Planning a trip around the Brentwood area of Burnaby (The Amazing Brentwood) is excellent for families with young children because of the high density of parks, transit accessibility, and kid-centric amenities within the mall itself.
Top Activities for 4 and 6-Year-Olds
1. Burnaby Central Railway (Confederation Park)
This is a must-visit for this age group. Located just a 5-minute drive or a short bus ride north of Brentwood, it features miniature ride-on steam trains.
- Best for: The 10+ minute ride through the forest and tunnels is magical for young children.
- Note: It typically runs on weekends and statutory holidays from Easter to Thanksgiving.
2. The Amazing Brentwood Kids Corner & Plaza
If it’s a rainy day, head to the "TABLES" food court area inside the mall.
- Kids Corner: A dedicated space with complimentary books, toys, and games where children can play while parents grab a coffee.
- The Plaza: The outdoor central plaza has a large fountain that often features light shows. It is a safe, pedestrian-only area for kids to run around.
- The REC Room: While it's an arcade/entertainment center, it is family-friendly during the day. Many of the redemption games (winning tickets for prizes) are perfect for 6-year-olds.
3. Willingdon Linear Park
This is a unique "urban trail" that connects Brentwood to Confederation Park. It is essentially a 1.3km multi-use path with wide sidewalks and unique public art and pocket parks along the way. It’s a great way for 4 and 6-year-olds to burn off energy safely away from traffic.
4. Confederation Park Playground & Spray Park
One of the best parks in Burnaby, featuring a massive modern playground with rubberized surfacing (safer for falls) and a large spray park in the summer months.
Kid-Friendly Dining Around Brentwood
- Tendon Kohaku / Kokoro Tokyo Mazesoba: Both are located at the base of the Brentwood towers and feature robot servers that deliver food/clear plates—a massive hit for kids.
- The Food Court (TABLES): High ceilings, plenty of space for strollers, and diverse options (like bubble waffles from Gazba) make it stress-free.
- White Spot (Nearby): A BC staple located just a few blocks away. Their "Pirate Pak" meals are legendary for children.
Sample 1-Day Itinerary
- 10:00 AM: Arrive at Confederation Park. Spend an hour at the playground and (if running) ride the Burnaby Central Railway.
- 12:30 PM: Take the bus or drive down Willingdon to The Amazing Brentwood.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at the TABLES food court or Tendon Kohaku to see the robots.
- 2:30 PM: Quiet time at the Kids Corner in the mall or let them play in the outdoor Plaza by the fountain.
- 4:00 PM: Quick stop at The REC Room for a few arcade games before heading home.
Practical Travel Tips
- Transit: The Brentwood Town Centre Skytrain station is directly connected to the mall, making it very easy to reach from Vancouver without a car.
- Strollers: The Amazing Brentwood is very stroller-friendly with large elevators and wide corridors. However, for the miniature railway, you will need to park your stroller at the station platform.
- Restrooms: The mall has excellent "Family Rooms" with lower sinks and private nursing areas.