Kids in Vancouver: 5 Places To Play On A Rainy Day
Vancouver is famous for its weather, which can quickly shift from sunny to soggy on any day of the year. Luckily, the bustling west coast city boasts an array of indoor activities that are perfect for keeping kids active and engaged on rainy days.
These 5 places to play will not only keep your kids busy during the wet months of Spring, but each destination offers amusement for all ages, so parents can enjoy a little fun too!
1) Bloedel Conservatory
Cambie Street, Vancouver, BC | (604) 257-8584
Open Mon – Sun, 10am – 5pm
Website
Escape the wet weather and enjoy a taste of the tropics at the Bloedel Conservatory at Queen Elizabeth Park in Vancouver. Step inside the lush, temperature-controlled dome and walk amongst 200 free-flying exotic birds while gazing at over 500 exotic plants and flowers from around the world. Kids love getting up-close-and-personal with macaws, finches, and pheasants and learning more about their unique surroundings. Be sure to grab a bird guide and children’s scavenger hunt map at the front desk on your way in, and have your cameras ready to snap a photo of the iconic dome-shaped roof on your way out!
<em>Kids Market Granville Island | Image: Inside Vancouver Flickr</em>
2) Kids Market Granville Island
Cartwright Street, Vancouver, BC | (604) 689-8447
Open Daily, 10am – 6pm
Website
Granville Island isn’t just a sunny-day destination, it’s the perfect spot to saunter and play on a rainy day in Vancouver. While tourists flock to the more popular Granville Island Public Market to feed the birds and purchase fresh produce, the peninsula is also home to the hidden gem that is the Kids Market. Not only does the kid-focused retail space feature a wide range of toy, costume, book and clothing stores, but its 4-level indoor play area and large old-fashioned arcade make it a favourite indoor spot for locals and out-of-towners looking for family fun on a dreary day.
<em>Lonsdale Quay | Image: Inside Vancouver Flickr</em>
3) Lonsdale Quay Market
123 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver, BC | (604) 985-6261
Open Daily, 10am – 7pm
Website
Shop for a souvenir, grab a coffee, and watch your kids play at the Lonsdale Quay Market in North Vancouver. Complete with 80 fresh food vendors, eclectic boutiques, local artisans, and restaurant options to satisfy every palate, the Quay is the perfect place to spend the day indoors with your family. When you’re done dining and browsing through the shops, settle in on a bench along Kids Alley and watch as your kids bounce in the enclosed ballroom, and ride on the coin-operated kiddie rides. Be sure to check the website before your visit as the Lonsdale Quay hosts a wide range of year-round events that are fun for all ages.
<em>Extreme Air Park | Image: Extreme Air Park</em>
4) Extreme Air Park
9499 198th Street, Langley, BC | (604) 888-8616
14380 Triangle Road, Richmond, BC | (604) 244-5867
Open Daily, 10am – 10pm
Website
This is the ideal place for family fun if your kids are bouncing off the walls and need to burn off some energy. Featuring Canada’s largest wall-to-wall trampoline space, Extreme Air Park offers hours of heart-racing fun for all ages. Visitors can bounce joyfully along the conjoined trampoline platforms, or try flips and tricks – landing in the large foam pit for an added adrenaline rush. With two locations just outside of Vancouver, the Extreme Air Park is easily accessible for anyone looking for a day of indoor adventure.
<em>The Hive North Shore | Image: The Hive</em>
5) The Hive Bouldering Gym
520 Industrial Ave, Vancouver, BC | (604) 683-4483
140-2270 Dollarton Hwy, North Vancouver, BC | (604) 990-4483
Open Mon – Fri: 10am – 11pm | Sat, Sun: 11am – 10pm | Stats: 12pm – 9pm
Website
Get physically active while trying something new, or sharpen your bouldering skills indoors at The Hive. Take a course to learn more about indoor rock climbing techniques, or climb freestyle and rope-free along the colourful rock-laden walls of the spacious indoor facility. The space offers instructor-led programs for climbers from ages 4+, and a wide range of inclines for all skill levels. This is the perfect way to get active and bond as a family on a rainy day, or sit back and relax as you watch your children explore the FUNdamentals of indoor rock climbing.