5 awesome spots to take the big kids when the rain hits!
Have the “I’m boooooored” calls started to echo throughout your home yet? The rain is starting to take its toll and boredom has set in. The kids (and you!) need to get out of the house. But where to go? Your eight-year-old is too big for community centre open gym drop-ins and your nine-year-old is getting tired of jumping in puddles.
>> 100 Outings and Activities for Rain Days in Metro Vancouver
Well, don’t worry! There are some great indoor places to check out with your bigger kids this rainy season. And they may actually learn a thing or two. (Shhhh! Don’t tell them that!)
5 indoor spots to take the big kids on rain days
H.R. MacMillan Space Centre
“Like no place on earth.” The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre is sure to wow kids and adults of all ages. Explore the wonders of space in their Cosmic Courtyard Exhibit Space while learning about light pollution, climate change, deep space and even the potential for life on other planets. You can take in live science shows demonstrating the latest in scientific discoveries. Finish up your visit with a stop at the Planetarium Star Theatre, where you’ll experience planets, meteor shows, black holes, galaxies and more.
Apex Richmond
This all-in-one Adventure Park is ideal for older kids with energy to burn. Handily located across the way from IKEA, this spot has it all. Get this … there’s an expansive, multi-roomed trampoline park, a ninja course, a giant rock climbing wall, a free run (Parkour) area and even bubble soccer! PS: It’s very clean and has high safety standards. Kids right up to twentysomethings love this place.
Vancouver Art Gallery
The Vancouver Art Gallery is one of North America’s most respected visual arts institutions. The Gallery focuses on the historical and contemporary art of British Columbia with special attention to the accomplishments of First Nations artists and the art of the Asia Pacific region.
Wander through the galleries with your kids and watch the art and creations amaze them. You can even bring a pad of paper and some pencils and let the kids get inspired and sketch their own works of art. The Gallery is constantly changing up exhibitions so there’s always something new to see. (Tip: Every Tuesday evening from 5 to 9 admission to the Gallery and all exhibitions is by donation.)
Vancouver Police Museum
The Vancouver Police Museum is North American’s oldest police museum and highlights the city’s history of policing, crime and justice. It has over 20,000 rare artifacts including photos, documents, confiscated weapons and counterfeit currency. The ‘True Crimes’ exhibit and ‘Behind the Lines’ traffic exhibit, which includes Vancouver’s history with riots and impaired driving, are always favourites. There are also educational video games, mock crime scenes and scavenger hunts, and they encourage you to take Instagram worthy photos throughout the building!
Museum of Anthropology
The Museum of Anthropology at UBC is one of Canada’s largest teaching museums and houses nearly 50,000 works from almost every part of the world. You can introduce your children to world arts and cultures, including an incredible collection representing the First Nations peoples of BC. MOA offers 30 and 60 minute tours and also drop-in workshops that your kids will love.
Banner Credit: Apex Richmond
>> 100 Outings and Activities for Rain Days in Metro Vancouver
Amy Beeman has been working in morning radio for almost 20 years, first in her hometown of Prince George and now for 94.5 Virgin Radio with Jonny, Holly & Nira. Her interests include running half marathons, dancing in her kitchen, napping, blogging at According to Amy, and going on adventures with her twins, Lucy and Sam, and her son Stanley. Amy loves seeing the world through their eyes.