KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Sat, Mar 14: Hastings Centre Rockhounds’ 65th Annual Gem & Jewellery Show
Fri, Mar 20: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane at Evergreen Cultural Centre
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:
When I was a teenager, I had a teacher who became a mentor without ever knowing he was one. He was aware I’d been going through some difficult times, and was glad to hear I was almost on the other side. “Some people aren't lucky enough to have dealt with hard things when they're young,” he told me. Then he added the phrase that has echoed in my head for decades: “Remember
the rocks.” Life, he explained, was always going to toss boulders into my path. The trick was to recognize, early, that even if it was painful or scary, I was capable of getting around, or over, or through them. Remembering how I’d managed would help me trust myself more when the next, bigger ones appeared. As a parent, I think about that often, about how the only way to become someone who does hard things is… to do hard things. It’s
tempting to rush in and smooth every unpleasant obstacle our kids encounter. When we email the teacher, mend the friendship, rescue the forgotten homework, eliminate every discomfort, we may feel helpful in the moment, but in fact we’re quietly removing the practice stones they need. Resilience doesn’t come from being told “You’re strong”; it comes from evidence that only they can gather, from working through manageable challenges and thinking, That was hard. And I handled it. We don’t
need to manufacture their challenges—being a kid is difficult enough. And we don’t abandon them to do it all on their own, either. We just learn to pause, to weigh advice against intervention, and to let them see what they can manage. The goal is that later in life, when something truly difficult lands in our children's path, they won’t just hope they can manage it, they’ll know. Now, many years later, when I encounter something daunting, I think back to my
mentor and remember the rocks. "I do hard things," I tell myself. And it works.
—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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iD Tech: The World's #1 STEM Summer Camp! BattleBots® Camp? You can only get it here. Roblox Camp? We've got that and more in our Summer '26 lineup. Register today at the top-rated tech camp for 25 years and counting! iD Tech is the very best
experience built around your child—their interests, their skill level, their goals for the future. Trusted by 75+ of the world’s top universities and over 1,000,000 parents, iD Tech is where kids and teens learn from the best—coding, game dev, robotics, and more. The future starts at iD Tech!
Click here for more information about your local iD Tech opportunities! Virtual camps are also available!
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Unleash your child’s creativity this summer at Gateway Academy! Whether they are a seasoned performer or stepping onto the stage for the first time, our Acting and Musical Theatre camps offer a safe, welcoming space for beginners to explore. Taught by
industry professionals inside our professional theatre, students will dive into musical numbers or discover the craft of acting on stage and on camera. It’s the perfect place to build confidence, make new friends, and try something new in a supportive environment. From iconic shows to on-camera techniques, give your child an unforgettable summer in the spotlight. Register today and let the magic begin at Gateway!
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From April 3 - 6, 2026, join us for a unique seasonal experience where mining history meets hands-on discovery. Venture underground on a special themed tour where families work together using flashlights and problem-solving skills to uncover how miners
located copper deep inside the mountain. Above ground, our newly reimagined site-wide scavenger hunt will guide you across the museum grounds with interactive clue stations that reveal a hidden message - leading explorers to a final destination and a real mineral reward.
New this year, Live in the Lab: Secret Identities invites guests to step into the role of an assayer, using scientific tests to uncover what minerals truly are beneath the surface. Add in the BOOM! show and full site access, and it’s a dynamic, educational, and playful way to spend the long weekend.
All Easter activities are included with regular museum admission, making it an unforgettable day of discovery, learning, and family
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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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Join us for a weekend of brilliant francophone, world and folk music, fabulous food and a generous helping of francophone culture! We look forward to seeing you (wearing your plaid) in Mackin Park.
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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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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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A celebration of Celtic culture! Join us at Museum of Surrey for an afternoon filled with live music, dancing, cultural displays, and hands-on activities.
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Come out and enjoy an exciting season of Chiefs hockey in Chilliwack. Fans can enjoy high-level competition, meaningful community involvement, and unforgettable game-night experiences.
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Book Buddies is a one-on-one reading program to help young readers get more comfortable and confident with reading. In this series, we're providing a bilingual option to practice reading in both English and French!
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As the wind rises, we draw inspiration from the fearlessness of the Horse. This year’s The Lantern City lights up Vancouver in five locations. 36 lanterns take us through the city with stories about the horse, nature, hope for the future, childhood
memories, and more.
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Visit the Gallery for FREE on the first Friday evening of every month!
Thanks to the generous support of BMO, admission to the Gallery is FREE for all visitors from 4 to 8 PM on the first Friday of every month.
Please reserve your spot in advance to guarantee entry into the Gallery. Walk-in tickets are also available based on capacity. Tickets are released one month in advance.
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Join an upcoming campus tour to learn about our faculties, academic programs, student experiences, and more. You'll be guided by Meadowridge students, who can share their insights as they lead you through a variety of outstanding campus spaces. You will
also have an opportunity to connect with Senior Administration and parent volunteers. We can’t wait to meet you!
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Let the kids enjoy a night out while you enjoy a night off! Our Youth Staff and amazing Volunteer Team have a fun-filled evening planned. Kids will enjoy games, arts and crafts, and other exciting activities—all in a safe and welcoming environment. A slice
of cheese pizza and a juice box are included for dinner.
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No need to sit still here! Wiggle Time includes interactive rhymes, songs, and stories with lots of movement followed by some play and social time.
Wiggle Time is a perfect transition between Babytime and Storytime.
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- Open House at Meadowridge School - Meadowridge School, Maple Ridge, March 6, 9-10:30 am
- Pokémon Trainer's Gym - Richmond Public Library: Cambie Branch, Richmond, March 6, 4-5 pm
- Family Funtime - North Vancouver District Public Library (Capilano Branch), North Vancouver, March 6, 10:30 am
- Kid's Chess Club - Lynn Valley
Library, North Vancouver, March 6, 3:30-5:30 pm
- Preteen Night- Mount Pleasant Community
Centre - Mount Pleasant Community Centre, Vancouver, March 6, 6-8 pm
- Our Connection to
Hockey - Museum of Surrey, Surrey, March 6-8, see website
- 2026 The Lantern City - Downtown
Vancouver, Vancouver, March 6-8, 12am
- Wiggle Time - Clearbrook Library, Abbotsford, March 6, 11:30 am- 12 pm
- Baby Stay and Play - Vancouver Public Library - Fraserview Branch, Vancouver, March 6, 11-11:30 am
- KidsZone: It's Friday, Friday
Club - Vancouver Public Library - Terry Salman Branch, Vancouver, March 6, 6:30-7:30 pm
- Free First Friday Nights presented by BMO - BMO, Vancouver Art Gallery, Vancouver, March 6, 4–8 pm
- DUPLO Free Play - Richmond Public Library, Ironwood Branch, Richmond, March 7-8, 11-11:30 am
- Family Storytime - Richmond Public Library, Brighouse Branch, Richmond, March 7, 10:30-11 am
- Family Storytime - Richmond Public Library: Cambie Branch, Richmond, March 7, 10:30-11 am
- Celtic Fest 2026 - Museum of Surrey, Surrey, March 7, 1-4pm
- Celtic Fest- Museum of Surrey - Museum of Surrey, Surrey, March 7, 1-4 pm
- Family Fun Time - Lynn Valley Library, North Vancouver, March 8, 2-4 pm
- LEGO® Block Party - Vancouver Public Library - Champlain Heights Branch, Vancouver, March 8, 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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Winter is here and fun options for families just keep getting better! Whether you stick with what you love or decide to try something new, KidsOutAndAbout has plenty of ideas. From Ice skating, kid-friendly museums, indoor play centers, and outdoor
activities to thinking ahead to next year's school options - we've got you covered.
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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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