Spring has sprung – and with it so has a multitude of activities for families. Regular readers will know I’ve been keeping an eye on the family scene in Burnaby, and I’m bringing you some roundups of happenings in the city’s neighbourhoods.
In my last outing, I looked at the Edmonds neighbourhood. Today, I present to you some offerings for folks around Metrotown.
GO TO THE MOVIES
Family movies are always a fun idea – and the Burnaby Public Library’s Metrotown branch has a couple on offer. On Wednesday, March 23 at 2 p.m., there’s a family screening of Aladdin, and on Thursday, March 24 at 7 p.m., it’s Inside Out. Free tickets are available in the children’s library at 6100 Willingdon Ave. one hour before showtime - arrive early, as space is limited and tickets may go quickly. Both movies are recommended for ages six and up, and adults must attend with kids younger than 10. See www.bpl.bc.ca/events.
GET BUILDING AND CREATING
The library is a great place to go for all kinds of fun for kids – not the least of which is the next Lego Club session on Tuesday, March 22 from 2 to 4 p.m. You don’t need to register; kids aged five to 12 and their parents can drop in anytime to join in the fun. Space is limited, so you may want to arrive early. Or why not try out Marshmallow and Toothpick Creations, a fun crafty session for kids aged five and up on Thursday, March 24 from 10 a.m. to noon. It’s free, but sign up by calling 604-436-5420.
CHESS, ANYONE?
Yes, the library steps up once again – the next Kids’ Chess Club meeting is on Saturday, April 9 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. It runs regularly on Saturdays, April 9 to April 30 and then again from May 28 to June 25. It’s an informal drop-in for kids aged six to 12. You don’t need to register, but do arrive early as space is limited. Check out www.bpl.bc.ca/events.
GET THE KIDS ACTIVE
If keeping your kids busy requires more than a trip to the park, why not consider signing them up for a new activity? The Bonsor Recreation Complex is home to a host of aquatic offerings, plus a wide variety of sports and recreation programs. Among the fun, active programs for kids I spotted were Tot Gym and Kindergym starting April 4, Zumba kids coming in the summer, and all levels of badminton and squash starting in April. The city’s new spring Leisure Guide details all the offerings – pick one up at city rec facilities or download one from www.burnaby.ca.
GET ARTY
Music? Drama? Visual arts? All this and more is also on offer at Bonsor Rec Complex. Among some highlights: A is for Art, F is for Family, a program for 2.5- to four-year-olds and their parents that will get you messing around with painting, drawing, clay and collage. It kicks off April 29. Or try Family Clayworks – Garden Creations, for five- to 15-year-olds, kicking off April 24. Musical Mishmash 4 Families starts April 21, Young Tunes for Families starts April 22, Mom ‘n’ Me Music (for two- and three-year-olds) starts April 19, Kinder Ballet starts April 17 … and the list goes on and on. The city’s new spring Leisure Guide details all the offerings – pick one up at city rec facilities or download one from www.burnaby.ca.
DROP IN TO THE MALL
Metropolis at Metrotown is always a busy family destination – little kids always love a ride on the Metropolis Express ($1 for adults, free for kids aged 12 and under), with proceeds to charity. There’s also a special Video Pop-Up Booth, where you can make your own video for a chance to win prizes, running until March 20 in the Atrium Court. The mall also invites folks to check out B.C.’s only Nintendo kiosk and hang out to play some arcade games at CHQ Entertainment. Check out www.metropolisatmetrotown.com for all the mall happenings.
PLAY IN THE PARK
Burnaby, of course, is festooned with parks large and small – but Central Park has to be one of the crown jewels. Sports fields, trails for hiking, jogging and cycling, the pitch-and-putt golf course, tennis courts, picnic spots and playground make it a great spot for spending an hour or a day. Plus, it has easy access by transit – just get off at Patterson SkyTrain station.
Do you have an item for Family Ties? Send family- and parenting-related ideas and events to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
