Kid-Friendly Activities for Spring Break
The birds are singing, flowers are starting to bloom (even beneath the frost), and students are packing away their assignments and books. It’s that time of year again – get ready for Spring Break! Lucky for you, Vancouver’s North Shore has no shortage of activities for the whole family, so you will be able to make the most of every minute of it.
Round up the kids and pile into the car, it’s time for a week full of family time and nature-filled adventures that will leave the kids with lifelong memories, so you can send them back to school, bragging to their friends about their awesome Spring Break adventures. No boredom allowed.
Visit Maplewood Farm
Before you cave to the kids’ demands for a pet, take them down to Maplewood Farm to get up close and personal with goats, rabbits, cows, sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks, donkeys and ponies. The farm is home to over 200 animals, and your little ones can feed bunnies and pet goats.
Pro Tip for Parents: The Farm has a picnic area and a covered picnic shelter, so you can take a break from the cuteness for snacks while you visit.
Photo courtesy of Hilary Tenwesteneind
Skating at The Shipyards
Since The Shipyards Skate Plaza has extended its season, you must take advantage of getting at least one more lap around the rink. The Shipyard Commons outdoor skate plaza is the region’s largest outdoor skating rink and is completely FREE (bonus). The rink is located on the waterfront at The Shipyards and overlooks downtown Vancouver; fun and stunning views will not be in short supply here.
Pro Tip: Book a stay at Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier or Seaside Hotel North Vancouver and receive free skating rentals!
Photo Courtesy of @cityofnorthvancouver
Snowsports
Make use of the last cold snap of the year and get in one final day (or more) on the mountain. Although Spring Break is getting into the shoulder season, you can often take advantage of a family day on the slopes skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing or snow tubing before the snow melts for good!
Be sure to check the weather and the snow on the peaks before you plan your final frosty adventure this break.
Cycling
There’s no way you can talk about outdoor activities for the family and not include cycling! Famous for its mountains and many cycling routes, Vancouver’s North Shore is the perfect environment for kids to discover the fun of flying on two wheels. While it may be best known for epic mountain biking, there are lots of great trails for families and young cyclists on the North Shore too, like the Seymour Valley Trailway, a paved 10 km, vehicle-free car-free ride through the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve.
If you don’t have a bike, never fear! You can rent bikes for every rider in your family at Reckless Shipyards.
Hiking
Wandering through myriad mountain trails is one of the great pleasures of exploring nature on the North Shore, and a way to spend the day together as a family (and away from your laptop or homework), appreciating the beauty of the mountains, forest and all the natural wonders in between.
For an easy-going stroll with the family, amble around Lighthouse Park, make your way to Rice Lake in the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve, or spend the day wandering through the trails in Lynn Canyon Park.
Photo Courtesy of @atventure_
Make it a full family adventure for Spring Break with a getaway for the whole family; there’s always an adventure on Vancouver’s North Shore. Book a special hotel package and receive free tickets to local attractions.