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. It’s also easy to get these event listings in our handy new app, OnTheGoKids, which takes our weekend guide and makes it mobile!
Between Lunar New Year, Family Day holiday, and upcoming Valentine’s Day, there’s a lot going on in Lower Mainland this weekend. From lantern workshops to a lion dance, to Valentine’s Day cards, doll tea parties, art festivals, traditional Japanese games, a symphony orchestra concert, and an animation workshop, take your pick and take your whole family out for a day or two!
You’ll find all these events and more in our interactive events calendar.
Featured: Old Navy Family Day Festival
Monday, February 11th, 1 pm – 4 pm, Old Navy Metropolis at Metrotown, 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby
It’s BC’s first ever Family Day, and Old Navy is kicking it off with a free festival at their Burnaby location. There will be crafts, flying photos, Twisted Twister dancing, and much more. You can take advantage of one on one style consultations, munch at a yummy cookie bar, and drink some tasty juice! And if you feel like shopping, there is a special $10 gift for you when you spend $50 or more: bunchfamily.ca
Infant Massage Workshop
Thursday, February 7th, 1 pm – 2 pm, Wesbrook Welcome Centre, 3378 Wesbrook Mall, UBC, Vancouver
Massaging your baby is a great way to help them relax, and to help you two bond. Learn the basics of infant massage together with your baby. Bring a blanket and dress the baby in two-piece outfit. This workshop is meant for pre-mobile babies: www.discoverwesbrook.com
Chinese New Year Celebration
Thursday, February 7th, 5 pm – 7 pm, Sunset Community Centre, 6810 Main Street, Vancouver
Welcome the Year of the Snake with an exciting evening of crafts, dancing and performances, including fan dancing and a lion dance. Please pre-register: vancouver.ca
Lunar New Year: Lantern Making Workshop
Friday, February 8th, 1 pm, Thunderbird Community Centre, 2311 Cassiar Street, Vancouver
Lanterns are a big part of the celebrations during the Lunar New Year. Learn to make a lantern, and take one home. All materials are provided: www.facebook.com
Kid’s Valentine’s Day Event
Saturday, February 9th, 2 pm – 4 pm, River District Centre, 8683 Kerr Street, Vancouver
Love is in the air! In honor of Valentine’s Day, it’s a celebration of all things red, pink and heart-shaped at River District. Design your own Polaroid photo card, and make other Valentine’s craft projects. Enjoy fun games and other activities: www.riverdistrict.ca
Valentine’s Day Doll Tea Party
Saturday, February 9th, 3 pm & 4 pm, Pottery Barn Kids, 2835 Granville Street, Vancouver
Bring your favourite doll or teddy for an afternoon tea. Enjoy stories and refreshments, and make a wand to take home. Pre-registration required: www.potterybarnkids.ca
Valentine’s Paper Crafts
Saturday, February 9th, 4 pm – 5 pm, Oakridge Library, 191 – 650 West 41st Avenue, Vancouver
Bring your friends along and enjoy a fun time with Valentine’s Day crafts, snacks and prizes. For ages 4 – 10, please pre-register: www.vpl.va
Valentine’s Day Party
Sunday, February 10th, 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm, Killarney Community Centre, 6260 Killarney Street, Vancouver
Create lovely crafts to give to your valentine, and bake sweet treats to share with your family. For ages 6 – 12, pre-registration required: vancouver.ca
VSO Kids’ Koncerts: The Listener
Sunday, February 10th, 2 pm – 3:15 pm, Orpheum, 601 Smithe Street, Vancouver
What will the conductor do when a tap-dancing ballerina and a trumpet-playing mime interrupt the concert? Come, see the show and enjoy the music: www.vancouversymphony.ca
Super Survivors
Monday, February 11th, 10:30 am – Noon, VanDusen Botanical Garden, 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver
Would you survive a winter using only the plants around you? Learn amazing uses for native plants through the Survivor Game. Explore the various ways plants and animals adapt to the cold season, and create a camouflage creature to take home: vancouver.ca
NFB Animation Workshop
Monday, February 11th, 11:30 am – 2:30 pm, ArtStarts Gallery, 808 Richards Street, Vancouver
ArtStars and National Film Board are teaming up to host an animation-making workshop for kids ages 8 and up. Bring your budding movie makers over for an afternoon of fun. The workshop is free, but registration is required: artstarts.com
Valentine’s Evening Family Storytime
Wednesday, February 13th, 7 pm – 7:45 pm, West Point Grey Library, 4480 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver
Love is in the air, with stories, rhymes, and songs. Wrap up the evening with a fun Valentine’s craft. Please pre-register: www.vpl.ca
Family Day
Celebrate BC’s latest statutory holiday with the whole family. Here are some family-friendly events for you to choose from:
Family and Friends Storytime
Thursday, February 7th, 4 pm – 4:30 pm, Lynn Valley Main Library, 1277 Lynn Valley Road, North Vancouver
Stories, songs, and fun for all ages. Please pre-register: www.nvdpl.ca
Family Day Weekend at Science World
Saturday, February 9th – Monday, February 11th, see website for show times, Science World, 1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver
Science World is offering many special activities this weekend. On Saturday, check out the Iron Scientist contest, or find a friend and compete! On Monday, investigate the mysteries of fingerprints, or bring your family to take on the KEVA block challenge. And all weekend long you can make a snake or a lantern to celebrate the Year of the Snake: www.scienceworld.ca
Family Day at Renfrew Park Community Centre
Saturday, February 9th, 12:30 pm – 3 pm, Renfrew Park Community Centre, 2929 East 22nd Avenue, Vancouver
Enjoy games, crafts, a bouncy castle, face painting, and balloons, as well as traditional Chinese dancing and other presentations: www.facebook.com
Family Day at Hillcrest Community Centre
Saturday, February 9th, 1 pm – 4 pm, Hillcrest Community Centre, 4575 Clancy Loranger Way, Vancouver
Take part in the entertainment, crafts, games, and other activities: vancouver.ca
Family Day at Grouse Mountain
Monday, February 11th, 7:30 am – 8 pm, Grouse Mountain, 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver
Bring the family for the pancake breakfast, sleigh rides, scavenger hunt, snow painting, puck shoot, and much more. BC residents get 50% off tickets: www.grousemountain.com
Family Day at the West Vancouver Community Centre
Monday, February 11th, 8 am – 5 pm, West Vancouver Community Centre, 2121 Marine Drive, West Vancouver & West Vancouver Ice Arena, 786 22nd Street, West Vancouver
There will be family skates and swims, drop-in gym activities, family yoga, basketball and more: www.westvancouver.ca
Family Day at Yogabuttons
Monday, February 11th, 9:30 am – 7:30 pm, Yogabuttons Studio, 2525 West Broadway, Vancouver
Yogabuttons is offering family-friendly yoga lessons throughout the day, with all proceeds from the day’s sales benefitting Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver. Please contact studio for details: www.yogabuttons.com
Family Day at the Jewish Community Centre
Monday, February 11th, 10:30 am, Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver, 950 West 41st Avenue, Vancouver
Sing and dance along to Will Stroet and his Backyard Band and Will’s Jams. The gym and the pool will also be open: www.jccgv.com
Family Day at Trout Lake Community Centre
Monday, February 11th, 11 am – 3 pm, Trout Lake Community Centre, 3350 Victoria Drive, Vancouver
Enjoy the arts, sports and dance demos, plus the live music and refreshments: vancouver.ca
Family Day at the West Point Grey Community Centre
Monday, February 11th, Noon – 3 pm, West Point Grey Community Centre, 4397 West 2nd Avenue, Vancouver
Spend an afternoon together at the West Point Grey Community Centre. There will be games, fun, and family-focus activities: www.facebook.com
Family Day Hip Baby Disco and Skate
Monday, February 11th, Noon – 4 pm, Robson Square Ice Rink, Robson Square Plaza, 800 Robson Street, Vancouver
Hip Baby is hosting a free disco skating party – and you don’t even have to pay for skate rentals. Come get your groove on: hipbabynews.blogspot.ca
Family Day at the Vancouver Art Gallery
Monday, February 11th, Noon – 4 pm, Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby Street, Vancouver
Take part in the child-oriented gallery tours, live music, and arts activities. Kids under age 12 get in for free: www.facebook.com
Farther Afield:
Chinese New Year Dance Exhibition
Thursday, February 7th, 3:30 pm – 4 pm, McGill Library, 4595 Albert Street, Burnaby
Celebrate Chinese New Year and come see an exhibition of classical Chinese dance: www.bpl.bc.ca
Safety Superheroes
Thursday, February 7th, 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm, Maple Ridge Library, 130 – 22470 Dewdney Trunk Road, Maple Ridge
Learn about safety in fun ways through interactive and entertaining activities. This event is for kids from kindergarten to grade 3; parents and caregivers are welcome as well: www.fvrl.bc.ca
Chinese New Year Skate
Friday, February 8th, 6:30 pm – 9:15 pm, Kensington Recreation Complex, 6159 Curtis Street, Burnaby
Welcome the Year of the Snake with a spin on the ice, along with face painting, crafts, and other fun activities. Regular admission applies: www.burnaby.ca
Partners in Parks Outdoor Treasure Hunt
Saturday, February 9th, 10 am – 1 pm, South Surrey Athletic Park, 14600 20th Avenue, Surrey
Join the hunt, and learn geocaching. Follow the GPS coordinates to find the treasures, sign the log, and return it to its place for the next hunter (GPS equipment will be provided). Everyone will get prizes and hot chocolate afterwards. Please dress for the weather, and pre-register: www.surrey.ca
Traditional Valentine’s Day Card Making
Saturday, February 9th, 1 pm – 3:30 pm, Mackin House, 1116 Brunette Avenue, Coquitlam
Create and decorate traditional style Valentines. Admission by donation, please pre-register: www.coquitlamheritage.ca
Jan Ken Pon! Family Games Day
Saturday, February 9th, 1 pm – 4 pm, Nikkei Museum & Heritage Centre, 6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby
Play a variety of traditional Japanese games and try traditional toys. Make your own sumo wrestler and beanbags to take home, and see who will be the winner of the great rock-paper-scissors tournament: centre.nikkeiplace.org
Chinese New Year Celebration
Saturday, February 9th, 1 pm – 4 pm, Brentwood Town Centre, 4567 Lougheed Highway, Burnaby
Join the celebrations to welcome the Year of the Snake! Get creative at the crafts station, and then see the Lucky Lion and Chinese Dragon Dance. Follow the Lucky Lion around the mall in a parade: www.brentwoodtowncentre.com
Family Craft Hour
Saturday, February 9th, 2 pm – 3:30 pm, City Centre Library, 10350 University Drive, Surrey
Learn how to write with Chinese characters: www.surreylibraries.ca
Lunar New Year Celebration
Sunday, February 10th – Monday, February 11th, 11 am – 5 pm, Willowbrook Shopping Centre, 19705 Fraser Highway, Langley
Show your folding skills at the origami station. See the Tai Chi demonstration and Korean Dancers, and enjoy the Asian inspired harp performance. Don’t miss the traditional lion dance: www.shopwillowbrook.com
Family Day at Place des Arts
Sunday, February 10th, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm, Place des Arts, 1120 Brunette Avenue, Coquitlam
Tour the current exhibitions at Place des Arts, then participate in a variety of all-ages, drop-in style workshops based on the artworks you’ve seen. Bring a family photo for a family collage project, create a piece of art using plant parts to print images, and participate in Social Fabric Project, a 40th anniversary tapestry. Please pre-register: www.placedesarts.ca
5th Children’s Arts Festival
Monday, February 11th, 9:45 am – 4 pm, Richmond Cultural Centre, 7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond
Bring the whole family to enjoy a day of interactive artistic activities led by professional artists. Join Creativity Classes with lessons on dance, musical theatre, puppet making, cartooning, animation, circus, and more. Tour the Imagination Stations with origami, balloon twisting, and other fun, hands-on activities. The skating rink and the pool are open as well. Please pre-register: childresartsfestival.ca
Lantern Making Workshop
Monday, February 11th, 11 am – 3 pm, The ACT, 11944 Haney Place, Maple Ridge
Come and create a lantern, guided by the Lantern Festival Society: www.mapleridge.ca
Family Day
Celebrate BC’s latest statutory holiday with the whole family. Here are some family-friendly events for you to choose from:
Family Appreciation Day
Friday, February 8th, 3 pm – 5 pm, Ladner Pioneer Library, 4683 51st Street, Delta, George Mackie Library, 8440 112th Street, Delta & Tsawwassen Library, 1321A 56th Street, Delta
Come celebrate BC’s first Family Day at your nearest Delta library. There will be cake and loads of fun activities: www.fvrl.bc.ca
Family Day in Surrey
Sunday, February 10th, 11 am – 5 pm, Fraser Heights Recreation Centre, 10588 160th Street, Surrey
The gang from the Fraser Heights Recreation Centre wants to help you celebrate Family Day with fee activities, tasty treats, and family-oriented activities: www.tourismsurrey.com
Family Day at Thompson Community Centre
Monday, February 11th, 10 am – 3 pm, Thompson Community Centre, 5151 Granville Avenue, Richmond
Take part in crafts, games, refreshments, sports, art, and live music: www.richmond.ca
Family Day Arts Festival
Monday, February 11th, 10 am – 6 pm, Langley Fine Arts School, Chief Sepass Theatre, 9096 Trattle Street, Langley
The whole family will enjoy the various performances in dance, music, theatre, and magic, plus the storytelling workshops, and more. Please pre-register: www.lfasartsmatter.com
Family Day at South Arm Community Centre
Monday, February 11th, 10:30 am – Noon & 2 pm – 4:30 pm, South Arm Community Centre, 8880 Williams Road, Richmond
Enjoy the family tree collage workshop in the morning, and take part in the games and sports in the gym in the afternoon: www.richmond.ca
Family Day at Burnaby Village Museum
Monday, February 11th, 11 am – 2 pm, Burnaby Village Museum, 6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
There will be balloons, art, games, and unlimited carousel rides. Please pre-register: www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca
Family Day at the Fraser River Discovery Centre
Monday, February 11th, 11 am – 3 pm, Fraser River Discovery Centre, 788 Quayside Drive, New Westminster
Bring the family for the magic shows, dance and martial arts demonstrations, plus live music, live birds and reptiles, face painting, crafts and games, a fishing booth, a fire truck to explore, and much more: www.facebook.com
Family Day Skate
Monday, February 11th, Noon – 3 pm, Kensington Recreation Complex, 6159 Curtis Street, Burnaby
Kids 17 and under can from for a whirl around the ice this Family Day. All kids must be accompanied by an adult: www.burnaby.ca
Family Day at Heritage Hall
Monday, February 11th, Noon – 4pm, Heritage Hall, 12460 Harris Road, Pitt Meadows
Enjoy the games, crafts, face painting, hot dogs, and a showing of the movie Brave: www.pittmeadows.com
Family Day at Cameron Recreation Complex
Monday, February 11th, 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm, Cameron Recreation Complex, 9523 Cameron Street, Burnaby
Have fun with parachute games, crafts, riding toys, face painting, and lots of time for open play: www.burnaby.ca
You’ll find all these events and more in our interactive events calendar.
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!