![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.familyfuncanada.com\/vancouver\/files\/2026\/01\/Featured-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\nMuseums and galleries provide an amazing opportunity for kids and adults to explore art, culture, and history that helps us understand our current world better. Whether you’re looking to explore your own backyard more or you’re visiting from out-of-town, these museums and galleries offer kid and family-friendly exhibitions and hands-on activities to make learning fun and engaging.<\/p>\n
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From birthday parties to seasonal camps and special events year-round, Science World is the<\/strong>\u00a0place to be for kids and adults alike in Vancouver! This iconic Vancouver attraction takes top spot on our list because of its enduring popularity with families and visitors. Popular, hands-on interactive displays, inspirational feature exhibitions, jaw-dropping science demonstrations on Centre Stage, immersive films in the domed OMNIMAX\u00ae Theatre, and awesome shows in the Science Theatre are hallmarks of the visitor experience. Plus, with ever-changing exhibits, each visit to Science World unlocks new information and exploration.<\/p>\n Date<\/strong>: Open daily Science World: Wonder Lab 2024<\/p><\/div>\n Completely renovated in 2018, the Museum of Surrey is a vibrant, interactive, and ever-changing, free<\/strong> local venue for wonder, dialogue, and fun for the whole family. The exhibitions at the Museum of Surrey are always changing. You can check out the current exhibits here<\/a>. The kids will absolutely love the TD Explore Zone with a slide, the scarf cannon, and the super-sized tree house.<\/p>\n \ud83c\udd93 Admission!<\/p>\n Dates:<\/strong> Tuesdays – Sundays The Vancouver Art Gallery hosts cutting-edge exhibitions featuring contemporary art and internationally renowned artists, and houses the work of historical artists, including a very extensive collection of Emily Carr’s works. An impressive permanent holding of over 10,000 artworks makes the Vancouver Art Gallery a major player in the Canadian art world. The Gallery provides family programming and tours on Sundays and free admission from 4pm-8pm on the first Friday of every month.<\/p>\n \ud83c\udd93\u00a0first Friday of every month from 4pm-8pm.<\/p>\n Dates<\/strong>: Sunday-Monday, Wednesday-Saturday (Closed Tuesdays) Situated atop wooden pilings over the mighty Fraser River, the Gulf of Georgia Cannery is one of the few remaining 19th-century salmon canneries in BC. In its heyday, the Cannery was the largest building of its kind and the leading producer of canned salmon in BC. Now a dynamic fishing museum, step inside and become immersed in the sights, sounds, and stories of the West Coast fishing industry.<\/p>\n \ud83c\udd93 for Youth 17 & under. Part of the Canada Strong Pass.<\/p>\n Date<\/strong>: Open daily The HR MacMillan Space Centre features a 360-degree planetarium, the GroundStation Canada, the Cosmic Courtyard, and more!\u00a0 The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre also does birthday parties, educational workshops, and venue rentals.<\/p>\n Discounts available on Sundays and for groups with museum membership cards. Click link above to learn more.<\/p>\n Date<\/strong>: Open daily Athletes and non-athletes alike will be dazzled by the exhibits and rich history at the BC Sports Hall of Fame & Museum! At the BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, your experience begins with an inspiring showcase of BC\u2019s Olympians, Paralympians, world-class athletes, teams, and pioneers; the stories of our athletes and teams who have accomplished greatness and brought pride to British Columbia and Canada. Visitors will be entertained and educated through interactive exhibits, videos, and displays. Have your photo taken alongside a real Olympic torch from the Calgary \u201988 or Montreal \u201876 Olympic Games!<\/p>\n Dates:\u00a0<\/strong>Wednesday \u2013 Sunday The Bill Reid Gallery is a unique and celebrated gallery that features contemporary Indigenous Northwest Coast Art and artists. Named after legendary Haida master artist Bill Reid, the gallery is a great place to learn about Indigenous culture, stories, and art. If you’re in the market for authentic Indigenous art, the shop attached to the gallery is a great place to pick up a piece to take home.<\/p>\n \ud83c\udd93 Children 12 and under are free. Free admission is available on the first Friday of every month from 2pm-5pm<\/p>\n Dates<\/strong>: October – May (Winter Hours); Tuesday-Saturday While not *technically* in Metro Vancouver, this is one spot that is certainly worth the drive! Located along the Sea to Sky highway,\u00a0Britannia Mine Museum is a fantastic family-fun attraction. Don your hardhat for a journey into the side of a mountain. Wander through the exhibits dedicated to enlightening visitors about what life was like living and working at Britannia Mine. Don’t miss the award-winning BOOM! interactive show, and be sure to take a trip on the underground train into the side of the mountain. Before you leave, try your luck finding gold at the Gold Panning Pavilion!<\/p>\n Dates<\/strong>: daily Britannia Mine Museum<\/p><\/div>\n The Canadian Museum of Flight is a very \u201chands-on\u201d facility. A large selection of aircraft can be touched, and the children can feel that aircraft are made not only from aluminum, but also from wood and fabric. The Canadian Museum of Flight is constantly undergoing display changes to allow visitors to see something new each time they stop by. Visitors can take a chronological walk around the Museum, from WWI to the present day, and see how large a part Canada has played in aviation history.<\/p>\n Date: <\/strong>Wednesdays – Sundays Vancouver\u2019s Chinese Canadian Museum celebrates and shares the rich history, contributions, and lived experiences of Chinese Canadians through exhibitions, community storytelling, and education. Located in the historic Wing Sang building in Chinatown, the museum connects past and present while honouring the resilience and impact of Chinese Canadian communities in B.C. and beyond<\/p>\n Date: <\/strong>Wednesday – Sunday Fort Langley National Historic Site of Canada is the exact location where, a century and a half ago, a huge fur trade organization called the Hudson\u2019s Bay Company established a small post to trade with the First Nations of the West Coast. The enterprise grew, evolved, and influenced history, leading to the creation of the colony of British Columbia.<\/p>\n \u2b50\ufe0f Part of the Canada Strong Pass<\/a>.<\/p>\n Date: <\/strong>Open daily Fort Langley National Historic Site: Cranberry Festival 2023<\/p><\/div>\n The Museum of Anthropology houses one of the world’s finest displays of First Nations art in a spectacular building overlooking mountains & sea. They also host major temporary exhibits and display over 10,000 objects from around the world in their new Multiversity Galleries. Enjoy gallery tours (free with admission), exciting public programs, an elegant Shop, Cafe MOA, and a beautiful outdoor reflecting pool.<\/p>\n Dates:<\/strong> Open Tuesday-Sunday The Museum of Vancouver (MOV) creates Vancouver-focused exhibitions and programs that encourage dynamic conversations about what was, is, and can be Vancouver. Permanent exhibits tell the city’s stories from the early 1900s to the late ’70s, and are complemented by contemporary feature exhibits. Located in scenic Vanier Park, set against a spectacular vista of ocean, city skyline, and mountains.<\/p>\n Date:<\/strong> Open daily The Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre is a nationally recognized museum and community gathering place in Burnaby that preserves and shares Japanese Canadian history, arts, and culture. Through exhibitions, archives, and public programming set within a welcoming, multi-use space and garden, the NNMCC fosters understanding, remembrance, and pride while connecting diverse communities across Canada.<\/p>\n Dates<\/strong>: Tuesday \u2013 Saturday Iconic art institution The Polygon Gallery is excited to introduce \u201cKids First\u201d located at the Polygon Gallery, where children and families are invited to create their own artwork. The projects are geared toward children 5-12 and are based on current gallery installations.<\/p>\n Date<\/strong>: Wednesday – Sunday Discover the history & maritime traditions of the Pacific Coast. Step back in time to 1944 on board St Roch, Canada\u2019s celebrated RCMP Arctic schooner. Explore many exhibits such as shipwrecks, early fur trade, deep ocean exploration & more.<\/p>\n \ud83c\udd93 Plus, don\u2019t miss Pay What You Can on the first Sunday of every month!<\/p>\n Dates:\u00a0<\/strong>Tuesday \u2013 Sunday Step into Vancouver\u2019s oldest building to explore the history of our beloved city! A museum since 1931, the Hastings Mill Museum features images and stories of the many lives the building has held, along with artefacts and photographs of Vancouver over the years.<\/p>\n Dates<\/strong>: Open Saturday & Sunday only from mid-September to mid-June. Tuesday-Saturday June\/July\/August. Stroll down the streets of a 1920s community where a village has been created with both heritage & replica buildings. Period costumed townsfolk give demonstrations in the homes, businesses & shops: watch the blacksmith at the forge, listen to the rhythm of the platen press, mind the teacher in the schoolhouse, help churn butter & catch an old movie in the theatre.\u00a0 Don’t miss the vintage carousel for a ride or two!<\/p>\n \ud83c\udd93 Admission!<\/p>\n Dates<\/strong>: Open seasonally Burnaby Village Museum<\/p><\/div>\n If you don’t mind a little drive out of Metro Vancouver, these spots are amazing, kid-friendly locations that you can easily spend a whole day exploring!<\/p>\n The Britannia Mine Museum is a fantastic family-fun attraction. Don your hardhat for a journey into the side of a mountain. Wander through the exhibits dedicated to enlightening visitors about what life was like living and working at Britannia Mine. Don’t miss the award-winning BOOM! interactive show, and be sure to take a trip on the underground train into the side of the mountain. Before you leave, try your luck finding gold at the Gold Panning Pavilion!<\/p>\n Dates<\/strong>: Open daily The Railway Museum of BC portrays a typical railway facility of the mid-20th century.\u00a0 There are trains galore for the kids to explore: ride-on, miniature, and full-sized. \u00a0Climb aboard a retired engine and ring the bell across the rail yard. Plus, they have incredible, family-friendly events throughout the year, including the popular North Pole Express (Winter) and Buddy & Friends event (Spring).<\/p>\n Dates<\/strong>: Open seasonally. Railway Museum of BC<\/p><\/div>\n Did we miss your favourite spot? Send us an email vancouver@familyfuncanada.com, and we’ll add it to the list!<\/p>\n
\nTime<\/strong>: 10:00 AM \u2013 5:00 PM<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.familyfuncanada.com\/vancouver\/files\/2026\/02\/IMG_1483.jpg\")
\nMuseum of Surrey<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nTime: <\/strong>9:30 AM to 5:30 PM (Tues – Sat); 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Sun)<\/p>\n
\nVancouver Art Gallery<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nTime<\/strong>: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Wednesday\/Thursday, Saturday\/Sunday); 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Friday)<\/p>\n
\nGulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nTime<\/strong>: 10:00 AM \u2013 5:00 PM<\/p>\n
\nH.R MacMillan Space Centre<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nTime<\/strong>: 9:30 AM \u2013 4:30 PM (daytime hours); 6:30 PM \u2013 11:30 PM (evening hours)![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.familyfuncanada.com\/vancouver\/files\/2019\/02\/HR-MacMillan-Space-Centre-Spring-Break.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.familyfuncanada.com\/vancouver\/files\/2026\/01\/seasonal_part-time-1-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\nBC Sports Hall of Fame & Museum<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nTime:<\/strong>\u00a010:00 AM \u2013 5:00 PM<\/p>\n
\nBill Reid Gallery<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nTime<\/strong>: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM<\/p>\n
\nBritannia Mine Museum<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nTimes<\/strong>: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Winter hours); check back for seasonal changes.<\/p>\n![\"Britannia](\"https:\/\/www.familyfuncanada.com\/vancouver\/files\/2006\/05\/Family-and-Mill-1200x800-1.jpg\")
\nCanadian Museum of Flight<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nTime<\/strong>: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Wednesday – Saturday); 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Sunday)<\/p>\n
\nChinese Canadian Museum<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nTime<\/strong>: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM<\/p>\n
\nFort Langley National Historic Site<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nTime<\/strong>: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.familyfuncanada.com\/vancouver\/files\/2026\/02\/Fort-Langley-1.jpg\")
\nMuseum of Anthropology<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nTime:<\/strong> 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |Thursday 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM<\/p>\n
\nMuseum of Vancouver<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nTime:<\/strong> 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Sunday-Wednesday); 10:00 AM-8:00 PM (Thursday-Saturday)<\/p>\n
\nNikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nTimes<\/strong>: 10:00 AM \u2013 5:00 PM<\/p>\n
\nPolygon Gallery<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nTime<\/strong>: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM<\/p>\n
\nVancouver Maritime Museum<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nTime:<\/strong>\u00a010:00 AM \u2013 5:00 PM<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.familyfuncanada.com\/vancouver\/files\/2026\/01\/seasonal_part-time-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHastings Mill Store Museum\u00a0<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nTimes<\/strong>: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM<\/p>\n
\nBurnaby Heritage Museum<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nTimes<\/strong>: Varies by season.<\/p>\n![\"Burnaby](\"https:\/\/www.familyfuncanada.com\/vancouver\/files\/2016\/01\/Burnaby-Village-Museum.jpeg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.familyfuncanada.com\/vancouver\/files\/2026\/02\/worth-the-drive-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\nBritannia Mine Museum<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nTimes<\/strong>: Varies by season.<\/p>\n
\nRailway Museum of BC<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nTimes<\/strong>: Varies by season.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.familyfuncanada.com\/vancouver\/files\/2026\/02\/IMG_0562.HEIC_.png\")
Find more great events on our Calendar of Events<\/a>.<\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"