Pick up copies of the free monthly newspapers B.C. Parent, 4479 W. 10th Ave., Vancouver, B.C. V6R 4P2 (tel. 604/221-0366); and West Coast Families, 8-1551 Johnston St., Vancouver, B.C. V6H 3R9 (tel. 604/689-1331). West Coast Families' centerfold, "Fun in the City," and event calendar list everything currently going on, including CN IMAX shows at Canada Place Pier, OMNIMAX (tel. 604/443-7443) shows at Science World British Columbia, and free children's programs. Both publications are available at Granville Island's Kids Market and at neighborhood community centers throughout the city.

Stanley Park offers a number of attractions for children. Stanley Park's Children's Farm (tel. 604/257-8530) has peacocks, rabbits, calves, donkeys, and Shetland ponies. Next to the petting zoo is Stanley Park's Miniature Railway (tel. 604/257-8531). The diminutive steam locomotive with passenger cars runs on a circuit through the woods, carrying nearly as many passengers annually as all of the Alaska-bound cruise ships combined. Special events include a Ghost and Goblins ride in October, and during the winter holidays, the railway is strung with festive lights. The zoo and railway are open daily May through September (11am-4pm), plus Christmas week and on weekends October through March. Admission for the petting zoo is C$4.50 (US$3.40) for adults, seniors and students pay C$3 (US$2.25), and kids ages 2 to 12 pay C$2 (US$1.50). Summer admission for the railway is C$3 (US$2.25) for adults, C$2.25 (US$1.70) for youth and seniors, and C$1.50 (US$1.15) for kids; rates vary for some of the events.

Also in Stanley Park, the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre has sea otters, sea lions, whales, and numerous other marine creatures, as well as many exhibits geared toward children. Across Burrard Inlet on the North Shore, Maplewood Farm, 405 Seymour River Place, North Vancouver (tel. 604/929-5610), has more than 200 barnyard animals (cows, horses, ponies, pigs, sheep, donkeys, ducks, chickens, and more) living on its 2-hectare (5-acre) farm, which is open daily year-round. A few working farms once operated in the area but were put out of business by competition from the huge agricultural concerns in Fraser River valley. The parks department rescued this one and converted it into an attraction. The ticket booth (a former breeding kennel) sells birdseed for feeding the ducks and other fowl, as well as guidebooks. The farm also offers pony rides. Special events include the summertime Sheep Fair, the mid-September Farm Fair, 101 Pumpkins Day in late October, and the Country Christmas weekend. The farm is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm, and on designated holiday Mondays during the same hours. Admission is C$3.50 (US$2.65) for adults, C$1.65 (US$1.25) for seniors and children. Take bus no. 210 and transfer to the no. 211 or 212.

Forty-five minutes east of the city, the Greater Vancouver Zoo, 5048-264th St., Aldergrove (tel. 604/856-6825), is a lush 48-hectare (119-acre) farm filled with lions, tigers, jaguars, ostriches, buffalo, elk, antelope, zebras, giraffes, a rhino, hippos, and camels. In all, 124 species roam free or in spacious paddocks on the grounds. Located 48km (30 miles) from Vancouver, the wildlife reserve also has food service and a playground. It's open daily from 9am until dusk. Admission is C$13 (US$9.75) for adults, C$10 (US$7.50) for seniors and children 3 to 15, and is free for children under 3 with an adult. Take the Transcanada Highway to Aldergrove, exit 73; parking is C$3 (US$2.25) per day.

Right in town, Science World British Columbia is a hands-on kids' museum where budding scientists can get their hands into everything. At the Vancouver Maritime Museum, kids can dress up like a pirate or a naval captain for a day, or board the RCMP ice-breaker St. Roch.

The Burnaby Village Museum, 6501 Deer Lake Ave., Burnaby (tel. 604/293-6501), is a 3.5-hectare (8 3/4-acre) re-creation of the Victorian era. You can walk along boardwalk streets among costumed townspeople, watch a blacksmith pound horseshoes, shop in a general store, ride a vintage carousel, peek into an authentic one-room schoolhouse, and visit a vintage ice-cream parlor that's been at the same location since the turn of the 20th century. At Christmastime, the whole village is aglow in Christmas lights and Victorian decorations. Admission is C$7.50 (US$5.65) for adults; C$5.55 (US$4.15) for seniors, travelers with disabilities, students, and youths 13 to 18; C$4.65 (US$3.50) for children 6 to 12; and free for children under 6. It's open daily from 11am to 4:30pm. From the Metrotown Skystation take bus no. 110 to Deer Lake. Tip: Time your trip to the Burnaby Village Museum to include a visit to the Hart House Restaurant, located at Deer Lake (6664 Deer Lake Ave.; tel. 604/298-4278). This elegant Tudor-style mansion houses an excellent restaurant, which is a perfect brunch or lunch spot, especially in summer when guests can stroll the lovely gardens. It's open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch from 11:30am to 2:30pm and for dinner from 5:30pm to 10pm.

The Fort Langley National Historic Site, 23433 Mavis Ave., Fort Langley (tel. 604/513-4777), is the birthplace of British Columbia. In 1827, the Hudson's Bay Company established this settlement to supply its provincial posts. Costumed craftspeople demonstrate blacksmithing, coppering, and woodworking skills, bringing this landmark back to life. It's open daily from 10am to 5pm March through October, and weekdays only 10am to 5pm from November through February. Admission is C$5.75 (US$4.30) for adults, C$5 (US$3.75) for seniors, C$3 (US$2.25) for children 6 to 16, and is free for children under 6; a family pass is C$15 (US$11). To get there, take the SkyTrain to Surrey Central Station and transfer to bus no. 501. Note: The main street of Fort Langley Village, Glover Road, is packed with antiques shops, cafes, and a bookstore. Only a 2-minute stroll from the historic site, it makes a fine lunch destination.

At Granville Island's Water Park and Adventure Playground, 1496 Cartwright St., kids can really let loose with movable water guns and sprinklers. They can also have fun on the water slides or in the wading pool. The facilities are open during the summer daily (weather permitting) from 10am to 6pm. Admission is free; changing facilities are nearby at the False Creek Community Centre (tel. 604/257-8195).

Open during summer, Splashdown Park, 4799 Nu Lelum Way, Tsawwassen (tel. 604/943-2251; www.splashdownpark.ca), is a 3-minute drive from the Tsawwassen ferry terminal, just south of Vancouver. With 13 enormous water slides, a giant hot tub, a pool, a picnic area, inner tubes, and volleyball and basketball courts, it's a great escape for kids of all ages. During summer, it's open daily from 10am to 8pm, weather permitting; call ahead for exact hours. Admission is C$20 (US$15) for anyone over 48 inches tall, C$14 (US$10) for anyone under 48 inches tall, and C$12 (US$8.95) for people entering the park but not going on the water slides; a family pass (two adults and two children) costs C$70 (US$52).

Rainy days are no problem at the Playdium at Metrotown, 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby (tel. 604/433-7529; www.playdium.com), where a huge variety of electronic diversions awaits kids and adults. It's open Sunday through Thursday from 11am to 11pm, Friday and Saturday from 11am to 2am. Cost depends on the number of games you play. On Sundays from 4pm to midnight, you can purchase 3 hours of playtime for C$22 (US$17), and on Fridays and Saturdays between 8pm and 2am, 4 hours of unlimited games comes to C$25 (US$19).

For a more traditional family experience, go to Playland Family Fun Park, Exhibition Park, East Hastings and Cassiar streets (tel. 604/255-5161). Admission for unlimited rides is C$23 (US$17) for those 1.2m (4 ft.) and taller, and C$10 (US$7.50) for those under 1.2m (4 ft.) tall for limited rides. Admission for an adult with a paying child under 12 is C$10 (US$7.50). Relive your childhood at this amusement park by riding on the ornate carousel and wooden roller coaster and playing miniature golf. There's also a Nintendo Pavilion, Electric City Arcade, and petting zoo. The park is open weekends and holidays from late April to mid-June and Labour Day to the end of September from 11am to 7pm; mid-June to Labour Day daily from 11am to 9pm. Take bus no. 14 or 16.

The prospect of walking high above the rushing waters is the main draw at the Capilano Suspension Bridge & Park and the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge. In winter, Mount Seymour Provincial Park and Grouse Mountain Resort offer ski programs for kids and adults.

Granville Island's Kids Market, 1496 Cartwright St. (tel. 604/689-8447), is open daily from 10am to 6pm. Playrooms and 28 shops filled with toys, books, records, clothes, and food are all child-oriented. Kids will also love taking the Aquabus or Granville Island Ferry to get there.

Only a 45-minute drive north of Vancouver, the B.C. Museum of Mining, Highway 99, Britannia Beach (tel. 800/896-4044), is impossible to miss. Located at the head of Howe Sound, it's marked by a 235-ton truck parked in front. It offers guided tours of the old copper mine, live demonstrations of mining techniques, and includes an underground mine tour and even a gold-panning area where anyone can try straining gravel for the precious metal. It's open daily from 9am to 4:30pm; call ahead for tour schedule; allow about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. The museum is closed from Thanksgiving (early Oct) until early May. Admission is C$13 (US$9.70) for adults and C$11 (US$8.20) for students, youth, and seniors; it's free for children under 5. The family rate is C$45 (US$34).