Your Adventure to Vancouver- Kid’s Edition
- LaShai H
- Oct 4, 2023
- 7 min read
Updated: Dec 2, 2023
15 Great Activities for Kids in Vancouver
My first trip to Vancouver, I fell in love! With the City that is. It was instantly one of those places I could see myself living in long term. My family and I were there on a vacation for the kid's spring break. We were fortunate enough to spend the entire week there and we took in as many of the sights, sounds, and adventures as possible. When planning for the family, I like to get everyone involved in the decision-making.
For this trip in particular, I researched the list of options below and let the kids pick and choose their favorites. If you also want options for friends, romance, or a solo trip, head over to Voyage to Vancouver for all the recommendations you need to plan your next vacation to Vancouver.
Just 15 minutes away from downtown Vancouver, you'll find Grouse Mountain. While it's most famous as a ski resort, the mountain offers a wide range of activities and attractions, including a wildlife refuge, various dining options, thrilling outdoor adventures, and summer activities. It is also known as “the peak of Vancouver” due to its highest elevation of 1,231 meters (4,038 feet) above sea level. As Vancouver’s most popular attraction, it welcomes approximately 1.3 million guests each year. This is a great option for hiking and checking out impressive views of the city.
The Museum of Vancouver (MOV) is a civic history museum with galleries and exhibitions about Vancouver's history from 1900 to 1970, with a focus on the city's people and places. The MOV is located in Vanier Park and offers educational programs in both French and English. Our whole family enjoyed spending the afternoon learning more about Vancouver. The kids specifically liked the interactive exhibits and videos.
This one is definitely for the parents. The VanDusen Botanical Garden is a 55-acre oasis that houses over 7,500 plant species and varieties from around the world. It's a great way to unwind in a calming setting nestled in the heart of the city with picturesque lakes, a tranquil waterfall, inspiring architecture, beautiful sculptures, and 70 botanical collections. The garden offers a variety of attractions, including an Elizabethan hedge maze, wildlife spotting opportunities for the kiddos, a vegetable garden and serene settings for relaxation, and plenty of dining options.
Gastown is a national historic site known for its cobblestone streets, Victorian architecture, trendy fashion boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants. The neighborhood is home to several landmarks such as the Gastown Steam Clock, Maple Tree Square, and Blood Alley. Gastown is also famous for its nightlife and entertainment scene, with several bars, clubs, and music venues. We did a quick walk-through and really enjoyed watching the steam clock change.
During our stay, we visited the Vancouver Grand Central Library which is located in the downtown area. In addition to all the books, eBooks, CDs, DVDs, video games, newspapers, and magazines, the location also features several outdoor areas where you can enjoy lunch. Our personal favorite was the rooftop garden. I recommend checking out the events page on their website so you can take advantage of the frequently held and highly reviewed family story times. They also host family board game and movie nights. It happened to rain on the day of our visit, and this was a perfect way to get out of the elements and spend a little quiet family time together.
The Lions Gate Bridge is an iconic suspension bridge that connects Vancouver to North Vancouver at the entrance to the Port of Vancouver. The bridge was opened in 1938 and is officially known as the First Narrows Bridge. It is a suspension bridge with a total length of 1,823 meters (5,981 feet) and a height of 111 meters (364 feet). Definitely take caution when crossing with the little ones. The Lions Gate Bridge carries three lanes of British Columbia Highway 1A / 99, pedestrians, and bicycles. The traffic volume on the bridge is around 60,000-70,000 vehicles per day. It has become an important landmark in Vancouver and offers stunning views of the city and surrounding areas. Crossing the bridge was one of the highlights of our trip because of the gorgeous views.
The Vancouver Aquarium is located in Stanley Park. The aquarium is home to over 50,000 aquatic animals from around the world. The aquarium offers several exhibits and programs that showcase the diversity of marine life. Some of the popular exhibits include the Discover Rays touch pool where visitors can interact with cownose rays and stingrays; the Tropic Zone- a gallery of tropical fish, reptiles, amphibians, and birds; and Canada's Arctic- an exhibit that showcases the Arctic's unique ecosystem and its inhabitants. The aquarium is also a center for marine research, ocean literacy education, climate activism, conservation, and marine animal rehabilitation.
Kitsilano Beach is a popular beach that offers panoramic views of downtown Vancouver, Burrard Inlet, and the North Shore Mountains. The beach is surrounded by parkland, restaurants, and beautiful mountain views. Kitsilano Beach offers a variety of activities such as swimming, beach volleyball, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding. You can also walk or bike along the Seaside Greenway, picnic at the park, or play at the children's water park. The beach also has a concession stand, public washrooms, tennis courts, basketball courts, and a playground. Kitsilano Pool is located on the west side of the beach and is a saltwater outdoor pool that is open during the summer months.
If you are looking for a great option to do some family photos, look no further. Queen Elizabeth Park is a major draw for floral display enthusiasts and view-seekers and is a popular backdrop for wedding photos. It is located on top of Little Mountain approximately 125 meters (410 feet) above sea level. It’s the highest point in Vancouver and makes for spectacular views of the park, city, and mountains on the North Shore. The park features several attractions, including a rose garden, a meticulously manicured quarry garden, and an arboretum with about 1,500 native and exotic trees. The park is also home to the Bloedel Conservatory, which is an indoor tropical garden that features exotic birds and plants from around the world. If that's still not enough activity, the park offers several recreational activities such as tennis, lawn bowling, pitch & putt, and roller hockey.
This collection of 14 enormous bronze statues called A-maze-ing Laughter is located along the English Bay in West End, Vancouver. It was created to inspire laughter, playfulness, and joy in all who experience it. My son and I really enjoyed walking around the installment and trying to act out each statue. The statues depict a shirtless guy laughing hysterically and were installed in 2009 as part of the Vancouver International Sculpture Biennale. They portray the Beijing-based artist, Yue Minjun's own image "in a state of hysterical laughter" and have become a popular attraction in Vancouver. There are tons of shops and eateries nearby, so you can check this out and then enjoy the surrounding area.
Pirate Adventures offers fun-filled adventure tours for families and children that feature singing, dancing, face painting, tattoos, and of course pirate gear. This treasure-hunting interactive theatre cruise is sure to entertain children of all ages and gives parents a chance to play along too.
This historical landmark (built in 1889) is one of the top attractions in Vancouver. The park features the legendary Suspension Bridge which crosses towering evergreens and offers breathtaking views 110 feet above the forest floor. There is also Treetops Adventures which allows visitors to cross 7 suspended footbridges and experience the rainforest canopy from a unique perspective. Also, a Cliffwalk which is a walk along a granite precipice with narrow cantilevered bridges, stairs, and platforms. We underestimated how much time we could spend here, there’s so much more to see than just the bridge.
FlyOver Canada is an immersive flight simulation ride that 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 their 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 a family-friendly experience you won't forget. In addition to the permanent Canadian exhibit, the ride also features changing landscapes. The time slots are limited, so advanced reservations are encouraged.
Stanley Park is Vancouver's largest (1,001 -acre) public park. The park is almost entirely surrounded by the waters of Vancouver Harbour and English Bay. There is everything here from beaches, trails & family attractions. The park features several landmarks, monuments, First Nations totem poles, gorgeous gardens, and fabulous views throughout. Stanley Park has a vast natural forest, miles of shoreline, beautiful beaches, an amazing seawall, and some of the best walking trails in Vancouver. This attraction certainly deserves a day or more, so plan ahead for a full day to explore and enjoy.
One of the things I was most pleasantly surprised by in downtown Vancouver, is how bike-friendly the city layout is. Family bike rides are one of my favorite activities and we took advantage of the opportunity to see more of Vancouver on wheels. You can book bike tours and guides, but we decided to keep it easy and just rent bikes for the day. My family rented bikes from Bikes on Robson and spent an entire afternoon wandering around and exploring all the different scenic views of water, mountains, and trees.
There you have it! 15 Kid-Friendly Activities in Vancouver. Did we miss anything on this ultimate guide? Drop us a comment below on what your favorite kid-friendly activity was or if you have a recommendation we missed. Also, subscribe to the Way Wanders and be the first to know when new blogs drop. You also get access to some pretty helpful freebies.
Happy Exploring!
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