If your family plans a trip to Vancouver, no worries—there’s so much family-friendly fun! This vibrant city has attractions, stunning nature, and activities everyone loves. From outdoor adventures to interactive museums and unique cultural experiences, you’ll find plenty to entertain kids and adults. Here’s a casual rundown of the top things to do with your family in Vancouver!
Read also:
- Best Places to Stay in Vancouver
- Things to do in Vancouver
- Top Restaurants in Vancouver
- Best Tours in Vancouver
Chat with AI about Vancouver tours- Biking Around Stanley Park
- Explore Granville Island
- The Aquabus – A Colorful Ride on the Water
- Bloedel Conservatory – Birds, Plants, and So Much Greenery
- VanDusen Botanical Garden – A Garden Wonderland with a Maze!
- Zero Latency Vancouver – VR Fun for Tech-Loving Families
- WildPlay Maple Ridge – Zip Lines, Ropes, and Outdoor Thrills
- Vancouver Maritime Museum – For Little Sailors and Adventurers
- New Brighton Park & Pool – Chill Park Days with Splashing Fun
- Kitsilano Beach – Sand, Sun, and Lots of Playtime
Biking Around Stanley Park
- Address: Vancouver, BC V6G 1Z4, Canada
- Open hours: 9:00 – 17:00 daily
- Website: vancouver.ca
- Contact: +1 604-681-6728
Biking the Stanley Park Seawall is a Vancouver classic. This 9-kilometer loop wraps around the park, offering fantastic mountains, ocean, and city skyline views. It’s an easy, mostly flat ride, making it ideal for families. Along the way, you’ll pass iconic spots like the Totem Poles, Brockton Point Lighthouse, and Siwash Rock. There are also plenty of places to stop for a rest or picnic. Several bike rental shops nearby provide family-friendly options, including tandem bikes, trailers, and even kid-sized bikes, so everyone can join.
Explore Granville Island
- Address: Vancouver, BC, Canada (Find on map)
- Website: granvilleisland.com
- Open hours: Public Market 9 AM – 6 PM | Net Loft 10 AM – 6 PM
Granville Island is one of Vancouver’s most vibrant spots, full of activities that appeal to all ages. The Kids Market is a highlight, featuring toy stores, an indoor play area, and craft shops that kids love. There’s also a splash park in the summer, perfect for cooling off, and a public market filled with local treats, fresh produce, and artisan goodies. Families can catch live street performances or stroll along the waterfront to watch boats and kayaks go by.
The Aquabus – A Colorful Ride on the Water
- Address: 1587 Johnston St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9, Canada
- Open hours: 7:00 am – 9:00 pm daily
- Contact: +1 604-689-5858
- Website: theaquabus.com
The Aquabus is like a mini water adventure! These bright, colorful ferries bob along False Creek, taking you to Vancouver’s most incredible spots like Granville Island, Science World, and Yaletown. Kids will love the novelty of this fun little boat ride, and you can easily hop on and off to explore. Granville Island, for instance, is a must-do for families – the Kids Market has toy shops, an indoor play area, and the sweetest treats! It’s a cheap and cheerful way to see Vancouver from a fresh perspective.
Bloedel Conservatory – Birds, Plants, and So Much Greenery
- Address: 4600 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V5Y 2M4, Canada
- Open hours: Temporarily closed, Reopens on Jan 2025
- Contact: +1 604-257-8584
Located in Queen Elizabeth Park, the Bloedel Conservatory is like a tropical paradise! This indoor garden has exotic plants and over 100 colorful birds, from talking parrots to cute finches. It’s warm and lush inside, making it feel like you’re in a tropical forest – a real treat, especially on rainy days. Kids will love spotting colorful parrots, cockatoos, and finches, while adults enjoy the calming atmosphere and beautiful greenery. This small but enchanting space is ideal for a quick nature fix without leaving the city.
VanDusen Botanical Garden – A Garden Wonderland with a Maze!
- Address: 5251 Oak St, Vancouver, BC V6M 4H1, Canada
- Open hours: 9:00 – 17:00 daily
- Website: vandusengarden.org
- Contact: +1 604-257-8463
- Admission: $4.9 – $13.8 vary on season ( check out their website for more details)
If you want less wild nature, head to VanDusen Botanical Garden. This 55-acre garden has themed sections like a Japanese garden, giant trees, and even a maze – perfect for little adventurers to explore!
The maze, made from green hedges, is a hit with kids who love running around and figuring out their way. If you’re visiting in winter, the Festival of Lights is magical, transforming the whole garden with thousands of twinkling lights, light sculptures, and Christmas displays. Great for family photos and cozy strolls.
Zero Latency Vancouver – VR Fun for Tech-Loving Families
- Address: Kingsgate Mall, 370 E Broadway Unit #101, Vancouver, BC V5T 4G5, Canada
- Open hours: 14:00 – 21:00 Sunday, Monday to Thursday | 14:00 – 00:00 Friday and Saturday
- Contact: +1 604-423-4753
- Website: zerolatencybc.com
For a high-tech twist, Zero Latency in Vancouver offers immersive virtual reality (VR) experiences that’ll transport you to different worlds. You’ll strap on VR gear in these free-roam VR games and team up to tackle exciting challenges. It’s like stepping into a video game where you might fight zombies, explore space, or complete puzzles together. While this activity is geared toward older kids and teens (ages 13 and up), it’s a thrilling bonding experience that families won’t forget.
WildPlay Maple Ridge – Zip Lines, Ropes, and Outdoor Thrills
- Address: 23485 Fern Crescent, Maple Ridge, BC V4R 2S6, Canada
- Open hours: 10:00 – 16:00 weekends | closed on weekdays
- Contact: +1 855-595-2251
- Website: www.wildplay.com/maple-ridge
If your family is into thrills and outdoor fun, WildPlay in Maple Ridge is a must. This adventure park has zip lines, rope courses, and obstacle challenges high in the trees. There’s a Kids’ Adventure Course for little ones, too, so everyone gets a taste of the action. You can spend the day climbing, balancing, and swinging through the trees while soaking up excellent forest views. WildPlay is perfect for getting active and having a blast together.
Vancouver Maritime Museum – For Little Sailors and Adventurers
- Address: 1905 Ogden Ave, Vancouver, BC V6J 1A3, Canada
- Open hours: 10:00 – 17:00 Tuesday to Sunday | closed on Mondays
- Contact: +1 604-257-8300
- Website: vanmaritime.com
This cozy museum is all about Canada’s seafaring past. One highlight is the St. Roch, an actual Arctic exploration vessel you can board. Kids love exploring its narrow hallways and learning about life at sea. The museum also has engaging exhibits on maritime culture, model ships, and even interactive displays where kids can try navigating. It’s small enough that little ones won’t get bored but packed with cool things to see for those who love ocean adventures.
New Brighton Park & Pool – Chill Park Days with Splashing Fun
- Address: 3201 New Brighton Rd, Vancouver, BC V5K 5J7, Canada
- Open hours: 6:00 – 22:00 daily
- Website: covapp.vancouver.ca
New Brighton Park & Pool is a lesser-known gem, especially in summer. Located along Burrard Inlet, the park has grassy areas for picnics, a playground, and sports courts. The outdoor saltwater pool is a hit with kids and a refreshing way to cool off on a warm day. With views of the inlet and North Shore mountains, this park offers a relaxed, local vibe for family downtime. Bring a blanket and a picnic to make it a full afternoon outing.
Kitsilano Beach – Sand, Sun, and Lots of Playtime
Known as “Kits Beach,” this is one of Vancouver’s favorite spots, and it’s super family-friendly. On a warm day, you can hang out on the sandy shore, have a beachside picnic, and dip in the ocean. Right next to the beach is Kitsilano Pool, a massive outdoor saltwater pool with sections for laps, lounging, and kids’ play. There’s also a playground and grassy areas nearby, so the whole family can relax, play, and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the ocean and mountains.
In conclusion, Vancouver has a fantastic family activity lineup that blends nature, fun, and local culture. Whether you’re enjoying a stroll in the gardens, soaking up the sun at the beach, diving into exciting VR games, or tackling outdoor adventure courses, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Get ready for some unforgettable family time!
