Start late-morning at Cascades Family Fun Park where toddler-friendly soft play, mini climbing structures, and a sensory corner let your 3- and 6-year-old burn energy while you grab a coffee; plan for about 1.5-2 hours so little legs aren't overtired. After playtime, take a quick drive to Deer Lake Park for a gentle lakeside stroll and a visit to the small playground by the visitor centre-feed ducks from a distance, snap family photos along the paved path, and keep the walk under an hour to leave time for naps and the afternoon activities planned for the rest of the trip.
After a relaxed morning, head to Playtopia at Brentwood for an indoor toddler zone with soft climbers, a ball pit, and parent-friendly seating-perfect for a midday nap transition and 45-60 minutes of supervised play. Follow with a short drive to Barnet Highway Waterfront Park for a calm, stroller-friendly waterfront walk and a quick stop at the small playground so the kids can run off any remaining energy before dinner; aim to keep outdoor time to about 30-40 minutes given the afternoon light and younger kids' routines.
Wind down after dinner with a cozy visit to Burnaby Village Museum (evening programs sometimes include family-friendly crafts and warm indoor spaces) where the kids can explore historic buildings and try simple hands-on activities under low lights; check current hours for any special evening events. If the museum is closed, opt for a relaxed indoor play-and-snack at The Amazing Brentwood's Family Lounge, where little ones can move around safely while parents enjoy warm drinks and a quiet corner-finish with a short, stroller-friendly night walk around Deer Lake Park paths to spot city lights and settle the kids for bedtime.
Begin your morning at Mind-bending Kids Museum (imaginary name replaced with a local alternative: Exploration Works at Metropolis) where interactive exhibits, hands-on sensory tables, and a toddler-friendly maker corner let your 3- and 6-year-old build, splash, and experiment for about 1.5-2 hours; staff-led demonstrations and short drop-in workshops are great for focusing little attention spans. After the museum, stroll across to Central Park's colourful Adventure Playground for a picnic, play on accessible climbers and swings, and a gentle loop around the duck pond-this keeps the day flowing from indoor discovery to fresh-air free play while staying close to Metrotown for an easy midday nap or lunch.
After a morning of museum discovery, head to Metropolis at Metrotown's Play Park (indoor family area) for a relaxed lunch and short free play session where soft seating, small climbing features, and a supervised craft table let your 3- and 6-year-old unwind and refocus for about 45-60 minutes. Follow with a quick trip to Glenbrook Ravine Park for an easy, stroller-friendly nature walk along the creek-spot local birds, inspect mossy logs, and let the kids investigate safe natural elements while you keep the pace gentle to preserve nap and snack routines.
After a day of hands-on fun, head to Burnaby Art Gallery for a short, family-friendly gallery stroll where colourful, kid-oriented exhibits and occasional drop-in craft tables let your 3- and 6-year-old wind down creatively; kids can try a simple collage or sketch while you enjoy a warm drink in the quiet gallery space. Follow with a cozy early dinner at Shadbolt Centre Café (or nearby family-friendly cafe) and finish the night with a twilight playground visit to Confederation Park Play Area, where soft-lit paths and gentle swings provide a calming end to the day before bedtime.
Start your morning with a gentle, stroller-friendly wander along the paved trails at Barnet Marine Park, where tide pools, driftwood forts, and seaside birdwatching offer hands-on nature play for your 3- and 6-year-old; bring a small bucket for shell-collecting and a magnifying glass for close-up discovery. After a beachside snack, drive a short way to Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area for the easy, looped Heritage Trail and the fun, accessible Seymour Demonstration Forest lookout-short boardwalk sections and a picnic meadow let the kids explore safely while you enjoy views before lunchtime and afternoon rest.
After a beachside morning, wander to Burnaby Mountain Park Rotary Bowl where wide grassy slopes are perfect for kite-running, picnic blankets, and gentle scooter time for your 3- and 6-year-old; pause at the nearby Beaver Lake Lookout for short, stroller-friendly boardwalks and an easy bug-and-bird hunt using a pocket magnifier. Finish the afternoon at Pinecone Park Playground, a colourful, age-diverse play area with toddler swings, low climbing features, and sheltered benches-ideal for snacks and a calm wind-down before heading back for dinner and bedtime routines.
As the sun softens, head to Simon Fraser University Sculpture Walk for a short, stroller-friendly exploration of playful outdoor sculptures where kids can count shapes and try gentle balancing games; follow this with a hands-on scavenger hunt in the adjacent SFU Campus Gardens, letting the 3- and 6-year-old search for colourful leaves, pinecones, and interesting bark textures. Finish with a cozy, family picnic and storytime at Forest Grove Picnic Area, where sheltered benches and nearby low logs make a calm spot to unwind, snack, and watch the light fade before a relaxed bedtime routine.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Cascades Family Fun Park | $10 |
| Deer Lake Park (lakeside stroll & playground) | Free |
| Playtopia at The Amazing Brentwood | $6 |
| Barnet Highway Waterfront Park (walk & playground) | Free |
| Burnaby Village Museum (evening/programs) | $7 |
| The Amazing Brentwood Family Lounge (indoor play/snack) | Free |
| Exploration Works at Metropolis / children's discovery (Metropolis replacement) | $11 |
| Central Park Adventure Playground | Free |
| Metropolis at Metrotown Play Park (indoor family area) | Free |
| Glenbrook Ravine Park (nature walk) | Free |
| Burnaby Art Gallery (family-friendly visit / drop-in craft) | $5 |
| Shadbolt Centre Café / family-friendly cafe (dinner) | $15 |
| Confederation Park Play Area (twilight playground) | Free |
| Barnet Marine Park (beach, tidepooling) | Free |
| Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area / Heritage Trail | Free |
| Rotary Bowl / Burnaby Mountain Park (kite-running, picnic) | Free |
| Beaver Lake Lookout (boardwalks & nature) | Free |
| Pinecone Park Playground | Free |
| Simon Fraser University Sculpture Walk | Free |
| SFU Campus Gardens / Forest Grove Picnic Area | Free |
| Estimated Total (per person) | $54 |