KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Fri, Mar 20: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane at Evergreen Cultural
Centre Wed, Mar 25: Spring Break Jazz Camp at Delta Community Music School
Wed, Apr 1: Harrison Tulip Festival by Onos Farms
Sat, Apr 4: Egg-Cellent Easter Egg Hunt at Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre
Sat, Apr 4: Easter Eggstravaganza at Renfrew Park Community Centre
Sat, Apr 11: Sakura Days Japan Fair at VanDusen Botanical Garden
Thu, Apr 16: Power in Connection at North Shore Women's Centre
Fri, Apr 17: Open House at St. Margaret’s School
Fri, Apr 24: The Paper Bag Princess at Carousel Theatre for Young People
Sat, Apr 25: Party for the Planet at Surrey Civic Plaza |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
The first time I can remember having to take a public stand on anything was in eighth grade English. We were assigned an essay on a controversial topic and told we’d present our arguments to the class. When he handed back our papers, Mr. Schmidt added a twist: no reading. We’d speak from notes. I was horrified. After school, I tried to negotiate my way out of it.
“This makes me really uncomfortable,” I told him, hoping for mercy. He looked at me over his glasses. “That’s the whole point,” he said. “To get stuff done, you have to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Don’t worry, you’ll live.” Mr. Schmidt was right. I didn’t die. And more important, I learned something that stuck: Discomfort isn’t a stop sign, it’s just part of the road, and all roads are bumpy. That lesson shaped how I've raised my kids, too. Karate
helped Madison and Ella distinguish between effort and injury. Long car rides taught them to rely on their own imaginations. Theater nudged them to stand however close to the spotlight they could manage, even when they’d rather disappear. And summer camps—those muddy, unpredictable, gloriously imperfect experiences—gave them countless chances to try something new and realize I can do this without the stigma that can accompany failing in other contexts. Growth rarely
happens inside the comfort zone, which is why I’m such a believer in giving kids opportunities to stretch beyond what feels easy. Summer programs are perfect for this, so that's why during "summer camp search season" we focus on showcasing the wide variety of camps and programs available in each area we serve. Here's the
link to the portal page. These days, as we approach the 25th anniversary of KidsOutAndAbout.com in June, I see that same principle playing out: The technology has changed, the business climate has changed, but the equation hasn’t. Discomfort still shows up right before something meaningful. And I still hear Mr. Schmidt’s voice in my head: Don’t worry, you’ll live.
—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more. If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site. |
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The all-new 2026 Camp Invention® program, Spark, is coming to curious kids in your community this summer! Rising K-6 campers will collaborate with friends to tackle hands-on, open-ended challenges. They’ll team up with robotic capybaras, ride the waves of entrepreneurship, uncover the power of protecting their ideas and build a DIY space rocket! Each experience is designed to spark confidence, build persistence and create unforgettable summer memories. Visit invent.org/save/camp to secure your spot! Register using CIFUN25 by 3/31 to save $25 or CIFUN20 by 4/28 to save $20 when you register. Interest-free payment plans are available, making camp affordable for all families.
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Spring Break is the perfect time to discover something new at Britannia Mine Museum!
Join us daily for our Step Back in Time presentations inside the Britannia Story Building - uncover the mystery of the once-thriving mountain community in “Whatever Happened to Mt. Sheer?” (1:30 pm daily) and journey back to the days of steamships and early coastal travel in “Before Rail and Road” (3:30 pm daily).
Plus, from 1:00–4:00 pm Monday to Friday, drop into the Terra Lab for Live in the Lab: Secret Identities, a new interactive, hands-on experience perfect for curious families ready to explore, discover, and connect. https://www.britanniaminemuseum.ca/pages/spring-break
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Spring Discovery Days runs March 14th–29th, 10am–4pm at the Fraser River Discovery Centre. Join us for two weeks of hands-on, family-friendly activities exploring salmon science, Indigenous trade routes, fishing methods, and archaeology. Become a junior
biologist with salmon tagging, try our matching games, and add your strand to our growing “Web of Life” art installation. Facilitated programs and self-guided activities available daily.
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Join us at Maplewood Farm for a fun and creative felting workshop designed for children accompanied by an adult! Discover the fascinating process of transforming sheep’s wool into felt as you learn about wool processing and its uses. Then, unleash your
creativity to craft your favorite farm animal using colorful felted wool. This hands-on activity is perfect for all ages and a great way to connect with the farm’s wooly residents!
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Start your Sunday with an awe-inspiring view as the backdrop to a Hatha yoga session.
This gentle, slower-paced style of yoga focuses on physical postures and breathing—which will be all the more restorative with a stunning view of Vanier Park, English Bay and the North Shore Mountains. This will be the ultimate way to reset before the week begins.
Please bring your yoga mat. Mats will not be provided.
Admission to the MOV is included with your ticket!
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Spring Break is almost here! Why not turn it into a family day out in the charming village of Fort Langley?
Start with a scenic walk or bike ride to Brae Island Regional Park, explore the famous Fort Langley Village Antique Mall, or take a well-earned break at one of the village’s many cozy cafés and restaurants.
Love culture and history? You’re in the right place. The BC Farm Museum, salishan Place by the River, the CN Station, and Fort Langley National Historic Site are all centrally located and within easy walking distance of each other.
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Histories of Burnaby’s diverse communities are showcased in this 10-acre open-air site. Explore how homes and businesses used to look, see how different cultures help shape our community and learn from Indigenous educators. Education staff are available in
select exhibits to interact with and learn from.
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Bite of Burnaby is back for a full month of flavour. With 75+ participating spots and 16+ ticketed dining experiences, this city-wide celebration brings together restaurants, bakeries, breweries, and food trucks with special prix-fixe menus and
one-of-a-kind events. From new openings to returning favourites, there’s something delicious waiting in every neighbourhood. Venture out. Dig in. Explore the full lineup at biteofburnaby.ca.
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This show for all ages is heartwarming and poetic. Follow the journey of a vain porcelain rabbit named Edward Tulane who learns the true meaning of love through loss, hardship, and transformation. Edward begins an extraordinary journey across years and
landscapes, passing through the hands of various owners. Is love worth the risk? And how long does is take to learn to love?
Duration: 2 hours with a 15 minute intermission.
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Showcasing Surrey’s own athletes and game-changers alongside national icons, this engaging and interactive exhibit explores Canada’s deep-rooted relationship with its national winter sport.
This original Museum of Surrey-curated experience celebrates the unifying power of hockey, highlighting its diversity, cultural significance, and impact on local communities.
Visitors will also learn about grassroots initiatives, women’s hockey, para hockey, Punjabi broadcasters, and the achievements that shape both local and national hockey culture.
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Curious about Archaeology?
Learn more about Archaeology at the Burnaby Village Museum this Spring Break! Join SFU Archaeology Students and Professors in the Archaeology pop up in the Multi-purpose Room. Through this hands-on, interactive experience, visitors can learn more about Archaeology as a discipline as well as Archaeology in Burnaby. Join special guests, SFU Professors Cara Tremain and Sabrina Higgins, their students and Burnaby’s own Civic Archaeologist, Chris Verral, in
this Archaeology Pop Up, only available Wednesdays and Fridays during Spring Break.
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Join us for a fun afternoon of puzzles and games. Children are welcome to come on their own, bring a friend, or bring the whole family!
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Get up close with Surrey’s first responders! Explore fire trucks, police vehicles, try an obstacle course, and enjoy hands-on activities this spring break. Looking for a fun, free, and educational Spring Break activity? Join us for Spring Break: Emergency
Services, where kids and families can explore the exciting world of first responders alongside Surrey’s emergency services professionals!
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Parent and Tot drop-in gym is a perfect time for your toddler to socialize and play. Your child will have the opportunity to explore various play mats, sports equipment and other toys. Also a great opportunity to meet other parents! Child must be supervised
at all times by a parent and/or caregiver. Sessions will continue to run on stat holidays.*
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- Pokémon Trainer's Gym - Richmond Public Library: Cambie Branch, 11590 Cambie Road, Richmond, Friday, March 20, 2026, 4-5 pm
- Family Funtime - North Vancouver District Public Library (Capilano
Branch), 3045 Highland Blvd, North Vancouver, Friday, March 20, 2026, 10:30 am
- Family Puzzles and Board Games - Lynn Valley Library, Lynn Valley Road, North Vancouver, Friday, March 20, 2026, 10:00AM - 2:00PM
- Spring Break Fun at Parkgate: Puzzles & Games! - North Vancouver District Public Library (Parkgate branch), Banff Court, North Vancouver, Friday, March 20, 2026, 2:00PM - 4:00PM
- Preteen Night- Mount Pleasant Community Centre - Mount Pleasant Community Centre, 1 Kingsway, Vancouver, Friday, March 20, 2026, 6-8 pm
- Our Connection to Hockey - Museum of Surrey, 17710 56A Avenue, Surrey, Friday, March 20, 2026 to Sunday, March 22, 2026, see website
- Drop In Spring Break: Emergency
Services - Museum of Surrey, 17710 56A Avenue, Surrey, Friday, March 20, 2026, 10 am- 1 pm
- Spring Break at Burnaby Village Museum - Burnaby Village Museum, 6501 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby, Friday, March 20, 2026 to Sunday, March 22, 2026, Open Daily 11 am-4:30 pm (last admission is at 4 pm)
- Spring Break Archaeology Pop Up Event - Burnaby Village Museum, 6501 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby, Friday, March 20, 2026, 11 am-3:30
pm
- LEGO® Block Party - Vancouver Public Library - Champlain Heights Branch, Kerr Street, Vancouver, Sunday, March 22, 2026, 11 am- 12 pm
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Vancouver area is back! You can search by date, age, or categories like day/overnight, sports, drama, music, theatre, arts & crafts, technology, robotics, horseback riding, preschool, & more.
Our guide puts summer fun right at your fingertips!
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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Vancouver area! Use our Big List to help find the best one for your kiddos and check our events calendar to find Open Houses where you can meet teachers and tour the
schools.
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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Vancouver area? Escape rooms are interactive, puzzle-packed experiences where you and your team work together to solve clues and complete your mission-all before time runs out! Whether you're escaping
a spooky cabin, cracking a high-stakes heist, or breaking a magical curse, escape rooms offer exciting, screen-free fun for kids, teens, and adults.
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Vancouver area. From Arcades to Ziplines our Big List will help you think outside the box and plan the party of your kids' dreams! KidsOutAndAbout has dozens of ideas!
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2025's best places to take kids in and around Vancouver, based on KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey. There is LOTS more to do in and around Vancouver even beyond the Top 20...Get great ideas here at KidsOutAndAbout.com! What is listed below are just
the starting point: Browse through our site and calendar to find lots more, and be sure to click on Everything That's Free.
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Wishing you and your family health and happiness!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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