Archie MontroseBest Activities for Toddlers in North Vancouver
Finding the best toddler activities can be difficult. There are numerous options, and deciding on one can be difficult. You might want to do something fun or educational for them, such as enrolling them in preschool.
Maybe you want your kids to socialize and play with other kids their age in a safe environment such as indoor playgrounds. Or maybe you just want them to play outside so they burn energy instead of sitting inside all day long.
Keep reading as we list down some of the best activities for toddlers in North Vancouver.
Best Activities for Toddlers in North Vancouver
The best activity for toddlers in North Vancouver is letting them explore the city by visiting famous kid-friendly attractions such as parks and gardens.
Whether you want your child to have fun and stay active outside, appreciate nature, or simply have fun and engage in the environment around them, here are some of the best activities for toddlers in North Vancouver.
Stroll around Waterfront Park
Located near Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver, Waterfront Park features one of the best views of the Burrard Inlet and Vancouver City.
This park has numerous playgrounds, picnic tables, walking trails, and public art pieces, which makes it a perfect place to walk around for the day.
Waterfront Park also has a lot of open lawn areas where your toddlers can run around and play. If they get thirsty, there are water fountains in the park.
We also recommend staying the night because the park has a dock with a fantastic view of Vancouver’s skyline. You can also watch the Seabus come and go, as well as other ships passing by the harbor. You may even spot a harbor seal or other marine animals if you’re lucky.
Furthermore, the park is surrounded by numerous shops, cafes, and a flea market. They also have restaurants in case your little ones get hungry.
Waterfront Park is open from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and is free to enter. Metered street parking is available on weekends from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. There are also parking lots run by private businesses near the park.
Stop by Chiba Gardens
If your toddler enjoys nature, taking them to a garden is a good idea. We recommend strolling through Chiba Gardens in Waterfront park’s northwest corner.
The City of Chiba, Japan, donated this Japanese garden to represent their friendship with North Vancouver. The garden is gated with a Japanese-style wooden fence, filled with Japanese maples and plants such as irises, ferns, and bamboo.
Kids will also enjoy walking around gravel pathways and watching the stream of water travel around the garden.
Chiba Gardens is a beautiful place for you and your children to appreciate the beauty of a traditional Japanese Garden. It’s also good to stop by a nearby restaurant for some Japanese barbeque afterward.
The Chiba Garden is open daily from 9:00 am until sunset.
Go on a Treetop Adventure
A visit to one of the most famous attractions at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, the Treetops Adventure, is another fun and educational trip for children interested in nature, birds, and animals.
This attraction was built in 2004 with elevated suspension bridges where Douglas-fir trees surround visitors. Children will undoubtedly enjoy walking higher up in the trees and getting a different view of the rainforest.
When you reach the top, you’ll also have a great view of the rest of the park; remember to take a commemorative photo to show your children when they’re older so they’ll always have this wonderful memory.
After a long day of walking, you might want to stop at a restaurant for a bite to eat. It’s a good thing Capilano Suspension Bridge Park has various dining options and an ice cream parlor serving hand-crafted and locally sourced ice cream.
The Treetops Adventure at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park costs between CAD 24.95 and CAD 65.95 for admission. Children under the age of six are admitted free of charge!
Visit the Fun Alley
The Fun Alley, near Lonsdale Quay, is one of North Vancouver’s most famous art installations. This alley has an animated corridor with brightly colored walls and floors that combine bright shades of red, blue, pink, green, and others.
So sit back, relax, or grab a cup of coffee as there are plenty of coffee shops in the alley. Toddlers will love the vibrant colors of this one-of-a-kind art installation, including an abstract mural where you can take selfies with your children.
While you’re there, you might want to visit an art gallery as the Museum of North Vancouver is nearby.
Toddlers are very curious beings, and they love to explore the world around them. One of the most fun ways to let toddlers do this is through play and sensory exploration.
If your child is in the toddler stage and you’re looking for places to take them to have the best possible experience, then this list should help.
For more fun activities, check out our article on the best kids’ activities in Vancouver.
