Vancouver BC with kids?

June 3, 2018 3:53 PM

Vancouver is incredible in the summer but we'd love suggestions for things to do with a 9 year old and a 1 year old. And also suggestions for things adults with such children in tow could enjoy.
posted by k8t to Travel & Transportation around Vancouver, BC (8 answers total)

Go to Burnaby and ride the miniature trains. There's also quite a nice playground just across the way.
posted by jacquilynne at 6:02 PM on June 3, 2018

Jericho beach for rocks and sand and crabs. The science centre if it rains. The quarry graden at Queen Elizabeth Park. Walking the seawall or trails in Stanley Park, with a stop at the old wooden playground and mini train, splash pad right there too if it is hot (unlikely but you never know!) Catch the skytrain and seabus to Londsdale Quay. Cafe du soleil on Commercial Drive, with a walk down the drive to the play park after. The Kits heated salt water pool. Granville Island with a ride on the water taxi to the west end. All of these have been hugely successful with our little ones when visiting.
posted by Cuke at 6:04 PM on June 3, 2018 [3 favorites]

Off the top of my head: Science World, then take one of the little ferries over to Granville Island for food/treats. There's an excellent new Aquatic facility at the University of British Columbia, and the campus is lovely in the summer just to walk around. The Aquarium in Stanley Park is a bit expensive but worth every penny.
posted by jokeefe at 7:06 PM on June 3, 2018 [1 favorite]

For adults and 9-year-old, PNE Playland has a selection of thrill rides. Wait until the world-class wooden roller coaster reopens in mid-June to early July, as mentioned on their site; it is a highlight for anyone who rides coasters. This is also the location of the annual fair, which can be extremely crowded but is a fun traditional fair experience.
posted by Carouselle at 8:01 PM on June 3, 2018 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: These are great. For clarification, the 1 year old doesn't get as much influence here. The 9 year old would balk at 'baby stuff' whereby the 1 year old is happy to just be with people.
posted by k8t at 8:38 PM on June 3, 2018

Do the festivals if they coordinate with your schedule. Canada Day at Granville Island, stay up late on fireworks nights and watch from Vanier Park (family friendly), carfree days, Gay Pride, 4th ave street party, etc. I’ve had good fun with the kids at all of these.
posted by crazycanuck at 10:31 PM on June 3, 2018

Granville Island, for sure. The aquarium is pretty nice - it has indoor and outdoor exhibits.

Van Dusen and Sun Yat Sen gardens have a "free" area. Chinatown can be interesting, just avoid the DTES (downtown east side) which abuts Chinatown - it's not unsafe or anything as long as you avoid the seriously mentally ill, just really depressing.

Richmond Night Market is... more for buying overpriced food than underpriced stuff, but there's a lot of really interesting (and good!) food.
posted by porpoise at 11:01 AM on June 4, 2018

I'll put in a plug for you to ride the skytrain out to BC's original capital, New Westminster (get off at New West or Columbia Station), to visit the award-winning Pier Park! It's neato! You can also walk along the Fraser River for a good amount of time, stop and get some lunch and gelato, and visit the Fraser River Discovery Centre to learn all about white sturgeon - Canada's largest freshwater fish!!
posted by just_ducky at 9:04 PM on June 4, 2018