If you're looking for family fun in the city this weekend, then I suggest you look no further than River Market.
My search for items for this column led me in that direction - and I kept finding more treasures for local parents.
Sunday, April 27 is just jam-packed full of family fun.
First off, enjoy a free ArtStarts workshop with your kids.
The workshop, geared at the three- to 10-year-old crowd, runs twice - at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
"Join the Creature Crew on a field trip to the zoo like no other," an announcement says. "Find out how you can help the environment as the puppets come to life and take you on a comical adventure. Enjoy a performance and hands-on workshop with Rock the Arts and fall in love with the art of puppetry!"
It's all free, but you're asked to just arrive a little bit early to take part.
From noon to 3 p.m., you can take part in the fun of a book launch party - Faisal Khattak and his 11-year-old daughter, Kebira, will be launching their book, Bullyproof Your Child.
"Bullyproof Your Child is a guide to protecting your child from the ever-increasing epidemic of bullying. Get this book and empower your child, not just from physical bullies, but from the devastation of cyber-bullying through the internet and social media," a release says.
The launch will include live music and a magic show.
And, to cap it all off, what's not to like about a big kids' swap meet?
Head out to River Market and get some great bargains on kids' clothes, toys and equipment.
It's set to run from 3 to 6 p.m. in the community square on the second floor.
The swap meet is extra-special because it's being used to help raise funds for local boy Mylo McMordie, who has autism.
His parents are raising funds to travel to the U.S. to train in the Son-Rise method, an autism therapy that's not funded in B.C. You can find out more about Mylo through the River Market website.
And don't forget about the regular events that happen at the market every weekend - like soap-making at Jolene's Natural Handmade Soap, the Vancouver Yo-Yo Club meeting on Saturday and drop-in classes at the Vancouver Circus School also on Saturday.
Check out the River Market website at www.rivermarket.ca for details on these and more events.
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Queensborough folks, you can enjoy some special fun at the New Westminster Public Library's 'Boro branch this weekend.
On Sunday, April 27, the library is holding a special Earth Day celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
It's a special Sunday opening, and there will be a celebration for the whole family and a special craft activity for kids.
It's going on in conjunction with the Queensweep Earth Day Cleanup, running from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Queensborough Community Centre.
Individuals, families, teams, businesses and volunteer groups are all invited to take part in the cleanup to help make Queensborough the cleanest place in New Westminster.
The event also includes educational displays and community resources.
It's free - call the community centre at 604-525-7388 to find out more, or just drop in on Sunday.
Do you have an item of interest for local parents? Send Family Ties ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
