vancouver: what to do, what to do?
Filed Under Events | January 26, 2012
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.
Lunar New Year is in full swing this weekend, and the Lower Mainland is abuzz with the celebrations. There are festivals all around, and of course, the signature parade in Vancouver’s Chinatown. If you are looking for other events you can get some early tips for Draw a Dinosaur Day at TELUS World of Science, join a nature walk in Stanley Park, or head to a family game night. It’s also time for the Vive les Voyageurs French-Canadian Festival in Langley, a rich celebration of French-Canadian history and culture. There’s so much to do, where will you start? Whatever you choose we hope you have fun, and Gong Hei Fat Choi!
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Movies For Mommies Denman: Happy Feet 2
Thursday, January 26th, Noon, Denman Cinema, 1779 Comox Street, Vancouver
It’s Toons for Tots time at Movies For Mommies, and the flick is Happy Feet 2. You can also bring older kids along to enjoy the show in a baby-friendly theatre. Gymboree and 4Cats Art Studio will be present for some before show fun, so arrive early: www.facebook.com
Year Of The Dragon Celebration At International Village
Friday, January 27th – Saturday, January 28th, Noon – 10 pm & Sunday, January 29th, Noon – 7 pm, International Village, 88 West Pender Street, Vancouver
This three-day celebration of the Year of the Dragon includes live entertainment, a bouncy castle, face painting, balloon twisting, and much more. Spread over two levels, you’ll find booths with traditional Chinese clothing, and booths with modern fashions. Admission is free and there will be prizes and draws: www.henderson-development.ca
Little People’s Preschool Open House
Saturday, January 28th, 10 am – Noon, Little People’s Preschool, 5600 Balaclava Street, Vancouver
At Little People’s Preschool, playing is learning. Come meet the teachers and see the bright, inviting facilities at this annual open house. You’ll have the opportunity to meet other parents and register if you wish: www.littlepeople.ca
Chinese New Year
Saturday, January 28th, 10 am – 2 pm, Kensington Community Centre, 5175 Dumfries Street, Vancouver
Do you know why this year is The Year of the Dragon, or how all the years were chosen? Come out and learn the history of the Chinese years while participating in arts and crafts, and enjoy a lion dance, a demonstration of tai chi, and much more. This is a free program but you must be a member of the community centre: www.vancouver.ca
Draw A Dino
Saturday, January 28th, 11 am – 3 pm, Science World, Atrium on Level 2, TELUS World of Science, 1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver
Did you know that January 30th is the sixth annual Draw a Dinosaur Day? Get your drawing muscles warmed up at Science World this weekend, where Luke Minaker, animation artist, will share all the best dino drawing secrets: www.scienceworld.ca
Celebrate The Year Of The Dragon
Saturday, January 28th, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm, West Vancouver Community Centre, 2121 Marine Drive, West Vancouver
The North Shore is excited to follow in the footsteps of last year’s celebration with an afternoon of performances, music, tasty food and lucky draws to ring in the Year of the Dragon. This is a free event but is limited to 500 people, so don’t miss out: www.westvancouver.ca
Book Launch: “At Home With Divorce”
Saturday, January 28th, 3 pm – 5 pm, Bird On A Wire Creations, 2535 Main Street, Vancouver
Young and Big Books is a community, small-run book publisher that prints locally and adds a handmade touch to every book. They tackle touchy topics in an honest way, seeking to inspire self-awareness and happiness in children. This weekend, author Madeleine Sauvé launches “At Home With Divorce”: www.youngandbigbooks.ca
Birds Of A Feather
Sunday, January 29th, 9 am – 11 am, The Stanley Park Nature House on Lost Lagoon, Stanley Park, Vancouver
The Stanley Park Ecology Society invites you to a two-hour walk around the park where bird-watcher Cathy Aitchison will help you discover the feathered friends in Stanley Park. This is a by donation program with a limit of 20 participants. Pre-registration is required: www.stanleyparkecology.ca
Family Snow Day
Sunday, January 29th, 10 am – 2 pm, Mount Seymour, 1700 Mount Seymour Road, North Vancouver
Bring the whole family to check out what Mount Seymour has to offer during the snowy winter months. There will be tubing, tobogganing, crafts in the yurt, and tasty food in Harold’s Cafe. Bring your North Shore Credit Union Member Card or Northvanrec Playcard to receive free tobogganing or $8 off tubing. Bundle up and enjoy the snow: www.mountseymour.com
Year Of The Dragon Temple Fair
Sunday, January 29th, 10 am – 4:30 pm, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Garden, 578 Carrall Street Vancouver
It’s fitting that the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Gardens are holding a fair based on traditional temple fairs of old, complete with a ‘Hot and Noisy’ (re-nao) blend of cultural festivities, food, entertainment and games. This event is by donation, with a suggested $5 minimum, but no one will be turned away. Stroller parking is available: www.vancouverchinesegarden.com
Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival Celebration
Sunday, January 29th, Noon, Chinatown, Downtown Vancouver
The parade in Vancouver’s Chinatown is well known and never disappoints! Bring the whole family to enjoy local cultural dance troupes, marching bands, martial arts groups, and of course, the lion dances. The parade starts at the Millennium Gate on Pender Street, heads down Pender to Gore, and then down Keefer: www.cbavancouver.ca
Al Simmons: Something’s Fishy At Camp Wiganishie
Sunday, January 29th, 2 pm, Orpheum Theatre, 884 Granville Street, Vancouver
Come watch the renowned children’s entertainer Al Simmons present one of most loved shows, Something’s Fishy at Camp Wiganishie. You may know Al from his appearances with Fred Penner on Sesame Street, or from one of his many award-winning children’s albums. His pun-filled humour and all-out zaniness will have your whole family in stitches: www.vancouversymphony.ca
Children’s Clothing and Toy Sale
Wednesday, February 1st, 10 am – 11:45 am, Eastside Family Place, 1655 William Street, Vancouver
Get great deals on babies’ and children’s clothing, toys, book and accessories while supporting a valuable community organization. Our favourite kind of shopping. Call 604.255.9841 for more info: www.eastsidefamilyplace.org
CIBC LunarFest 2012
Wednesday, February 1st – Sunday, February 5th, Noon – 8 pm, Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay, West Vancouver
This year, CIBC’s LunarFest theme is ‘Treasures of the Sea’, and its centerpiece will be a giant lantern aquarium. You’ll also find games, tasty food, crafts, skating, and much more. This event is free: www.lunarfest.org
Mama Needs A Babysitter!
Wednesday, February 1st, 7 pm – 9 pm, Nesting Kids Junior Home Store, 2126 W 41st Ave, Vancouver
If you’re looking for part time, occasional sitters and you live on the west side of Vancouver, this could be the answer to your prayers. There will be a group of sitters (between 10-15 babysitters), all over the age of 17, with experience and ability to travel to and from locations. You can meet and greet in a casual atmosphere, while enjoying wine and treats and the company of other moms. While there you can also enjoy an exclusive discount on Nesting Kids merchandise. It’s okay to bring your kids with you, but there will be no on-site childcare: www.modernmama.com
Farther Afield:
Family Games Night
Friday, January 27th, 7 pm – 9 pm, Ladner Leisure Centre, 4600 Clarence Taylor Crescent, Delta
Come for an evening of classic board games with an aquatic twist. There will be snacks and a playleader to guide you through the evening. Regular admission applies: www.corp.delta.bc.ca
Vive Les Voyageurs French-Canadian Festival
Saturday, January 28th – Sunday, January 29th, 10 am – 5 pm, Fort Langley National Historic Site of Canada, 23433 Mavis Avenue, Fort Langley
Fort Langley is celebrating the richness that is the French-Canadian culture. You’ll sing a voyageur song, do some finger weaving, and eat some tasty French-Canadian food (maple syrup on snow, anyone?) There will be crafts for the kids, a children’s entertainer, and other cultural activities: www.fortlangley.com
Richmond Library Celebrates Year Of The Dragon
Saturday, January 28th, 11 am – 4pm, Richmond Public Library Brighouse Branch, 100-7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond
There will be crafts, games, live performances, and much more as the Richmond Library celebrates the Year of the Dragon. It all starts with the opening ceremony at 11 am, with new Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Vancouver, Madam Liu Fei. There will be a tea ceremony, Chinese calligraphy, lucky envelopes, and much more: www.richmond.ca
Chinese New Year At The Burnaby Heights
Saturday, January 28th, Noon – 2:30 pm, Burnaby Heights (Hastings Street from Willingdon to Gamma), Burnaby
Ring in the Year of the Dragon on the Heights with live music and dance, traditional lion dancers, and a special prosperity blessing. Shoppers who find the lion dancers will be given a fortune cookie or red envelope that could contain prizes: www.tourismburnaby.com
Dianna David: Take A Closer Look
Sunday, January 29th, 2 pm, Evergreen Cultural Centre, 1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
Dianna David presents a one-woman show with five characters that includes clowning, miming, hip-hop dancing, juggling and much more. There is an important message to this show about a young girl finding her way through a new school. Intrigued? Check out her trailer: www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca
Swap Meets This Week:
- Kids Swap Meet
Saturday, January 28th, 9 am – 1 pm, Cloverdale Fairgrounds, 176 Street & 60 Avenue, Cloverdale
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!
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