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.
Halloween is over (and we hope you had a great one!) and the season of shopping has begun. The always popular Circle Craft Christmas Market starts this weekend, as does the Place des Arts Christmas Boutique. In your local communities, there are several church and community centre fall fairs, and more than a sprinkling of kids stuff swap meets. If you aren’t looking to shop, you can check out the nature walks, enjoy some live music with the Music with Marnie Band, or catch a showing of The Wizard Of Oz. There’s also a skate night, a family movie night, and a PJ story time. So much fun, so little time: which events will you choose? Whichever suits your fancy, we hope you have fun!
Treetop Tales
Friday, November 4th, 11 am, Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre, 3663 Park Road, North Vancouver
Kids aged 2+ can bring their adults for nature story time at the Ecology Centre. There will be songs and stories with a seasonal theme. Suggested donation is $2: www.dnv.org
Community Kids Toy Sale And Baby Swap
Saturday, November 5th, 10 am – Noon & Sunday, November 6th, 2 pm – 4 pm, Cardinal Hall Lynn Valley Recreation Centre, 3590 Mountain Highway, North Vancouver
Got kids? Yes? Then one thing is for sure, you’ll need lots of stuff! Kids swaps are a great way to either downsize your stash of baby gear, or pick up some great deals on supplies you need: www.northvanrec.com
Young Naturalist Club: Nature Journals
Saturday, November 5th, 10 am – Noon, Salmonberry Room, Stanley Park Pavilion (above Stanley Park Bar and Grill), Vancouver
Kids ages 5-14 can come and build a nature journal, a special place where they can record notes of all the beautiful sites they see and stories they hear as they explore their world. Each participant should bring two pieces of cardboard, about the weight of a cereal box, minimum 6.5 inches square. Pre-registration is required, and the workshop fills up fast: www. stanleyparkecology.ca
Math And Science Fair At UBC Faculty Of Education
Saturday, November 5th, 10 am – 12:30 pm, Math & Science labs, 2nd floor, Scarfe Education Building North, UBC
Celebrate science and mathematics teaching and learning with this free, hands-on and minds-on math and science event. Suitable for kids ages 5+ with their parents. Please pre-register as space is limited to the first 200 attendants: blogs.ubc.ca
Winter Farmers’ Market
Saturday, November 5th, 10 am – 2 pm, East Parking Lot, Nat Bailey Stadium, 30th & Ontario Street, Vancouver
The end of the local farmers’ market season doesn’t have to mean the end of your weekly shopping with local farmers, because as of this weekend you can hit up the winter farmers’ market every Saturday. Please bring your own bags, or purchase a reusable one on site. Check out their site for other important event details: www.eatlocal.org
Kids Market’s 27th Birthday
Saturday, November 5th, 10 am – 6 pm, Kids Market, 1496 Cartwright Street, Vancouver
The Kids Market at Granville Island is celebrating their 27th birthday this weekend. You’ll find cake, balloons, and a chance to win a shopping spree: www.kidsmarket.ca
Music With Marnie Band At The Roundhouse
Saturday, November 5th, 11 am – Noon, Roundhouse Community Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver
The Music with Marnie Band is bringing their rockin’ boogie music to the Roundhouse, and you don’t want to miss the fun. Dance along with Mumbu the Monkey, Tula the Kangaroo, and other furried friends. Registration is by phone only at 604.713.1800: www.musicwithmarnie.com
Science World’s Resident Amateur Palaeontologist
Saturday, November 5th, 11 am – 3 pm, Science World at Telus World of Science, 1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver
There will be fossils a-plenty at Science World this weekend as local fossil expert Perry Poon brings his knowledge and fossil collection to share. Weekend programs are included with regular admission: www.scienceworld.ca
National Film Board Get Animated! Family Programs
Saturday, November 5th, 1 pm, NFB Pacific and Yukon Centre, Suite 250 – 351 Abbott Street, Vancouver
To help celebrating International Animation Day, the National Film Board of Canada is hosting Get Animated! They have a special family program, which will be 45 minutes of family animation. This event is free: www. films.nfb.ca
Pajama Party Story Time
Saturday, November 5th, 6 pm, Pottery Barn Kids, 2935 Granville Street, Vancouver
Your local Pottery Barn Kids runs book club events for kids every month. This month, kids can come in pajamas and slippers for this sleepover-themed storytime: www.potterybarnkids.ca
Discovery: Fungus Among Us – Mushrooms Galore
Sunday, November 6th, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm, Stanley Park Nature House at Lost Lagoon, Stanley Park, Vancouver
Botanist Terry Taylow walks you through Stanley Park telling you all about fungus, how important it is to the forest, and whether toads really sit on stools. Pre-registration is recommended due to the popularity of the walks: www. stanleyparkecology.ca
Cloth Diaper 101 Workshop
Sunday, November 6th, 3 pm – 4:30 pm, Gymboree North Vancouver, 942A – West 16th Street, North Vancouver
Cloth diapering can seem overwhelming, but the team at New & Green can help. Their workshop will show you how cloth diapering can work for your family, while answering the most commonly asked cloth diapering questions: www. newandgreen.com
Annual Christmas Boutique
Monday, November 7th – Friday, December 16th, 9 am – 9 pm, Place des Arts, 1120 Brunette Avenue, Coquitlam
Promising glittering ornaments, hand-made cards, and more, this Place des Arts has transformed Aladdin’s cave into their annual Christmas Boutique. Support local crafts and cut down on the carbon footprint of your season by supporting local artisans: www.placedesart.ca
Questions, Questions: A Long Winter’s Nap
Monday, November 7th, 10:30 am – 11:30 am, or 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm, Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre, 3663 Park Road, North Vancouver
Bring your tots (aged 3-5) to have some of their questions answered about the animals who live in our temperate rainforest. There’ll be stories and crafts, and this month you’ll learn all about how animals get cozy for winter. Adult supervision required; please pre-register: www.dnv.org
Circle Craft Christmas Market
Wednesday, November 9th – Sunday, November 13th, Wednesday – Friday 10 am – 9 pm, Saturday 10 am – 7 pm, Sunday 10 am – 5pm, Vancouver Convention Centre West, 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver
If you’re buying gifts for this year’s festive season, head down to the Circle Craft Christmas Market where you’ll find unique gifts and support local crafters at the same time. Circle Craft has been bringing British Columbia craftspeople together for almost 40 years, and has become well known for unique, quality crafts. This year’s Christmas Market is sure to please, with hundreds of exhibitors across a wide variety of media and styles: www.circlecraft.net
Lullaby League Mixer
Wednesday, November 9th, 7:00 pm, Raspberry Kids Warehouse, 1540 West 2nd Avenue, Suite 504, Vancouver
Many of us find ourselves scrambling for the perfect sitter – and this problem can be even worse for families of children with special needs. This month’s Lullaby League mixer is featuring sitters with just this kind of experience. Come for an hour long mixer where you can interview dozens of sitter candidates. Cost: $55. Value of a night out knowing the kids are in capable hands: priceless: www.lullabyleaguesitters.com
Farther Afield:
One Stop Christmas Shop
Thursday, November 3rd, 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm, Fraser Woods Elementary School, 10650 164th Street, Surrey
Come and get your Christmas shopping done all in one night and support the school to purchase new computers for their lab. Tickets just $2, and there will be door prizes: www.sd36.bc.ca
The Wizard Of Oz
Friday, November 4th – Saturday, November 19th, various times, see site for details, Michael J. Fox Theatre, 7373 MacPherson Ave, Burnaby
This musical adaptation of the 1939 Judy Garland film includes more than 70 cast members, and a 12-year-old star. Tickets at www.ticketstonight.ca : www. footlight.ca
Christmas Craft Fair
Friday, November 4th, 5 pm – 9 pm & Saturday, November 5th, 9:30 am-3:30 pm, St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 33333 Mayfair Avenue, Abbotsford
Head down to St. Ann’s church for crafts, baked goods, and more. For more information call 604.852.5602: www.tourismabbotsford.ca
Gaby Davis Foundation Movie Night
Friday, November 4th, 6:30 pm doors open, 7 pm movie starts, Coquitlam River Elementary, 4250 Shaughnessy Street, Coquitlam
Bring the whole family for the family-favourite movie Finding Nemo. Tickets are $5 per person, and kids under 11 must have an adult with them. There will be a concession available, so please, no outside food: www. gabydavisfoundation.com
Skate, Movie & Pizza
Friday, November 4th, 7 pm – 10 pm, Port Coquitlam Recreation Complex, 2150 Wilson Avenue, Port Coquitlam
If you’ve got kids in the 7-10 age range, they can head to this popular skate movie and pizza program. Pre-registration is required, call 604. 927.PLAY: www.portcoquitlam.ca
Wise Buys Kids Swapmeet
Saturday, November 5th, 9 am -1 pm, Cedar Brook Church, 300-3033 Immel Street, Abbotsford
Whether you are expecting, or have kids in your life, you’ll find great deals on new and used things at the Wise Buys swap. You’ll find tables with families selling their gently used items as well as local parent-preneurs selling their wares: wisebuyskidswapmeet.webs.com
Children’s Toy & Clothing Swap
Saturday, November 5th, 9:30 am – 3:00 pm, Main Hall, Aldergrove Kinsmen Community Centre, 26770A 29 Avenue, Aldergrove
Looking to stock up on clothes and gear for your family? Come out for some great deals on baby and kids stuff. You never know what unique treasures you’ll find: www.tol.ca
Walk Richmond – Steveston Village
Saturday, November 5th, 10 am, Garry Point Park, 12011 7th Avenue, Richmond
This week’s walk takes you through the historic village of Steveston, past the shops and galleries. Walks will be approximately one hour long, rain or shine. Parents with strollers welcome: www.richmond.ca
Pied Piper Parent Participation Preschool Open House
There’s space available at this award winning preschool, so if you are in the market head down to their open house where you can see the space and meet their award-winning teacher: www. piedpiperppp.com
Fall Fair
Saturday, November 5th, 10 am – 2 pm, 6th Ave United Church, 1111 6th Avenue, New Westminster
There are loads of goodies to be had at this fall fair. From jams and jellies, to CDs and attic treasures, plus the usual suspects like kids stuff and crafts, you’re sure to find what you are looking for: www.newwestpcr.ca
Wilson Centre Fall Affair
Saturday, November 5th, 10 am – 3 pm, Port Coquitlam Recreation Complex, 2150 Wilson Avenue, Port Coquitlam
Crafts, books, and baked goods, oh my! Head down to the Wilson Centre for their fall fair for some one-of-a-kind finds. There will be entertainment, refreshments, and great deals: www.portcoquitlam.ca
Kids Can Crochet
Saturday, November 5th, 10:30 am -12:30 pm, Surrey Museum, 17710 – 56A Avenue, Surrey
Your kids can learn a lifelong skill while making pretty decorations and fashion accessories. Pre-registration is required: www.surrey.ca
Century House Craft Sale & Tea
Saturday, November 5th, 10:30 am – 2:30 pm, Century House, 620 Eighth Street, New Westminster
Century House is hosting an afternoon tea that is also a craft fair! Come find great gift ideas while enjoying delicious afternoon tea: www.newwestcity.ca
It’s O-FISH-al! We’re Having A Party!
Saturday, November 5th, 1 pm – 2:30 pm, Fraser River Discovery Centre, 788 Quayside Drive, New Westminster
The Discover Centre’s giant sturgeon, George, is celebrating his birthday! There will be games, crafts, and a puppet show, with a wrap-up singing of Happy Birthday at 2:30 pm, followed by party treats: www.fraserriverdiscovery.org
Salmon Watch
Sunday, November 6th, 10 am – Noon, Tynehead Regional Park, Highway 1 between 160th & 176th Streets, Surrey
The salmon are returning to the Serpentine River to spawn, as they do every year. Come learn about the salmon life cycle, and how it affects the forest, through fun games and activities: www.metrovancouver.org
Annual Kids Stuff Swap Meet
Sunday, November 6th, 10 am – 1 pm, Glenayre Elementary School, 495 Glencoe Drive, Port Moody
The Glenayre PAC hosts a Children’s Swap Meet every year, and it’s your chance to snag some great deals on gently used clothes, books, and gear. Admission is free.
Diwali: Festival Of Lights
Sunday, November 6th, 6 pm, Banquet Hall, Bonsor Community Centre, 6550 Bonsor Avenue, Burnaby
Come celebrate the triumph of light over dark at this annual festival. There will be authentic Indian food and cultural entertainment for the whole family: www.tourismburnaby.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!