When the weather outside is frightful, bored children are not delightful.
If you’re looking for something to do with the kids after Christmas, look no farther. We’ve rounded up a few ideas to help you keep the post-holiday blahs away in Burnaby.
So bookmark this list, and enjoy.
1. ENJOY HERITAGE CHRISTMAS
Remember, Christmas has 12 days, and Dec. 25 is just the first one. You can celebrate a traditional Christmas at Burnaby Village Museum, where Heritage Christmas celebrations are ongoing until Friday, Jan. 4. The village is open daily from 1 to 9 p.m. until Jan. 4; it’s closed only Dec. 24 and 25.
You can take part in the 12 Days of Christmas Scavenger Hunt, see old-fashioned Christmas films in the theatre, visit the blacksmith’s shop, do crafts and explore the heritage village in all its illuminated glory. There’s also a busy schedule of entertainment every day. Some of the highlights include Rainforest Theatre’s The Little Mermaid; Matt Henry’s “Trained Human” performance; live music from the Celtic Lasses, Vostok, Rebecca Blair, Rene Hugo Sanchez and Friends, and more; baking demonstrations; children’s storytelling, and more. See the daily schedule at www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca.
Best of all? It’s free. Only the carousel rides cost money ($2.65 each). Stop in to 6501 Deer Lake Ave., or see www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca for details.
2. TAKE IN A MOVIE
Burnaby Public Library branches have a host of movie screenings coming up over the holidays, all for free. Space is limited for the showings, so be sure to check out www.bpl.bc.ca/events for details. Among the upcoming highlights:
- Paddington, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2 p.m. at McGill (4595 Albert St.)
- Elf, Thursday, Dec. 27, 6:30 p.m. at McGill
- Holiday Shorts, Friday, Dec. 28, 2 p.m. at Metrotown (6100 Willingdon), featuring Kung Fu Panda Holiday, Prep & Landing, and Shrek the Halls
- Frozen, Friday, Dec. 28, 2 p.m. at Tommy Douglas (7311 Kingsway)
3. BUILD WITH LEGO
Sure, you can use all those new sets that Santa brought to your house – and you can also stop in for LEGO Club sessions at Burnaby Public Library branches.
On Thursday, Dec. 27, from 2 to 4 p.m., children aged five to 12 can call on the Metrotown branch (6100 Willingdon Ave.). On Saturday, Dec. 29, kids aged four and up are invited to drop in to the McGill branch (4595 Albert St.) between 1:30 and 4:30 p.m.
Caregivers must come along with kids under 10, and adults are welcome to join in the fun. See www.bpl.bc.ca/events for all the details.
4. GET CRAFTY
If you just can’t come up with one more good project for all those popsicle sticks and pom-poms in the craft drawer, then get some ideas from the Burnaby Public Library.
There’s a Winter MakerSpace: Make a Tiny House event at Tommy Douglas branch (7311 Kingsway) on Thursday, Dec. 27 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Children aged five to 12 can construct a mini house using cardstock, popsicle sticks, puzzle pieces and other materials. Children under 10 need to bring along a participating adult. Call 604-522-3971 for info.
5. VISIT BURNABY ART GALLERY
The gallery (6344 Deer Lake Ave.) is open after Christmas for families to stop in and check out the current exhibition, Picturing Arctic Modernity – North Baffin Drawings from 1964. You can drop in on Dec. 27 and 28 between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or Dec. 29 and 30 between noon and 5 p.m. The gallery will be temporarily closed for renovations between Jan. 14 and March 13, so be sure to check out the exhibition before it closes on Jan. 13. (Off-site programming will continue at libraries for the closure period – see www.burnabyartgallery.ca for the details.)
6. GET OUTSIDE
Pull out the rubber boots and the raincoats (or the winter gear, perhaps?) and work out your cabin fever at one of Burnaby’s beautiful outdoor locations. Visit with the ducks and other wildlife at Burnaby Lake, walk the trails along Deer Lake, stroll Burnaby Fraser Foreshore Park, take in the views from Burnaby Mountain, or enjoy a beachside winter walk at Barnet Marine Park.
Check out www.tinyurl.com/BbyParks2018 for full details and directions.
7. RING IN THE NEW YEAR
If your kids (or you) just can’t make it to midnight, you have a couple of family fun options on Dec. 31. At Kensington Recreation Complex (6159 Curtis St.), you can join in a Toonie Skate from 1:45 to 4:45 p.m., complete with face painting and crafts. (The price includes helmet and skate rental.)
At the Metrotown branch of Burnaby Public Library (6100 Willingdon Ave.), you can sign up for the Noon Year’s Eve Party for the three- to six-year-old set, featuring dancing, crafts, a photo booth and a balloon drop at noon. It runs from 11 a.m. to noon, and registration is needed, so see www.bpl.bc.ca/events to sign your child up.
