Spring break. For kids, those may be two of the most exciting words of the year. For parents, they’re more likely to just bring on a stress-induced headache.
For those still searching for ways to occupy their small folks this spring break (that’s March 14 to 28 this year in Burnaby, by the way – including Easter weekend), never fear. I’ve been digging around (OK, I’ve been googling and asking friends on social media) and I’ve found this amazing array of spring break activities on offer in the city.
If you know of any others, feel free to email me ([email protected]). In the meantime, here are some ideas to get you started:
GENERAL INTEREST
Burnaby Village Museum
If you want to check it out as a family, the museum is open daily from March 14 to 25, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. Gate admission is free, and carousel rides are $2.60 each. The museum also offers a spring break heritage adventure camp for kids, with two sessions – March 14 to 18 or March 21 to 24. Check out www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca for details, or see www.tinyurl.com/BurnabySpringBreak2016 for the link to camp registration.
Burnaby Neighbourhood House
Burnaby Neighbourhood House is running its yearly day camp from March 14 to 24 at eight different Burnaby locations. Kids from grades 1 to 7 can take part in a variety of activities, including gym games, crafts, cooking and field trips. Check out www.burnabynh.ca or call 604-431-0400.
Simon Fraser University
SFU is once again offering a variety of camps, including Clan Kids for five- to eight-year-olds, Out Trippers for eight- to 12-year-olds and Leadership Camp for 14- to 17-year-olds. See www.sfu.ca/camps for more (and check out more under SPORTS below for the sports-themed offerings).
City of Burnaby
Once again, Burnaby’s parks, recreation and cultural services department has a slew of choices for local families, with day-long and week-long options at a variety of city recreation centres in all corners of the city. Whether it’s a week of “sportacular” fun, a chance to delve into 3-D animation, a leadership camp, indoor rock climbing or babysitter basics, there’s something on offer for kids ages five to 15. See www.tinyurl.com/BurnabySpringBreak2016 for the full list and links to registration.
ARTS
Burnaby Art Gallery
Burnaby Art Gallery gives young artists a chance to take part in Spring Art Days, with week-long programs for four- to-six-year-olds, six- to eight-year-olds and nine- to 12-year-olds. The little ones are introduces to painting, drawing, sculpture and storytelling with pictures, while older kids can try out drawing, printmaking, painting and sculpture. See www.burnabyartgallery.ca.
Shadbolt Centre for the Arts
It’s a wild and wonderful week at the Shadbolt Centre, as kids can take part in a number of camps and programs, with offerings for ages four up to 17. There’s circus, arts, storytelling, drama, creative dance, photography, digital filmmaking and more. See www.shadboltcentre.com for details.
Artspace Children’s Arts Centre
Artspace has two spring break arts camps for kids aged five to 11. From March 14 to 18, kids can take part in Art Exploration and Hip Hop. From March 21 to 24, it’s Cartooning and Drama Adventures. There are half-day and full-day options. See www.artspaceforchildren.com or call 778-989-9051.
4Cats Capitol Hill
This art studio for kids offers new spring break camps this year, with sessions for kids in various ages from three up to 12. Your budding artist can take part in a Garden Fairy Camp, an On the Plain camp, an abstract camp or a Friday workshop on a pet theme. Check out www.4cats.com/capitolhill/class/spring-camps/.
SPORTS
Canlan Ice Sports
Canlan Ice Sports has spring break sports camps for kids, including an Extreme Ball sports camp from March 14 to 18 and an Olympic Spirit Week camp from March 14 to 24. Both are for ages six to 11. See www.icesports.com or call 604-291-0626.
Cliff Avenue United FC
Got a small soccer player in the house? Cliff Avenue United FC is offering its third annual spring break soccer camp at Burnaby Lake West (Field 3), for ages U8 to U12, both boys and girls. The camp runs daily from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., March 14 to 18 and March 21 to 25. See www.cliffavenuesoccer.com.
Roman Tulis European Soccer School of Excellence
Roman Tulis soccer school is offering its spring break soccer camp for boys and girls aged six to 13 at Fortius Sport and Health, 3677 Kensington Ave. It runs Monday to Thursday, March 21 to 24, from 5 to 8 p.m. daily. See www.romantulis.com.
Simon Fraser University
Along with its general interest camps, the SFU spring break offerings also include some sporty choices: soccer camps for five- to 14-year-olds, field lacrosse for boys aged 10 to 14 and girls aged 13 to 18, and golf for seven- to 15-year-olds. See www.sfu.ca/camps for all the details.
Do you have any family and parenting-related news or ideas to share? Email Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
