Are you parenting tweens?
The Qayqayt Neighbourhood Learning Centre is offering a couple of events in April that you might find interesting.
On Saturday, April 18, kids aged nine to 12 can take part in iGuy and iGirl workshops at Qayqayt school, 85 Merivale St.
The boys' workshop runs from 1 to 3 p.m., and it's described as a "straight-to-the-point, lighthearted workshop that prepares nine- to 12-year-old boys to make smart decisions in even the toughest situations."
"We will challenge society's definition of masculinity, unmask our secret identity, blow off some steam (in a healthy way), tackle online safety and help build relationships we can feel proud of," a write-up explains.
The girls' workshop, meanwhile, runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is aimed at helping girls cope with the "multimedia pressure-cooker they will soon encounter."
The workshop will tackle topics such as what to expect from puberty, Internet safety, healthy body image and how to be assertive in even the toughest situation.
The iGuy workshop costs $10 and the iGirl workshop costs $15.
See www.ecommunityschool.ca to register for either workshop.
EASTER RETURNS TO QUEEN'S PARK
When chocolate bunnies and pink stuffed animals abound on store shelves, you know it's that time of year again.
Yep, Easter is in the air - and it will soon be in the park.
Local families can once again turn out to Queen's Park for the perennially popular Easter in the Park celebrations on Sunday, April 5.
The family-friendly festivities run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Rainbow Playland and at the Queen's Park bandshell.
As always, there will be a host of activities for all ages - family entertainment, the Flip Flop & Fly zone, crafts, face painting, magician, kids' music, a chance to visit the petting farm and more. And, of course, kids can get their photos taken with the Easter bunnies (suggested donation $2).
Everything is free - so just turn out to have fun. Or you can call Queen's Park Arenex at 604-777-5121 or see www.newwestpcr.ca for more details.
KIDS' COOKING CLUB
Want to help your kid get comfortable in the kitchen?
The Qayqayt Neighbourhood Learning Centre is also offering another interesting program - a kids' cooking club, running Wednesays from March 30 to May 4 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Kids will learn how to use kitchen equipment, develop knife skills and follow recipes, discussing the history of different ingredients and where they come from. The course will navigate soups and appetizers, salads, mains and sides, plus breads and desserts, and each lesson will end with a meal cooked together. It's for kids in grades 3 through 7.
It's $25 - sign up through www.ecommunityschool.ca.
ARTSTARTS HELPS KIDS CREATE SELF-PORTRAITS
Do you have artistically inclined kids at home?
You may want to pop out to River Market this weekend to take part in an ArtStarts workshop with photographer Kyra Kelpin.
The 45-minute workshop, ideal for ages five and up, runs twice: once at 11 a.m. and once at 1 p.m.
The workshop, My Life as a Self-Portrait Collage, gives kids a chance to build a self-portrait that represents their personality and the elements that they value around themselves.
"Cubism, collage and portraiture collide to become expressive works of art," a write-up about the workshop says.
Interested? Just drop in to River Market at 810 Quayside Dr., or check out www.artstarts.com for more information. You don't need to register ahead, and it's free - so be sure to turn out for some weekend fun!
GREAT THEATRE DEAL FOR NEW WEST FAMILIES
Theatre lovers, have you bought your tickets for My Fair Lady yet?
You may want to take advantage of the Royal City Musical Theatre Company's family matinee deal - for the April 12 matinee, anyone who buys two adult tickets gets two senior or children's tickets for free.
Can't beat a deal like that!
For those who don't already know, the beloved Lerner and Loewe musical is onstage at the Massey Theatre April 9 to 26, and tickets are already selling well.
The classic musical stars Tracy Neff as the Cockney flower seller Eliza Doolittle, with Warren Kimmel as Henry Higgins, Michael Wild as Col. Pickering, John Payne as Alfred Doolittle and Thomas Lamont as Freddy Eynsford-Hill.
Artistic director is Valerie Easton, with director Max Reimer, musical director James Bryson and choreographer Suzanne Ouellette.
Check out www.royalcitymusicaltheatre.com.
TAKE THE KIDS TO STORYTIME SESSIONS
There's no better way to spend a rainy spring day than with a good book and some friends.
The New Westminster Public Library is continuing its storytimes for little people.
Babytime (for the up-to-23-month-old crowd) is on Fridays at 10:15 a.m. in the main branch and Mondays at 11 a.m. in Queensborough.
Preschool storytime, for the two-to-five crowd, is on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:15 a.m. at the main branch and Wednesdays at 11 a.m. in Queensborough. See www.nwpl.ca for all the details.
WHERE ARE YOUR FAVOURITE PLAY PLACES?
OK, fellow New West parents, the weather is getting nicer out there - which means it's time to start thinking about outdoor fun again.
For a future column, I want to put together a list of the best places to play, explore and picnic in our fair city. So, what do you say? What are your family's favourite outdoor places?
Send me an email or tweet me, @juliemaclellan, to share your thoughts - I'll compile a list of favourites for a future edition.
Do you have an item for Family Ties? Send family- and parenting-related ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
