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Free Things to Do With Kids in Metro Vancouver This Summer
- August 5, 2026
- By admin
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We rounded up 10 free things to do with kids in Metro Vancouver before summer wraps up, so you can spend what’s left of it outside without spending much at all. Here’s our running list, good for this week and the rest of the summer!
Don’t forget to check out our other posts for:
Outdoor movie nights pop up all over Metro Vancouver every summer, and most are completely free to attend. Different neighbourhoods run their own series with new dates and films added throughout the season, so check our events page for what’s playing near you and when. Pack some blankets and snacks, grab a spot, and enjoy a movie under the stars with the whole family.
Oakridge Park is hosting complimentary movie nights this August at The Commons on Level 2. Bring a blanket or low profile chair and settle in for a movie with complimentary popcorn.
Malls and shops often run free events throughout the week that are easy to miss if you’re not looking. Indigo holds free weekly events for kids, and local malls frequently have their own programming too. Check what’s happening near you, or take a look at our events page for a running list of what’s free this week.
From August 20 to September 20, Centre Court North on the lower level turns into a month long pop up bookstore with about 1,000 titles, including kids’ books, young adult, and bestsellers. It’s free to browse and a fun stop with the family. 100 percent of proceeds from every book sold go to the Surrey Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society to support literacy programs through Surrey Libraries. Buy five books and you’ll fill up a stamp card for a *$10 Guildford Town Centre Reward Card too.
*Offer terms and conditions: Present your completed Library Card and receipts from The Book Corner popup at Guest Services for a $10 Guildford Town Centre Reward Card. One offer per person for the duration of the campaign and while quantities last. To redeem offer participants must be 18+. The Guildford Town Centre Reward Card can be redeemed at retailers accepting the shopping centre Gift Card. Visit Guest Services for more details. The Guildford Town Centre Reward Card is issued by People’s Trust Company.
We love a beach day. There’s something so relaxing about lying back while the kids build sandcastles and splash around. Kitsilano Beach, Spanish Banks, and Trout Lake Beach are all easy options depending on where you’re coming from.
Hopping between playgrounds is one of the easiest free things to do with kids around here, and honestly, you don’t need much else planned for the day. My daughter and her friends have been playground hopping all summer, and they can spend over an hour at a single spot without getting bored. Bring water bottles and sunscreen, pick a shady playground for the hot afternoons, and let the kids run it out.
Our list of playground recommendations in Metro Vancouver:
Richmond also has many amazing playgrounds, including the Terra Nova Adventure Play Environment, Steveston Community Park, and King George/Cambie Community Park.
Vancouver’s natural beauty is one of the best free perks of living here. There are so many short, family friendly trails around Metro Vancouver worth exploring. Lynn Canyon in North Vancouver has a free suspension bridge and easy loop trails. Pacific Spirit Regional Park near UBC and Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver are both great options for smaller legs. We recently did a trail walk at Richmond Nature Park and had such a lovely time. We heard birds chirping, spotted a few turtles, and stopped by the Nature House, where admission is by donation. None of these require a car full of gear, just good shoes and a bit of curiosity.
Sometimes the simplest days are the best ones. Grab a blanket, pack a picnic, bring a kite, and head to a park like Queen Elizabeth Park or Trout Lake Park. It’s an easy, relaxing way to spend an afternoon together.
Right now is a great time to check out local museums for free. Admission to the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site in Steveston is free from June 19 to September 7. Burnaby Village Museum and Surrey Museum also offer free admission.
If your kids love water, splash parks are great! There are so many great splash parks in Metro Vancouver, including:
Most run from Victoria Day through Labour Day and are completely free, some just need a push of a button to turn the water on for a few minutes at a time. A few individual parks do close temporarily during stricter water restrictions, so it’s worth a quick check before you head out.
There are so many free festivals happening around Metro Vancouver right now, and most don’t cost anything to attend. Many even have kids’ activity booths where little ones can do crafts or games at no charge. New ones pop up every week, so check our events page for summer festivals and events. It’s updated weekly with everything free and family friendly happening around Metro Vancouver, so follow along and you won’t miss any.
Your local library is one of the most underrated free resources for families. From story time to seasonal drop in events, there’s usually something happening to keep the kids busy, and it’s always free.
