Pumpkin spice events time 🍂

Hey there, new Fall lovers. Weather is still holding up, and we (still) have plenty of outdoor options for you.

We sifted through 180+ events happening around Vancouver this week (you’re probably thinking “😱 whaaat, and this newsletter is free?!?”) and picked only the best of the best so you don't have to.

Welcome to issue #13, here's what made the cut:

🕐 9:30 AM • 📍 Science World (1455 Quebec St, Vancouver)
A special one-day STEAM event where families get hands-on with technology and science. Includes interactive programming by Amazon Future Engineer and Science World, with free admission to Science World for the day (first-come, first-served).

🕐 2:00 PM • 📍 South Hill Branch
If your kid also has a Pro-D day, this is a good opportunity to learn something cool and fun. Safely experiment hands-on with circuits and electronics while having fun with other kids. For Grades K-7.

🕐 2:30 PM • 📍 Collingwood Branch
Encourage creativity as kids in Grades K-7 use various materials to design and build their own structures.

🕐 3:30 PM • 📍 Joe Fortes Branch
Join fellow children in engaging activities such as reading, crafting, and more at the library. Great for K-7.

🕐 3:30 PM • 📍 Renfrew Branch
If you need a break, there's a kid classic. Check the trailer. Get there ASAP to get a good seat.

🕐 3:30 PM • 📍 West Point Grey Branch
Join us at the library for an engaging afternoon of chess, card, and board games. All games provided. New players welcome. Drop-in.

🕐 9:00 AM • 📍 Fraser River Discovery Centre (788 Quayside Dr, New Westminster)
Nature-and-community-themed activities to celebrate BC Rivers Day. Includes family yoga, guided riverfront walks, a horticulture walk, and a smartphone photography workshop. Space is limited; pre-registration recommended.

🕐 10:00 AM • 📍 Darts Hill Garden Park (1633 170 St, Surrey)
Fall open house at Darts Hill Garden Park with harvest-season family fun: live music, a scavenger hunt, fall crafts, storytime sessions, garden tours ("Scarecrow Stroll"), gardening demos with plant giveaways, and refreshments.

🕐 10:00 AM • 📍 Richmond Curling Club
Tell me you never wanted to try those little brooms (probably not the real name) and sliding those big kettles on the ice (also probably not called that). This 1h hands-on intro has all the equipment and an "after party". After the training, the Curling Lounge will host games, light refreshments and door prizes. For teens and adults. $10.

🕐 10:00 AM • 📍 Richmond Public Library – Cambie Branch
The Richmond Library mini-sale is back, and it's a great chance of catching those book deals. Books range from 50 cents to $2.

🕐 10:00 AM • 📍 Richmond Cultural Centre
Richmond Museum newest exhibit: "The Maple Road Experience is a story about how one kid’s passion for skateboarding sparked something much bigger.".

🕐 11:00 AM • 📍 šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl'e7énḵ Square (Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza, Vancouver)
Indian cultural festival featuring vibrant showcases of India's heritage: Bollywood and folk dances, live music, poetry, artisan displays, Indian food vendors, henna art, and more. All ages welcome for this day-long extravaganza hosted by the Consulate General of India.

🕐 11:00 AM • 📍 Campbell Valley Regional Park (20285 8th Ave, Langley)
Nature festival at Campbell Valley Park celebrating owls and nocturnal wildlife. Families can enjoy live music, food trucks, meet a live owl, and learn about owls through fun activity stations (e.g. grass maze, straw pile).

🕐 12:00 PM • 📍 The Shipyards District (Lower Lonsdale, North Vancouver)
Outdoor community festival with live music on multiple stages, entertainment, food, and family activities. Includes a Family Zone (kids' performances & activities 12–6 PM), beer garden, local vendors, and more – all in a car-free, waterfront setting.

🕐 12:00 PM • 📍 London Farm (6511 Dyke Rd, Richmond)
Harvest-themed fair to celebrate fall at Richmond's historic London Farm. Enjoy hay rides, arts & crafts, sack races, scavenger hunts, meet-the-chickens coop visits, contests, and a harvest market with fresh items for sale.

🕐 12:00 PM • 📍 Historic Stewart Farm (13723 Crescent Rd, Surrey)
Heritage farm celebration at Historic Stewart Farm. A community fair with live music and dance performances, an Indigenous drumming circle, pioneer demonstrations, kids' crafts and photo ops, apple cider pressing, and more to celebrate the harvest season.

🕐 12:30 PM • 📍 Grandview Park (1657 Charles Street, Vancouver)
This workshop invites families to explore their creativity by painting seasonal still lifes. Suitable for ages 5 and up, all materials are provided, and no prior experience is required.

🕐 10:00 AM • 📍 Garry Point Park

If you did not register for the Big Pirate Run, going to cheer for the runners is still a fun way to motivate your kids to participate in the next run. You'll see people wearing pirate costumes and running around Gary Point Park. The next goofy race is The Big Halloween Run (https://www.bigfunrunseries.com/big-halloween-run). They have 1k and 5k, in costumes, many prizes. The time to register is now!

🕐 11:00 AM • 📍 John Braithwaite Community Centre (North Vancouver)
Join this engaging program designed for families with children aged 10 and up. Participants will explore drawing and painting techniques while creating a visual memoir together.

🕐 2:00 PM • 📍 Ironwood
Visit the Ironwood Launchpad to explore Sphero Indis, engaging children in coding and robotics through interactive demonstrations designed for ages 4 and up.

🕐 1:00 PM • 📍 Cambie
Join Richmond Family Place for a weekly drop-in session where children aged 0-5 can enjoy songs, rhymes, and storytime while making new friends in a welcoming environment.

🕐 3:30 PM • 📍 nə́c̓aʔmat ct Strathcona Branch
Join this pop-up maker space event where kids in grades K-7 can explore various creative activities. Each session features a different project. Contact the branch for specifics.

🕐 3:30 PM • 📍 Champlain Heights Branch
Creative exploration time using library materials, featuring hands-on art activities. Ideal for children in Grades K-7. Dress to get messy.

🕐 4:00 PM • 📍 Ironwood
I guess not everything has to be with arts, science, math, etc etc. If you want to let your kiddo go crazy on some gaming fun, this is a good option. Play games like Mario Kart, Switch Sports, and Tetris with friends on our Nintendo Switch. Beginner and family friendly!

🕐 4:30 PM • 📍 Brighouse
Join a panel of mental health experts to explore important topics surrounding teen mental health. This event is designed specifically for teens seeking valuable insights and support. This one also happens on Tuesday.

🕐 6:00 PM • 📍 Brighouse
Ditch your kids to catch a movie for adults this time. Trailer here. Apparently just saying Pedro Pascal is in it, raises the Rotten Tomatoes score by 60%.

🕐 7:00 PM • 📍 Steveston
Cricut machines are pretty cool, and they take your little "arts and crafts" to a pro level. Fun to see the results, and who knows, it might become more than that. Ages 15+.

🕐 3:30 PM • 📍 Steveston
Chances for kids to learn about chess and have the opportunity to play with other participants. Chess boards are provided. Ages 6-12.

🕐 6:00 PM • 📍 Edmonds Community Centre, Burnaby
Drop-in play (ages 1–5) with toys, mini-sports, and gym equipment. A chance for families with little ones to enjoy active play together in the evening. Capacity is limited (60 people max, first-come).

🕐 7:00 PM • 📍 Cambie
Join fellow readers at Cambie Library for a one-hour discussion about "Pachinko" by Min Jin Lee. This event is perfect for book lovers looking to engage in thoughtful conversation.

🕐 10:00 AM • 📍 Fort Langley (various venues)
Three-day ukulele music festival kicking off Sept 25 in Fort Langley. Features a mix of free outdoor concerts and jam sessions alongside ticketed evening shows and workshops with renowned ukulele masters. Family-friendly performances and activities run throughout the village all weekend.

🕐 7:00 PM • 📍 Orpheum Theatre
“Experience the spectacular Return of the Jedi on the big screen, with the full John Williams score played live by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.”. This one is a super high quality event, but not for super young kids, as the concert lasts 3h.

Who could imagine, this little project is already reaching hundreds of people.

This newsletter was created to save your time, but it is not free… there’s a price.

You gotta help us reach more busy parents like you, or anyone looking for family events in Metro Vancouver. Share this issue with them.

Catch you next week ✌️

Nat, from Nothing To Do.