Summer Activities for Kids in Vancouver

Check out OWL's Annual Open House which will take place on Saturday, August 25th and Sunday, August 26th from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm. Tour behind the scenes of the facility, from the exam room to some of the pre-release cages not normally open to the public. Also, if conditions permit, you could see the release of a fully-recovered eagle or two back to the wild.

Beaches: Check out a local beach. Don’t let the summer get away from you and you haven’t been to the beach! Look for beach treasures, make a sand castle, splash in the water, look for crabs and enjoy the sun. Centennial Beach, Kitsilano Beach, Crescent Beach, Steveston Park, White Rock beach and more!

Nature Hunt: Have a nature hunt, go to a local park and give the kids a list to find nature items (pick items that are not needed to be picked) to preserve the forest. For younger kids use pictures to help them find the items!

Splashdown Park: Slip and slide into fun! From water slides, to tubing, ramp slide and even an area for the little ones. They are only open until September so go and enjoy some water fun. Also there are great grassy areas to have a picnic but concession is also available. slides

Berry Picking: Head to a Berry Farm and go picking! Here are the 5 best berry farms to pick at as per BC Living

Grouse: Gondola ride up Grouse. Theatre in the Sky, Birds in the Motion, Guided Eco Walks and more! Don’t forget to watch a Lumberjackshow, I still remember taking my daughter as young as 4 and her laughing hysterically at the show! Mountain Zip lining for the older kids too!

The Zoo in Aldergrove. Ride the minituare train, see the lions, monkeys, hippos and more! Be sure to check out the schedule before you go so you don’t miss some fun event like meet a reptile or a parrot or see a hippo feeding!

Maplewood Farm, pet the bunny rabbits (bring your own fruit/veggies), rent a mini pedal tractor for 30 min for $4.00 for the kids to check out the farm on. Bring food to have a picnic to enjoy on their picnic tables. Ride a pony, feed some animals. Here is a schedule to check out!

Outdoor Movies: How fun would it be for a kid to watch a movie outdoors and get to stay up late! Bring the blankets, pillows and goodies and enjoy the show! Fresh air cinema holds events all around Vancouver, be sure to visit their facebook page for one near you!

Treetop Adventures, cliff walk and cross the bridge at Capilano Suspension Bridge. BC residents enjoy unlimited admission to this Vancouver attraction for one full year from date of purchase. Enjoy all of the benefits of a yearly Membership for just the price of one day's admission . BC kids under 12 free after 5pm until September 3rd!

Be sure to visit Beauty Biodiversity Museum. Create biodiversity crafts, learn at activity stations, explore the Allan Yap Discovery Lab, participate in biodiversity themed scavenger hunts, and watch films in the Allan Yap Theatre.

Visit a Farmer’s Market. You can find unique items, fresh veggies and fruits, enjoy the sunshine while browsing and also most markets have a small craft or activity for your child to do! Visithttp://www.bcfarmersmarket.org/findamarket.asp for the list of markets in your area. Also you could check out the Chinatown night market or the Richmond Night Market to see a really unique market!

Check out one of the programs that Surrey Nature Centre has to offer. They offer wonderful programs, day camps and more! Discover a place to connect with nature, a place to play. The new Surrey Nature Centre will allow you and your family to explore Green Timbers Urban Forest in new and exciting ways. To visit the Surrey Nature Centre, please enter at 14255 - 96th Avenue phone: 604.502.6065

Go to a local Lake so much beautiful ones to check out Deer Lake in Burnaby or Alouette Lake in Maple Ridge. There is so many to explore. Rent a boat, canoe or just go swimming!

Visit a local outdoor wading pool or a water park. What kid doesn’t want to get wet and splash around on a hot day! Water parks have some great interactive water features and most wading pools have fun themes or water games to play as well. Check one out near you!

Go for a Nature walk and see some birds, be sure to check out Serpentine Fen or the bring your own see to . Enjoy nature in Burns Bog or see wildlife at Greater Vancouver Zoo and rent a family bike or bring your own bike with you. Don’t forget to schedule a visit to the Mountain View Wildlife Conservation Centre for a truly unique experience. (bring your own bird seed or you can buy some there)

Cold day, go check out a fun indoor play centre, kids love to run around and explore!

Granville Island, one of my fav spots. Eat Fish and Chips outside, browse the local shops, buy fresh fruits and veggies in the market, take the kids to the Kid’s Only Market, be sure to stop and enjoy the playground and fun water park.

Klahowya Village in Stanley Park Klahowya Village in Stanley Park

General admission to Klahowya Village is free and includes the Artisan Marketplace, storytelling and weekend performences. Minitaure train ticket prices are now $5 a person, you can go unlimited times too! (2 and under are free) More info on Kids Vancouver's site as well.

The PNE is open until September 3. See a free performance, kids shows, animals, & several great new attractions; and of course over 50 amusement park rides. Make sure to check out the diverse Summer Night Concerts, and new daily program the WestJet Family Fun Series, brand new live guest participation show Family Feud and interactive Star Trek exhibit, then of course the legendary Superdogs and the night time finale, Pop City!

[via kidsvancouver.com]