Bright Minds’ Creative Play Area

9 / 28 / 1310 / 4 / 13

One of the things I loved most about living in Vancouver with a toddler was how much there was to do. During our 2 years there, I never felt like I was grasping for things to do and see – not even during the dreary winters… On beautiful days we’d visit parks, hang out at the beach, and go for walks, and on rainy days we’d hang out at our favourite indoor spots (community centre play gyms, pools, libraries, and skating rinks, the conservatory, the airport observation area, 6 Pack Beach, Pottery Barn Kids, the Play Palace, UBC, Kokopeli, or Sweet Salt to name a few). On top of all of that, kids’ programs were plentiful and inexpensive, so we enjoyed many rounds of parent and tot swimming and ballet, and we were members at both the Vancouver Aquarium and Science World.

Having had it so good for so long, I was a teensy bit worried that our days in Kuwait would be dull in comparison. The truth is, parks and play areas and kids programs do exist here… it’s just that without talking to the right person, you may never find out about them {and once you do, they can be terribly expensive}. So, I decided to start my research early. We were actually still living in Vancouver when I first learned about Bright Minds Creative Learning Centre. It looked and sounded like the perfect place for us online, so I was excited for our first visit.

Kerrisdale Play Palace is Back!

5 / 14 / 135 / 18 / 13

One of our very favourite rainy day spots, the Kerrisdale Play Palace, recently opened for another spring/summer season. It seems to be a bit of a hidden gem because although it does get busy, it never seems busy enough for what it is – a very reasonably priced GIANT indoor play space filled with fun inflatables. Miss G and I went this morning for the first time this season and whoa – did she ever have a blast. While she absolutely loved it last year, this year was even better. A little bit braver and a little bit bigger, she is now able to make her way to the top of all of the inflatables and down all of the slides – even the huge ones. She ran, climbed, and jumped the morning away until her hair was literally wet with sweat and it was time to go home for lunch and a nap. It was a good morning.

The Kerrisdale Play Palace is located at the corner of 41st Avenue and East Boulevard, in the arena directly behind the McDonald’s. When visiting, keep in mind that both you and your little one(s) will need socks and that weekday admission is divided by age groups. For the 2013 schedule and admission fees, click here.

♥

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Letting Loose, Play Palace Style

6 / 1 / 125 / 13 / 13

After waking up to yet another {very} rainy day, I decided it was time for some dry, indoor fun this time around… So off to the Kerrisdale Play Palace we went! I don’t know what it was about today (perhaps it was her nearly 13 hour sleep last night or it being her second visit – she’s a veteran now), but Gracen was absolute WILD woman! Walking into the rink was like letting a bucking bronco loose after keeping him in the gates for an abnormally long time. The moment she stepped foot onto the concrete, she was running and jumping and squealing and flinging her little body around like it was the last day she’d ever get to play in her life. Just a guess, but apparently she thinks the Play Palace is pretty awesome.

She didn’t waste any time getting down to business. First she hit up some old favourites…

And then it was off to try some new things… See that little monkey climbing up that inflatable ladder? Last time she got half way up, panicked, and we had to retrieve her. Not this time though. Apparently she’s a big girl now because she climbed up and zoomed down on repeat.

And then there was this. Never in her life has she ever gone down a slide on anything but her bottom, but today she was all about belly-down, face-first.

Oh, and going down with her little ‘yeehaw arm’ in full effect.

Later on, she saw a big girl climb up for a ride on the shark’s back, and she was desperate to do the same. After letting her try and try again to get on, I finally broke all the rules, climbed up onto the inflatable while the supervisor wasn’t looking, and helped her up. (Shhhhh… Don’t tell.)
Strangely enough though, today’s absolute favourite was the foosball tables. She kept going back to them again and again and when I told her we only had time to do one more thing, she picked going back for some more table football.

It was the perfect way to spend our rainy morning. I left with a dishevelled, tired little monkey who was more than ready for her nap when we got home.

♥

Kerrisdale Play Palace

5 / 3 / 125 / 13 / 13

This morning, as we stepped foot into a little old arena on the westside, I was transported back in time. A time in the late 80’s / early 90’s where I spent hours and hours in little old arenas, freezing my tush off while watching my brother’s countless hockey games. Only this was Kerrisdale. And it’s quite obviously 2012.

But despite the dingy smell, yellow lights, and chilly temperature, the Kerrisdale arena, which is transformed into the Kerrisdale Play Place each spring, is truly a hidden gem for those of us who live in a city that gets as much rain as we do. It’s filled with inflatable slides, obstacle courses, and bouncy castles, gym equipment, musical instruments, and ride-on cars and toys, making it much more than just your usual play gym drop in session. And let me tell you, Gracen LOVED it. I don’t think she stopped squealing for more than 5 seconds during our entire visit. Here our some photos from our visit…

On the pirate-themed ocean inflatable in the preschooler area:

Playing with floor toys and equipment in the preschooler area:

In the preschooler bouncy castle:

Riding plasma cars in the main area:

Shooting some hoops in the main area:

A couple of hours of squealing-good fun for a few bucks? You really can’t go wrong. My only advice if you plan to visit.. Firstly, dress warm (it’s chilly in there!) Second, wear or bring socks (they’re mandatory in all areas for children and in the preschool play area for adults). And lastly, don’t be fooled by the jumping jack/push up/karate choppin’ sit up-doing attendant… He’s surprisingly on his game and will catch and scold you if you sneak up the giant inflatable slide with your munchkin. ☺

Kinder Cafe in Port Coquitlam

3 / 13 / 123 / 14 / 12

Today Gracen and I ventured out to Port Coquitlam to meet up with a bunch of other mommies and munchkins at Kinder Cafe, an indoor playground geared towards preschool-aged children and their coffee-loving mamas. It was a bit of an adventure getting there (we missed our exit amidst the construction and ended up having to go into Surrey, loop around, and come back over the Port Mann Bridge with rush hour traffic), but it was well worth it. The play structures were engaging, the coffee was delish, and the company was wonderful, as always. Gracen had a great time playing and hanging out with her friends and was still talking about it tonight during dinner. Overall, I’d say that it was a hit. Here are a few photos from our visit:

Thrilled to be in a bouncy castle just for little kids.

She went absolutely nuts in here. There was a lot of shrieking, running, clapping, jumping, and ball throwing involved.

Who knew that 10:30 a.m. = bubble time at Kinder Cafe?! The munchkins LOVED it.

Little mommy in the playhouse.

Swinging.

Hanging out with her little friend, Keagan while Baby Tate snoozes on Auntie Steffie.

Tunnel crawling.

Apparently she thinks she’s a little smaller than she actually is.

Firefighter Grae taking a little break.

Ya Ya’s Play Centre

1 / 15 / 121 / 23 / 13

Being that today was Auntie Rozi’s birthday and our last full day in the Okanagan, we wanted to take the kids to do something special. We had originally planned on taking them to the pool (they all loved it last time), but that was before our good friend Hayley mentioned Ya Ya’s Play Centre. I’m so glad we checked it out because we all had a blast. It’s basically a big indoor play centre that has a little something for kids of all ages. The giant climbing apparatus has 3 levels, is fully padded, and has all kinds of ball pits, slides, tubes, and obstacles to climb. The really cool part is that wherever kids can go, adults can go too, so you never have to leave your little one to explore on their own if you don’t want to. The older boys loved the interactive games that were projected on to the floor and the little girls loved the toddler play area that was filled with learning toys and building blocks. Check out our visit:

Bradley and the bubbas in the ball pit.