OK, Burnaby parents, if your family isn’t already coming out of winter hibernation, then now’s definitely the time to start.
There’s all kinds of fun to be had in the city for kids and families, and I’ve compiled this list of highlights. Be sure to check these out – and let me know if you have any tips or ideas to share.
POPPING UP FOR FUN
Love the library? Check out a couple of Burnaby Public Library outreach events coming into the community near you.
On Saturday, April 23, the library will be hosting a Pop-Up Library event at Shadbolt Centre for the Arts from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Families can also enjoy a Pop-Up Library event on Monday, April 25 at Wesburn Community Centre, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Burnaby Public Library is on hand, and you can learn about library services, browse material, borrow books and even get a library card.
Also on hand at Wesburn, the kids can enjoy the Imagination Playground – a whole host of large modular blocks that they can stack and move around.
Wesburn is at 4781 Parkwood Ave.
HELP KIDS GET READY FOR SCHOOL
Do you have a child getting ready to make the transition to kindergarten?
The Burnaby District Parent Advisory Council is holding a parent information evening on Wednesday, April 27 called Self-Regulation in the Early Years: Home to School.
Deb Simak and Elizabeth Gardner will give the presentation, which focuses on the role self-regulation plays in helping young kids be ready to learn in a school setting. It will look at skills in the area of "social emotional learning," with examples from the Burnaby district's kindergarten transition program.
It's all set to run from 7 to 9 p.m. at Burnaby Central Secondary School, 6011 Deer Lake Pkwy.
See www.burnabydpac.com for details of this and other events organized by the parent advisory council.
TO MARKET, TO MARKET
The Burnaby Farmers’ Market is making a return on Saturday, May 7 – just in time for Mother’s Day!
You can find locally grown conventional and organic produce, plus prepared foods and crafts, every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the north parking lot at Burnaby City Hall (4949 Canada Way).
It’s a wonderfully family-friendly gathering spot that includes live music, kids’ play tent, games table, used book exchange and a seating area with newspapers to read. And you can make a day of it by stopping to buy some ready-to-eat food from the food trucks on site.
Bring your own shopping bags!
Check out www.artisanmarkets.ca for more details.
DOWN TO THE VILLAGE
And while you’re in the neighbourhood, Saturday, May 7 also happens to be opening day for the Burnaby Village Museum season.
The village is open May 7 to September 5, Tuesdays through Sundays (plus statutory holidays) from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Gate admission is always free, and carousel rides on the gorgeous restored 1912 C.W. Parker Carousel are only $2.60.
Burnaby Village is just down the road from city hall at 6501 Deer Lake Ave. See www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca for all the details.
Do you have an item for Family Ties? Send parenting and family-related information to Julie, [email protected].
