Must-see attractions for Vancouver kids
Vancouver has such an incredible variety of kid-friendly attractions; it’s hard to know where to start. Parenting blogger and yoyomama.ca founder Annemarie Tempelman-Kluit shares her thoughts on the city’s top outdoor activities and must-see museums that’ll entertain both young and old. Check out her picks below and start planning your next family outing!
Science World British Columbia
1455 Quebec St, Vancouver, BC V6A 3Z7Whether you’re looking for educational programming or simply a fun day out, the Science World dome is a great place to explore with kids. The interactive learning centre is home to five different galleries and hundreds of interesting exhibits. They recently did some renovations and opened up a fantastic outdoor learning garden with an open-air stage and a chicken coop. They also offer seasonal camps and birthday parties for groups.
Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre
845 Avison Way, Vancouver, BC V6G 3E2Another classic spot to take kids throughout the year, the Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park has unique aquatic-focused exhibits and underwater creatures on display. Anyone who loves animals and nature will have a blast checking out all the sea life and watching the whale and dolphin shows. From an educational perspective, kids will learn about the local environment as well as international environments. Interactive exhibits are designed to make children aware of their impact on nature so they can help preserve it. At Christmas time, “Scuba Claus” dives into the tanks for a special holiday-themed show.
Vancouver Art Gallery
750 Hornby Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2H7The Vancouver Art Gallery has visiting exhibits from around the world as well as an impressive permanent collection, which features works from Emily Carr, Group of Seven artists and other masterpieces by famed Canadian painters and artists. The location at the old law courts is very beautiful and they have a great on-site cafeteria and food trucks parked outside for when you get hungry. The best time to visit is during Family Fuse weekends when there’s lots of engaging art-making activities and educational programming going on for kids (12 and under) and their families.
H.R. MacMillan Space Centre
1100 Chestnut St, Vancouver, BC V6J 3J9The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre and Planetarium in Vanier Park is an out-of-this-world experience for kids who are into science and space on any level. The popular attraction has an iconic spaceship-like façade and offers school programs, birthday parties and public programs for families throughout the year. Try to visit during Saturn Five Saturdays (on the third Saturday of every month) when kids can participate in cool space-themed educational activities. They might get a chance to make solar system dioramas or build working bottle rockets.
Maplewood Farm
405 Seymour River Pl, North Vancouver, BC V7H 1S6Located in North Van, Maplewood Farms is a great place to visit, especially with little kids. They have a variety of cute farm animals – lambs, ponies, goats, pigs, donkeys, bunnies – and do birthday parties and special events throughout the year. Kids can meet the farmhands, feed the animals and even watch sheep shearing in the spring. Parents who don’t mind spending a little extra cash can splurge on a pony ride. Be sure to pack a lunch to enjoy in the covered picnic area.
Burnaby Village Museum
6501 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby, BC V5G 3T6Kids can go back in time at this historic outdoor/indoor museum in Burnaby. The village is modelled on a 1920s town and features numerous educational exhibits with historical interpreters dressed in period costume. There’s a blacksmith, an old fashioned schoolhouse and activities throughout the week like tin-smithing and Model-T car rides. Don’t leave without letting your little ones take a spin on the old-fashioned carousel – the beautiful fairground ride is more than 100 years old and has been fully restored.
UBC Botanical Garden
6804 Marine Dr SW, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4The Greenheart Canopy Walkway at the UBC botanical garden is an incredible experience for adventure seekers of all ages. Built 20-metres above the forest floor, the 310-metre long treetop canopy walkway has multiple viewing platforms and overlooks majestic Douglas Firs and Red Cedar trees, some of which are more than 100 years old. You can go on your own or opt to have a guided tour. And because the area is a car-free zone, kids can run around safely without parents worrying.
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