Believe it or not there are family friendly venues open during the pandemic. It’s been a while since my kids were little, but I remember getting out of the house EVERY DAY was essential to my sanity when our boys were preschoolers. There is only so many times I could play with trains, and make playdough, and play dress up (For the record, I’m utter garbage at imaginative play. I’ll honestly gladly take a spreadsheet, or scrubbing the grout on the kitchen floor, over imaginative play.) I can’t imagine how parents of young ones are struggling with so many venues and activities currently shuttered due to COVID restrictions. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m 100% in support of the restrictions, but there are venues who have figured out protocols that comply with the restrictions. So, if you feel comfortable going out, if you are desperate for a little change up in your daily routine, then this list is for you!
Family Friendly Venues Open During the Pandemic:
Science World
Dates: Open Wednesdays – Sundays
Times: 10am – 5pm
COVID protocols: masks are mandatory for everyone aged 6+ years (no exceptions, face shields are insufficient), maintain social distancing, completion of the BC COVID-19 Self-Check prior to arrival, purchase your ticket online ahead of time to reserve your timed-entry slot, only approach the front door when it is your time slot (there will be a sign on the door letting you know which time slot Science World is accepting), use the provided hand sanitizer both when entering and exiting Science World
Website: www.scienceworld.ca
Vancouver Maritime Museum
Dates: Open Thursdays – Sundays (and statutory holidays)
Times: 10am – 5pm
COVID protocols: online ticket booking is strongly recommended to avoid congestion at the ticket desk, tickets are sold for entry in 15-minute intervals to minimize crowds, North doors (facing the water) are used for entrance only, South doors are for exit only, masks are mandatory for everyone, social distancing is required, if purchasing tickets on site please note cash is not being accepted at this time, follow directional signs when visiting the Museum, use the provided hand sanitizer
Website: www.vanmaritime.com
HR MacMillan Space Centre
Dates: open on select dates for special programming (view the schedule here)
Times: 9:45am – 4pm (day time hours on select dates); 7pm – 11pm (evening hours on select dates)
COVID protocols: tickets for onsite special programming must be purchased in advance, admission is based upon the time slot you purchased, the Space Centre will host 8 people per time slot in order to ensure adequate social distancing, masks are mandatory (for everyone aged 3+ years), use hand sanitizer provided by the Space Centre, arrive no more than 15 minutes before your time slot to help avoid crowding.
Website: www.spacecentre.ca
Museum of Vancouver
Dates: Open Thursdays – Sundays
Times: 10am – 4pm
COVID protocols: visitors must pre-book their timed-entry tickets, entry times will be available every 15 minutes with a maximum of 10 people per timeslot, masks are mandatory, cash payments are not accepted at this time, social distancing must be maintained
Website: www.museumofvancouver.ca
Beaty Biodiversity Museum
Dates: Open Tuesdays – Sundays
Times: 10am – 5pm
COVID protocols: it is recommended you purchase your timed-tickets in advance as while walk-ins will be allowed they will be required to wait if the Museum is at capacity, masks are mandatory (for everyone aged 6+ years), social distancing must be maintained, it is recommended you bring a mobile device and headphones to access the Museum’s online content, follow directional signs for traffic flow
Website: www.beatymuseum.ubc.ca
VanDusen Botanical Garden
Dates: Open daily
Times: 10am – 3pm (January & February, times may change starting in March)
COVID protocols: timed-entry tickets must be purchased in advance, entry times are available every 30 minutes, masks are mandatory in all indoor spaces, 2-metre social distancing required
Website: www.vandusengarden.org
Photo credit: Tourism Vancouver
Blodel Conservatory
Dates: Open daily
Times: 10am – 3:45pm
COVID protocols: timed-entry tickets must be purchased in advance, your ticket allows for a 45 minute visit, masks are mandatory, 2-metre social distancing required, follow directional signage
Website: www.vancouver.ca
Museum of Surrey
Dates: re-opening February 6; Wednesdays – Saturdays
Times: 9:30am – 12pm & 2pm – 4:30pm
COVID protocols: pre-registration for your one-hour visit is required, follow directional signs, masks are mandatory, physical distancing must be maintained
Website: www.surrey.ca/arts-culture/museum-of-surrey
Britannia Mine Museum
Dates: Open daily
Times: 9am – 4:30pm
COVID protocols: it is highly recommended to pre-book your visit time as the Museum has reduced site capacity and may not be able to accommodate walk-ups, masks are mandatory
Website: www.britanniaminemuseum.ca
Fort Langley National Historic Site
Dates: Open daily
Times: 10am – 5pm
COVID protocols: masks are mandatory, please note the experience at Fort Langley National Historic Site is reduced based on COVID-safety protocols (details here)
Website: www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/bc/langley
Please ensure your familiarize yourself with the COVID protocols in place at each of these Family Friendly Venues that are open during the pandemic. Please ensure you follow any current Public Health Orders when planning your family’s outings (e.g. at the time of writing this article travel between health jurisdictions was not permitted which is why we included venues in both Coastal and Fraser Health as we have readers spread across Metro Vancouver). Be Calm. Be Kind. Be Safe.
