Home Special Events Spring Break in Vancouver

Spring Break in Vancouver

There is so much to do in Vancouver for kids during Spring Break, but it’s hard to know what’s best. Here are recommendations for Spring Break activities.

What to do at Spring Break

Spring Break for most public schools in the Lower Mainland took place from March 19th until Good Friday on March 30th in 2018.

Spring Break in 2019 runs from March 18th until the 29th.

Below are activities offered during Spring Break in 2018. Check them out!

Special Spring Break Programs for Kids

A number of Vancouver attractions offer special programs and deals for children. Here are some examples:

Junior Zoologist Camp – a special Spring Break camp at the Greater Vancouver Zoo for kids ages 7-12 who love animals. 2018 dates are March 19-23 and you can sign up for between 1 and 5 days. Camps run from 9 am to 4 pm and cost about $50 per child.
CSI Kids Camp – the Vancouver Police Museum offers camps for children ages 9-12. The cost is $55 for one day, $105 for two days or $130 for three days. Camps run March 20-22 and March 27-29, 2018.
Aquarium Camps – Spring Break camps take place at the Vancouver Aquarium for children ages 4 to 12 on March 19-23 and March 26-29, 2018.
Cliffhanger Vancouver – climbing wall Spring Break camps run March 19th to 30th at the facility at 670 Industrial Avenue.
Sasamat Outdoor Centre – day camps run at the facility at Sasamat Lake near Port Moody for children ages 6 to 12.
Area Rec Centres – community centres and recreational facilities throughout the Lower Mainland offer special camps and other activities for children over Spring Break. Check out a location near you! Just a few examples include camps in the following places:
- Burnaby
- New Westminster
- Port Moody
- Richmond Oval
- Surrey
- West Vancouver

PlayDome Ferris Wheel View — PlayDome at BC Place Stadium

Special Events During Spring Break

There are special Spring Break events in Vancouver, Coquitlam, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, North Shore, New Westminster and other parts of town. There are special Spring Break movie deals throughout the Lower Mainland. Check it all out!

Spring Break in Vancouver

Golden Easter Celebration – free Easter festivities take place at Vancouver’s River District Neighbourhood Centre on Sunday, April 1st. Balloons, crafts, face painting and refreshments are included! TIP: register in advance for the Golden Egg Hunt part of the event as spaces are limited.
PlayDome – amusement rides and midway games at the indoor carnival at BC Place Stadium take place at the end of Spring Break from March 28th until April 2nd in 2018.
Vancouver Art Gallery – offers Weekly Family Programming on Sundays in the spring of 2018 from 12 to 4 pm with special educational activities ideal for children ages 5 to 12 (who are free when accompanied by a paying parent). Also, from March 19 to 23 admission is free daily in general for children ages 12 and under when visiting with an adult.
VanDusen Botanical Garden and the Bloedel Conservatory – admission is free for up to two children (ages 12 & under) per paying adult from March 1 to 29 in 2018. Also, there are Easter egg hunts at VanDusen Garden for children under 11 years of age at VanDusen Garden on March 30 & 31 and April 1.
CelticFest Vancouver – a variety of St. Patrick-themed activities around the week of March 17th including a number of activities that are more for adults.
Stair Climbing at the Vancouver Lookout – the Urban Climb takes place every Tuesday in March between 4:30 and 6:30 pm. That’s when people can hike up the 633 steps to the top of the landmark attraction. The cost is $5 but includes a complimentary beer at the top (for adults ages 19+) and a $5 food coupon for all participants.
Other Easter Events – for a list of other holiday events in Vancouver and throughout the region on the April Long Weekend, click Easter 2018.

Spring Break Events in Burnaby

Spring Break at Burnaby Village – special activities at Burnaby Village from March 19 to 29, 2018, from 11 am to 4:30 pm (FREE admission but extra for carousel rides and guided tours).
Burnaby Rec Centres – the City of Burnaby’s website lists Spring Break camps taking place at its recreational facilities as well as at the Burnaby Art Gallery.

Spring Break in Coquitlam

Place des Arts – all sorts of visual and performing arts programs take place at the facility at 1120 Brunette Avenue over Spring Break.
Evergreen Cultural Centre – the Spring Break Festival at this community facility from March 20th to 22nd features shows about Robin Hood, Cinderella and Cendrillon.

Spring Break in Richmond

Carnival at Lansdowne Centre – the WCA Carnival takes place in the parking lot of the Richmond mall from March 16 to 25. Tickets are $1.25 each, $23 for a book of 20, $45 for a book of 40, and $40 for an all-day wristband. Individual rides cost between 3 and 7 coupons each.
Richmond Oval – the Olympic recreational facilities in Richmond offer a dozen and a half different sports camps over Spring Break in 2018.
Gulf of Georgia Cannery – a small number of extra activities are offered at the historic site from March 16 to 29, 2018. Free admission for children and youth ages 17 and under accompanied by a paying adult.

Spring Break in Surrey

Spring Break Camps – rec centres throughout the Lower Mainland offer special Spring Break day camps for kids. The City of Surrey lists them all conveniently on one convenient site. Check it out!

Spring Break on the North Shore

West Van Camps – the West Vancouver Recreation centre offers dozens of Spring Break camps including programs involving acting, LEGO, babysitting, science and public speaking.
Maplewood Farm & Maplewood House – the North Vancouver Community Arts Council offers a number of Spring Break arts camps at the North Shore’s favourite hobby farm.
Pool & Play Passes – North Vancouver recreation centres are offering special 2-and-a-half-week swim, skate and open gym access for children. Passes are valid from March 16 to April 2, cost just $5.25 and are good for the entire period.

Spring Break in New Westminster

Anvil Centre – the community facility in downtown New Westminster offers camps involving crafts, history and textiles between March 19th and 29th.
New West Community Centres – the City of New Westminster has a brochure about Spring Break activities happening at various locations. Check it out!

Spring Break in Other Parts of Town

Fort Langley – special activities at the fort run from March 17 to April 2 in 2018. Visitors can learn about the Fraser River’s ecology and importance for the Stó:lō people.
Britannia Mine – the mining museum up towards Squamish offers special Spring Break activities suitable for children ages 7+ and their families. There are opportunities to test the facility’s water, soil and plants as well as other “real science” activities.
Sea to Sky Gondola – the attraction near Squamish offers free admission to children ages 12 and under between March 17 and 29. Just remember to mention the Secret Spring Break Deal at the ticket booth to get your free pass.
Easter at Tulips of the Valley – the flower festival in Chilliwack begins for the season on April 1st (so at the very end of Spring Break). Special activities on the Easter Long Weekend include train rides, balloons, face painting and appearances by the Easter Bunny.
See below for kid-friendly movies showing at various venues over Spring Break.

Cheap Kids’ Movies at Spring Break

Family Favourites Movies – $2.99 movies at select Cineplex theatres at 11 am on Saturday mornings.
March Break Movies – the movies Wonder, Despicable Me, Ferdinand and The Boss Baby all show at select Lower Mainland Cineplex theatres for just $2.99 (March 19-23, 2018).
March Movie Break – select movies show on weekdays at Landmark Cinemas in New Westminster from March 19th to 29th for just $3 each.
Movies at Inlet Theatre – Despicable Me shows in Port Moody on Wednesday, March 21st, and Cars shows on Wednesday, March 28th.

Free Activities in Vancouver at Spring Break

Check out the top 10 free places for kids for great Spring Break activities that won’t cost anything (except maybe for parking and the transportation to get there). They include parks, places to ride bikes and other great outdoor activities.

Other Great Things to Do with Kids in Vancouver in March

Whether it’s Spring Break or not, there are plenty of great things to do with children in Vancouver during the month of March. Check out Vancouver’s Best Places for Children for a list of the top places to take children any time of the year. Indoor attractions will be especially popular if the weather is rainy, and Vancouver’s many beautiful parks will be perfect for a visit if the weather is good.

For more March things to do in general, check out Vancouver’s Best Places’ March Calendar of Events and Activities.

For more ideas on things to do during Spring Break, check out the following: