Happy new year, fellow parents! So the good news is, January is upon is, the days are getting longer again, and (so far, anyway) Mother Nature seems to be in a pretty good mood.
The bad news is, well, January is upon us – which means there are still going to be some dark, cold, wet days ahead, and anyone with kids is going to be looking for ways to fill those winter hours.
Never fear, I return with some ideas from this busy, family-friendly city of ours to keep you occupied over the dark days of January and beyond.
BOARD GAMES, ANYONE?
The world of board games sure has expanded since the Monopoly days of my childhood. (Mind you, I am still the reigning Monopoly champion of the MacLellan family. So there.)
If your family is into board games – or if you think you’d like to be – take note that there are board game meet-ups on Sundays at River Market. The all-ages meetups run Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
On Sunday, Jan. 17, there’s a special Board Game Buy-Sell-Trade session, organized by New West’s own Board Game Warriors (www.boardgamewarriors.com), where people can find deals on used games or trade away or sell unwanted games.
Check out www.rivermarket.ca under Events to find the links for more information.
BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS
I know, I’m like a broken record when it comes to expounding the virtues of the New Westminster Public Library – but that’s because it really is one of the best spots for families in the city.
The library offers a host of regular drop-in programs for families, including Babytime for the under-two-year-old set – it’s on Fridays at 10:15 a.m. at the main branch (starting Jan. 22) and Mondays at 11 a.m. in Queensborough (starting Jan. 18). Kids and caregivers can enjoy stories and songs in a family-friendly environment.
For preschoolers (aged two to five), there are storytimes at the main branch on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:15 a.m. starting Jan. 18. In Queensborough, they’re on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. starting Jan. 20.
There’s also an all-ages family storytime on Tuesday nights at 7 p.m., starting Jan. 19.
The library is also home to some registered programs for kids, including Reading Buddies for six-to-nine-year-olds, where they can practise their reading skills with teen volunteers; a Young Readers Book Club for ages nine to 12, and a Kids Reading Club for ages eight to 12.
Plus, the library is offering a special Family Literacy Night on Monday, Jan. 25 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the main branch. The all-ages night will feature games, crafts and other activities – all celebrating literacy in its many forms.
Check out www.nwpl.ca for all the details about library programs.
RUN AWAY TO THE CIRCUS
If your kids haven’t tried it out yet, then what are you waiting for? Vancouver Circus School is located on the second floor at River Market, and it has a host of programs for all ages.
Parents of littles can try out Big Top Toddlers, a preschool-based program for the five-and-under set that runs on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Small people can try out circus apparatus, a bouncy castle, toys, juggling props and more. It’s free for kids under one year old, and $5 for other kids to drop in. Parents or caregivers must stay and play with their children.
There’s also a Family Intro to Circus on Saturdays at 1 p.m., where the whole family can try out trampoline, juggling and aerial silks. Kids must be aged four and up, with a maximum of two children per adult.
Check out www.rivermarket.ca or www.vancouvercircusschool.ca for information on all the programs.
GET ARTY
Do you have an artistically inclined youngster in the house?
ArtStarts is returning to River Market for its weekend workshop series on Sunday, Jan. 31.
This month, families can enjoy a printmaking workshop by Julie McIntyre called New Impressions: Making the Common, Exceptional. The workshop is designed to help families use basic equipment and ordinary materials around their homes to create professional prints.
There are two 45-minute sessions, at 11 a.m. and at 1 p.m. It’s aimed at ages five and up, but everyone is welcome. The workshop is free, but if you’re interested, it’s wise to be early – it’s a popular program.
Check out www.rivermarket.ca for the details.
TIME FOR MUSIC
One of the beautiful things about small kids is their uninhibited ability to sing and dance – and local parents can take advantage of that with a free drop-in at River Market.
Music Box Music and Theatre Academy (which has a location on the second floor of River Market) offers a Mini Music Drop-In on Fridays at 10 a.m. and at 11 a.m. for kids aged nine months to five years. Parents and caregivers can join in the musical fun as kids enjoy song, movement and fun.
Check out www.rivermarket.ca for info on the drop-ins.
Music Box also offers a wide range of lessons and registered programs for kids of all ages: see www.musicboxnw.ca for a full listing.
And, if it’s music and movement you’re into, there’s no shortage of great programs for little folk in New Westminster – also check out Kids in Motion (www.kidsinmotiondance.com) and The Stage New Westminster (www.thestagenewwest.com) for their early childhood offerings.
Do you have an item for Family Ties? Send parenting and family-related ideas and events to Julie, [email protected].
