Vancouver Metro

What to do with kids in Vancouver, British Columbia, including B.C. hotels, restaurants and fun activities.

  • Walking along the Vancouver Coal Harbor: A free thing to do with kids
    Vancouver

    35 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Vancouver BC with Kids

    Vancouver’s expensive, I’ve heard families complain. I beg to disagree. With the right attitude and approach, you’ll find tons of affordable, family-friendly fun in and around Vancouver. Vancouver Free and Cheap Things to Do with Kids Frequently Asked Questions About Vancouver with Kids Is Vancouver worth visiting with kids? Yes! Vancouver has plenty to do year-round, but particularly in summer, when the city’s parks and pools offer free fun for kids and parents. Vancouver’s most summer unique attractions may be its scenery, weather, and parks—once again, all free for families. What’s fun and free to do with young adults in Vancouver? I would take a teen to Chinatown for browsing…

  • Vancouver

    Vancouver Airport with Kids: Play Areas and More

    Whether you’re flying in or out of Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in British Columbia, you’ll find plenty to do with kids. I love the diversity of offerings. Where else can you find an outdoor park, a play area, a hands-on observation deck and an on-site airport aquarium? There’s so many fun activities, you almost want to book a trip just to play. Here’s a full map of the Vancouver Airport. Things to Do with Kids at the Vancouver Airport What should you do while visiting the Vancouver Airport as a family? Well, you won’t be bored (probably), with options that include art exhibits, observation areas, an aquarium, shopping for candy…

  • Seattle Cat Cafe
    Seattle,  Vancouver

    Seattle Cat Cafes and Vancouver Cat Cafes

    I first visited a cat cafe in Tokyo, and was so happy when cat cafes started popping up in the Pacific Northwest. I mean, what’s better for adults or children than making small talk with a cat while drinking a cappuccino? Okay, maybe cappuccinos + kids don’t mix. Hot chocolate or ice cream is a better idea. A few things to know before you go to a cat cafe (with or without kids): Cats are cats. They may interact with you or they may just ignore you. Frantic, needy behavior tends to spook kitties. Remember: Cats needs to sleep up to 18 hours a day, much like a newborn. Like…

  • Kid-friendly Hotel Condon in Condon, Oregon
    Portland,  Seattle,  Vancouver,  Victoria

    No Hotel Rooms? No Problem.

    I’ve recently been contacted by readers, despairing that my top hotel picks are either priced out of reach or unavailable for the upcoming summer. Family hotels in Portland, Victoria, Vancouver and Seattle are booked solid, sold out and too expensive! Well, no surprise — I’ve dealt with the same situation, even as a travel writer. Here’s what I typically do when faced with sold-out hotel rooms, a planned trip and kids. 1. Set up in the suburbs. Now, some suburbs are better than others. For example, many suburbs of Vancouver offer the SkyTrain option into downtown Vancouver, so I’ll look for hotels near the SkyTrain. Portland offers this as well. Seattle is still working on getting…

  • Vancouver with Kids, Summer 2015: Sea Monster Exhibit.
    Bend,  Seattle,  Vancouver

    Sea Monsters, Star Wars and SNOT: This summer’s museum attractions for families

    If making plans for summer, check out these new and upcoming kid-friendly museum exhibits in Seattle, Vancouver or Bend — the exhibits may inspire a day trip, weekend excursion or week-long adventure. Sea Monsters Revealed Vancouver Aquarium. Vancouver, BC. March 5 to September 7, 2015 From now through the end of summer, discover what lies beneath the sea’s deepest reaches, where few humans have ventured. Sea Monsters Revealed uses plastination (seen in many human anatomy exhibits) to preserve the bodies of deep-sea creatures and ocean oddities, including a mako shark and a car-sized sunfish. GROSSOLOGY: The (Impolite) Science Of The Human Body Pacific Science Center. Seattle, Washington. June 20 to September 7, 2015 Two…