I just moved here recently from San Jose, California, where there are a few parks with enclosed play areas for toddlers. They are great for little ones that like to "take off" on occassion. Are there any in or around Vancouver?
I got some responses already, but I should clarify that I mean outdoor enclosed play areas.
Kid's Club, in Salmon Creek (North Vancouver) is a great place. My kids LOVE going there. There is also JJ Jump in Hazel Dell. JJ Jump isn't open all day, it has several days for a few hours where it's open, so call or check out the website. There is also a play area at the mall (Westfield Shoppingtown) and most of the libraries I've been to also have some things for the kids to play with.
I haven't tried this myself, but some people I work with take their daughter -- about the same age as yours -- to the Marshall Center and they have nothing but good things to say about it.
http://www.cityofvancouver.us/parks-recreation/facilities...
Hey J.! Welcome to the area...my family is from Santa Rosa Ca, and we visit there a lot. Anyway, I hope you are liking it here! There is a great place indoors that I know about....it is called Cafe Sip-n-Play, and it is off of 164th in Fisher's Landing in Vancouver. It's an enclosed play area where you pay like $3 for your child to play as long as you want, they have a little slide and tube and "grocery shopping" area, dress up stuff and other great things, but it's not huge. You can sit in the Cafe area and watch your child playing, or go in and play with them. They have great coffee/tea and food (and great kid's food too!). There is another great indoor venue called Kid's Club up a little more north off I-5, it is a similar set up, except the play area is all slides and tubes you crawl through. I think Cafe Sip-n-Play is probably better for a 2 1/2 yr. old. If you would like me to join you sometime, I'd love to! Just send me a message!
we moved up here a year and a half ago from santa barbara but were from castro valley. an indoor place is a must with the weather here. as far as i know, there are two indoor, co-op playgroups, depending on what side of vancouver you are. i'm in camas so i go to the camas-washougal indoor playpark (http://www.cwindoorplaypark.org). i hear there's another one called noah's arc out by I-5 (they don't say 'the 5' here :P ). i haven't been to noah's arc but love cwipp. come check us out :) you can come twice for free just to test it out.
J.,
Welcome to Vancouver!!! We just moved here a year ago, and we absolutely love it! My boys are 4 and 2 1/2...and we're never bored here! There are a ton of places to go with kids in Vancouver AND Portland!! I've read the postings, and most everything is covered (some even have websites...Cafe Sip N Play, Kids Club, Camas/Washougal indoor playpark, Vancouver parks and rec, etc). I've been to the Noah's ark playpark...it's at a church, tons of stuff to do with a 2 1/2 year old. The Firstenberg community center has an indoor playpark as well, offered several different days of the week, and you just drop in. Portland has OMSI (great kids ENCLOSED play area with a ton of fun things to do), and of course the Children's museum over by the zoo...very fun. During the late spring/summer/early fall, definately enjoy the parks around town (while the weather is gorgeous)!!! Esther Short park in old town Vancouver hosts the Saturday/Sunday market, and has a great playground and "spray"ground (water play area). Marshall Park off of I-5 (at the Mill Plain exit) has a cool playground, just look for the red firetruck play set! Fisher Basin (the other end of Mill Plain, near 192nd Ave, is toddler friendly, and there's one out in Battle Ground too, can't remember the name of it though (take Main Street through Battle Ground, and turn right at Burgerville, I think). Oh, there's another park off of 15th Street, across from Lacamas athletic club...also can't remember the name of it, but has some great stuff for toddlers. If you're looking for swimming lessons, they're offered at several places, Firstenberg, Lake shore athletic club, Kids club, Oxford, etc. And gymnastics...Gold Star!!! They've got a great class for 2 1/2 year olds...my son loves it! If you're ever looking to grocery shop in peace, Fred Meyer has a kids play area, free for one hour. If looking for somewhere to take her for toddler bowling, Big Al's is great. When you're ready for preschool, St. Andrew's Christian preschool is fantastic! The teachers are amazing!!! They offer a two and you class, Kindermusik, summer camps, and the typical 3 yr old classes and 4 yr old classes. It's in the Orchards area. Ok, I think I've covered just about everything I've learned in the last year. If you have any more questions, feel free to email me! Again, welcome to Vancouver...I hope you love it here as much as we do!!! B.
Hi J. & welcome to the area!
We moved from Campbell, CA a little over a year ago, and love it here. I have a 3 1/2 yo and a 20 mo. Unfortunately, I have spent the winter at OMSI or other indoor play/learning centers, and haven't any real suggestions for you. Please let me know when you hear back, as I will need this info also for this summer! I did receive a book about fun activities for kids in Portland which is pretty cool. Let me know if I can help in other ways!
Good luck!
G.
