Things to Do in Vancouver With Kids: A 3-Day Family-Friendly Itinerary

Boy, it’s challenging to plan a trip in 2026! Between the high cost of living in the Lower Mainland, the unpredictable and ever-changing relationship with our neighbours down south, and the rising cost of trips to other family-friendly travel destinations, it can be daunting to sit down and figure out where to go on school breaks. Whether you’re planning the perfect Staycation in Vancouver, you have family visiting from out of town, or you’re planning a trip to Vancouver from abroad, I’ve pulled together some amazing kid-friendly stops that will ensure locals and tourists alike have an amazing vacation.

Check out the travel itinerary below, and then some “Need to Know” information if you’re visiting from out of town.

Enjoy your Staycation/Vacation in Vancouver! 🏔🌊

Morning: Vancouver Aquarium & Stanley Park 🐠

Transportation to the Vancouver Aquarium from downtown: Bus, or Uber/Lyft/Taxi.

Head to one of Vancouver’s most popular attractions to kick off your first day! The Vancouver Aquarium is Canada’s largest aquarium and focuses on conservation and rehabilitation for sea life. With over 65,000 animals in a variety of diverse exhibits, this will o-fish-ally be one of the highlights of your trip or staycation.

Stay all day to see the shows and interactive animal experiences, or spend a few hours perusing the different exhibits, and then head outdoors to explore one of Vancouver’s most iconic and photogenic locations: Stanley Park.

Stanley Park is a 405-hectare park situated amidst the bustling city. Larger than New York’s Central Park, Stanley Park is popular for its trails, gardens, ecology, wildlife, and proximity to the ocean. Walk along the seawall, stop at one of the 4 playgrounds, explore the gardens within the park, and enjoy the beauty that it has to offer. It is best explored by bike (rentals available here), by walking, or by taking a horse-drawn trolley ride.

Lunch: Grab some delicious fare at one of the cafes in the Vancouver Aquarium. Alternatively, head to Prospect Point Cafe in Stanley Park for amazing views and casual family-friendly dining, or to The Teahouse for a more elevated dining experience.

Afternoon: Canada Place 🇨🇦

Stanley Park and the Aquarium can be an entire day on their own, so don’t fret if you don’t make it to Canada Place in the afternoon. But if your outdoor explorations are dampened by poor weather, it’s nice to have a backup ready to go. Stroll along the water and see the giant Canada Place sails, the Olympic Torch from the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, and watch cruise ships come in and out of the Port of Vancouver. Year-round, FlyOver Canada is a top attraction for families, and an amazing place to spend some time if it’s raining! In the winter, Canada Place hosts the Vancouver Christmas Market and Gingerbread Lane.

Dinner: There are plenty of restaurants in this area, so it’s completely dependent on your vibe. For kid-friendly, you can’t beat the price, quality, and ambiance of The Old Spaghetti Factory, which is located in Gastown. Well-known chain restaurants like Cactus Club and Tap & Barrel are also located nearby. If you’re looking to experience top-notch sushi, you can’t beat Miku.

 

Morning: Science World 🔬

Transportation: Hop on a Skytrain to get to Science World!

This is my kid’s absolute favourite place to go! Not only is the outside dome immediately eye-catching, but it’s like an educational playground inside! If you have kids 5 and under, make a beeline to the Wonder Gallery and get ready to settle in as your kids play and explore. I usually have to drag my youngest out to see the rest of the exhibits! Every exhibit is completely hands-on and interactive, and there is a new feature exhibit every few months to check out if you’re a frequent visitor. If you live in the Lower Mainland, consider buying a membership! Science World offers seasonal camps, special events, birthday parties, and tons of promotions for members.

Lunch: Grab a family-friendly lunch at Triple O’s inside Science World. Did you know that White Spot (Triple O’s) is a Canadian Company that started right in Vancouver? Nat Bailey opened the first White Spot, originally a drive-in restaurant (or similar to today’s Food Trucks) in 1928 in Stanley Park.

Finish off your time at Science World by playing at the adjacent playground, called Creekside Park. Then, walk down to the False Creek Ferry terminal and hop on a ferry to get to Granville Island!

Afternoon: Granville Island 🌈

Spend your afternoon perusing the little shops and galleries on Granville Island! Your first stop should be the Public Market, which offers fresh produce, pasta, meats, cheeses, pastries, and other gastronomic delights. Do NOT miss picking up a donut at Lee’s Donuts, which has been featured and frequented by tons of celebrities. If you’re feeling peckish, grab a snack from one of the cafes or restaurants in the market.

Then, depending on the weather (and your crew’s energy levels), plan to hit the Granville Island Kids Market and the playground/waterpark. The Granville Island Kids Market has plenty of boutique toy stores, clothing and costume stores, and even an arcade on the upper floor! On weekends, there are often free crafts or activities happening, and it’s a fun place to explore. Just 5 minutes down the road, you will find a large playground and water park (with a water slide open June – August) for kids to burn off some energy.

Dinner: You can’t go wrong with any restaurant on Granville Island, but if you’re looking for casual and kid-friendly, I say grab some takeout from the Public Market and sit outdoors watching the ferries and ships sail by. It’s especially mesmerizing on beautiful evenings. If you want a sit-down dinner, there’s the Vancouver Fish Company, The Keg, Alimentaria Mexicana, or Bridges to choose from.

Morning: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park 🌿

Transportation: Hop on a FREE Bus Shuttle from Canada Place that will take you to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.

You’ve seen the ocean, the beaches, and the seawall; now experience Vancouver from the treetops! Rain or shine, the treetops provide a spectacular umbrella for you to explore all Mother Nature offers throughout the park. Cross the iconic Capilano Suspension Bridge, which is 450 feet long and 230 feet above the Capilano River. Then, explore the treetops on a series of wooden paths, learn about the temperate rainforest through interactive displays, explore the adrenaline-pumping cliffwalk, and learn about the history of Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in the Story Center. There are also tons of interactive and exploratory activities for kids to get them into the adventure.

Lunch: Enjoy kid-friendly fare at Logger’s Grill or enjoy a casual meal at The Cliff House Restaurant. Then, take the free shuttle back to Canada Place if you’re ready to wrap up the day, or hop on the bus to head to Lonsdale Quay (also in North Vancouver).

Afternoon: Lonsdale Quay/the Shipyards 🚢

See Downtown Vancouver from a completely different perspective! Stroll along the shops at Lonsdale Quay or dip indoors to check out The Polygon Gallery. There are plenty of fun stores to check out, and a playground (Waterfront Playground) for kids to enjoy. Plus, the Shipyards have fabulous events happening all year-round, from a Christmas Market and ice skating in the winter, to a spray park in the summer, and plenty of festivals all year round. There’s sure to be something fun happening when you’re there!

Dinner: Stop in at The Food Hall for a casual bite or try out one of the amazing restaurants nearby. You can’t go wrong with any of the restaurants and cafes. Don’t forget to grab some ice cream for dessert at the popular Earnest Ice Cream (a short walk but totally worth it), or The Welcome Parlour (right at the Shipyards and also delicious)! Then, hop on the SeaBus to head back downtown.

If you’re from Metro Vancouver, you know that seasons don’t really matter. It can rain and be chilly in the summer (hello, “Juneuary”), and sunny in the winter. We can get snow in March and a heatwave in April. Tourists who get “Raincouver” might wonder why anyone chooses to live here, but when you get those clear, sunny days and see the mountains and the ocean glistening – WOW- that’s the iconic Vancouver that draws people to this city.

🔥Hot tip: Don’t worry what the weather forecast says. Bring lots of layers and *always* a rain jacket (regardless of the season). Hotels will have umbrellas if you don’t want to get wet, but don’t let the weather stop you from exploring the great outdoors.

Vancouver has lots of walkable neighbourhoods that are safe for individuals and families to get from one place to another, but walking between neighbourhoods can be tiresome if you’re traveling with kids or you aren’t used to walking a lot. Fortunately, there are other extremely convenient ways to get around:

1. Skytrain: If you live in Vancouver, you know this is one of the easiest and quickest ways to get around…as long as you are traveling to a location along the Skytrain line! With plenty of stops and easy-to-understand maps, this is a great option for moving around Vancouver.
2. Buses: Easy to use, oodles of stops, and safe!
3. False Creek Ferries & Aquabus: These adorable little boats take visitors and Vancouverites alike around False Creek to a plethora of stops. It’s a great option for getting from Downtown Vancouver to the Kitsilano side.
4. SeaBus: Want to check out North Vancouver as part of your visit or staycation? The SeaBus runs from Waterfront Station to Lonsdale Quay.

Planning to stay longer or wondering what activities are happening while you’re in town? Check out our Calendar of Events!