Admiring the flowers at VanDusen Garden. Photo credit: Destination Vancouver/Sombilon Studios
Use this big list of family-friendly outdoor activities around Vancouver to head outside with your family this spring break. Hang on to the last days of winter by skiing, snowshoeing or sledding. Or celebrate the arrival of spring with gardens, cherry blossoms and whale watching.
Go for a Bike Ride
As the weather warms up, it’s a great time to take the bikes out of the garage and head out on a family ride. Our list of kid-friendly bike rides around Vancouver has lots of safe options. Or choose from our picks for car-free bike routes. But for a real Vancouver spring experience, plan a bike ride to cherry blossoms.
Cycling on the Stanley Park Seawall. Photo: Tourism Vancouver / Hubert Kang
Visit the Sea to Sky Gondola
Spring Break is the perfect time to head to the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish. They’re running a Spring Break special where kids 12 and under ride free with a paying adult Monday to Thursday between March 13 and 30!
Family snowshoeing at the Sea to Sky Gondola. Photo Sea to Sky Gondola
Explore Nearby Parks
The Vancouver area has lots of pockets of wilderness nestled into the city. Has your family visited any of these 15 urban parks that feel like wilderness yet? You can explore forests, meadows, wetlands, and shorelines, all without leaving town. For even more local park ideas, check out our park of the month archives.
Photo: Destination Vancouver / Hubert Kang
Go Sledding
It might be spring in the city, but it’s still winter in the mountains. Read our guide to sledding and snow-tubing near Vancouver for details on which nearby ski resorts have sledding hills.
Family sledding at Grouse Mountain. Photo: Destination Vancouver/Grouse Mountain
Visit a Garden
Vancouver is home to over twenty gorgeous gardens that are spectacular in spring. From sprawling show gardens to community-oriented rose gardens, there’s something for everyone. Use our guide to Vancouver’s gardens to find one near you.
VanDusen Garden Photo: Destination Vancouver / Sombilon Studios
Take a Hike
With the snow melting in the mountains, hikes closer to sea level feature lush forests nurtured by meltwater, and rushing waterfalls. It’s a great time of year to head out for a family hike. Use our lists of hikes for kids, spring hikes, and rainy day hikes to find the best trail for your little trekkers. For even more options, dig into our hike of the month archives.
Rice Lake in North Vancouver Photo: Taryn Eyton
Try Bird-Watching
Spring is prime bird-watching time as the birds return to Vancouver from their winter homes or migrate through on their way further north. It’s also nesting season, so it’s a great time to spot mating pairs building and guarding their nests. Use our list of the best beginner birding spots near Vancouver to get started.
Serpentine Fen. Photo: BC Bird Trail/Discover Surrey
Brave the Capilano Suspension Bridge
There are lots of things to see and do at the Capilano Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver. Walk 230 feet above the raging Capilano River on the famous bridge, stroll through the treetops on elevated platforms, and peer into the canyon on the Cliffwalk. There’s even a self-guided nature program for kids.
Photo: Destination Vancouver / Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Admire the Cherry Blossoms
Vancouver is home to thousands of cherry blossom trees that explode in pink and white blooms each spring. The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival officially kicks off on April 1, but many of Vancouver’s trees will already be blooming during March Break. Plan a picnic under the flowers, and combine it with a family photo session. Use the VCBF Blossom Map to find a location. Pro tip: Sort by date to find trees in bloom.
Photo: Tourism Vancouver / Kazutoshi Yoshimura
Try Snowshoeing
There is still lots of snow in the North Shore Mountains in the spring, so it’s a great time to try snowshoeing. There are beginner-friendly snowshoe trails and rentals at Grouse Mountain, Mount Seymour, and Cypress Mountain. For a memorable nighttime snowshoe experience, check out the Light Walk at Grouse Mountain.
Snowshoeing at Grouse Mountain. Photo: Destination Vancouver/Kindred & Scout
Go Whale Watching
Whale watching season in Vancouver runs from March to October. You can spot killer whales (also known as orcas) as well as humpback, grey, and minke whales. You also have a good chance of seeing seals, sea lions, river otters, porpoises, eagles, and lots of water birds.
Photo: Kate Milford
Go Spring Skiing or Snowboarding
It might be spring in the city, but it’s still winter in the mountains. Grouse Mountain, Mount Seymour, and Cypress Mountain on the North Shore all plan to be open until early April this year. Whistler Blackcomb plans to stay open until May 22, 2023.
Ski lessons on Grouse Mountain. Photo: Destination Vancouver/Grouse Mountain
Visit a Destination-Worthy Playground
If you want to plan a day trip your kids will love, head to a playground. The Vancouver area boasts lots of amazing play structures with slides, swings, ziplines, and even pirate ships. Check out our list of destination playgrounds around Vancouver that are worth a visit.
Kids’ playground at Rochester Park. Photo: Tourism Coquitlam
Take the Dog to an Off-Leash Park
Fido is part of the family too, so plan an outing everyone in the family will love. Many of Vancouver’s parks have off-leash dog areas for Fluffy to run and chase a ball. There are often kid-friendly features like playgrounds, beaches, and walking trails nearby too. Check out our list of the best off-leash dog parks to plan your day.
Photo: Destination Vancouver/Hubert Kang
