2019 Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Vancouver
Best Places for Kids in the Vancouver region!
The best places to take kids in Vancouver, based on KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey. But there is LOTS more to do in Vancouver! Get great ideas here! What is listed below are far from the only opportunities for family fun and learning; they're just what was voted this year.
Vancouver Aquarium
The Vancouver Aquarium is a self-supporting, non-profit society dedicated to effecting the conservation of aquatic life through display, communication, public programming and education, research and direct action. We are an Ocean Wise® initiative and home to thousands of incredible ocean species and amazing aquatic life. It’s also Ocean Wise headquarters, where our scientists, educators and conservation experts do their work, not only to protect our oceans but to inspire others to join us in our mission. Since opening in 1956, the Vancouver Aquarium has connected more than 40 million people from around the world to our oceans and all the wonders within them.
Science World
Science World is a charitable organization that engages British Columbians in science and inspires future science and technology leadership throughout our province. Check out our offerings for courses and camps that allow you to delve deeper into science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Greater Vancouver Zoo
Dedicated to education and conservation, the Greater Vancouver Zoo is home to many rescued, donated and orphaned animals. The mission of the Greater Vancouver Zoo is to inspire appreciation of our ecosystems and support conservation efforts by engaging the community.
Discover the sights and sounds of 140 species on 120 acres in the heart of the Fraser Valley.
Honeybee Centre
Honeybee Centre is a commercial honey farm, country store, CFIA registered honey packing facility, and visitor attraction, located in the agricultural centre of Surrey, British Columbia.
Granville Island
Since 1979, Granville Island has been representing arts and culture in Vancouver to locals and tourists alike. With a world-famous Public Market that houses over 50 vendors whose wares vary from local produce to international delicacies, and the artwork of hundreds of Canadian artisans on display in studios around the Island, Granville Island is a delight and a feast for all the senses. It is a magnet for children of all ages, and it’s no wonder, considering there is a market devoted entirely to kids! Home to the Vancouver International Children’s Festival, as well as North America’s largest outdoor free waterpark, open annually from May until September, no matter your age, there is something here that will make you fall in love!
Maplewood Farm
Maplewood is a municipal park/farm operated by the Parks Department of the District of North Vancouver; located on 2.5 beautiful pastoral ha, mins from Mount Seymour & downtown Vancouver. Specializing in the display and care of domestic farm animals & birds, the Farm offers three areas where guests can go inside & visit with the animals: Rabbitat where the bunnies reside; Goathill where the goat kids & their moms play; & the Duck Yard where the ducks & geese hang out. A milking demonstration is conducted daily at 1:15 pm featuring the Jersey cow, Lima. Pony rides are available seasonally.
My Local Library
Of course, the libraries in the Vancouver area are not really ONE place, but MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication. They're proud that locals voted them #3 in best places to take kids this year!
Pacific National Exhibition
The PNE Fair is home to the Superdogs, the legendary Summer Night Concerts, Kids Discovery Farm, ToonCity, exhibits, shows, rides and food. It runs from mid-August until Labour Day annually and is an end-of-summer tradition for BC families. Playland is Vancouver’s favourite amusement park with over 35 rides and attractions, the sweet smell of mini donuts, and the iconic Wooden Roller Coaster. It is open from May to September.
Chilliwack Corn Maze & Pumpkin Farm
The Chilliwack Corn Maze has been operating since 1999. Each year, new attractions and improvements are added along with a new maze design! Visitors come back fall after fall to see our new additions. Our farm is a place for families and friends to have fun learning and playing together in the country!
Cultus Lake Water Park
BC's Biggest Waterpark! We are a family-oriented park and provide our guests with MANY slides for all ages, as well as 3 kiddie areas, 5 Hot Tubs and an Adventure River. For thrill seekers, we also have some of the most extreme waterslides.
Historic Stewart Farm
A picturesque site telling the story of a Surrey family circa 1900, the family friendly site is open to visitors to experience Surrey long ago. Expect costumed staff, fresh baking and inviting grounds for every day drop-ins, special events and programs. The grounds are open every day, even if the farmhouse is not, with scenic water views and lots of space for children to run.
The World of Kidtropolis
KIDTROPOLIS is an interactive city model and indoor playground designed to provide a safe, unique and realistic educational environment that lets kids to do what they do best: pretend play! Our goal is to provide purposeful play and hands-on learning experiences in a family-focused environment. Children use their imagination to become firefighters, police officers, restaurant owners, teachers, stage performers and more. KIDTROPOLIS is the perfect environment for parents and caregivers to bond with their children by participating together in pretend play. It’s a great playground to interact with your little ones and watch their imagination take flight! 0
Museum of Surrey
Museum of Surrey is your museum. From brief conversations to big collaborations, your voice is heard and incorporated into everything we do. Vibrant, interactive and ever changing, it’s a free local venue for wonder, connection and fun. The dynamic space includes a flexible gallery for international and national exhibitions, TD Explore Zone, Textile Centre, Indigenous Hall, community events and space for rentals.
Play Abby Activity Centre
At Play Abby, we are committed to providing an active play and party environment for you and your family.
Play Abby is the Fraser Valley's premiere indoor playground and laser tag complex. We offer all day playground admission, activities and laser tag for all ages. We can host your next party too, in one of our wonderfully themed party rooms.
Our new Toddler Playground is perfect for anyone under 4 years of age. Specially designed to improve childhood dexterity, balance and hand-to-eye coordination. Our new Toddler Playground has slides, tunnels and soft climbable obstacles.
The larger Child Playground is designed for children ages 5 to 12 and parents are invited to play too. This larger playground has a 3-lane giant 'wave' slide, EyePlay Interactive Play Court and one of the longest lava tube slides in the lower mainland! Laser tag is perfect for adults, children, youth groups and corporate parties. Our 2-level Laser Tag arena provides safe and competitive play for anyone over 5 years of age.
The George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary
At the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, families can walk several kilometers of trails along the edges of ponds, treed dykes and ocean marshes managed for the benefit of wild migratory birds. It is a great spot to let children watch and learn about nature, and is an easy commute from most of MetroVancouver through the farmland of Ladner and over a bridge to the end of Westham Island. Visitors should visit the Sanctuary’s website before visiting this federal Migratory Bird Sanctuary for seasonal nature ideas to explore with children and for the visitor rules designed to protect the Sanctuary’s birdlife and habitats. Please visit the website page Planning Your Visit for hours, admissions, driving instructions and visitor rules for this important conservation area.
Arts Umbrella
At Arts Umbrella we believe that art is for everyone. As a not-for-profit arts education centre, we think access to the highest quality arts education is a basic human right, regardless of your experience, education, socio-economic background or ballet slipper size. We are just for those ages 2 to 19 though, because, well, we love the way kids and youth love the arts.
Museum of Vancouver
VANCOUVER'S STORY BEGINS HERE.
The Museum of Vancouver (MOV) connects Vancouverites to each other and connects the city to the world. An enthusiastic civic advocate, MOV is dedicated to encouraging a deeper understanding of Vancouver through stories, objects and shared experiences. MOV is an independent, non-profit organization that seeks partners to support the evolution of the Museum’s visitor experience.
Our vision is to inspire a socially connected, civically engaged city.
The Butchart Gardens
With a former limestone quarry for her backyard, Jennie Butchart envisioned landscaping a sunken garden in its place, transforming the property for her family—and visitors—for generations to come. We offer 22 ha (55 acres) of wonderful floral display located in Greater Victoria on Vancouver Island. Open every day of the year.
Watermania
This facility is part of the Riverport Sports and Entertainment Complex and was voted Richmond’s best family amusement centre. Features include a 57 metre competition pool, spring boards, plus 5 metre tower, a wave pool with interactive water play features, 2 exciting waterslides, steam room and sauna, 2 large whirlpools and a 3,000 sq/ft Fitness centre.
UBC Botanical Garden
UBC Botanical Garden is Canada’s oldest university botanic garden, established in 1916 under the directorship of John Davidson, British Columbia’s first provincial botanist. The original mission of the garden was research into the native flora of British Columbia. Over the past 100 years, the mission of UBC Botanical Garden has broadened to include education, research, conservation, community outreach, and public display of temperate plants from around the world.
Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in six categories. Here were their choices.Favorite Place for Arts Education
Arts UmbrellaAt Arts Umbrella we believe that art is for everyone. As a not-for-profit arts education centre, we think access to the highest quality arts education is a basic human right, regardless of your experience, education, socio-economic background or ballet slipper size. We are just for those ages 2 to 19 though, because, well, we love the way kids and youth love the arts.
Favorite Place for Sports/Physical Education
My GymMy Gym has developed an extraordinary program and facility devised to help children 6 weeks thru 10 years of age develop physically, cognitively and emotionally. We have hundreds of locations in more than 30 countries offering structured, age-appropriate, weekly classes that incorporate music, dance, relays, games, special rides, gymnastics, sports and more. Children have loads of fun as they gain strength, balance, coordination, agility and flexibility while developing social skills, confidence and self-esteem. Our state-of-the-art facility, extensively trained staff, award-winning class programs, and excellent student/teacher ratio have earned My Gym the reputation as the best early learning program of its kind.
