vancouver: what to do, what to do?
Filed Under Events | November 10, 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.
We’re definitely ramping up for the holiday season in the Lower Mainland, and there are craft fairs, performances, and sales galore. It’s also Neighbourhood Toy Store Day, and several local toy stores invite you to come out so they can “wow” you. If you’d like to get outside, drop in on the Young Naturalist Club in Lynn Canyon, or check out the Coho Salmon spawning on Little Campbell River. There’s also a fun, adults-only book signing, and a great family movie night. The always fun Yo Gabba Gabba! Live show is back, and the Evergreen Cultural Centre has a real treat in store, featuring the Sursaut Dance Company. Whatever your mood this weekend, there’s lots of fun activities to choose from!
Yo Gabba Gabba! Live!
Friday, November 11th, 2 pm & 5 pm, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 600 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
Are your kids Yo Gabba Gabba fans? Well, they are in luck because the live show is on the road again. Bring the kids to see favourites like DJ Lance Rock, Brobee, Foofa, Muno, Plex, and Toodee, along with special guests like Biz Markue the Hip-Hop legend, and more. Tickets at ticketmaster: theatrer.org
Build A Remembrance Day Picture Frame
Saturday, November 12th, 10 am – Noon, various locations – see site for details
Maybe you went to a Remembrance Day ceremony this year, or maybe you have a special photo from some other event that needs a frame. Bring your kids (aged 4 – 12) to the Home Depot to make a special Remembrance Day frame. Pre-registration is required. See site for locations and further details: www.homedepot.ca
Neighbourhood Toy Store Day
Saturday, November 12th, 10 am – 6 pm, various toy stores around Canada, check site for details
Neighbourhood Toy Stores of Canada member stores are celebrating today, so you can experience the wow factor of shopping local. There are events across Canada, but we’ve pulled out the lower mainland locations: www.neighbourhoodtoystores.ca
- Granville Island Toy Company, 3298 Main Street, Vancouver
They’ll have giveaways, plus you can pop a balloon for discounts. - The Toy Jungle, 2022 Park Royal Avenue, West Vancouver
Every customer who makes a purchase will receive a gift. - The Toy Jungle, 1132 2929 Barnet Highway, Coquitlam
WOW play day from 11 am – 3 pm, and a gift from WOW for the first 100 customers. - Toybox, 3002 West Broadway, Vancouver
Every customer who makes a purchase will receive a gift. - The Village Toy Shop, 262 Newport Drive, Port Moody
There will be balloons and face-painting, a contest, and loot bags while supplies last.
Meet The Author: Adam Mansbach, Go The F**k To Sleep
Saturday, November 12th, 2pm, Chapters Granville, 2505 Granville Street, Vancouver
You may have heard of this book as it has created quite a stir. Come meet the author of this humorous look at getting our little ones to sleep (when we so desperately need sleep ourselves.) Please note this is an adults-only event: www.chapters.indigo.ca
Doll Tea Party
Saturday, November 12th, 3 pm & 4 pm, Pottery Barn Kids, 2935 Granville Street, Vancouver
Pottery Barn Kids is hosting a special teatime to benefit Saint Jude’s Hospital. Kids can bring their favourite doll or teddy bear for stories, crafts, and refreshments. Cost is $5. RSVP required: www.potterybarnkids.ca
Community Centre Craft Market
Sunday, November 13th, 10 am – 3 pm, West Vancouver Community Centre, West Vancouver
Bring your shopping list to this one-stop holiday shopping extravaganza. You’ll find everything from toys, to jewelry, to salsa! There’s also a senior’s activity centre, and a children’s section with crafts and activities. And if you need more spending money, there’s an ATM on site: www.westvancouver.ca
Young Naturalists’ Club: Life As A Creek
Sunday, November 13th, 1 pm – 2:30 pm, Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre, 3663 Park Road, North Vancouver
Kids aged 5 -13 can come to learn about the many connections within the ecosystem of a creek. You must become a member of the Lynn Valley Young Naturalists’ Club, and adult participation is required: www.dnv.org
Cloth Diaper 101 Workshop
Monday, November 14th, 7:30 pm – 9 pm, Pomegranate Community Midwives, 2647 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
New & Green has worked with many parents that are new to cloth diapers. They work with each family to help them successfully reach their goals to be environmental stewards, to be prudent managers of their baby budget, and to be mindful of their baby’s health – all by choosing to cloth diaper their child. New & Green has taken the most commonly asked questions about cloth diapering and developed a workshop that is perfect for parents who want to learn how to make cloth diapering work for their family: www.newandgreen.com
Family Film Night: Cars 2
Tuesday, November 15th, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm, Lynn Valley Main Library, 1277 Lynn Valley Road, North Vancouver
Bring the whole family for a free screening of Cars 2 at the Lynn Valley Main Library. Pre-registration is required. Please call 604.984.0286 ext. 8144: www.nvdpl.ca
Pomegranate Community Midwives
Tuesday, November 15th, 6:30 pm, Pomegranate Community Midwives, 2647 East Hastings, Vancouver
Have you explored the amazing pregnancy resources available in Vancouver? Drop by Pomegranate Community Midwives to learn what services they offer. Bring your friends – there will be door prizes: www.pomegranate-midwives.com
Swap Meets This Week:
- Family Toy & Clothes Sale
Sunday, November 13th, 10 am – 1 pm, Kitsilano Community Centre, 2690 Larch Street, Vancouver
Farther Afield:
40th Christmas Craft Show
Thursday, November 10th (Noon – 8pm), Friday, November 11th (10 am – 8 pm), Saturday, November 12th (10 am – 6 pm), Sunday, November 13th (10 am – 4 pm), Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, 6450 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
Forty years running, this popular Christmas show features live music, craft demonstrations, and of course, loads of local artisans and crafters with goodies for sale. You can support local crafters and pick up unique gifts for the holiday season: www.tourismburnaby.com
Winter Extreme Ski Show Swap
Friday, November 11th (5 pm – 9 pm) & Saturday, November 12th (10 am – 6 pm), Tradex, 1190 Cornell Street, Abbotsford
If you are a skier, you know how expensive ski equipment can be. You can save some cash by picking up new and gently used gear at this annual ski swap. You’ll also find lots of mountain resorts offering great deals to help you get on the snow faster. Admission is free with a donation to the food bank. Proceeds from the event are donated to local first aid and rescue services: www.fvtradex.com
13th Annual Archbishop Carney “STARS” Christmas Craft Fair
Saturday, November 12th (9 am – 4 pm) & Sunday, November 13th (10 am – 3 pm), Archbishop Carney Regional Secondary School, 1335 Dominion Ave, Port Coquitlam
You’ll find a unique selection of handcrafter items at this popular annual craft fair. There will also be a raffle and door prizes: www.acrss.org
Tri-Cities Baker’s Community Market
Saturday, November 12th, 10 am – 2 pm, Evergreen Cultural Centre, 1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
The bakers in the Tri-Cities area will all be together in one place – oh my! If you’ve got a sweet tooth, this is the place to get your fix. There will be loads of seasonal goodies to enjoy: tricitiesmarket.blogspot.com
Christmas Craft Fair
Saturday, November 12th, 11 am – 3 pm, South Surrey Recreation Centre, 14601 – 20 Avenue, Surrey
Head to the Surrey Rec Centre to pick up some handmade goodies. You can get a jump on your holiday shopping or treat yourself: www.surrey.ca
Coho Salmon Spawning On The Little Campbell River
Sunday, November 13th, 9 am – 11 am, Little Campbell Hatchery, 1284 184th Street, Surrey
It’s that time of year when the salmon return to spawn. This fascinating event is an opportunity to learn about the life cycles of the salmon, and the ecosystems they live in. Please pre-register, as the event may be postponed if there aren’t enough salmon in the river. This is a free event.
Fibre Flare 2011 Annual Sale
Saturday, November 12th & Sunday, November 13th, 10 am – 4 pm, Ocean Park Community Hall, 1577 128 Street, White Rock
Fibre Flare is a one of a kind market featuring jewelry, bags, baskets, felted items, and more. There will also be demonstration throughout the day and a silent auction: www.allscenes.com
Family Day
Sunday, November 13th, Noon – 4 pm, Surrey Art Gallery, 13750, 88 Avenue, Surrey
Spend the day exploring the gallery and creating art together at the Surrey Art Gallery. There are mini gallery tours, collage activities, and a 2 pm performance featuring African musk, dance, and storytelling. Please make a minimum donation of $3 per child. Adult supervision is required: www.surrey.ca
Fossils And Dinosaurs
Sunday, November 13th, 2 pm – 3 pm, Richmond Nature Park, 11851 Westminster Hwy, Richmond
The Nature Park’s resident paleontologist will take you on an armchair fossil-finding expedition. For ages 6+. Please pre-register: www.richmondnatureparksociety.ca
Dancing At Nightfall
Sunday, November 13th, 2 pm – 3 pm, Evergreen Cultural Centre, 1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
Come enjoy an enchanting dance performance by Sursaut, a Quebec-based dance company that has mastered producing work for young families. You’ll be drawn into the story of Auguste, a shoemaker who is a workaholic with little knowledge of the holidays or life outside of his workshops. See what happens one night when he meets some extraordinary creatures: www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca
Swap Meets This Week:
- Huge Kids Swap Meet – Cloverdale Fairgrounds
Saturday, November 12th, 9 am – 1 pm, Cloverdale Fairgrounds, 6050 176 Street, Surrey
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