgrave School, 2330 Cypress Lane, West Vancouver
Do your kids have only two speeds: off and breakneck? Are they constantly demanding adventures? Are they fantastic bike riders? Then check the Cypress Challenge. Presented by Concert Properties and Jeff Mooney & Suzanne Bolton, this event is open to everyone with a bike, a helmet, and the determination to pedal up Cypress Mountain. All proceeds support the BC Cancer Foundation’s Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund: www.glotmansimpsoncycling.ca

YTV WOW! Tour
Saturday, August 20th – Monday September 5th, 11 am – 11 pm, the Fair at the PNE, 2901 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
Corus Entertainment’s YTV WOW! tour arrives in Vancouver this Saturday, delivering high-energy entertainment and interactive games for kids ages 6-14. Hasbro Inc. and WOW! team up to deliver a summer of faster, stronger and cooler Beyblade battles with BEYBLADE Metal Fusion Madness. Kids will also have the chance to check out Hasbro’s Nerf Dart Tag: Generation Next, featuring new blasters, gear and game play. WOW! challenges dart taggers, young and old, to join in Dart Tag Seek and Retrieve. Teams will play both offensively and defensively in an intense game of capture the flag, all to win the ultimate bragging rights: www.promos.ytv.com

The Fair at the PNE
Saturday, August 20th – Monday September 5th, 11am – 11pm, 2901 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
It’s a summer rite of passage and there’s something for everyone. Check out Family Theatre, and the always popular Safeway Farm Country and Art Cars. Don’t forget Superdogs and Kids Playce where children only need to be 36 inches to ride the rides: www.pne.ca

Kitsilano Farmers Market Corn Festival
Saturday, August 20th, 10 am – 2pm, Kitsilano Community Centre Parking Lot, 2690 Larch Street, Vancouver
Enjoy fresh roasted corn, corn recipes, a corn eating competition, and corny kids activities too: www.eatlocal.org

HSBC VanDusen Family Program: From Flowers to Food
Saturday, August 20th, 10:30 am – Noon or 1:30 pm – 3 pm, VanDusen Gardens, 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver
Pollinators make it possible for us to eat well! Discover how flowers become food as you visit VanDusen’s beehives, take the “Honey Taste Test”, and explore the Heirloom Vegetable Garden’s amazing diversity of tomatoes, potatoes, artichokes, squash, corn, cabbage, and more. Pre-registration required: www.vandusengarden.org

Will Stroet at the PNE
Saturday, August 20th, 1 pm / 3 pm / 5pm, PNE, 2901 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
Will Stroet, an award-winning bilingual children’s musician, connects with kids through high-energy, interactive, and educational music in English and French. From folk, to rock, to pop inspired tunes about active living, sports, animals, and the environment, Will’s guitar-driven music appeals to kids of all ages. Admission is free for children age 13 and under: www.willmusic.ca

West End Dog Show
Saturday, August 20th, 10 am – 3 pm, Nelson Park, 1030 Bute Street, Vancouver
This inclusive event features lots of fun activities for dog owners and dog lovers alike. Sit back and watch a doggie fashion show, get some free dog treats for your baby pooch, have your dog washed for charity, or watch to see who will win the softest dog award: www.westenddogshow.com

National Geographic Little Explorers
Saturday, August 20th, 10 am, Pottery Barn Kids, 2935 Granville Street, Vancouver
Pottery Barn is hosting a party for kids ages 3 and up. Head over to the Granville store and learn about big cats through hands on activities, songs, and more: www.potterybarnkids.ca

Whole Kids Foundation BBQ
Saturday, August 20th, 11:30 am – 4 pm, Capers, 1675 Robson Street, Vancouver
Why not have a BBQ lunch at the Robson Whole Foods Market and support an initiative to raise enough money for two school gardens in the community: www.wholefoodsmarket.com

The Space Centre Saturn 5 Saturday
Saturday, August 20th, 11 am – 2 pm, H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver
Saturn 5 Saturday returns to the Space Centre for the final launch of the summer. Bring a 2-Litre plastic pop bottle and get ready to blast off: www.spacecentre.ca

BC SPCA Garage Sale
Saturday, August 20th – Sunday August 21st, 10 am – 2 pm, VCC Broadway Campus Parking Lot, 1205 E 7th Avenue, Vancouver
Come check out the great deals and support animals in need: www.spca.bc.ca

Roundhouse Community Picnic In The Park And Yaletown Movie Night
Sunday, August 21st, 4 pm -7 pm, Movie starts around 8:30 pm, David Lam Park, Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver
Come shake out the picnic blanket to celebrate the summer. It will be a day of relaxed fun with a BBQ, free music, entertainment, crafts and games, and a chance to hang out in the park with family and friends while getting to know your neighbours. Then, if you’ve got older kids, stay and enjoy the free outdoor movie, The Italian Job – you’ll never look at a modern mini cooper in the same light again: www.roundhouse.ca

Fire Hall Open House
Sunday, August 21st, 1 pm – 3 pm, Fire Hall #6, 1001 Nicola Street, Fire Hall #9, 1805 Victoria Drive, Fire Hall #21, 5425 Carnarvon Street, Vancouver
This is a great opportunity for your kids to climb all over a fire truck while you get to ogle, or, um, meet, your local fire fighters, and learn what they do and discuss any fire and life safety concerns you might have. Come for refreshments and demonstrations: www.cfapp.vancouver.ca

Ambleside Day
Sunday, August 21st, Noon – 6 pm., Ambleside Beach, 1200 Argyle Avenue, West Vancouver
Come to Ambleside Beach for a day of fun, learning, and friendly competition.
The beach will be bustling with the Water Wise Safety Team and Buckles the Life Jacket, who will be talking and demonstrating water awareness, life jackets, and sun safety. The waterfront will be busy with games, a rescue-challenge obstacle course, and rides in the lifeguard rowboat. A Lifeguard Competition featuring the West Vancouver Aquatic Centre’s guard staff – the very crew who keep pool and beach patrons safe throughout the seasons – will take place from 1pm – 5 pm. Don’t miss the rigorous fitness tests, the zany Priority Action Approach competition, or the impressive Major First Aid challenge: www.westvancouver.ca

Tsleil-Waututh Nation Cultural Arts Festival
Sunday, August 21st, 1pm, Cates Park, North Vancouver
Festival favorites include the traditional artisan’s village, kid’s art activities, art vendors, and food vendors including a salmon BBQ: www.artsoffice.ca

Vancouver Orphan Kitty Rescue Festival
Sunday, August 21, 10 am – 5 pm, Jericho Beach, Vancouver
Enjoy family friendly festivities, live music performances, excellent food, face painting, and more: www.orphankittenrescue.com

Beaty Biodiversity Museum Urban Festival Day
Sunday, August 21st, 10 am – 5 pm, UBC Beaty Biodiversity Museum, 2212 Main Mall, Vancouver (UBC)
This is an excellent opportunity to show your kids that science is fun. Create biodiversity crafts, learn at activity stations, explore the Discovery Lab, and watch films in the auditorium: www.beatymuseum.ubc.ca

Farther Afield:

Willingdon Community-Day Fair
Thursday, August 18th, 5:30 pm -8 pm, Willingdon Centre, 1491 Carleton Avenue, Burnaby
Join the fun and thrills with carnival games, raffles, a BBQ, displays and live entertainment, and more: www.burnaby.ca

All Night Star Gazing
Friday, August 19th, 8 pm, Aldergrove Lake Regional Park, Abbotsford
Aldergrove Bowl is a great venue for watching summer stars: bring a blanket and lie back to enjoy the celestial show. Explore the solar system and beyond with help from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. Enjoy an interactive play from Greek Mythology, and navigate the constellations with park interpreters. Participants can bring tents or trailers to camp overnight but must arrive before 11:00 pm, and can leave at any time. All ages welcome: www.metrovancouver.org

Fab Forts
Friday, August 19th – Sunday, August 21st, Fort Langley National Historic Site, 23433 Mavis Avenue, Fort Langley
Join in a variety of activities coordinated across the country, culminating in a coast-to-coast, 100-gun salute by historic artillery. At Fort Langley there will be black powder pageantry and fur trade fun! Don’t forget to stop by the Fort Langley Farmers’ Market on Sunday: www.tourism-langley.ca

Muscular Dystrophy Carnival Fundraiser
Friday, August 19th, 1 pm – 8 pm, Safeway at 104th Avenue and King George Boulevard, Surrey
Entertain the kids and help raise money for muscular dystrophy at the same time. The Whalley Safeway will be hosting a carnival and fair. There will be great kids arcade games, live entertainment, face painting, clowns, a BBQ, and more.

Park Play Wrap Up Picnic
Friday, August 19th, 11 am – 2 pm, Holly Park, 10706 148 Street, Surrey
Wrap up the summer season of Park Play with a picnic in the park, and enjoy face painting, bouncy castles, games, crafts, and more: www.surrey.ca

Campbell’s Gold Honey Farm Family Fun Day
Saturday, August 20th, 11 am – 3 pm, Campbell’s Gold Honey Farm & Meadery, 2595 Lefeuvre Road, Abbotsford
Visit Campbell’s Gold Honey Farm for their free family fun day, which includes face painting, bee races, hive tours, a bouncy castle, games, and more: www.bchoney.com

Arts Alive Festival
Saturday, August 20th, 10 am – 5 pm, Fraser Highway between 204 and 206 Streets, Langley
Check out the streets of Downtown Langley as they come alive with fine arts, artisans and crafters, a multicultural venue, and an exciting children’s activity area. See artists demonstrate their techniques, and enjoy the talented musicians being featured on three entertainment stages. This is a fantastic, free, and fun event for the whole family, and a great way to spend your day: www.downtownlangley.com

Earthwise Farmers Markets “Jam Fest”
Saturday, August 20th, 9 am – Noon, Earthwise Farm Store, corner of Boundary Bay Road and 3rd Avenue, South Delta
This is a tribute to all your favorite preserves and toast spreads accompanied by lively music. Held at the height of blackberry season, there’s sure to be plenty of fun for all the jam lovers in your family: www.earthwisesociety.bc.ca

Greendale’s Country Sampler
Saturday, August 20th, 10 am – 5 pm, Yale Road West, Highway 1, Exit 109, Greendale
Summer is a great time to immerse your family in all things country. With tours, demos and door prizes at 14 participating stops, there’s fun for the whole family. Discover artisans, gardens, farms, honey, soaps, pottery, organic grains, red-wigglers, cheese, beef, unique small agri-businesses, and much more: www.greendalecountrysampler.com

Burns Bog Tour
Saturday, August 20th, 10 am – Noon, Burns Bog, 10388 Nordel Court, Delta
Discover super natural Burns Bog on a two hour interpretive tour. Registration required: www.burnsbog.org

Cloverdale Kids Swap Meet
Saturday, August 20th, 9 am – 1 pm, Cloverdale Fairgrounds, 176 Street & 60 Avenue, Cloverdale
Come and stock up on new and gently used kids’ items for sale. Everything for baby and beyond: www.cloverdale.bc.ca

Quayside Boardwalk Festival
Saturday, August 20th, 10 am – 3 pm, The Esplanade at Quayside, 810 Quayside Drive, New Westminster
Head over to the New Westminster Quay for some family fun. The Quayside Community Board has produced an event that features over 150 tables of collectibles and antiques, books, art, sporting goods, household items, clothing, bric-a-brac, and so much more. In addition, there are bands playing, vendors serving up food such as BBQ salmon, a kids’ zones for over-the-top fun, a farmer’s market, raffles, prizes, and more: www.quaysideboard.com

Steveston Dragon Boat Festival
Saturday, August 20th, 7:30 am – 5pm, Britannia Heritage Shipyard, 5180 Westwater Drive, Steveston
This Dragon Boat Festival promises to be a great day of fun, entertainment, and paddling! At 10 am the general public is welcome to hop on a boat and try dragon boating with a donation to the Richmond Food Bank: www.stevestondragonboatfestival.ca

Richmond Raptor Festival
Sunday, August 21st, 1 am – 4 pm, Terra Nova Rural Park, Richmond
Do your kids get really excited when you point out a soaring eagle, or want to know more about the hawks that sit on poles at the edge of the highway? Then the Richmond Raptor Festival is for you. Through a series of events and discussions, your kids can learn about and get up close to some of the fabulous birds of prey that make Richmond their home: www.richmond.ca

Pathfinder Youth Centre Society Children’s Carnival
Sunday, August 21st, 11 am – 3 pm, Memorial Peace Park, 11900 – 224 Street, Maple Ridge
Spritz the kids with sunscreen and head out to this free day of games, arts and crafts, face painting, a bouncy castle, popcorn, cotton candy, hot dogs, and prizes and raffle draws: www.pittmeadows.bc.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!