Wow, it seems Christmas is just behind us, and the Family Day long weekend is already just around the corner. (That’s Monday, Feb. 8 for those who may not remember.)
If you’re looking for some ideas of things to do to keep the small folks busy, never fear: there’s lots on offer in Burnaby to keep you busy for the whole weekend.
Here are some of the highlights:
BURNABY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Note that all the library branches are closed on Sunday and Monday, Feb. 7 and 8, but they have a variety of offerings on Saturday, Feb. 6 to help entertain families.
Among them are Lunar New Year Papercraft sessions at the Cameron branch (9523 Cameron St.), running from 11 a.m. to noon for ages four and up and from 3 to 4 p.m. for ages six to 12 years. Both programs are free to drop in (no registration needed), and caregivers must accompany kids aged 10 and under.
At the McGill branch (4595 Albert St.), kids aged four and up can drop in any time between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. for a LEGO session. Moms and dads are welcome to join in the fun, too – note that caregivers must attend with children 10 and under. No registration is needed.
At the Bob Prittie/Metrotown branch (6100 Willingdon)., there’s a family storytime at 11 a.m. for kids of all ages and their caregivers, featuring stories, music and action. Arrive early, since there’s limited space, and note that caregivers must attend with kids. Call 604-436-5420 for information.
For those families who like evening events, you can also drop in to the McGill branch on Friday night (Feb. 5) for a board game session from 6 to 8:30 p.m. – try your hand at games like Scrabble, Candyland and Settlers of Catan, all for free.
See www.bpl.bc.ca/events for the details of these and other offerings.
BURNABY VILLAGE MUSEUM
It’s Family Day at the Carousel, and Burnaby Village Museum (6501 Deer Lake Ave.) is inviting everyone in to join in the fun from noon to 3 p.m. on Family Day Monday.
The day is aimed at families with young children, and everyone’s invited to enjoy children’s entertainer Ruffle Redbird, get creative with kids’ art activities (button making and vintage valentines), take part in heritage games and, of course, ride the carousel – as many times as you want!
The cost is $6.50 per person, and drop-ins are welcome if space permits. But you can pre-register at 604-297-4565 (quote program code #381903) to save your spot. See www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca for all the details.
BURNABY LAKE
Burnaby Lake Regional Park is giving families a chance to explore nature on Feb. 8, with a drop-in session from noon to 3 p.m.
Everyone is invited to stop by the Nature House (4519 Piper Ave.) to try out arts and crafts and discover nature. It’s geared towards everyone aged three and up.
See www.metrovancouver.org/events/check-it-out for all the details.
BURNABY ART GALLERY
Stop by the gallery on Monday, Feb. 8 to take part in an Art Houses drop-in, running from noon to 2 p.m. and 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. You can team up to build an imaginary art house for your family, using all sorts of recycled and found materials.
The gallery is at 6344 Deer Lake Ave. See www.burnabyartgallery.ca or call 604-297-4422 for details. The program costs $2.50 per person or $5 per family.
FAMILIES ON ICE
Get ready to take to the ice with Family Day toonie skates, for all ages with an adult.
At Bill Copeland Arena, you can enjoy a pancake breakfast from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and a skate from 10 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
At Kensington Arena, you can skate between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. – registration is not required.
GET ACTIVE
You can keep your family moving all day long on Feb. 8, courtesy of the city’s recreation centres.
You can try zumba – it’s on at Bonsor at 10:45 a.m. for ages four and up; at Cameron for all ages from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. and at Edmonds for ages five to 12 from 11:15 a.m. to noon.
Or why not badminton? It’s on at Bonsor from 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. for ages six and up (with adult); and at Edmonds for all ages from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For those who love the water, there are family swims at Bonsor from 1 to 6:30 p.m. and Edmonds from 1 to 5 p.m., with a session at Eileen Dailly from noon to 7 p.m.
Eileen Dailly also offers a special pizza and pool party with swimming from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and pizza from 6 to 6:30 p.m. – it’s $5 per person, and registration is required.
For those who’d like to get into the gym, you can try out special family gym time at Bonsor from noon to 2 p.m., for ages three to 12 with an adult – there’ll be dodgeball, soccer, basketball and more, for $1 per person. There’s also a family gym time at Edmonds from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., for everyone aged 1.5 and up.
And it doesn’t stop there – there’s Family Yoga at Bonsor from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. and Family Pickleball at Edmonds from 1 to 3 p.m., among others.
Check out www.burnaby.ca/familyday for details of all the city’s Family Day offerings.
GET CREATIVE
The City of Burnaby is also giving families a chance to tap into their creative side on Feb. 8.
There’s a Teeny Valentine’s Special at Bonsor from 10 to 11:30 a.m., for kids aged 1.5 to five plus adult, which gives them a chance to make valentine’s crafts and treats.
Also at Bonsor, you can drop in any time between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to help build a fantasy landscape out of clay, or take part in the Bonsor Butterfly Project between noon and 3 p.m. and help paint a swarm of wooden butterflies for the walls of the rec centre.
For the musically inclined, there’s a Family Drumming session at Edmonds from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m., for kids aged five to 12 with adult.
Cameron also offers a special Fun and Games session from 10:30 a.m. to noon, for all ages, with a chance to take part in board games, crafts, the Imagination Playground and more. And Willingdon has Family Games Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., for all ages, offering everyone a chance to play with the Imagination Playground.
See www.burnaby.ca/familyday for details of costs and registration information.
Do you have a family- or parenting-related event or item to share? Send ideas to Julie, jmaclellan@burnabynow.com, or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
