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April 4,
2009
Galileo
is alive and well, and performing in the Planetarium,
where he'll tour you through his universe of discoveries
at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre.
Galileo Live! is a 30-minute show with a unique blend
of a live stage actor, multimedia visuals, and the
planetarium sky. The show is suitable for all ages.
Every Saturday evening until June 20. Information,
604-738-7827 www.spacecentre.ca |
April 5,
2009
The
VSO’s Kids Koncerts series presents
the Mysterious Maestro today at 2:00pm today at The
Orpheum in Vancouver. This is a concert story about
a little girl named Hannah who loves to sing...who
moves to a town where music is forbidden; a town named
Hamelin, about thirty years after the infamous Pied
Piper led all Hamelin's children away. A bewitching
concert featuring the music of Verdi, Mendelssohn,
Liszt and Villa-Lobos. www.vancouversymphony.ca |
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April 7,
2009
Head
down to Kidzone Playcentre in Richmond for
indoor fun. Information, www.kidzone-fun.com
or 604/207-8460 |
April 8,
2009
70,000
amazing creatures await you at the Vancouver Aquarium,
including sea lions, beluga whales, sharks, and dolphins.
Check out the new Exploration Gallery at the Vancouver
Aquarium. Visit www.vanaqua.org
or call 604/659-FISH |
April 10,
2009
Maritime
Style Easter Treasure Hunt until April 13 at the Vancouver
Maritime Museum. All ages will have fun with the Maritime
Museum’s version of an Easter egg hunt by exploring
galleries to find answers to set of questions. Finding
all the treasures will win a prize. Included with
Museum admission. www.vancouvermaritiemmuseum.com |
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April 11,
2009
Forensic
Science for Kids - at the Vancouver Police Museum
on Saturdays from Noon to 4pm. Participate in the
new Forensic Science Family Drop-in and explore the
science of contemporary police work. For more information,
call 604/665-3346 or visit vancouverpolicemuseum.ca |
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April 13,
2009
Engage
your mind and uncover the mysteries of everyday science
through interactive displays, hands-on experiments
and live demonstrations at Science World. The feature
exhibit currently at Science World is Lego World of
Transportation: Wheels, Wings and Waves - exhibit
closing May 4th. Visit www.scienceworld.ca |
April 16,
2009
Head
down to the BC Sports Hall of Fame and get into the
Olympic spirit by catching up on your BC Sports trivia,
activities, games and more. www.bcsportshalloffame.com |
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April 18,
2009
The
Vancouver Art Gallery is offering up some fabulous
new family programming. Saturdays at the Vancouver
Art Gallery now offer up great family programming,
including Art Agents -- armed with a bag full of materials
to facilitate children’s early encounters with
art, the Art Agents will be bold, whimsical, funny,
informed and on the watch for families in the galleries.
Also on offer, is Art Tracks – unique child-oriented
tours led by artists, scientists, musicians, storytellers
and others who will introduce different ways of engaging
with art, exhibitions and the Gallery, offering more
interdisciplinary ways of viewing art. www.vanartgallery.bc.ca |
April 23,
2009
Chinese
Music: A Musical Mosaic
An orientation by guest speaker Alan Lau on the history
of Chinese music and its relationship with other musical
cultures, from Japanese gagaku to Indonesian gamelan,
with live instrumental music performed by the acclaimed
Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble
Thursday, April 23, 2009 at 6pm
Alice MacKay Room (Lower Level)
Vancouver Public Library – Central Branch
350 West Georgia Street
FREE ADMISSION |
|
May 2,
2009
Fingerling
Festival
Port Moody Ecological Society
Saturday, May 2, 2009
11am - 3pm (admission: free)
Noons Creek Hatchery and arena, 300 Ioco Road, Port
Moody
Help us release 35,000 young chum salmon into Noons
Creek so they can begin their journey to the ocean.
Musical performances by Bobs and Lolo (www.bobsandlolo.com)
- back again by popular demand!
Crafts, over 45 community displays, raffle, fair trade
coffee for sale, and more – it’s the Tri
Cities’ largest environmental festival.
Walk, run, bike, carpool or take transit – parking
is limited.
For more info, call 604-469-9106 or email cynthiavg@shaw.ca
www.noonscreek.org |
“Are
we there yet...” BCAA’s survival skills
for the family road trip this Spring Break.
“Don’t make me stop the car!”
“Don’t make me come back there!”
Any kid who’s had to endure a long flight
or road trip next to an annoying sibling has probably
heard those words. Even at the best of times, travelling
can be stressful. But travelling with children presents
a whole different set of challenges – namely
keeping the peace and maintaining sanity during
long flights and drives.
According
to BCAA Travel, the most popular spring break destinations
this year remain unchanged: Hawaii, Mexico, and
Disneyland Park in California. And this year, road
trips may be an attractive alternative for families
wanting to avoid a high-spending spring break.
Whether
you’re staying close to home or travelling
far afield, BCAA offers tips to help alleviate tensions
and inject some spring into your Spring Break:
· Involve your kids in trip planning.
Have them mark the route you’ll be taking
or choose a restaurant along the way; the more youngsters
feel they’re involved, the more they will
enjoy the trip.
· Pack an activity bag.
Fill a bag with crayons, books, games, etc. Make
one bag for each child and let them choose what
to put in it.
· Divide and conquer. Change
seats at each stop (and switch drivers if you can)
so that everyone gets a different seat for the next
part of the trip. Sometimes an alternate seating
plan helps keep the family peace. Young children
should always ride in the back in an age-appropriate
child seat or booster seat.
· Take regular breaks. If
the kids (and adults) start to get antsy, consider
making frequent stops to stretch, run around, and
expend some of that energy in a positive way.
· Bring a pillow and blanket.
Don’t forget about nap time. Having something
soft and snuggly will help the younger kids drift
off to sleep.
· Keep their tummies full.
Pack a cooler with juice boxes and snacks for when
the kids get hungry.
· Play games. From singing
songs to playing alphabet and memory games, one
of the best ways to relieve tension between siblings
is to work together on a family game.
· Invest in an iPod or portable DVD
player. Music and movies are entertaining
for kids (young and old) and offers a good break
for everyone! But keep them in the back seat to
avoid distracting the driver.
BCAA also recommends that vacationers take the following
– often forgotten – precautions to ensure
their own and loved ones’ safety while on
vacation:
· Make sure your vehicle gets a thorough
tune-up. Also, good visibility is critical
so check windshield wiper blades and windshield-washer
fluid before heading out on the road.
· Get travel insurance.
If you’re travelling outside B.C., ensure
you carry proper travel medical insurance for all
your family members. Without insurance, basic medical
services outside the country could cost thousands
of dollars.
• Get your passport ready.
Canadians travelling by air to the U.S. now require
a valid passport to gain entry into the country.
Up until May 31, 2009, Canadian citizens entering
the United States by land or water may use a government-issued
photo ID, such as a driver’s licence, plus
proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate
or a Canadian citizenship card.
· Make your home appear lived in.
If you plan to be away for a while, stop newspaper
delivery and ask a neighbour to collect mail and
flyers.
· Carry a cell phone. In
case you need to make an emergency call, have a
fully-charged cell phone and pull over if you need
to use it.
· Map it out. Before you
head out, devise a driving plan by visiting www.bcaa.com
www.bcaa.com
for point-to-point driving directions, as well as
information about attractions, lodging, and restaurants
along your route.
Ongoing
Events & Articles
The
Young Naturalists Club of Stanley Park
This monthly activity is a chance for children (with
their parents) to enjoy two hours of nature exploration
and hands-on fun. Activities include hiking, games,
wildlife observation, outdoor art, and more! We
meet on the first Saturday of every month, from
10 am to noon. Call (604) 718-6522 to register,
or email ync@stanleyparkecology.ca
Cost: $15.00 per family per year. Pre-registration
is required.
KNITTING
CLASSES: NOW PARENT-FRIENDLY!
Little Nest cafe plays host to weekly knitting classes
for parents
with infants and toddlers.
Christa Giles is offering knitting classes with
a twist: students
are welcome to bring their young children to class!
Classes are
held on Wednesday afternoons from 2:30 to 4:00pm
at Little Nest cafe, a parent-friendly restaurant
on Charles St, just off
Commercial Drive.
Children can socialize in the cafe's well-stocked
play area, snooze in a stroller or take in all the
action from their parent's lap during the class.
Little Nest offers delicious meals and snacks to
tempt a knitter's taste buds, and the spacious and
well-lit cafe is a lovely place to spend an afternoon.
These sessions are designed for beginner knitters
getting started on basic skills, as well as intermediate
knitters ready to tackle challenging projects and
techniques, and advanced knitters looking for assistance
in customizing patterns or creating original designs.
Class size is limited to six students to ensure
all participants receive individualized instruction.
Advanced registration is required, email christa@christagiles.com
to reserve a space. Four weeks for $80.
Christa Giles has been teaching knitting lessons
for over 10
years. A popular instructor at Three Bags Full and
Urban Yarns, Christa is also a designer of knitting
patterns and produces the Christa Knits podcast
on knitting and design.
Burnaby
Family Place located in North Burnaby @410
Clare Ave. (One Block East of Sperling and Hastings)
Offers drop in playtime for parents and
caregivers and their children from 0 to 6 years.
The hours are 10am to 2pm Monday thru Thursday.
Call ahead for summer schedule. The coffee is on,
so come and meet some new friends in a casual and
relaxed atmosphere. Small drop in fee, but exceptions
always made. Everyone welcome. Call Kelly at 604-299-5112
for more info.
Holistic
Moms Network-Vancouver Area Chapter meets
every third saturday in North Vancouver
For
more information and details please visit: www.holisticmoms.org
or contact Alexandra: aexenberger@gmx.at
Check
out Telly TV every day from 7 –
11 am and Kid Zone Live weekdays
from 3pm - 6pm, both on Knowledge Network television.
Visit www.knowledgenetwork.ca
for more information, interactive games, activities
and more
Rainy
Day Activities (BCP article)
Sunset
Community Centre is offering a variety of
programs for all age groups.
Children's
programs include: Kinderplay, ABC's & 123's,
Tunes for Toddlers, Rhymes & Rhythms, Creative
Movement, Playgym, Start with Art, Cartooning, Jazz
Dance, Piano and Voice lessons, Gymnastics, Taekwondo,
Wushu, Badminton, Soccer, and Skating. Summer Daycamp
information is now available! Adults: We have Playcare:
let us entertain your preschooler at our Playgym M/W/F
10-11:30 am while you visit our Fitness Centre or
take part in a step class.
Adult
programs include Fitness, Body Ball, Pilates,
Yoga, Sports, Martial Arts, Dance, Drumming, Piano
and Voice lessons. Adult workshops include Garden
Art, Gardening & Scrapbooking. Sunset Community
Centre is located on East 51st Ave between Fraser
& Main St. in Vancouver. Free parking behind the
centre.
To
register call 718-6505. www.mysunset.net
Single
Mothers’ Support Group - a free of charge
group which provides single mothers with an opportunity
to network, learn parenting skills and access community
resources. Come and share your thoughts about being
a single mother. The group takes place on Mondays
from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at the New Westminster Family
Place. Call Monica at 604-525-9144.
Alcan
Children’s Maritime Discovery Centre: hands
on displays where kids and theyoung at heart discover
the maritime world – all designed for fun. At
the Vancouver Maritime Museum, 1905 Ogden Avenue In
Vanier Park. Visitor information: 257-8300 www.vmm.bc.c
Getting
Ready to Read is offered at Thompson,
Steveston and East Richmond (Cambie) community centres
in Richmond. The program includes many reading readiness
activities together with picture books, poetry, felt
stories, songs and puppets. Each session features
an interesting theme and literacy activities appropriate
for four and five year olds. Presented by a B.C. certified
teacher. For more information call: 604-276-4300.
Just
Dance: Dance Globally, Connect Locally
Popular Just Dance offers
an innovative “positive party” community
event for all ages (including many children and teens),
and is free from alcohol and smoking. Its unconventional
focus is on clean and healthy fun with the profits
donated to local charities. Part of Just Dance’s
14-year success is due to the eclectic selection of
world music including African, Drumming, Latin, Celtic,
Pop, Global Fusion and many more.
When: on most 2nd and 4th Fridays
of the month
Cost: $10 at the door- Children are
FREE!
Location: 2114-West 4th Avenue (at
Arbutus)
Just Dance: 9:00pm till 12:30am.
Information and Multimedia: www.justdance.ca |
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