June has just been flying by and summer is finally here! I love making a ‘summer bucket list’ for my family with some of the activities and events we want to hit up during the break. Admittedly, we don’t always get around to doing them all (some years are better than others), but it is great to have a list in mind and try to check off at least some of them. Maybe our list will give you some ideas, and I would love to hear what is on your family’s bucket list!
STRAWBERRY PICKING
A cool and wet spring has delayed the start to the strawberry season, so now it is lining up perfectly with the start of summer break. Just this week Emma Lea Farms in Westham Island just began u-pick in their strawberry fields. We love heading out there are filling a bucket or two. Emma Lea also has a lovely spot to sit and enjoy one of their many strawberry treats – like ice cream, milkshakes and more! Some other wonderful places to visit for berries: Krause Berry Farms (so much to do and eat there!), Westham Island Herb Farms, Maan Farms (book your time online), and Bumbleberry Farms.
THE SEA TO SKY GONDOLA
The gorgeous Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish is one of those things I have been meaning to visit for years – maybe this will be the summer we finally do it! The ride takes you 885 m above sea level and at the top you can enjoy incredible views plus explore the trails, grab a bite to eat and more.
THE EAGLE COASTER
I wrote all about this super fun and wild mountain roller coaster in another blog post you can read HERE. This Cypress Mountain Eagle Coaster opened just last summer and we had so much fun going on it last time, my kids have been begging to do it again this summer. So I am sure we will try and plan a visit there!
THE GROUSE GRIND
Ok I’ve done the 2.5 km hike up to the top of Grouse Mountain before, and it is not easy (although it feels really good when you reach the top), and I don’t think I would put in on our summer bucket list if not for my 9 year old son Lucas. Lucas is very determined to do the Grind for the first time ever and has been asking for a while. So I am going to try and find a time to do it with him (probably leaving my three year old at home, jury is still out on whether my 7 year old is up for it.) I think it would be pretty awesome to achieve a challenging hike to the top of the Grind with my son!
TAKE IN A SHOW AT THE KITSILANO SHOWBOAT
The Kitsilano Showboat stage holds a lot of nostalgia for me. When I was a kid my parents took us kids frequently to watch the free entertainment that gets hosted on the stage all summer long. Watching the different performances I made it my goal to get to perform on that stage, and that dream came true when my dance troupe got to put on a show there one summer evening (grade 3…great night). So I was really happy to hear that the Showboat shows are back on again this summer. On Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays all summer long you can catch free acts performing on the showboat stage (at Kits Beach, next to Kits Pool). Just show up, grab a seat in the audience and enjoy. You can find the complete line-up of acts at the Kitsilano Showboat website (admittedly some of these acts are a lot better than others…and some would appeal more to kids than others, so be sure to check the schedule.)
HIT UP THE WATERSLIDES
What’s more fun for the kids than a day at the waterslides? There are a number of different locations around the Lower Mainland you can hit up for a fun day at the waterslides. Among them are: Big Splash in Tsawwassen (opening July 1), Cultus Lake Waterpark (huge and so much fun for all ages), Bridal Falls waterpark (not a short drive from Vancouver, but worth it for the day!), Otter Co-op Outdoor Experience (I’ve never been to this one yet, but I have heard such good things, and it is SUPER affordable!). For lower key sliding experiences, I always loved South Arm Pool in Richmond as a kid – shallow, warm, pool with two fun waterslides and very inexpensive entry, and of course the free waterslide at Granville Island Spray Park is back open to the public this summer too!
KEEP THE KIDS UP LATE FOR THE FIREWORKS
The Honda Celebration of Light is back this summer after a long covid pause. I always loved getting to stay up late as a kid, heading down towards the beaches, laying out a blanket and getting to watch the impressive fireworks shows. Kits beach is usually a fave spot for us to watch, but anywhere you go – you have to go early! It’s always busy. This year the fireworks shows happen on July 23 (Japan), 27 (Canada) and 30 (Spain). You can find the radio station that broadcasts the music the displays are set to, and the shows are impressive!
ENJOY AN OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT
This is another fun summer outing it might be worth keeping the kids up late for! There are a number of locations putting on outdoor, free movies for the public throughout the summer – North Vancouver at the Shipyards, the Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza, Stanley Park, outside of Metrotown in Burnaby, and outside Lansdowne Centre in Richmond are among the locations hosting multiple outdoor family movie nights this summer. Check out this article HERE for more information on what’s showing and when!
ENJOY THE PNE
I never miss the PNE. Yes, it’s crowded, can get expensive and certainly exhausting and sweaty on a hot day, but it is always SO MUCH FUN. The super dog show, the marketplace, mini donuts, live music and of course the rides and games are a hit with every member of my family. I actually bought my husband and I tickets to enjoy one of the summer concert series acts (going to see Nelly in concert…hands up if you grew up in the 90s?) So we will get to enjoy the PNE once as a family, and once just with us adults. Looking forward to both!
