In the words of Alice Cooper, “school’s out”...for a long weekend.

In honour of BC’s Family Day on February 19, schools are closed—so you can enjoy some free time with your little ones (and not-so-little ones, too). Across Metro Vancouver and beyond, there are quite a few ways to enjoy the holiday, from free games and activities, to the exploration of marine centres, and even a fan convention for families who love to dress up and take part in pop culture.

Here are some of our picks.

Family Day Activities in Surrey

There are tons of free activities to bring little ones across the city of Surrey this Family Day long weekend, from free games and sports at the city’s recreation facilities to arts and library events at Clayton Community Centre. A Western-themed skate is hosted at five arenas with drop-in admission and rentals, while Darts Hill Garden Park features free outdoor activities such as story time and workshops. The Museum of Surrey offers board games, scavenger hunts, and photos with mascot Raj the Raccoon, and Historic Stewart Farm offers farmhouse tours and heritage demos.

When: February 17 to 19, various times

Where: Various venues across Surrey

Admission: Free

Family Day at the Vancouver Maritime Museum

On Family Day (February 19), admission to the Vancouver Maritime Museum at Vanier Park is by donation, and features family-friendly activities like storytelling and Coast Guard meet-and-greets. There’s also an exhibition running that explores the bootlegging days of yore: A Wild & Wet Coast: Rum-Running During Prohibition. It delineates British Columbians’ experiences smuggling liquor to the US in the ‘20s and ‘30s, and highlights various watercrafts—like  tugboats, yachts, schooners, skiffs, dories, and speedboats—used for smuggling. Yee-haw!

When: February 19, 10am to 5pm

Where: Vancouver Maritime Museum (1905 Ogden Avenue, Vancouver) 

Admission: Free

Family Day Open House with Vancouver Civic Theatres

Vancouver Civic Theatres hosts a free Family Day Open House at Queen Elizabeth Theatre, including art displays, craft workshops, live music, and other activities. Kids and their families can explore creation stations with various artistic mediums, tour local artists’ works in the visual arts space, and to top it all off, sip on a complimentary hot chocolate.  

When: February 17, 10am to 1pm

Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre (630 Hamilton Street, Vancouver)

Admission: Free (though registration is required)

Family Day at Burnaby Village Museum

Stepping into the Burnaby Village Museum is often a welcome blast from the past—or sometimes a step onto your favourite Hallmark movie. On this Family Day, the museum opens a section from 11am to 4pm with free South Asian-themed activities like Bollywood music, dancing, and games outside the Carousel Pavilion. Admission is free, but you’ll have to pay for a spin on the carousel. 

When: February 19, 11am to 4pm

Where: Burnaby Village Museum (651 Deer Lake Parkway, Burnaby)

Admission: Free

Celebrate the Strange! at Fraser River Discovery Centre

Visit the Fraser River Discovery Centre on Family Day to discover the world of animal families in a series of activities for kids. Self-guided activities include negotiating like a barn owl chick and keeping all of the fox kits fed. Demonstrations include “egg exchangers,” where you’ll emulate Brown-headed Cowbirds, plus storytime with author Matthew Burgess reading Bird Boy, and a workshop for honing observational skills to help us understand animal behaviour—and maybe even our own.

When: February 19, 10am to 4pm

Where: Fraser River Discovery Centre (788 Quayside Drive, New Westminster)

Admission: Free

Fan Expo Vancouver

They say the family that cosplays together stays together. Dress up as your kids’ favourite superhero or fictional character and bring them to Vancouver’s Fan Expo; the comic-superhero-sci-fi and general pop culture convention and trade show takes place over the Family Day weekend at the Vancouver Convention Centre, featuring appearances by everyone’s favourite villain Giancarlo Esposito, plus Danny Trejo and Bruce Campbell. Groovy, baby! 

When: February 17 to 19

Where: Vancouver Convention Centre (1055 Canada Place, Vancouver)

Tickets: From $12, available online

FlyOver Canada

Sure, it’d be nice to get the whole family on the next flight out to a sunny destination, but when that’s not possible, there’s always FlyOver Canada. The immersive experience delights the senses in a spectacular show combining a flight simulator, flight-motion seats, wrap-around screens, and the 4D effects of winds, mists, and scents. Over the Family Day long weekend, they’ll be “flying” to the beahces of Hawaii, exploring the wonders of the American West, and writing a love letter to the Canadian Rockies.

When: Friday to Sunday, 10am to 8pm

Where: Canada Place (201 - 999 Canada Place, Vancouver)

Tickets: Starting at $34, available to pre-purchase here

Space Explorers: The Infinite

From the folks who brought us Imagine Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience comes Space Explorers: The Infinite—another virtual reality experience. This is for folks and families with kids a little older—eight and up, to be exact—who want to explore the International Space Station through a VR headset. The 360-degree immersive experience is an hour-long glimpse into interstellar life. You can journey through space, explore the ISS in 3D, and see exclusive footage of NASA’s Artemis I mission. Budding astronauts should not miss out on this! 

When: Friday to Saturday, 11am to 8pm; Sunday, 11am to 6pm 

Where: Rocky Mountaineer Vancouver Station (1755 Cottrell Street, Vancouver)

Tickets: Starting at $35, available here

Year of the Dragon for Family Day at the Chinatown Storytelling Centre

Lunar New Year is still in full swing, and families can take part this Family Day weekend with the Chinatown Storytelling Centre. Starting Saturday (February 17) and running until the 19, kids and their parents can enjoy a variety of festivities at the centre, including viewing a handmade dragon head, taking festive photos, and exploring the rich heritage of Vancouver’s Chinatown. Bonus: admission is 50 per cent off all weekend-long (and free for those 17 and under). On Monday, February 19, indulge in a wooden dragon magnet-making craft to celebrate the Year of the Dragon.

When: February 17 to 19, 11am to 4pm

Where: Chinatown Storytelling Centre (168 East Pender Street, Vancouver)

Admission: Free for those 17 and under, $6.25 for adults (reserve here)

Family Day at The Peak of Vancouver

Grouse Mountain is celebrating the long weekend by giving 50 per cent off the price of admission to adults, seniors, and youth (kids 12 and under get in free). The zipline and rope adventure courses will also be 50 per cent off, proving ample ways to have fun for all ages. In addition, there will be daily food specials at the onsite Altitudes Bistro, including 50 per cent off fish and chips on Friday, and a double Caesar on special on Sunday.

When: February 16 to 19

Where: Grouse Mountain (6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver)

Admission: Free for kids 12 and under; 50 per cent off adults, seniors, and youth

Poetics of Possibility at the Roundhouse

The week-long festival of thought experiments Poetics of Possibility begins with two free, family-friendly events at the Roundhouse. Playing With Possibility sees dancer Delia Brett lead a fun movement workshop, while Laughter All the Way has actor Lisa Ravensbergen in conversation with children’s book author Tomson Highway about the power of laughter.

When: February 19, 1pm to 2pm (Playing With Possibility); 4pm to 4:45pm (Laughter All the Way)

Where: Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre (181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver)

Admission: Free (register here and here)