KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Fri, May 8: Mother’s Day Traditional Pow Wow
Sun, May 10: SuperMOM Walk/Run
Thu, May 14: Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair
Sat, May 23: Vancouver Anime-Fest Wed, May 27: Access Day at Greater Vancouver
Zoo
Sat, May 30: OWL Orphaned Wildlife Open House Fundraiser
Thu, Jun 11:
FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver
Sat, Jun 13: Farm Fair
Sat, Jun 20: Surrey
Nature Centre Open House
Sat, Jun 27: Pollinator Palooza Mon, Jun 29: Vancouver
Aquarium AquaCamps |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
When they were handing out high school yearbook awards, some of my classmates unofficially, though cheerfully, voted me Least Likely to Become a Professional Cheerleader. I couldn’t really disagree: After all, I was a nerd before being a nerd came into fashion, much more comfortable in a library than at a pep rally. So much for teenage
predictions! Yesterday, my daughter Ella turned 25, which means KidsOutAndAbout turns 25, too. When Ella was imminent, and her sister Madison was one-and-a-half, I was realizing just how many incredible experiences for kids and families were all around us in Rochester, NY. Back then, before web calendars were a thing, finding out about stuff happening meant you had to know where to look. So during maternity leave from my old technology consulting firm, I
decided to build a place to make invisible opportunities visible, to celebrate the people who create them, and to build audiences for these great things. We’ve grown to a dedicated team of 20 people doing work that matters, serving 52 regions with 15 million readers per year and 750,000 weekly newsletter subscribers. So yes, I’m a professional cheerleader, and I love it. I love this. I love that my job is to help build an audience for the remarkable experiences
people are bringing to life. I love that our mission is to shine a light on the concerts, camps, classes, festivals, trails, museums, libraries, theaters, and local treasures large and small that become family stories and memories. Far from slowing down, we’re heading into hyper-drive for our Silver Anniversary, so stay tuned! Thank you for being part of the journey, and for giving us so much to cheer about.
—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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Knight Camp is an award-winning 5-day camp for ages 8–14 in downtown Vancouver, where kids train in swordplay, sword & shield, and archery, play medieval games, explore history, and practice knightly virtues in a safe, structured environment. Hosted by Academie Duello, the world’s largest centre for historical swordplay, it’s an especially great fit for active, imaginative kids who want more than a standard sports camp. The week ends with a Friday Grand Tournament for family and friends. Use coupon code OUTANDABOUT60 for $60 off.
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Beginner Summer Camps at The Happening Dance Company are the perfect introduction to dance in a fun, welcoming, and energetic environment. These week-long camps run throughout July and are designed for ages 4–7 and 8–14. Dancers will explore a wide range of styles—including Acro, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, Popping, Waacking, Contemporary, Breaking, and more—while building confidence and discovering what they love. With guidance from experienced instructors, dancers will develop foundational skills, make new friends, and experience all our studio has to offer. Dance with us this summer: www.thehappeningdance.com/camps
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Splash into the best summer break ever at Vancouver Aquarium! AquaCamps are the ultimate adventure for ocean explorers aged 5–12. From hands-on activities and up-close animal observations to science-based crafts and outdoor play, every day is overflowing with fun and discovery. Led by experienced aquarium staff, campers will meet amazing animals, make new friends (both human and animal), and dive into topics like food webs, life cycles, adaptations, ecosystems and ocean conservation. Learning happens naturally when the adventure is this fun! Spots fill up quickly—register today.
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Ridge Meadows Home Show is all about you – your home, your life, your family. With close to 300 exhibitor booths on-site, you’ll find everything you need to renovate, decorate, and landscape your home. And that’s just the beginning. Look to our marketplace to find great gadgets and unique household products. Explore our cooking section, see what’s new in health and beauty and test drive the latest equipment for fitness and feeling good. Then check out your inner life at our annual Psychic Fair and let our food sampling area tease your appetite for our celebrated Food Truck Festival.
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BC Youth Week is a provincial celebration of youth held annually during the first week of May. It is a week of fun filled interaction and a celebration intended to build a strong connection between youth and their communities. This event is intended to highlight the interests, accomplishments, and diversity of youth across the province.
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Seussical Jr. brings to life the colorful world of Dr. Seuss, where the kind-hearted Horton the Elephant discovers that "a person’s a person, no matter how small." Whimsical, heartwarming, and bursting with imagination—it’s a story about finding your voice and standing up for what you believe in!
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Come and spend your Pro-D day with us! Celebrate a “green” day of fun, creativity, and discovery at the Museum of Surrey! Drop-In School’s Out: Environment Superheroes invites families to explore the everyday heroes protecting our planet—starting right beneath our feet. Join us for a little preview of our upcoming feature exhibit, Soil Superheroes!, with hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity and inspire environmental stewardship in kids of all ages. Young eco-heroes can dive into interactive experiences, create earth-friendly crafts, and learn from local environmental organizations making a difference in our community.
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Persistent and powerful, Elizabeth is a princess with a lot on her plate. But when a dragon storms her castle and flies away with her “beloved” Prince Ronald, things go from bad to worse. How does a princess rescue a prince if princes are supposed to do the rescuing? Who decided that anyway? Based on the renowned classic, The Paper Bag Princess follows our heroine Elizabeth and a cast of zany new characters on a wild, playful and puppet-filled adventure to discover that only you can determine your own path.
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On Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 11 am – 3 pm, the Port Moody Ecological Society invites everyone to attend our annual Fingerling Festival We invite visitors to the hatchery with its fish-rearing pond and restored wetland. Release salmon fingerlings and speak to amazing ecological, educational and stewardship organizations that help make the Tri-Cities area a healthy, diverse and ecologically sustainable place to live. Our fun, free environmental festival will be held at our Noons Creek Hatchery and the Port Moody Recreation Centre’s ice rink, located just across the walking bridge at 300 Ioco Road. This iconic environmental festival is among the largest of its kind in the Lower Mainland, and provides an opportunity for children (and adults!) to help release thousands of young chum salmon into Noons Creek to help these fish begin their four-year journey at sea.
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Celebrate culture, food, and fun at TJ Fest—an outdoor street fest in Burnaby with vendors, performances, Taiwanese food, family activities!
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Mark your calendars! Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) is almost here. On the first Saturday in May, May 2, comic shops across the country will be celebrating one of the best days of the year for fans. It’s your chance to grab free comics, discover new stories, and connect with your local community of fans and creators. This year’s lineup is packed with support from some of the biggest names in comics. Here’s the initial line up of comic publishers: Archie Comics, DC Comics, Dynamite Entertainment, Image Comics, Mad Cave Studios, Oni Press, Titan Comics, Udon Entertainment and Vault Comics! There will be a story for every kind of reader.
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We are hosting our first awareness weekend at the Zoo, May 2 & 3, for rhinos. We have partnered with the International Rhino Foundation to fundraise and raise awareness for the much-needed protection of rhinos in the wild.
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Step into a breathtaking floral wonderland with our one-of-a-kind Tulip Forest! Wander through a sea of colorful blooms as vibrant tulips surround you in a magical, woodland-inspired setting. Whether you're capturing the perfect springtime photo or simply soaking in the beauty of nature, this enchanting experience is unlike any other in Canada. New this season, discover our show stopping Giant Teapot, a whimsical centerpiece nestled within the forest, creating an unforgettable photo moment and adding even more storybook charm to your spring visit. Visit us during Spring at the Farm or BAE Days to immerse yourself in this magical floral experience!
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At the Space Centre, we believe curiosity should never be limited by cost. That belief comes to life through Pay What You Can Sunday — a special monthly opportunity for visitors to experience space science in a way that feels accessible, welcoming, and inclusive. Whether you’re a first-time visitor, a returning space enthusiast, or a family planning a weekend outing, this day is designed to open our doors a little wider for the community. Pay What You Can Sunday is part of a shared community initiative across Vanier Park, taking place on the first Sunday of each month. Alongside the H.R.MacMillan Space Centre, visitors can also explore participating neighbours including the Vancouver Maritime Museum and the Museum of Vancouver, making it easy to turn one visit into a full day of discovery across science, history, and the ocean that connects us all.
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Burnaby’s favourite springtime celebrations returns in 2026 as the City welcomes Burnaby Blooms. Join us on Sunday, May 3 at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts and Deer Lake Park. Enjoy entertainment, roving performers, eco-artist installations, an artisan market, family activities, free talks and tours, plant sales, community groups, food trucks and more! Burnaby Blooms promotes the long-term sustainability and the ecological health of our community in a fun and creative environment. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for hours of fun at the City's favourite spring festival. Free admission and entertainment. The event is designed to happen rain or shine.
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- Surrey’s Environmental Extravaganza 2026 - May events - Surrey, BC, 05/01/2026-05/31/2026, Times vary
- Discovery Days at the Surrey Nature Centre - Surrey Nature Centre, Green Timbers Way, Surrey, BC, 05/01/2026 and 05/25/2026, 10 am- 2 pm
- Friday Night
Youth Lounge Drop-In - False Creek Community Centre, 1318 Cartwright St, Vancouver, BC, 05/01/2026, 6-9 pm
- School’s Out Drop-in: Environment Superheroes - Museum of Surrey, 17710 56A Avenue, Surrey, BC, 05/01/2026, 10am - 1 pm
- Youth Week in Langley City - Timms Community Centre, 20399 Douglas Crescent, Langley, BC, 05/01/2026-05/07/2026, Varies
- Family Storytime -
Richmond Public Library, Brighouse Branch, Minoru Gate, Richmond, BC, 05/02/2026, 10:30-11 am
- Kwentuhang Pinoy | Filipino Storytime - Surrey Libraries – City Centre Branch, 10350 University Dr, Surrey, BC, 05/02/2026, 11 am- 12 pm
- Fingerling Festival - Port Moody Ecological Society (Noons Creek Hatchery), Ioco Road, Port Moody, BC, 05/02/2026, 11 am – 3 pm
- Cedar, Sage & Sweetgrass - Museum
of Surrey, 17710 56A Avenue, Surrey, BC, 05/02/2026, 12-5 pm
- Textile Dye Garden Open House - Museum of Surrey, 17710 56A Avenue, Surrey, BC, 05/02/2026, 1-4 pm
- TJ Fest 2026 - 3426 Smith Avenue, Burnaby, BC, 05/02/2026-05/03/2026, 11:00am to 5:00pm
- West End Farmers Market - West End Farmers Market - Vancouver, 1100 Comox St, Vancouver, BC, 05/02/2026, 9 am- 2 pm
- Trout Lake Farmers Market - Trout Lake Farmers Market, Trout Lake John Hendry Park, Vancouver, BC, 05/02/2026, 9 am - 2 pm
- Riley Park Farmers Market – Summer - Riley Park Farmers Market - Winter, East 30th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, 05/02/2026, 10 am- 2 pm
- Haney Farmers Market - Memorial Peace Park, 224 Street, Maple Ridge, BC, 05/02/2026, 9 am- 2 pm
- Fort Langley Village Farmers' Market - Fort Langley Village Farmers' Market, 9025 Glover Rd, Langley, BC, 05/02/2026, 9 am- 3 pm
- Abbotsford Farm and Country Market - George Ferguson Way, Abbotsford, BC, 05/02/2026, 9 am – 1 pm
- Paws 4 Stories - North Vancouver District Public Library (Capilano Branch), 3045 Highland Blvd, North Vancouver, BC, 05/02/2026, 11:00am
- Free Comic Book Day 2026 - Free Comic Book Day, Multiple locations, 05/02/2026, see store location for hours
- Pay What You Can Day @ MONOVA -
MONOVA: Museum and Archives of North Vancouver, 05/03/2026, 10AM-5PM
- Music at the Museum - MONOVA: Museum of North Vancouver, Esplanade West, North Vancouver, BC, 05/03/2026, 11AM-2:15PM
- May Days in Port Coquitlam - 2580 Shaughnessy Street, Port Coquitlam, BC, 05/03/2026, see website
- Burnaby Blooms - Deer Lake Park Festival Lawn, Deer Lake Avenue,
Burnaby, BC, 05/03/2026, 11 am - 4 pm
- Man In Motion Book Launch - Vancouver Kidsbooks 2557 W. Broadway, 05/03/2026, 18:00pm
- White Rock Farmers Market - White Rock Farmers' Market, 15154 Russell Ave, White Rock, BC, 05/03/2026, 10 am - 2 pm
- Mount Pleasant Farmers Market - 2300 Guelph Street, Mount Pleasant, Vancouver, BC, 05/03/2026, 10 am- 2 pm
- Kitsilano Farmers Market - Kitsilano Farmers Market, 2614-2658 Larch St, Vancouver, BC, 05/03/2026, 10 am- 2 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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Wishing you and your family health and happiness!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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