Family and Child

10 Exhilarating Spring Break Activities Kids Will Love

These activities will keep kids entertained and engaged while they make lasting memories this spring break

By Michelle Hopkins /

Keep kids entertained and engaged while they make lasting memories this spring break

There is so much to look forward to during spring—longer days, warmer weather and the sweet smell of blossoms. Here’s another: spring break! We’ve rounded up some fun activities to ensure parents don’t have to listen to their kids say those famous words: “I’m bored!”

Here are 10 activities sure to delight kids this spring break…

1. Dirty Apron Cooking Camp

For the budding chef in your family who aspires to become the next Top Chef, there’s The Dirty Apron Teen Cooking Camp (ages 12 to 17; week of March 19th) and Kids Cooking Camp (ages 7 to 11; week of March 26th). Your up-and-coming culinary master will hone their skills with such mouth-watering dishes as Hoisin Glazed Baby Back Ribs with Apple, Celeriac Slaw and Classic Aioli.

2. Kids ride free on the gondola

The Sea to Sky Gondola is offering a Kids Ride Free program for up to three children per family (free for kids 12 and under). But it doesn’t stop there. There are several activities going on, including a St. Patrick’s Day Storytime and Craft, where little leprechauns can enjoy arts and crafts and stories.

3. Spring break at PlayDome

Who doesn’t love a fair? Western Canada’s largest carnival is back! Kids big and small will holler with joy during PlayDome’s Spring Break rides (48 in total) and attractions inside BC Place. Try your luck at some carnival games or treat yourself to some sweet fare like cotton candy, mini doughnuts, slushies and more.

4. The Hive’s Climbing Camps

Does your child or teen like to reach new heights? Vancouver’s The Hive features five-day camps for ages 6 to 8 and 9 to 12. Through various lessons, games and activities, participants learn new climbing skills, all the while forging new friendships. Action-packed days promise to bring home tired but exhilarated kids.

5. Keep learning during spring break

Who says education can’t be fun? The Pear Tree Education features a host of programs aimed at having tons of fun while your children discover new things. There are courses on painting, ancient Olympians, cooking classes and one on reptiles for your future biologist. Does your child want to create their own movie? They’re in luck: there’s a Film Noir course too.

6. Camp for your budding artists

Do you have a child who loves artistic pursuits of all kinds? Combining yoga, dance, drama, music, crafts, games, stories and theme days, Yoga Buttons Studio’s spring camps allow imagination and creativity to soar. Offering morning, afternoon and full-day programs for ages 3 to 8, your children will be artistically motivated each and every day.

7. Spend spring break at the Aquarium

Head to the Vancouver Aquarium for its popular AquaCamps or its Youth Environmental Leaders programs. Each day, AquaCamp provides an opportunity for your child to discover local and exotic animals, life cycles, food webs, adaptations, ecosystems and sustainability. In the leadership curriculum, youth explore conservation and sustainability with workshops led by educators, experts and scientists.

8. Arts Umbrella Camps on Granville Island

Arts Umbrella is showcasing programs that will excite the future Michael Jackson dancer or Academy award-winning Meryl Streep in your family. Through theatre, dance and visual arts, including photography, burgeoning young artists will be presented the chance to challenge their curiosity and stretch artistic boundaries. Half or full days available for ages three to 19.

9. Spring Lab 2018 at Science World

Science World takes your children on a wild adventure during its Spring Lab 2018. There will be interactive drop-in activities in the Tinkering Space, pop-up demonstrations by Parks Canada and The Science of Ripley’s Believe It Or Not—where award-winning magician, Carisa Hendrix, will wow the crowd with seemingly dangerous and impossible stunts such as glass-eating, sword-swallowing and more.

10. Local spring break offerings

Finally, visit or check out your local community centre, library and/or aquatic centre. Each one offers several great options for all ages. Whether you want a week-long program, or a few morning or afternoon activities, these public facilities guarantee lots of great fun. The easiest way is to log onto your city’s website and click on spring activities.