Looking for a family outing in the Lower Mainland that is both fun and educational? Try a historical theme. History isn’t just boring textbook fodder; there are lots of places in Vancouver and surrounding area that bring history to life for families, so you can learn more about the past to better understand the present and the future. Here are our best picks:
Museum of Anthropology at UBC
The Museum of Anthropology at UBC has many ways to learn about world (and local) history. Current special exhibits celebrate Northwest Coast Art (until June 2019). With lots of interesting artifacts to explore, some as immersive experiences including music and even hammocks to rest in, there is so much to learn and see. Most impressive is their collection of indigenous art with an enormous amount of art and culture to take in.
Museum of Vancouver
The Museum of Vancouver has interactive exhibits that consider the whole family. They periodically host family-focused events, including free admission on Family Day! You can take a walk on the wild side, visit the Wild Things exhibition and experience the wonder of a close encounter of the wild kind. Explore the Haida Now exhibition and discover the wily ways of Wasgo the Sea Wolf and many other captivating Haida legends, including the Bear Mother. This museum comes alive with multimedia exhibits that blend artifacts of the past with technology of today.
BC Sports Hall of Fame
Do your kids like sports? Check out the BC Sports Hall of Fame. There are exhibits that cover the 2010 Olympics, Terry Fox’s legacy, women in sports, BC sports heroes, Aboriginal sports, Rick Hansen’s Man in Motion tour, interactive games, a viewing window to BC Place, local professional sports teams and Greg Moore’s fast-paced career. It’s a great way to get moving and get learning together.
Vancouver Police Museum
The Vancouver Police Museum is sure to appeal to kids who enjoy playing cops and robbers. There are stations where you can play educational video games, reproduced crime scenes and even an area where kids can pretend to be police sketch artists. There are lots of true crime artifacts and opportunities to learn about policing through the ages.
Vancouver Maritime Museum
Feeling like sailing away to educational experiences? Look no further than the Vancouver Maritime Museum which hosts the Children’s Maritime Discovery Centre. It’s a way to interact with replicas of a tugboat bridge and the upper deck of the Discovery, Captain George Vancouver’s ship. All hands on deck for fun here.
Fort Langley Historical Site
If you want to venture a little further afield, check out Fort Langley Historical Site with its costumed interpreters, live demonstrations and scavenger hunts. You can pan for gold, join guided tours, and even get the opportunity to sleep over. Your girl guide can even earn her heritage badge, too. Re-enact the early days of an original fort and experience history relived.
Whatever you choose, you’re sure to learn a lot in the Lower Mainland’s finest museums. Enjoy the present by learning from the past as a family today.
Tagged under: family outings,Vancouver,Vancouver Maritime Museum,Vancouver museums,museum of vancouver,bc sports hall of fame,Vancouver police museum,Fort Langley Historical Site
Category: attractions
