15. John Hendry (Trout Lake) Park,
VANCOUVER (www.vancouver.ca):
A great spot to spend a day in the sun with
a nice, sandy beach on the lake, playgrounds
close by, trails to explore and a concession
stand to grab a bite to eat.
16. Bella Ceramica, WEST VANCOUVER
(www.bellaceramicastudio.com): Drop in
and choose from a wide selection of ceramic
figurines and dishware to paint, or join one
of their great classes, workshops or parties.
17. Burnaby Village Museum,
BURNABY (www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca):
Known for its 102 year old carousel, there
is more to the museum including a vintage
restored Burnaby street tram and mini
village with a blacksmith and general store
among the 31 buildings.
18. Queen’s Park, NEW WESTMINSTER
(www.newwestpcr.ca): It’s easy to see
why this is a New West favourite with the
Rainbow Playland including two playgrounds,
a spray park and even a petting farm!
There is even something for the canine
members of your family with an off leash
dog area, and the free summer concerts
are icing on the cake.
22. Granville Island, VANCOUVER
(granvilleisland.com): Spend the entire day
exploring the Kids Market, splashing in the
Water Park, enjoying some great food and
taking a ride on the Aquabus.
23. Playland, VANCOUVER
(www.pne.ca/playland): For the older
crowd, Playland is a quintessential summer
attraction. Your 3 or 4-year-old (most rides
require children to be 36” or taller) will
love the rides and you will love the view of
the mountains from the top of the ferris wheel!
24. Capilano Salmon Hatchery,
NORTH VANCOUVER
(www.vancouversnorthshore.com):
Visit the interpretive center or take a
self-guided tour and learn about each stage
of fish development. In the right season you
can see the fish released or coming back
to spawn.
25. Waterparks, LOWER MAINLAND
(www.splashdownpark.ca or www.cultus.com):
It’s worth a trip out of the city to beat the
heat at one of two great Lower Mainland
waterparks - Splashdown in Tsawwassen
and Cultus Lake in Chilliwack.
There is so much free and low cost fun to
be had in Vancouver – get out and explore!
19. Ambleside Park,
WEST VANCOUVER
(www.westvancouver.ca): This is the spot
where you’ll find some of the only sandy
stretches of beach on the North Shore.
Paired with a sectioned off swimming
area and newly renovated playground
and you’ve got everything you need for
a day out in the sun.
20. Vancouver Art Gallery,
VANCOUVER (www.vanartgallery.bc.ca):
The Free Sunday admission and family
programs and activities make it easy and
fun to introduce a little cultural education
to your little one.
Heather van Mil is the General Manager
at Gymboree Play & Music by day and
freelance writer and blogger at
www.lifeloveandthepursuitofplay.com
by night. Somewhere in between she is
also a wife and momma to two beautiful
girls who frequently inspire the content on
her Facebook, Twitter and too many other
social media feeds to count!
21. Grab a Treat, LOWER MAINLAND
(rockymountainflatbread.ca or
www.lacasagelato.com): Vancouver has
many family friendly food options; Rocky
Mountain Flatbread Company and La
Casa Gelato are on the top of our list.
www.modernmama.com | VANCOUVER | A RESOURCE GUIDE | 2014 • 13