It’s the last weekend of Spring Break and as much as the kiddos might be driving you crazy you want to have a little fun with them before they head back to school next week. I’ve sourced a few events and activities happening across the Lower Mainland that are fun for the whole family, with some great deals and FREE admission. And mom’s when you just need a little time on your own for an hour, I have what you need.
Canada’s largest indoor carnival returns to BC Place and is bigger than ever with 45 rides and attractions, plus your favourite carnival snacks and games, all under one roof. All of the most anticipated rides and attractions are back such as 1001 nights, The Ferris Wheel and the Zipper and be sure to take a spin on the Tornado, feel weightless on the Alien Abduction and fly high in the sky with the Mini Jets. Once you’re done on the rides, take some of your favourite carnival treats like cotton candy and mini donuts and try your hand at the always-amusing Carnival Games.
When: Wednesday March 22nd – Sunday, March 26th
Where: BC Place – 777 Pacific Blvd. Vancouver
Prices: $29 Dome Pass (valid for full day, unlimited rides) $49 Ultimate Pass (5-days, unlimited rides) $8 Guest Pass (required to enter as a spectator)
*Children under 2 years old admitted free (for safety reasons, they are not permitted to ride)
Cineplex is expanding their Family Favourites with Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them, The Secret of Pets, Trolls and Storks. Throughout Spring Break your family can enjoy a movie for just $2.99 EVERYDAY with your choice of any of the 4 films!
When: Starting at 11am, March 20 – 24th, 2017.
Where: For participating theatres click here.
Prices: $2.99
Even more fun throughout the last week of March with Lego Dimensions gaming league geared towards children aged 6-14. Click here for more details. And the big Call of Duty tournament is happening this Sunday (for gamers 18+ if not accompanied by a parent).
4th Annual Healthy Family Expo
This year’s Healthy Family Expo is twice the fun and double the space! For families looking for easy ways to make their lives more active and healthy, it has become the go-to event in the Lower Mainland with over 200 exhibitors showcasing healthy, active, eco-friendly products and services.
Highlights include an expanded 25,000 square foot Active Kid Zone, a giant hamster ball race track, rock climbing wall. Vancouver Aquarium AquaVan, Science World fireball show, Bobs & Lolo and Jessie Farrell concerts, photo ops with your favourite CBC Kids characters: Daniel Tiger, Super Why!, Bookaboo and Scout, all while sampling healthy and tasty food and beverages. Not to mention a $15,000 Grand Prize Showcase that includes a one year lease on a Toyota Prius hybrid vehicle. The first 500 attendees will be loaded with gift bags and brand new VIP tickets guarantee you a bag and let you bypass the line!
When: Sunday, March 26th, 2017
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre – 1055 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C 0C3
Prices: $15 online or cash at the door (kids under 16 are free). VIP tickets are $24.95 online only (includes guaranteed gift bag at the door with over $75 in healthy product samples + skip the line at the door all day – limited to 100 tickets)
Advance tickets purchased before Friday March 24th are entered to win a complete Springfree Trampoline package, and are available online at www.healthyfamilyexpo.com/tickets.
Vancouver Aquarium
There’s lots to see and do at the Vancouver Aquarium this weekend. Here are the top 5 not-to-be-missed experiences during Spring Break.
Take a waddle on the wild side. Watch a training session with one of the African penguins as they venture inside. Watch the program at 2:30 p.m. daily in the Teck Engagement Gallery.
Catch up with rescued sea otter pups, Mak, Kunik, and Rialto. Spend some time with these playful animals and watch them as they frolic in their habitat. See what the otters are doing now via their live underwater otter cam.
Spend some quality family time. Learn about the aquatic world with the help of some of their puppet friends. Watch the show at 10:45 a.m. daily and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in Canada’s Arctic Underwater.
Enjoy lunch at the Café. Choose from tasty visitor favourites and daily specials, such as chili, soup and lasagna, created by acclaimed executive chef Ned Bell. And indulge in a new mini donut sundae – yum!
Dive into a feeding frenzy from the safety of our 4-D theatre. Catch a screening of the new, exhilarating 4-D film, Coastal Predators, which documents the greatest gathering of ocean predators on the planet. Screenings begin at 10:45 a.m. with shows every 30 minutes until 5:15 p.m. daily in our theatre.
When: Until Sunday, March 26th, extended hours from 9:30am to 6:00pm. View the schedule here.
Where: Vancouver Aquarium – 845 Avison Way, Vancouver, BC V6G 3E2
Prices: Adults $36, Students $27, Children ages 4 – 12 $21, Children ages 0-3 FREE, see ticket details here.
Kids are FREE at VanDusen Garden and Bloedel Conservatory
Explore VanDusen Garden and Bloedel Conservatory – Kids get in free for the month of March! Make your way through a hedge maze, spot local wildlife, discover over 7,000 different plants from around the world and explore the garden on a scavenger hunt! Once you’re done head up to the tropical Bloedel Conservatory and discover exotic birds and plants inside the lush dome that you can find at the top of Queen Elizabeth Park.
When: March 1 to 31st, 2017
Where: Bloedel Conservatory, 4600 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V5Y, Canada
VanDusen Botanical Garden, 5251 Oak St, Vancouver, BC V6M 4H1, Canada
Prices: Up to TWO free admissions with the purchase of a regular price adult, senior, or youth admission.
Unplug the kids and unlock outdoor adventure over Spring Break at the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish, BC by saying a simple phrase at the ticket window, “Secret Spring Break.” Monday to Friday, March 13 to March 31, up to three children 12 and under accompanied by at least one adult, can ride the Sea to Sky Gondola for free.
When: 10 am to 5 pm, with the last ride down at 6 pm
Where: 36800 BC-99, Squamish, BC V0N 3G0
Prices: Adult day tickets are $37.95 when purchased online and $39.95 at the ticket window. Check out ticket pricing and buy online here: https://www.seatoskygondola.com/visit/tickets-and-passes.
Mom’s this one’s for you. Take a break from the kids and head to the Women’s Health Show where you can get informed on stress, hormones, nutrition and weight loss from an expert panel of natural health specialists. Upgrade to British Style Tea for $40 with times available at 11:00am, 12:00pm and 1:00pm.
When: Saturday March 25th, 2017 – 9:30am – 6:30pm
Where: Fairmont Hotel Vancouver – 900 West Georgia St. Vancouver
Price: Free Admission. Optional $40 upgrade for tea
Natalie’s Spring Break Giveaway
We have 2 PAIRS OF TICKETS to give away to the Healthy Family Expo happening this Sunday, March 26th at the Vancouver Convention Centre!
Meet Daniel Tiger & Super WHY! from CBC Kids, sing with Bobs&LoLo and Jessie Farrell, play in the huge Active Kid Zone and sample healthy foods from 200+ exhibitors. Kids under 16 get in free, tickets online at www.healthyfamilyexpo.com or at London Drugs.
TO ENTER: CALL IN TO WIN THURSDAY, MARCH 23 AT 1245P! Tell us why you want to take your kids to the Healthy Family Expo for your chance to WIN!!!
Good luck! Have a great Spring Break everyone!!
Natalie
**Contest Rules & Regulations**
The winner agrees to abide by the rules and regulations outlined here http://www.jrfm.com/contestrules/ for pick up at #300-1401 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V6H 1C9. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm.
All prizes must be claimed within 60 days at the offices of CJJR-FM and are non-transferable. After 60 days, prize becomes the property of CJJR-FM, to do with as it may determine, including awarding it to another contestant, and CJJR-FM shall be released and discharged from any liability or responsibility in this regard.
Only ONE member of the household will be eligible to qualify or win in any single Contest.
By entering the Contest, all persons are deemed to have read and to have accepted these rules and regulations.