😶‍🌫️ Smokies are back on the menu

Wow, I even said one of these days “it’s been so nice, Vancouver is not covered in smoke for a few summers now…” 😶‍🌫️😶‍🌫️😶‍🌫️

We sifted through 160+ events happening around Metro Vancouver this week (we work hard so you can play hard) and picked only the best of the best so you don't have to.

Here's what made the cut:

🕐 10:00 AM • 📍 Central Library

Explore a wide selection of gently used books, DVDs, and CDs suitable for all ages. Your purchases will help fund library projects and programs. Remember to bring a bag - you'll need it. This will happen all the way until Sunday!

🕐 3:30 PM • 📍 Brighouse

STEAM events are our bread and butter... and it's also pretty smoky out there 😬... This monthly program invites children to engage in hands-on activities that foster skills in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics through collaborative projects.

🕐 3:30 PM • 📍 Renfrew Branch

If you're one of those parents that NEED your kid to relive a bit of your childhood, here's a chance to watch an old classic cartoon.

🕐 5:45 PM • 📍 Hamilton Community Park, Richmond

A family-friendly outdoor movie night at Hamilton Community Park, with free snacks, games, plus food trucks and local vendor booths for added fun. The best part, I could NOT find the movie they are screening (I know, bizarre), but the rest of the event makes it a nice family outing.

🕐 7:00 PM • 📍 Town Centre Park Plaza, Coquitlam

Coquitlam’s Summer Concert Series finale features ABRA Cadabra, an energetic ABBA tribute band. Free outdoor concert 7–9 p.m. with food trucks on site. It's a bit late for kids, but at least you can dance, you can jive… having the time of your life. 👀.

🕐 7:45 PM • 📍 Minnekhada Regional Park, Coquitlam

Experience a west coast rainforest after dark – a guided night walk in Minnekhada Park when owls, salamanders, and beavers are active. Ages 6+; bring a flashlight. Registration required. $15 per adult, $11.25 per adult 65+, $7.50 per child/youth. WHAT, SOMETHING THAT IT’S NOT FREE? Yep… but it does sound really cool.

🕐 10:00 AM • 📍 Poirier Forum, Coquitlam

Huge used sporting goods sale offering bikes, hockey gear, fitness equipment and more. Admission is by donation (cash or food bank item). Proceeds support KidSport subsidies.

🕐 10:15 AM • 📍 Kinross South Park (3298 Riverwalk Ave, Vancouver)

Join the community for a cleanup event in the River District. This is a great opportunity for families to engage in environmental stewardship together. They will provide cleanup equipment such as gloves, litter pickers or tongs, and garbage bags, but you can bring your own gear.

🕐 11:00 AM • 📍 Central Library

Informative session on audio recording at the Inspiration Lab. Discover the library's equipment and studios, perfect for aspiring young audio engineers.

🕐 11:00 AM • 📍 Science World

This event at Science World is designed for K-12 educators, focusing on digital literacy and AI in education. But I understand some parents want to be in the forefront of their kids learning, so there you go. Enjoy refreshments while learning innovative teaching strategies.

🕐 1:00 PM • 📍 Brighouse

Explore a variety of volunteer opportunities in Richmond. This event is perfect for families looking to engage with community initiatives and make a positive impact. Discover exciting volunteer opportunities with: Aquatics, Arts, Culture, and Heritage, Green Ambassadors, Community Centres, RCMP, Museum & Collections, Richmond Nature Park, Richmond Public Library, Minoru Seniors Society, Walk Richmond.

🕐 1:00 PM • 📍 Central Library

Explore the intersection of art and everyday life at this engaging pop-up event featuring live demonstrations by talented artists. Discover high-quality yet affordable: paintings, calligraphy, silk scarves, metalworks, crocheting, collages, illustrations and more.

🕐 1:00 PM • 📍 Downtown Port Coquitlam (McAllister Ave.)

Open-street festival with live entertainment, games, food trucks, community booths, EV displays and more. Presented by TransLink.

🕐 1:00 PM • 📍 Shipbuilders’ Square, North Vancouver

Annual Polish festival with live folk music and dance, authentic food, cultural displays, kids’ zone with games, face painting, and balloon twisting.

🕐 2:00 PM • 📍 West Point Grey Branch

If you participated in the summer reading club, this is for you. Celebrate the Summer Reading Club with a medal ceremony and fun activities at the library.

🕐 9:00 AM • 📍 Crescent Park, Surrey

Charity walk to raise funds for Parkinson Society BC. All ages welcome; 2–3 km route. Registration free; donations encouraged.

🕐 10:00 AM • 📍 Garden City Lands

Family-friendly event that includes a farmers market with artisan vendors, farm demonstrations, interactive farm equipment, food trucks, local musicians and children’s entertainment. The free public celebration will highlight the history and importance of farming in Richmond as well as the continued development of Garden City Lands.

🕐 11:00 AM • 📍 Central Library

Join fellow kids in crafting thank-you cards for Indigenous authors and storytellers. This event fosters creativity while honoring those who enrich the VPL community with their knowledge.

🕐 11:00 AM • 📍 Slocan Park, Vancouver

Community picnic with live music, games, door prizes and a free BBQ lunch. Celebrate grandparents with fun for all ages.

🕐 1:30 PM • 📍 Brighouse

Richmond's version. Celebration recognizing the accomplishments of Summer Reading Club participants. Enjoy a medal presentation and connect with community members and local leaders.

🕐 10:30 AM • 📍 Poirier Library, Coquitlam

Outdoor StoryWalk at Poirier Library. Library staff read a picture book page-by-page during a guided stroll for toddlers and young kids.

🕐 3:30 PM • 📍 Brighouse

Celebrate International Literacy Day with a delightful StoryWalk featuring "A Visitor for Bear." Enjoy the outdoors while engaging with this charming tale suitable for all ages.

🕐 6:00 PM • 📍 Iona Beach Regional Park

I was gonna say "Join Birds Canada for an introductory session on birdwatching at Iona Beach Park. Families will explore the basics and engage with nature through guided activities.". But this event just got full 🫠. So here's my idea: book one of the birdwatching kits from the library, and try it yourself first, maybe in this other event on Tuesday.

🕐 6:00 PM • 📍 Central Library

Experience a screening of "Guardians of the Galaxy" in the library's Montalbano Family Theatre, perfect for families seeking engaging superhero films. This one is from when the Marvel movies were good (imho).

🕐 10:00 AM • 📍 Various Surrey Parks

Volunteer with Surrey Parks staff to prune, weed, and care for gardens. Tools and training provided; best for ages 16+.

🕐 11:00 AM • 📍 Online event

I know, this one sounds silly, but it can be good to learn for a teen, a senior, or any adult that needs to catch up on the basics. This workshop introduces participants to saving and investing strategies, including RRSPs, TFSAs, RESPs, and other registered plans. Stocks, bonds, mutual funds and more. It's online, but you need to register! Click the link!

🕐 4:00 PM • 📍 Brighouse

You might be tired of Minecraft, but your kid is not! Join the club for a collaborative experience where children can work together on projects, share ideas, and immerse themselves in the creative world of Minecraft.

🕐 5:00 PM • 📍 Brighouse

This program invites teens to collaborate with library staff and peers to enhance library services and create engaging programs for their age group. A great opportunity for book lovers and teens in general.

🕐 2:00 PM • 📍 Central Library

If you or your kid are really into the podcast idea go discover the fundamentals of podcasting in this informative session. Ideal for those interested in planning, recording, and sharing their own podcasts.

🕐 3:30 PM • 📍 Renfrew Branch

Children in Grades K-7 can design and construct their own unique mazes to race marbles through. This drop-in event encourages creativity and engineering skills.

🕐 5:30 PM • 📍 Brighouse

Join the VanLUG community in the Launchpad classroom for a drop-in session focused on open-source operating systems like Linux and Ubuntu. Perfect for those seeking support or who want to get into Linux.

🕐 11:00 AM • 📍 Steveston

Creative session with DUPLO blocks. This event is perfect for children aged 2-5 to explore building and socializing with peers alongside their caregivers.

🕐 2:00 PM • 📍 Central Library

If you were serious on the podcasting thing... "90-minute, hands-on workshop, learn basic sound editing skills with REAPER software, as well as tips and tricks that are helpful for optimizing your audio.".

🕐 6:30 PM • 📍 Central Library

This workshop invites participants to enhance their creativity through journaling. Engage in self-reflection and creative exercises suitable for all ages.

What did we miss this time? What do you want more of?
You know what I want 👀. For you to stop hogging the good events and to share the source with your friends.

We’re on a mission to help families find great stuff to do and we need your help.

Catch you next week ✌️

Nat, from Nothing To Do

"A mummy covered in chocolate and nuts was discovered in Egypt.
It must have been Pharaoh Roche. " — By the amazing @dadsaysjokes