Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity for great food (hello pie!), quality time with the fam, and harvest-themed events during these first few weeks of crisp fall weather. There’s a veritable cornucopia (yes, we went there…) of cool, kid-focused happenings in and around Vancouver this holiday long weekend. We’ve put together a few of our fave picks.
8 fun Thanksgiving activities
Harvestland
October 10-20 2019, Vancouver
This ‘All Things Harvest’ with a German Oktober Fest bent has plenty of fun for families including a Bavarian village, a woodland maze (including axe throwing and a lumberjack show) a Kinder Farm (can you say pony rides and tractor pull?) and amusement rides with a harvest twist.
>> Harvestland
Fort Langley Cranberry Festival
Saturday, October 12, 2019 Fort Langley
Celebrate cranberries at Fort Langley village and at the Historic Fort. It all kicks off with a pancake breakfast. Throughout the day over 100 marketplace vendors line Glover Road displaying their wares. There is live entertainment and more then 20 teams participate in the Cranberry Festival Regatta. The children’s area includes face painters, balloon artists and the Creative Cubs.
Final train ride of the season at Confederation Park
Until Monday, October 14, 2019, Burnaby
The Stanley Park Ghost Train is always a fave, but you may not know that this Saturday, Sunday, and Monday are the last days to ride the Confederation Park Train around the beautiful woods of Confederation Park. Get in on the fun while it lasts, then check out the seriously awesome playground across the street afterwards!
Confederation Park, 120 North Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby
Run off the epic dinner at the Turkey Trot!
Sunday, October 13 2109, Granville Island
Run, jog, walk or waddle your turkey-stuffed body (or your pre-turkey body!) down to Granville Island and take part in the annual Turkey Trot Run.
>> Turkey Trot
Head to the farm at Taves AppleBarn
Until October 31 2019, Abbotsford
Taves Applebarn is a whole lot more than apples, although the apples are crisp and you can pick them or buy them. Oh and there’s cider too. But they’ve also got a pumpkin patch and hayride, a corn maze, corn and pumpkin cannon, jumping pillow, petting zoo, playground (s) and if that weren’t enough, they have pony rides too! A outing to Taves is a slam dunk guaranteed fall hit for the family.
Take your pick at the Pumpkin Patch
Runs until October 31 2019, across the Lower Mainland
Most patches are open this weekend so get your dibs in early and enjoy the festive farmyard fun at one of these ten patches around the Lower Mainland. Don’t forget to wear rubber boots and bring a juiced up iPhone for all those cute snaps!
Get lost at the Chilliwack Corn Maze
Runs until October 31 2019 Chilliwack
Each year the region’s biggest and most elaborate corn maze creates a new design based around a topical theme for their 12 acre maze. Cozy fall lunch items, animals to visit, games, activities for kids and more.
>> Chilliwack Corn Maze and Festival
Go for a fall walk
Vancouver is the ideal city for a crisp fall walk. The crowds of the summer have dissipated, the leaves are golden and green and mushrooms are popping up on the forest floor and beside sidewalks. There’s lots to see and do outdoors in the fall, so why not pack up the kids and go for a walk?
