Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Vancouver - 2023
Every May and June, thousands of local parents, grandparents, and caregivers weigh in on their favorite local places to take kids. This page is where we showcase the 2023 list of winners for the area. (Click here for the full list of nominees.)
Of course, there are literally hundreds of wonderful places to take your kids in our area, not just this year's winners! Browse through our site, check out our packed daily calendar, sign up for our fabulous free weekly e-newsletter so you hear about everything in advance, and be sure to visit our Everything That's Free page!
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1. Science World
Ignite your curiosity and discover the wonders of science and technology at Science World. Immerse yourself in interactive indoor and outdoor exhibits, inspirational feature exhibitions and jaw-dropping live science demonstrations.
Dates of Operation: Please visit scienceworld.ca for operating hours and special closure dates.
2. Play Abby Indoor Play Parks
Play Abby is your local and premier indoor playground. Committed in providing a safe and active play & party environment for you and your family. Bring a picnic and stay all day. Play Abby’s indoor play parks are designed for all ages to enjoy. In summer 2023, Play Abby Abbotsford unveiled its brand new Laser Tag arena. It's bigger and brighter than ever before! Play Abby can host your next party too, in one of the wonderfully themed party areas. Book now; the party rooms are popular!
Play Abby is expanding, for franchise enquires check out the website today. Welcome to Play Abby! It’s playtime!
3. 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.
4. 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!
5. Vancouver Aquarium
Connect with the incredible at Vancouver Aquarium! Discover over 65,000 amazing animals like rescued sea otters, sea lions, and other extraordinary aquatic species in the heart of Vancouver’s iconic Stanley Park. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking natural beauty of Canada’s largest aquarium featuring 120 world-class exhibits, thrilling 4D Theatre experiences, interactive hands-on learning experiences, daily animal enrichment programs, 60+ years of marine mammal rescue stories, and so much more. From the enchanting waters of local Canadian habitats to the exotic wonders of the Amazon rainforest, learn about the incredible diversity of the animal kingdom around the world! Plan your visit today at VancouverAquarium.com.
6. Playland & PNE Fair
Fun is back in fashion at Playland! Vancouver’s favourite amusement park is now open for the summer with a new thrill ride opening in July. Admission includes unlimited rides and endless memorable experiences! You don't want to leave the park without trying the iced mini donuts or new flavoured soft serve ice cream. Fill up on fun when the PNE Fair returns August 20-September 5. Celebrate summer to the fullest with SuperDogs, BCAA ToonCity, live music, Peking Acrobats, farm animals, Summer Night Concerts, and all the good mood food you can eat!
7. Canadian Museum of Flight
The Canadian Museum of Flight is a non-profit, volunteer-driven museum dedicated to restoring, preserving and showcasing Canada's rich aviation heritage. The Museum’s mission is Bringing British Columbia’s Aviation Past into the Future. These range from replicas of WW1 aircraft, to a Waco biplane from 1930, a Douglas DC-3 transport from 1940 and a 1942 Hampden bomber. The collection moves into the jet age with a Vampire fighter, the all-Canadian designed and built CF-100, and the needle-nosed Lockheed Starfighter.
8. 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.
9. Granville Island
Granville Island, itself a piece of art and a destination for more than 10 million people who visit the Island annually, provides a rare example of government as an urban redevelopment standard-setter, creative marketer, and manager in one complete package. CMHC still manages the operationally self-sustaining Granville Island, now home to more than 300 businesses, marinas, fish-mongers, studios and cultural facilities.
10. H.R. MacMillan Space Centre
Located in picturesque Vanier Park, Vancouver, the Space Centre is B.C.'s top space science attraction, inspiring visitors with shows, exhibits and some of Vancouver's most unique special events. The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre strives to educate, inspire and evoke a sense of wonder about the Universe, our planet and space exploration.
11. Britannia Mine Museum
Rumble aboard The Underground train as it rolls through an historic mining tunnel. Push up your sleeves at our Gold Panning Pavilion and keep what you find! Immerse yourself in the award-winning, multi[1]sensory experience of BOOM! on the breathtaking ground level of the historic Mill No.3 building. Learn about minerals, the copper extraction process and what life was like back in the day as the mill building is brought back to life.
Britannia Mine Museum opens up a little-seen world that fascinates all ages, offering awe-inspiring sights and memorable family experiences. Take a step back in time at this award-winning attraction and National Historic Site. Located along the scenic Sea to Sky corridor/Hwy99 between Squamish and Vancouver.
12. 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 hectares, minutes from Mount Seymour & downtown Vancouver. Specializing in the display and care of domestic farm animals & birds.
Please check out our website for hours and prices.
13. Greendale Acres: Home of the Chilliwack Corn Maze
Greendale Acres, home of 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!
14. FlyOver Canada
FlyOver Canada utilizes state-of-the-art technology to give you the feeling of flight. You will hang suspended, feet dangling, before a 20-metre spherical screen while our film whisks you away on an exhilarating 8-minute journey across Canada, from east to west. Special effects, including wind, mist and scents, combine with the ride’s motion to create an unforgettable experience. While FlyOver Canada is intended for all ages, all passengers boarding FlyOver Canada must be over 102cm/40″ tall.
15. 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 beautiful riverside views. The grounds are open every day, even if the farmhouse is not, with scenic water views and lots of space for children to run. Each weekend throughout summer there is a different themed drop-in so families can get hands-on with history. And it's free!
16. Railway Museum of British Columbia
The Railway Museum of BC offers exhibits of historic locomotives and operating trains families and kids can ride on. Home of CP Royal Hudson #2860. We restore, preserve and maintain Canada’s railway heritage. Ride our big train BC-21 Budd Passenger Car. Track Speeders run all day. Our 20 minute Mini-Rail ride covers over 2km of track and takes riders from one end of the grounds to the other. Offering Day Out With Thomas in the Spring and North Pole Express train rides during the holiday season.
17. 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.
18. BC Farm Museum
Visit the BC Farm Museum in beautiful Fort Langley, B.C.! The museum is a place where the past greets the present by way of interesting exhibit stories of heritage agricultural and pioneer life in BC. A children’s scavenger hunt, guided tours for school groups or seniors, and hands on activities or demonstrations are fun for all ages. Please consider becoming a member of the BC Farm Museum Association – a small community organization of volunteers who own and operate the two large museum buildings and the over 6000 heritage items collection exhibited in them. Admission is by donation. We appreciate your support!
19. Jungle Jacs
Come on down or swing on by our very own, adventure jungle for hours of fun and excitement. Whether it be sliding down our 21ft water effect slides, playing in our banana splat zone, bouncing with your friends and shooting hoops in our 2,000sft elevated trampoline bounce park or bumping and spinning with your friends in our glow in the dark bumper car circuit, you’re sure to have one great time! Even our little jungle visitors have their very own play area with slides and toys. Jungle Jac’s has individual party rooms for your birthdays or special occasions.
20. The World of Kidtropolis
The World of Kidtropolis provides children, families and caregivers a safe, unique and very realistic educational environment to play and learn in. Use your imagination and be whoever your spark takes you! Kidtropolis is an interactive city model 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
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.Top Arts Educator: Kauhane School of Polynesian Dance
The Kauhane Polynesian Dance School is proud to offer classes in Hawaiian, Tahitian, Maori and other Polynesian island dance, with the main focus of teaching in Hawaiian. Teaching is in both kahiko (ancient) and 'auana (modern) styles of dance. Students learn language, culture, and history as an integral part of their dance lessons.
Top Sports Educator: My Gym Children's Fitness Center
My 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 are offering structured, age-appropriate, weekly classes and seasonal camps that incorporate music, dance, relays, games, special rides, gymnastics, Ninja Training, 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.
Top STEM Educator: Science World
Science World is a charitable non-profit and science centre based in Vancouver, BC that engages learners across the province in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art & design and math).
Visitors to our iconic geodesic dome explore interactive, hands-on exhibits and galleries that nurture their process of discovery and inspire connection with their natural, physical and built environments. Participants in our outreach programs—students, teachers and families in every region of BC—access the experience of Science World through virtual visits from scientists, livestream science shows, and weekly afterschool STEAM mentorship.
At Science World, we inspire the next generation of problem solvers, world changers and nerds.
