Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Vancouver - 2022
Best Places for Kids in the Vancouver area: 2022's Survey Results!
Every May and June, thousands of local parents, grandparents, and caregivers weigh in on their favorite local places to take kids. Typically, we showcase the Top 20 winners... but this year, in honor of KidsOutAndAbout.com's 21st birthday (we originally launched in June of 2001), we bring you the Vancouver area's
TOP 21 Places to Take Kids!
Of course, there are literally hundreds of wonderful places to take your kids in our area, not just this year's winners! Browse through our site, check out our packed daily calendar, sign up for our fabulous free weekly e-newsletter so you hear about everything in advance, and be sure to visit our Everything That's Free page!
1. Science World
Ignite your curiosity and discover the wonders of science and technology at Science World. Immerse yourself in interactive indoor and outdoor exhibits, inspirational feature exhibitions and jaw-dropping live science demonstrations.
Dates of Operation: Please visit scienceworld.ca for operating hours and special closure dates.
2. Vancouver Aquarium
The Vancouver Aquarium is a self-supporting, non-profit society dedicated to effecting the conservation of aquatic life through display, communication, public programming and education, research and direct action. We are an Ocean Wise® initiative and home to thousands of incredible ocean species and amazing aquatic life. It’s also Ocean Wise headquarters, where our scientists, educators and conservation experts do their work, not only to protect our oceans but to inspire others to join us in our mission. Since opening in 1956, the Vancouver Aquarium has connected more than 40 million people from around the world to our oceans and all the wonders within them.
3. Play Abby Indoor Play Parks
Play Abby is your local and premier indoor playground. Committed in providing a safe and active play & party environment for you and your family. Bring a picnic and stay all day. Play Abby’s indoor play parks are designed for all ages to enjoy. In summer 2023, Play Abby Abbotsford unveiled its brand new Laser Tag arena. It's bigger and brighter than ever before! Play Abby can host your next party too, in one of the wonderfully themed party areas. Book now; the party rooms are popular!
Play Abby is expanding, for franchise enquires check out the website today. Welcome to Play Abby! It’s playtime!
4. My Local Library
Of course, the libraries in the Vancouver area are not really ONE place, but MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication. They're proud that locals voted them #3 in best places to take kids this year!
5. London Heritage Farm
London Heritage Farm is one of the earliest farm sites in Richmond. Charles and Henrietta London built a small farm house on the site in 1898, and as their home grew to accommodate their eight children, relatives and farm workers, the large white farm house was built in 1906.
Currently, guests can explore the Victorian farm house that has been fully restored and furnished to illustrate rural life in Richmond between 1890 and 1920 and learn about Richmond’s agricultural history by viewing the outdoor exhibition featuring a vintage threshing machine. The Living History program provides visitors opportunities to discover a hidden talent for butter churning, washing clothes with a scrub board, performing Victorian chores and identifying heirloom seeds.
6. Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site
Britannia Shipyards is an authentic representation of a once thriving community of canneries, boat yards, residences and stores. City of Richmond staff and dedicated volunteers work together to preserve and restore the shipyard and surrounding buildings as an active wooden boat centre and waterfront park. Tour the oldest shipyard buildings in British Columbia, and observe ongoing boat restoration projects experiencing a bygone time when fishing and boatbuilding were flourishing industries on the Fraser River.
7. Maan Farms
From one small berry stand, Maan Farms has grown into a place with something for everyone, whether you want to sample the fresh berries, fruits and vegetables, enjoy the delicious ice cream and jam, make some new friends in the critter corral, get lost in the fall corn maze, enjoy a free wine tasting, whiz by on the zipline or simply stop by for a visit in the family picnic area. But some things have not changed. Maan Farms still grows the juiciest red strawberries in the Fraser Valley, and we are always happy to greet everyone who stops by, whether they are a familiar face or a first time visitor.
8. Maplewood Farm
Maplewood is a municipal park/farm operated by the Parks Department of the District of North Vancouver; located on 2.5 beautiful pastoral hectares, minutes from Mount Seymour & downtown Vancouver. Specializing in the display and care of domestic farm animals & birds.
Please check out our website for hours and prices.
9. Burnaby Art Gallery
The Burnaby Art Gallery is dedicated to presenting contemporary and historical art exhibits and events by local, regional, national and international artists in the galleries of Ceperley House. As the only public art museum in Canada dedicated to works of art on paper, the Burnaby Art Gallery endeavors to represent a variety of techniques and practices from artists of diverse backgrounds. Closed Mondays and Statutory Holidays. Suggested donation is $5.
10. Playland & PNE Fair
Fun is back in fashion at Playland! Vancouver’s favourite amusement park is now open for the summer with a new thrill ride opening in July. Admission includes unlimited rides and endless memorable experiences! You don't want to leave the park without trying the iced mini donuts or new flavoured soft serve ice cream. Fill up on fun when the PNE Fair returns August 20-September 5. Celebrate summer to the fullest with SuperDogs, BCAA ToonCity, live music, Peking Acrobats, farm animals, Summer Night Concerts, and all the good mood food you can eat!
11. The World of Kidtropolis
The World of Kidtropolis provides children, families and caregivers a safe, unique and very realistic educational environment to play and learn in. Use your imagination and be whoever your spark takes you! Kidtropolis is an interactive city model designed to provide a safe, unique and realistic educational environment that lets kids to do what they do best: pretend play! Our goal is to provide purposeful play and hands-on learning experiences in a family-focused environment
12. Langley Centennial Museum
One of the oldest community museums in the province of British Columbia, its collection of artifacts began in 1928. Its doors have been open to the public since 1958 & its permanent displays range from a presentation of First Nation artifacts to stories of early Langley pioneers & merchants. Its rotating temporary exhibitions include contemporary & historic artwork to local history themes.
13. Greendale Acres: Home of the Chilliwack Corn Maze
Greendale Acres, home of the Chilliwack Corn Maze, has been operating since 1999. Each year, new attractions and improvements are added along with a new maze design! Visitors come back fall after fall to see our new additions. Our farm is a place for families and friends to have fun learning and playing together in the country!
14. Greater Vancouver Zoo
Dedicated to education and conservation, the Greater Vancouver Zoo is home to many rescued, donated and orphaned animals. The mission of the Greater Vancouver Zoo is to inspire appreciation of our ecosystems and support conservation efforts by engaging the community.
Discover the sights and sounds of 140 species on 120 acres in the heart of the Fraser Valley.
15. Langley Little Theatre
Langley Little Theatre Society is an exciting new theatre south of the Fraser. This newly formed society was created through the amalgamation of Surrey Little Theatre and Langley Players Drama Club. Langley Little Theatre is located at the Langley Playhouse at 4307 200 St. in Langley.
16. Surrey Art Gallery
Surrey Art Gallery offers a variety of learning opportunities for all ages, from courses, workshops, and camps to programs for families, children, youth, young adults, adults, teachers, and newcomers. Engage with contemporary art through changing exhibitions, permanent artworks, and events like talks, tours, and artmaking days with friends and family.
17. BC Farm Museum
Visit the BC Farm Museum in beautiful Fort Langley, BC. The museum is a place where the past greets the present, through the rich and vibrant stories of the pioneer settlers of the Fraser Valley. Come and see us – share your stories with us – and learn something new about BC and the Fraser Valley. You’ll be glad you did. And please consider becoming a member of the BC Farm Museum. As a small community organization run solely by volunteers, we do appreciate your support and generosity.
18. Richmond Museum
The Richmond Museum aims to inspire curiosity about our community’s history while exploring our place in the world. We invite visitors, students and educators to come on a journey of discovery with us. As museum storytellers, collectors and educators, our goal is to create moments of wonder and understanding. Our exhibitions tell the many stories of Richmond; our collections show how we live, past and present; our education programs open minds, young and old; and our work translates into action for a healthy community and planet. The Richmond Museum collects, documents, researches, preserves, exhibits and interprets objects of historical and cultural significance to the development and history of Richmond. Our vision is to make the history of Richmond relevant, engaging and accessible.
19. Cultus Lake Water Park
BC's Biggest Waterpark! We are a family-oriented park and provide our guests with MANY slides for all ages, as well as 3 kiddie areas, 5 Hot Tubs and an Adventure River. For thrill seekers, we also have some of the most extreme waterslides.
20. Jungle Jacs
Come on down or swing on by our very own, adventure jungle for hours of fun and excitement. Whether it be sliding down our 21ft water effect slides, playing in our banana splat zone, bouncing with your friends and shooting hoops in our 2,000sft elevated trampoline bounce park or bumping and spinning with your friends in our glow in the dark bumper car circuit, you’re sure to have one great time! Even our little jungle visitors have their very own play area with slides and toys. Jungle Jac’s has individual party rooms for your birthdays or special occasions.
21. Massey Theatre
Massey Theatre opened in 1949 as British Columbia's largest theatre. Today, Massey Theatre proudly hosts professional orchestras like the Vancouver Symphony, stars like singing sensation Jewel, and stunning productions like Hello Dolly! by the Renowned Royal City Musical Theatre. The Massey Theatre boasts production workshops, a full-size stage, an audience chamber of 1260 seats and a visual arts gallery. Massey Theatre is a free-standing organization that works to support the performing arts throughout the Metro Vancouver Region.
Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in six categories. Here were their choices.Top Arts Educator
Arts UmbrellaArts Umbrella is where young artists ages 2–22 cultivate their creativity in Dance, Theatre, and Art & Design. As a non-profit centre for arts education, we believe that art is powerful. Powerful enough to change childrens’ lives in incredible ways. When young people connect with the arts, they gain self-confidence, develop self-discipline, and discover creative expression—qualities they carry with them for life. Arts Umbrella has four locations in Vancouver and Surrey, as well as donor-funded programs at schools, community centres, neighbourhood houses, and healthcare facilities across Metro Vancouver. We reach more than 24,000 students every year, with nearly 81% participating at little to no cost.
Top Sports Educator
My Gym Children's Fitness CenterMy Gym has developed an extraordinary program and facility devised to help children 6 weeks thru 10 years of age develop physically, cognitively and emotionally. We are offering structured, age-appropriate, weekly classes and seasonal camps that incorporate music, dance, relays, games, special rides, gymnastics, Ninja Training, sports and more. Children have loads of fun as they gain strength, balance, coordination, agility and flexibility while developing social skills, confidence and self-esteem. Our state-of-the-art facility, extensively trained staff, award-winning class programs, and excellent student/teacher ratio have earned My Gym the reputation as the best early learning program of its kind.
Top STEM Educator
Science WorldScience World is a charitable non-profit and science centre based in Vancouver, BC that engages learners across the province in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art & design and math).
Visitors to our iconic geodesic dome explore interactive, hands-on exhibits and galleries that nurture their process of discovery and inspire connection with their natural, physical and built environments. Participants in our outreach programs—students, teachers and families in every region of BC—access the experience of Science World through virtual visits from scientists, livestream science shows, and weekly afterschool STEAM mentorship.
At Science World, we inspire the next generation of problem solvers, world changers and nerds.
