Our Faves

Locarno Beach

West of Trimble to Tolmie Street on Northwest Marine Drive, Vancouver, BC

Rated this place:

posted Aug 21 2008

Note: We attended a first birthday party here and it was so fun! They set up a canopy for shade, and gave out shovels/pails for loot bags.

West side beach: Always seems less busy and more relaxed than the rest of the beaches on this side but still has the conveniences (concession, washroom, seasonal lifeguarding). Also you are allowed to bbq here and there is free parking. Woo hoo!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• West side Beach

False Creek Ferries/Aquabus

230-1333 Johnston Street, Vancouver, V6H 3R9

Rated this place:

posted Aug 23 2008

Note: Kid birthday party idea: Pirate Party! Dress up and cross over to Granville Island yelling 'ARRRRR' the whole way - then have a picnic lunch or go to the Kids Market...

Public transit, Way to get to granville island: It's amazing how rarely many of us Vancouverites actually get out on the water considering we're surrounded by it; it's also the perfect way to feel like you are on vacation - take it over to Granville Island and be a tourist!

I also just found out that, after you spend some time at Granville Island you can re-board the boat and complete the entire circuit for an affordable little mini cruise! They also have charters - how fun would it be to book the boat and have a private cruise? Anyone want to dress up as pirates and terrorize False Creek for about half an hour? Yay!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Public Transit
• way to get to Granville Island

Metrotown Centre

4800 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC, V5H4J2

Rated this place:

posted Apr 28 2009

Build a Bear Workshop: Children of all ages adopt a bear - they get to warm up its heart, fill it with stuffing, comb it, and pick out an outfit. Very sweet and fun but can get a bit pricey... their website www.buildabear.com has a party calculator to help you budget. It's in the mall so there's the food fair for lunch or dinner (and what kid doesn't love a food fair?)

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• shopping
• birthday parties
• crarfs

St. David’s Church

1525 Taylor Way, West Vancouver, BC

Rated this place:

posted Apr 28 2009

My First Masterpiece : Workshops offered at St James Church a few times a month - see www.myfirstmasterpiece.ca for scheduling. At $100-125 per child - it's a 2 hour workshop using pro products and the kids go home with a framed painting to take home. What a great gift for grandma if you can afford it. They will also come to you for parties of at least 3.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• kids activities
• craft
• birthdays

The Art Express

Vancouver, BC

Rated this place:

posted Apr 28 2009

Art on Wheels: I see this fun bus parked in my neighborhood a lot. They come to you and lead your kids through a craft. Check out their website for details. Who wouldn't want to hitch a ride on this bus?

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• birthday parties
• kids
• crafts

Kids Market

1496 Cartwright Street (Granville Island), Vancouver, BC, V6H3Y5

Rated this place:

posted Apr 28 2009

The Adventure Zone at Granville Island: You can book your birthday party online at adventurezone.ca - $14.95 per kid includes food (not cake). They also have an art package and an afterhours package that look fun. Adults will enjoy playing the arcade games, too - they have some great old-fashioned games. My favorite is the surfing one!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Toys
• birthday parties

North Vancouver Maplewood Farm

405 Seymour River Pl, North Vancouver, BC, V7H1S6

Rated this place:

posted Apr 28 2009

Somewhere to take your city mouse: Here's your chance to take your city kids to a real working farm - you can even get there on the bus! Their website says you can bring your gas bbq and birthday cake and have a party there! You can also book pony rides. We went here today for my daughter's 2nd birthday and it was fun. April means baby lambs and apparently May is baby goats, so we will have to go back soon! Cute gift shop too -

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• animals
• birthday parties
• pony rides