YVR · Guides · book coming
Vancouver with kids
Vancouver puts ocean, rainforest and mountains a short ride apart, and most of it is easy with kids: a flat seawall around Stanley Park, little ferries across False Creek, free canyons and city beaches.
It rains a lot from October to March, so every plan here has an indoor backup. Next door, Richmond adds a historic fishing village and some of the best Asian food on the continent.
The highlights
Stanley Park
Bike the seawall, see the totem poles and meet the sea otters at the aquarium.
Stanley Park with Kids: the Seawall, Totems, Aquarium and Beaches →The North Shore
A free suspension bridge over a canyon at Lynn Canyon, and Grouse Mountain above the city.
3 Days in Vancouver with Kids: an Easy Family Itinerary →Granville Island
Tiny ferries, a market lunch and a whole building of toy shops.
Rainy Day in Vancouver with Kids: Indoor Ideas and an Easy Plan →Richmond and Steveston
Fishing boats, a cannery museum, kites by the river and food courts.
Richmond, BC with Kids: Steveston, Food Courts and an Easy Day →
Ready-made plans
- Vancouver
One Day in Vancouver with Kids: the Best Single-Day PlanOne day in Vancouver with kids: bikes on the Stanley Park seawall, sea otters, a tiny ferry to Granville Island's Kids Market and a sunset at English Bay. - VancouverRainy Day in Vancouver with Kids: Indoor Ideas and an Easy PlanWhat to do in Vancouver with kids when it rains: Science World, the aquarium, a tropical dome, Granville Island's Kids Market, and a ready-made rainy-day plan.
- Vancouver3 Days in Vancouver with Kids: an Easy Family ItineraryA relaxed 3-day Vancouver itinerary for families: Stanley Park and the seawall, the North Shore's bridges and mountain, then Granville Island and Science World.
All Vancouver guides
- VancouverVancouver at Christmas with Kids: Lights, Markets, Skating and a 2-Day PlanChristmas in Vancouver with kids: Canyon Lights at Capilano, VanDusen's Festival of Lights, the Christmas Market, free skating downtown and a 2-day plan.
- VancouverFree Things to Do in Vancouver with KidsFree things to do in Vancouver with kids: a free suspension bridge, the seawall and totem poles, beaches, splash parks, markets to wander and a free day plan.
- VancouverGranville Island with Kids: the Kids Market, Ferries and a Half-Day PlanGranville Island with kids: tiny ferries across False Creek, the Kids Market, the Public Market's snacks, a free summer water park and a half-day plan.
- VancouverGrouse Mountain or Capilano Suspension Bridge with Kids? An Honest ComparisonGrouse Mountain or Capilano Suspension Bridge with kids? What each offers by season and age, how long they take, the free alternative and doing both in a day.
- VancouverOne Day in Vancouver with Kids: the Best Single-Day PlanOne day in Vancouver with kids: bikes on the Stanley Park seawall, sea otters, a tiny ferry to Granville Island's Kids Market and a sunset at English Bay.
- VancouverRainy Day in Vancouver with Kids: Indoor Ideas and an Easy PlanWhat to do in Vancouver with kids when it rains: Science World, the aquarium, a tropical dome, Granville Island's Kids Market, and a ready-made rainy-day plan.
- VancouverRichmond, BC with Kids: Steveston, Food Courts and an Easy DayRichmond, BC with kids: Steveston's fishing village and cannery, kites at Garry Point, Asian food courts, Olympic simulators and an easy day near the airport.
- VancouverStanley Park with Kids: the Seawall, Totems, Aquarium and BeachesStanley Park with kids: biking the seawall, the totem poles, the aquarium, the free water park and beaches, with a route, what's seasonal and what's closed.
- VancouverVancouver in Summer with Kids: Beaches, Pools and Long EveningsVancouver in summer with kids: sandy beaches, the famous Kits Pool, free spray parks, berry picking, the PNE Fair, fireworks over English Bay and a 3-day plan.
- VancouverVancouver in Winter with Kids: Snow Days, Skating and Cosy Rainy AfternoonsVancouver in winter with kids: snow tubing and sledding on the local mountains, free skating, rainy-day favourites and a 3-day plan for the winter months.
- VancouverVancouver for Spring Break with Kids: Rain-Proof Fun and a 3-Day PlanVancouver for spring break with kids: Science World, the aquarium, early cherry blossoms, snow on the North Shore mountains and a rain-proof 3-day plan.
- Vancouver3 Days in Vancouver with Kids: an Easy Family ItineraryA relaxed 3-day Vancouver itinerary for families: Stanley Park and the seawall, the North Shore's bridges and mountain, then Granville Island and Science World.
- VancouverWhere to Stay in Vancouver with Kids: the Best Areas ComparedWhere to stay in Vancouver with kids: Downtown, the West End, Yaletown, Kitsilano, North Vancouver and Richmond compared for families, by trip type.
- VancouverA Day Trip to Whistler from Vancouver with Kids: Stops, Gondolas and TipsA Whistler day trip from Vancouver with kids: the Sea-to-Sky drive, a mine train and gold panning, a giant waterfall, gondolas, the village and when to go.
Vancouver with kids: questions
What is there to do in Vancouver with kids?
Stanley Park and the aquarium, Science World, Granville Island's Kids Market, the North Shore's canyons and Grouse Mountain, beaches, and Steveston in Richmond.
When is the best time to visit Vancouver with kids?
July and August are driest, with beaches and the free water park open. December brings the big holiday light shows; pack for rain from October to March.
Is there a Vancouver adventure book?
It's on its way. The guides are here now, and you can see how the book works in the New York demo.