Wow, this amazing sunny weather outside my window as I type this is reminding me it’s time to start thinking about all kinds of outdoor fun.
With that in mind, I pose this question to my fellow New West parents: What are your favourite outdoor fun spots in New West? Do you have favourite parks, trails, organized playgroups, school playgrounds or other spots you’d like to share with your fellow New West residents?
If you do, be sure to shoot them my way for inclusion in a future column about outdoor fun. (I will even share my three-year-old’s favourite New West hot spots. How can you say no to an offer like that?)
Shoot me an email, [email protected], or Tweet me at @juliemaclellan.
MAKE A MAGICIAN OUT OF YOUR KID
In the meantime, here’s some indoor fun if you have a small person who likes to play tricks on you.
Eight- to 12-year-olds are invited to sign up for Performing Magic Tricks 101, an after-school program offered at the Arts Council of New Westminster’s Gallery at Queen’s Park.
No experience is necessary, and all magic tricks will be supplied. The lessons run once a week for eight Wednesdays, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., from April 20 to June 8.
See www.artscouncilnewwest.org or call 604-525-3244 for information. Note there’s only space for 12 kids, so be sure to sign up quickly if your child is interested.
IF YOUR PRESCHOOLER HAD A HAMMER ...
Got a kid who likes to get their hand on tools?
Queensborough Community Centre is offering a new Tall and Small Wood Workers course, for kids aged three to five with parent participation.
It’s a four-week program, running Saturdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Queensborough Community Centre, starting May 7.
Over the four weeks, kids and parents will create wood projects using simple building techniques and get their hands on tools like screw drivers and hammers.
Weather permitting, some sessions will be held in the outdoor stage in Ryall Park.
Call 604-525-7388 for more information.
SPECIAL OUTING FOR MOM
Looking for a special idea for Mother’s Day?
Music Box New Westminster and the VanDeca vocal ensemble are teaming up for a special event on Sunday, May 8 at La Perla Ballroom at River Market.
The High Tea Family Affair is a special concert fundraising for music programming and New Westminster Family Place. Families can enjoy an afternoon of music – with performances by Music Box teachers and students and by VanDeca – along with treats, door prizes, a silent auction and family portraits.
General admission is $15, or $10 for children aged six to 12. Kids aged five and under are free.
Seating is limited, and you have to buy tickets in advance. Call Music Box at 604-553-1176 or see www.rivermarket.ca for more info. You can also buy tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com.
RE-CYCLE RODEO COMING
Here’s a future heads-up for everyone interested in bikes.
Queensborough Community Centre is hosting a Re-Cycle Rodeo on Sunday, May 15 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. There will be a kids’ bike obstacle course and bike maintenance tips, along with crafts, a barbecue and entertainment.
There will be a huge community yard sale at the event, and you can also register to sell your stuff, with tables costing $10.
Admission to the whole thing will be free. Call 604-525-7388 to register for a table.
Do you have an item for Lively City? Send ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
