Hard as it may be to believe on the heels of the winter that didn’t want to end, Easter is nearly here. Which means it’s time for some fun community events to help your family get in on the spirit of the season.
Hillview Preschool’s Easter Egg Hunt fundraiser has long been a favourite in Burnaby. This year’s 10th annual event is set for Saturday, April 8 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
It offers activities for kids up to age 10 – with egg decorating, face painting, crafts and games, an appearance by the Easter bunny, refreshments and, of course, the egg hunt. It runs rain or shine at the preschool, 4340 Carson St. (access the parking from McKay Avenue at Boxer Street). Email [email protected] to order tickets, or call 604-431-0119.
The following weekend, Bonsor Seniors’ Centre is hosting its grandparent and family Easter egg hunt, for kids aged 17 months to 10 years old, with a senior. It’s set to run from 10 a.m. to noon. Kids can decorate an Easter basket, make Easter-themed crafts and take part in the egg hunt. It’s all happening at Bonsor Seniors’ Centre, 6533 Nelson Ave. Kids must be registered ahead (it costs $1.86). Call 604-297-4580 for information.
The whole family can also take part in an Easter egg hunt and loonie swim on Easter Sunday, April 16, running from noon to 1:30 p.m. at C.G. Brown Pool. Admission is $1, and it’s open to all ages – note that kids aged seven and younger must be within arm’s reach of an adult aged 16 or older. Call 604-297-4520 for information.
Know of any other Easter fun happening in the city? Drop me a line ([email protected]) and I can share with readers in an upcoming column.
FAMILY STORYTIME
If you have young children, here’s another fun one happening on Easter weekend.
Everyone is invited out to the Bob Prittie (Metrotown) branch of Burnaby Public Library for a family storytime on Saturday, April 15, running from 11 to 11:45 a.m.
Kids of all ages, with caregivers, are invited to join in stories, music, action and fun. The first 15 minutes is set aside for families to settle in, look at books and meet other families. You don’t have to sign up ahead, but it’s recommended that you arrive early, because space is limited. Caregivers must attend with kids.
Family storytimes are on every Saturday until May 27. For more information, call 604-436-5420 or see www.bpl.bc.ca/events.
EARTH DAY FUN
Once Easter is over, Earth Day isn’t far behind. The Burnaby Public Library is offering a special Earth Day-themed Makerspace event on Saturday, April 22 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Kids can celebrate the day with eco-friendly crafts, using natural and recycled materials to make bird feeders and seedling pots. Organizers warn the event may get messy, so kids should wear casual clothes.
The fun will take place in the Willow Room of the Cameron Recreation Centre. It’s a free program, but you have to sign up – call 604-421-5454 or drop in to the Cameron library branch to register the kids.
Caregivers must accompany kids aged 10 and under.
WEEDBUSTERS
Also on an Earth Day theme, parents with older kids (ages eight and up) are invited to bring the family out to the next Weedbusters session at Burnaby Lake Park.
The Burnaby Lake Park Association runs the sessions to help remove invasive plants that threaten native species. Volunteers can gather at the Nature House at 4519 Piper Ave., and the weedbusting runs from 1 to 4 p.m.
Call 604-432-6359 for details.
Do you have an item for Family Ties? Send family- and parenting-related ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
