Your TL;DR Travel Guide to traveling in Vancouver with Children
TL;DR: Vancouver is a fantastic place to visit – for people of all ages. While you may need to plan to spend some money for admission and various attractions, the Aquarium, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, and Kids Market are amazing things to add to your travel itinerary.
- Visit the Aquarium
- Spend a Day at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
- Visit Granville Island, Kid’s Market
- Explore More of Vancouver
Did you know Canada’s Family Day is February 19th? In honor of this special day, I’ve compiled a list of things to do in Vancouver when you are traveling with children.
I love Vancouver, and there is no shortage of fun things to do (for all ages) when exploring this part of Canada. I also included some resources to check-out with your kids as you prepare for your adventure. And, if you are looking for free alternatives or additional activities to do as a family, I also added in one free thing to do with your child at each attraction.
Now – Read on for a few of my family-friendly Vancouver picks!
Visit the Aquarium
Address: 845 Avison Way, Vancouver, BC V6G 3E2, Canada
Tickets: https://www.vanaqua.org/visit/tickets/
Nestled inside Stanley Park sits the Vancouver Aquarium, a treasure trove full of all things aquatic. With accessible facilities and a convenient cafe to make sure you and your little ones are fueled and ready to go, the aquarium is the perfect destination for families visiting Vancouver. Inside the aquarium are a few different exhibits, targeting different age groups (including your toddlers!).
For your very little ones, take a look at Clownfish Cove, a sort of indoor playground. For slightly older kiddos be sure to visit the Wet Lab and Touch Pools for a more hands-on learning experience (which are fun for adults too – I definitely had to give them a try on my last visit!). And don’t forget my favorite – the mammal exhibit outdoors!
Lastly, the Aquarium is currently running a Family Day special offer where one kid can get in free with the purchase of an adult ticket – valid until February 19! Learn more here.
Prepare ahead of time:
After booking your trip, check out this live feed from the Aquarium to boost your child’s curiosity and start the learning before you leave: Sea Otter Live Cam
Free things to do while you are in the area:
Explore the rest of Stanley Park to make a full-day of your adventure! Look for children’s playgrounds throughout the park and pack a picnic for a full family fun day.
Spend a Day at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Address: 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver, BC
Tickets: https://shop.capbridge.com/webstore/shop/viewItems.aspx?cg=consumer&c=TKT
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is brilliant way to experience the serene beauty of North Vancouver’s rainforest in a safe and well-contained setting (making it perfect for teaching kids how to respect nature). While some people with a fear of heights might find the bridge a bit intimidating at first, I personally felt very safe and secure using all the facilities during my last visit.
For families, there are plenty of food stalls, easy to find restrooms, and various educational activities for all ages to enjoy. Be sure to grab a rainforest exploration guide at the treehouse for a little scavenger hunt (there is a prize if you finish!)
Prepare ahead of time:
After purchasing tickets, check out this vide from Capilano Park with your kiddos to learn more: Cap Kids
Free things to do while you are in the area:
Stop by the Cleveland Dam (a peaceful and underrated part of Vancouver) for a little picnic and nature walk over to the Salmon Hatchery for more nature exploration.
Read more about visiting Capilano Suspension Bridge Park here!
Visit Granville Island, Kid’s Market
Address: 1496 Cartwright St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Y5, Canada
Granville Island is certainly a must-visit when visiting Vancouver. If you are traveling with children, then you have to stop by Kids Market. Located near the main entrance to the Island and Sutcliff Park, Kids Market is full of shops, eateries, and activities for kids. Visit the Adventure Zone for an indoor playground (day passes cost $13) or check-out one an arcades while you explore. For a full list of shops, head on over to the Kids Market website here. I took a small stroll through the market on my last visit and found the cutest souvenirs – so you may want to set aside some time for shopping too.
Prepare ahead of time:
See what events are happening at the Market here. You can also talk to your children and set a souvenir budget before you go to add an educational aspect to your trip.
Free things to do while you are in the area:
Head on over to Sutcliff Park behind the Kids Market for a little bit of outdoor exploration. You can also walk over to the Public Market and listen to the live entertainment while you eat lunch.
Vancouver is full of family-friendly activities. Whether it’s visiting a local park, checking out the wildlife, or playing at an arcade, there are so many things to do for people of all ages. Let me know how your family celebrated Family Day!
TL;DR Travels 
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