Rainy day activities for kids in Vancouver
Don’t let a little wet weather dampen your family fun. Vancouver offers plenty of engaging and educational indoor activities for kids to enjoy when it's pouring rain outside. Parenting blogger and yoyomama.ca founder Annemarie Tempelman-Kluit shares some of her favourite rainy day activities for kids in Vancouver.
Beaty Biodiversity Museum
2212 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4The Beaty Biodiversity Museum located on the UBC campus is kind of a hidden gem; it’s like a mini museum of natural history in the heart of the city and they have more than 500 permanent exhibits, including dinosaur fossils. There’s a large kids’ area where museum staff put on a variety of interactive and educational activities. The 26-metre-long blue whale skeleton on display in the atrium is the largest of its kind in Canada and is a very cool specimen for kids to see.
Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
578 Carrall St, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K2While this serene space is technically outdoors, most of the garden is actually sheltered from the rain so it’s still a fun place to explore with the kids on a dreary day. The Chinese-style city garden features a number of covered walkways and pavilions. After touring the gardens, you can go check out some of the tasty places to eat in Chinatown and warm up with some dumplings and steamed buns.
Jump Gymnastics
101-837 Beatty St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2M6This kids-only fitness studio with locations in North Van and Yaletown focuses on physical literacy and non-competitive gymnastics. Instructors offer a variety of programming options and drop-in classes for youngsters aged six months to seven years old. The playful sessions are a great rainy day activity – especially if you want the kids to blow off some steam.
Carousel Theatre For Young People
1411 Cartwright St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R7If you find yourself at home on a rainy day, you can always check the schedule at the Carousel Theatre for Young People. Located on Granville Island, the theatre specializes in kid-focused programming. Live performances are designed for age-specific audiences – the accessible and fun daytime shows are ideal for young children (aged six and under) while the afternoon and evening shows are engaging for older kids.
Bloedel Conservatory
4600 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V5Y 2M9The Bloedel Conservatory in Queen Elizabeth Park is a local favourite to visit on a cold, rainy day because it’s always hot and steamy inside. The greenhouse is home to lots of colourful flowers and tropical plants as well as animals – turtles, parrots and more. Kids of all ages love to explore the grounds and see the diverse wildlife.
YVR - Vancouver International Airport
3211 Grant McConachie Way, Richmond, BC V7B 0A4Not many people know about the public observation lounge at YVR, but it’s a great little day trip to do with the kids – especially if they’re into planes. Kids can peer into a telescope through the floor-to-ceiling windows and watch the planes land and take off on the runway. Plus you also get the fun of taking the Canada Line to the airport; the SkyTrain ride is always fun for youngsters. The airport opens at 5:00 am (so it’s great for kids who get up really early) and the observation deck is free, so the price is definitely right!
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