BC Family Day Events and Activities 2013

BC will have its first Family Day stat holiday on Monday, February 11, 2013 and with that comes the scramble for activities and events to keep all those with time off from the office or school occupied. In anticipation of the new holiday, local attractions have been posting special offers for families to enjoy together:

Photo credit: wanderunghike on Flickr

Vancouver Giants Family Day Game
The Vancouver Giants take on the Portland Winterhawks at 2:00pm at the Pacific Coliseum. TELUS is sponsoring Family Day festivities that include autograph sessions, live music, interactive games, colouring, popcorn, hot chocolate, and more — all included with your game ticket.

Vancouver Aquarium for Family Day
The Vancouver Aquarium will be open extended hours all weekend and on Monday the 11th for Family Day including the new exhibit “The Secret World of Sharks and Rays” that opens February 7th.

Parks Canada Free Entry for Youth
Parks Canada sites across the region will have free entry for youth 16 years old and younger on Family Day and throughout the weekend (February 9 to 11, 2013). The sites include Fort Langley National Historic Site, Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site, and Fort Rodd Hill & Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites.

BC Sports Hall of Fame
Enjoy half price family admission to the BC Sports Hall of Fame (Gate A at BC Place) on Family Day. Special activities will include colouring, scavenger hunts, random free membership draws, and all that the hall has to offer like the 2010 gallery and the participation zone with a climb wall, track, kick ball, and more.

Vancouver Art Gallery and Robson Square
Join Juno Award winners Said the Whale at Robson Square and enjoy other musical performances, face painting, a hockey shoot out, educational activities from Britannia Mine Museum, the Royal BC Museum, Science World and more. Ice skating is always free but there will be free skate rentals on Family Day too. Activities and events inside the gallery and out in the square will take place 11:00am to 7:00pm.

Vancouver Lookout Family Weekend
The Vancouver Lookout is hosting a Family Day weekend of events that include scavenger hunts and orienteering. Hours will be 9:00am to 9:00pm from Saturday to Monday that weekend.

Family Day at the Carousel in Burnaby
Burnaby Village Museum is hosting Family Day at the Carousel from 11:00am to 2:00pm, a special program for youth and children. Play with creations of a balloon artist, get creative with a children’s art activity, join in some heritage games, and have unlimited carousel rides! Drop-ins are welcome provided there is space. Pre-register to avoid disappointment. $6.50 per person ($7.28 with taxes).

Local Mountains for Family Day
Many BC ski resorts are offering up Family Day promotions. Locally, Mount Seymour is hosting a Family Day contest, Grouse Mountain is having a pancake breakfast, sleigh rides, scavenger hunts, snow painting, and offering 50% off lift tickets (for BC residents) and general admission. Whistler Blackcomb, Mount Washington, and Sun Peaks are also offering 50$ off lift tickets (for BC residents).

New Westminster
The City of New Westminster in partnership with the Fraser River Discovery Centre, School District #40 and RiverMarket, are offering the following Family Day activities and entertainment from 11:00am to 3:00pm at the Fraser River Discovery Centre: Mike’s Critters (see live animals such as parrots, frogs, lizards, snakes, turtles & more), ExploreGreen (an environmental educational arts & crafts program), Youth Lounge (featuring video games, table top games and more for ages 11 and up), New Westminster Museum & Archives programs & artifacts, guided tours on Samson V, outdoor sports for all ages on boardwalk (weather permitting), a variety of youth musicians, fitness participatory demonstrations, magic shows, CoCo the Clown, children’s meal specials at RiverMarket food vendors. The first 50 families to arrive will receive gift certificates for local services and products. Free parking will be available on the Front Street Parkade.

Richmond
The 5th annual Children’s Arts Festival in Richmond will be happening on Family Day at the Richmond Cultural Centre from 10:00am to 4:00pm following an opening ceremony at 9:45am. There will be Creativity Classes led by accomplished artists in the realm of dance, musical theatre, puppet making, cartooning, animation, circus, and more. Eric Litwin, New York Times #1 bestselling author of Pete the Cat picture books, will share musical stories for kids of all ages. Pre-registration is required to meet Eric Litwin ($10 per ticket) and to attend Creativity Classes ($10 per class). Book online or call 604-276-4300. Registration includes a wristband that provides access to performances and many fun, hands-on Imagination Stations to explore origami, balloon twisting, and more. In addition, wristbands give free admission for families to skate at Minoru Arenas and swim at Minoru Aquatics Centre. Wristbands can be bought separately on site for only $5.

Should you know of any other Family Day events and activities, please feel free to leave a comment or contact me with the details.