Summer days are upon us – and that means it’s time to start finding ways to keep your small humans occupied.
Never fear, Burnaby is bursting with opportunities for families and kids of all ages, and I’ve rounded up a few upcoming events to get your started.
Some highlights:
COMMUNITY DINNER
For a fun family night out, don’t forget about the regular family dinner and drop-in sessions at the YMCA’s Brentwood Community Resource Centre.
The events are aimed at parents and caregivers with kids from newborn to age five. YMCA serve up a light, vegetarian dinner and offer a space for parents and kids to play and socialize. Kids can share books and sing with the Burnaby Public Library’s library time.
All the fun is free. The next one runs Tuesday, June 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Contact [email protected] for more information.
GET READING
The Burnaby Public Library offers plenty of opportunities to get the young folks in your home interested in reading.
The Kids Book Club, for ages nine to 12, meets again on Friday, June 17 at 4 p.m. at the Metrotown library branch (6100 Willingdon Ave.). Kids will be talking about Masterminds, by Gordon Korman. Call 604-436-5420 or sign up at www.bpl.bc.ca/events.
There’s also the popular Summer Reading Club – which kicks off with a fun family dance party on Saturday, June 18 from 11 a.m. to noon at the Metrotown branch.
The Teen Summer Reading Club is also back, with registration starting Monday, June 13. Teens can take part in the club – with a theme of The Survival Challenge – to win prizes over the summer. For more details, call teen librarian Rachel Yaroshuk at 604-297-4809.
See www.bpl.bc.ca/events for information about any of the above happenings.
CRAFTY KIDS
Feeling crafty? Kids aged four to 10 can drop in to a Papercrafts session at the Cameron branch of Burnaby Public Library on Sunday, June 19.
The session runs from 2 to 4 p.m., and you don’t need to sign up – just drop in, and take part for free. Parents or caregivers must accompany kids aged 10 and under.
See www.bpl.bc.ca/events for more details.
WALK THROUGH THE VILLAGE
Burnaby Village Museum is offering free guided walks of the village on weekdays, Tuesdays through Fridays, at 2 p.m.
The walks, of course, are in addition to the regular exhibitions and activities at the museum. Be sure to check out this summer’s special exhibition, Technology Before the Smartphone, which is ongoing in Stride Studios.
Other special events happen daily. Among the highlights this week are planned Model T car rides (weather permitting) on Tuesday and Wednesday, a tinsmithing demo on Thursday, and demonstrations of steam equipment on Friday.
Check out www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca under the Events link for all the highlights, or call 604-297-4565.
The museum is open 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesdays through Sundays, as well as statutory holidays (it’s closed on non-holiday Mondays), and gate admission is free. Carousel rides on the heritage carousel are $2.60 apiece.
ABORIGINAL DAY
Here’s a wonderful event for the whole family.
Burnaby Neighbourhood House’s Sharing Cultures Initiative is hosting Burnaby’s first ever National Aboriginal Day celebration, with a community dinner event.
The event is set for Tuesday, June 21 from 5:15 to 7:30 p.m. at Edmonds Community School, 7651 18th Ave. in Burnaby.
There will be a traditional welcome at 5:15 p.m., with a performance by the Musqueam Nation Wolf Pack dance troupe at 5:45 p.m. Stew and bannock will be served from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m., while it lasts (arrive early!)
The event is being presented by the Burnaby Art Gallery, Burnaby Neighbourhood House, the Burnaby school district, Burnaby Village Museum, Spirit of the Children Society and local parents.
ART CAMPS OFFERED
Do you have arty kids in your house? The Burnaby Art Gallery can help keep them entertained this summer.
The gallery is offering a host of week-long camps through July and August, giving kids of all ages a chance to immerse themselves in a variety of art forms.
Camp themes includes Wacky World of Art, The Ecology of Art, Art Explorers, Off the Shelf, Artful Animals and Modern Movements.After-camp clubs are also available for those who need care after hours.
Check out www.burnabyartgallery.ca or call 604-297-4422 for more information.
Do you have an item for Family Ties? Send family- and parenting-related ideas and information to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
