Top 10 Rainy Day Vancouver Activities For Under $10

In Vancouver it rains.  Alot.  If you've been stuck inside the house with the little one for too long and have exhausted your funds on the usual Aquarium and Science World trips, not to mention over-priced coffee shops, here's a list of our top rainy day activities that won't leave you broke.

Helpful hint:  Print this list and put it on your fridge for inspiration so you're not stuck in the house wondering what to do on a rainy day.

1.  Story Time at the Library.  Cost: Free

Every library offers a babytime and storytime for toddlers at least once a week and it's actually a lot of fun. The babes love it plus its a great opportunity to mingle with other moms and let someone else do the singing and story-reading for 30 whole minutes.  We tend to alternate between Britannia (Commercial Drive @ Venables) and Kensington (Knight St @ 25th).  Check out the VPL Website for a complete list of events.

2.  Eastside Family Place Drop-In.  Cost: Free
Hours: MWF 9-12, T TH 9-12 & 1-2:30
Address: 1655 William St
The Family Place is a non profit organization that provides support and resources for families with children 0-6.  The drop in program gives children the opportunity to:
• learn through play
• engage with age–appropriate toys, equipment and creative activities with other children
• develop skills that prepare them for group care, preschool and kindergarten
• develop self-confidence, self-esteem and self–reliance while learning in a group setting

3.  Mount Pleasant Family Center Drop-In.  Cost: Free

Hours: Monday to Thursday 9:30-11:30, 1:00-3:00
Address: 2910 St. George St (west side of Robson Park)
For families with children 0-6. Connect, play and learn together in a safe and stimulating environment - staffed playroom, adult lounge, parent support, circle time.

*Disclaimer - This drop in gets very busy.  The program coordinators suggest that if you don't live in the immediate vicinity, to please check out other family place and neighborhood drop ins.

Kimount Boys and Girls Club also has a drop in twice a week.
Hours: Monday and Tuesday 9:30-11:30
Address: 395 E 6th Avenue

4.  Strong Start program.  Cost: Free

This is a great place to take the little one once they're crawling around and beginning to explore their environment.  The program is run by the Vancouver School Board and the Ministry of Education.  It runs from 9am - 12pm schooldays.  Early childhood educators lead activities including art, music, snack time, story time and more.  And a cool, cost saving bonus - they provide the snacks!  Check out the list of Vancouver schools running the program here.

5.  Food Fun.  Cost: Low
Don't feel like braving the wet but your little one is literally crawling up the walls? Emptying the cupboards and baking healthy cookies or muffins is a great way to spend a rainy afternoon.  It's a good tactile activity for babies and toddlers, let them play with some of the raw ingredients and learn about textures and tastes (always supervised of course). Plus, your home will smell great and you can make an affordable healthy snack to bring along on one of your all too frequent coffee shop dates.  I don't know about you, but I cringe at the thought of my monthly latte and pastry bill.

Another activity that will keep little hands (and faces) occupied on a rainy day is food painting!  For babies around 6mo you can use different coloured processed fruits and veg and let your little one smear tasty colours all over their highchair tray or you can tape a large piece of cardstock to the floor. For older kids, here is a recipe we found online for some paints you can make at home.  Embrace the mess! 

6.  Vancouver Maritime Museum.  Cost: Moderate
Located in beautiful Hadden Park along the seawall in Kits, it's obviously a nicer day trip if the weather plays along.. but in case it doesn't this museum still offers a really fun interactive space for crawlers n toddlers. Let your little pirates loose to explore the decks of St-Roch historic naval ship. Designed with kids in mind the Maritime Museum has no end of hidden treasures to discover. Plus you get to say yaaar a lot!

7.  Mallrats.  Cost: Free (with will power)

There are actually quite a few malls that provide good entertainment value for you and the kid.  And since you're looking for entertainment with low cost, treat these mall excursions like they're a big indoor fun-house and not the shopping mecca of bygone paycheque. Here's our list of the most kid friendly malls we've found:

• Oakridge Mall (Canada line) - There's a big carpeted romper room in the west-wing.  Take their shoes off and let 'em go crazy.  Bring some loonies so they can ride the mechanical boats and race cars that they will inevitably spot, or you can always try the "it's broken" excuse.

• IKEA - This is a dangerous one.  It will take an incredible amount of will power to avoid spending money.  But if you can, this is a great, cheap way to spend a rainy day - especially with a toddler who needs to blow off a little steam.  You can drop them off at the ball pit for a while or let them loose on all the display rooms. Also you can grab a kids meal for just $1.99

• Lougheed Mall in North Burnaby (Millennium line) - You could split a styrofoam pancake breakfast at IHOP or go the more civilized route with a Davids Tea and then check out the awesome kids area.  Plus you'll be able to tell your friends that you went to Lougheed Mall!

• Metrotown in Central Burnaby (Expo line) - They have a mini train.  Nuff said.  And may the force be with you.  This place is a MONEY PIT!

• Aberdeen Mall in Richmond (Canada line) - There's a ridiculous waterfall with a musical light show that will be sure to wow both of you.  When you're done with the waterworks, check out Daiso the incredible Japanese dollar store.  Go on, buy something.  You've earned it!

• Chapters on Robson Street gets an honorable mention here too.  They've got a great play space to keep your little owl occupied as you browse for edible books.
• The Granville Island Kid's Market (Granville Island) can be a fun time-killer but expect meltdowns if you go home empty-handed.

8.  Go for a swim at your local community center.  Cost: Low

If you go with a friend you can pay the reduced family rate and save a few bucks.  And check out the Hillcrest Aquatic Center if you haven't already.  Great lazy river and kid friendly hot tub plus there is a coffee shop and public library (which hosts babytime on Wed am) so you can make a day of it! *Tip: Get there before 3pm because when school lets out the place becomes a big kid soup, which can be rowdy if you are with a wee one.

9.  Open gym/ Tot gym/ Play gym at your local community center.  Cost: Low
Spending a few hours in the morning at the play gym with your little one is a great way to start a rainy day.  Most gyms are equipped with a baby mat area, gymnastic balance beams, push cars, walkers, fabric tunnels, toys, trampolines and more!  Great for babies and toddlers of all ages.

For a list of locations and times, visit the Vancouver Park Board website and select "FIT Open gym and free play" from the drop down Category menu.

*Call your local community center to see what other drop in programs they have.  Mom & baby yoga and music are a few examples of what's on offer.

10.  Movies for Mommies.  Cost: Low

It sounds like a bad idea - seeing a movie in a theatre filled with a hundred babies.  Why would you ever want to do that?  Well, I've gone to Movies for Mommies screenings a number of times and I've always enjoyed myself.  Savouring some milkduds and buttery popcorn will help you mentally block out the occasional crying fit.  And the movies are timed around the mid day nap hour.  Sounds good to me.  Check out their website for upcoming showtimes.

So don't feel suicidal next time you check the local forecast.  Put on that raincoat and raincover and brave the wet! Getting out the door is the hardest part.  Once you get to your destination and see how much fun the kids are having you'll be glad you did. Plus just think about all the money you are saving on carwashes!  And if you've got a great rainy day activity you love to do with the little one, please share it with us!