With B.C.’s annual Family Day holiday just around the corner, Richmond is gearing up for a full serving of child-friendly fun. But quality time with the kids in our city is not limited to this third-week-of-February long weekend. Read on for some cool suggestions for keeping the family fully entertained in Richmond throughout the year.

THE WORLD OF KIDTROPOLIS

#110 – 5940 No. 2 Road, Richmond, BC

Suitable for youngsters aged 10 and under, The World of Kidtropolis is a colourful make believe mini-town of scaled-down buildings centered on a storefront-lined main street. From a fire hall to an animal hospital and from a pizza parlour to a police station, children can zip around in pedal cars, duck inside fully equipped shops and businesses and pretend-play to their heart’s content.

Get around in style at Kidtropolis. PHOTO CREDIT: The World of Kidtropolis.

Splitsville Riverport

150-14200 Entertainment Boulevard, Richmond, BC

Just a few steps from Watermania, Richmond’s former Lucky 9 Lanes bowling attraction has been renamed and reinvigorated as Splitsville, a hotspot for family fun. You’ll find 10-pin and five-pin options here (book ahead for your chosen lane time) as well as an onsite arcade and a food menu featuring popular dishes such as pizza, chicken strips, mac ‘n’ cheese and more.

Sharpen your bowling skills in a fun and competitive way. PHOTO CREDIT: Splitsville.

WEST COAST MINI PUTT

7391 Elmbridge Way​, Richmond, BC

Hidden in an unassuming city-centre building, West Coast Mini Putt is an all-ages attraction as well as an ideal undercover activity option on cold or rainy days. You don’t need any golfing skills to tackle the 18 holes here, with quirky artworks and a cool glow-in-the-dark section adding to the unique vibe. Need more? Hit the vintage arcade games in the lobby while you’re here.

Head to West Coast Mini Putt for some glow in the dark fun. PHOTO CREDIT: West Coast Mini Putt.

INDOOR CLIMBING

Richmond Olympic Oval, 6111 River Road, Richmond, BC
Clip ‘n Climb, 1751 Savage Road, Richmond, BC

Activity-loving children can tackle Metro Vancouver’s tallest climbing wall at the Richmond Olympic Oval, where climbers of all skill levels are welcome. And don’t miss the onsite Olympic Experience, complete with hands-on sporting tasks and exhibits from past Olympiads––mascots included. Back to climbing, also consider the city’s ever-popular Clip ‘n Climb attraction, where kids and adults will love the 75 challenges and 25 cleverly designed climbing walls.

Dive into how centuries of advances in technology have pushed the Games forward. PHOTO CREDIT: Richmond Olympic Experience.

WATERMANIA

14300 Entertainment Boulevard, Richmond, BC

This splash-tastic swimming pool complex is a magnet for kids who love interactive water play. Child-friendly features at Watermania include slides, sprayers, waterwheels and an oversized seahorse that pours water into a giant tipping bucket. Older children will enjoy the springboards and there’s also a 57-metre competition pool for those who want to swim a little further.

Make a splash this Family Day Long weekend. PHOTO CREDIT: Watermania.

GO KARTING IN RICHMOND

TBC Indoor Racing, 2100 Viceroy Place, Richmond, BC

If your older kids are keen to explore their Formula One fantasies, treat them to a thrill-a-minute visit at TBC Indoor Racing. Channeling their inner racecar driver, they’ll have the chance to zip around an undercover 13-turn kart track, competing with others at speeds of up to 70 km per hour. Note the minimum age requirement here is 11 years old.

Hop in the hot seat at TBC Indoor Racing. PHOTO CREDIT: TBC Indoor Racing.

TERRA NOVA ADVENTURE PLAY ENVIRONMENT

Terra Nova Rural Park, 2631 Westminster Highway, Richmond, BC

If your children really love playgrounds, head to Terra Nova. This shoreline-fringed park is striped with easy nature trails, but it’s also home to one of the region’s finest and best-equipped play areas. Give your kids plenty of time here and they’ll discover a maze, climbing wall, hill slide, pivot swings, ziplines and even a large treehouse––plus lots of other children to make friends with.

The playground at Terra Nova is the perfect place to unleash some energy. PHOTO CREDIT: Crystal Solberg

EXPLORE NATURE AT RICHMOND’S PARKS

Iona Beach Regional Park, 900 Ferguson Road, Richmond, BC
Richmond Nature Park, 11851 Westminster Highway, Richmond, BC

Junior flora and fauna fans should also beeline to Richmond Nature Park, where the free-entry Nature House has excellent kid-friendly exhibits showcasing the city’s wild side. Nearby, there are feeding stations where towhees, woodpeckers and more regularly visit. Serious nature nuts should also visit Iona Beach Regional Park, where eagles, northern harriers and even turtles can be seen. Wherever you go, be sure to teach your kids how to observe wildlife respectfully.

A downy woodpecker on a bird feeder at Richmond Nature Park. PHOTO CREDIT: John Lee.

LARRY BERG FLIGHT PATH PARK

Russ Baker Way, Richmond, BC

One of the Lower Mainland’s most unusual parks is perfect for kids with a penchant for airplanes and If your children love aviation, soar over to this uniquely themed Richmond park. Located past the end of Vancouver International Airport’s south runway, it has seats shaped like paper planes and short bike trails resembling mini runways. Aircraft fly overhead here every few minutes and there are handy information panels to help kids (and adults) identify them. Best of all, children can climb across a huge softplay half-globe featuring dozens of countries!

Aviation fans will love Flight Path Park. PHOTO CREDIT: John Lee

Steveston Tram

4011 Moncton Street, Richmond, BC

Take the family to the Steveston Tram and you can all hop aboard a beautifully restored, red-painted interurban tram that once trundled locals around the region. There is a lot for kids to do at this free-entry pavilion, including a scavenger hunt, dress-up corner, hands-on exhibits and a storybook nook. Regular visitors can also join the Junior Conductor Program, receiving colourful badges for five, 10 and 15 visits.

Families love visiting the Steveston Tram. PHOTO CREDIT: John Lee.

NATIONAL HISTORIC SITES

Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site, 12138 Fourth Avenue, Richmond, BC Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site, 5180 Westwater Drive, Richmond, BC

Kids curious about the past will also love Steveston’s two nationally designated heritage attractions. The Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site is brimming with evocative displays on the yesteryear fishing industry and its gritty canning line jobs (ask for a free activity booklet at the front desk). On the other side of the village, Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site is a richly storied boardwalk complex of wooden boat sheds, recreated living quarters and more––they also provide a free activity guide for kids here.

Kids love learning about the past at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site. PHOTO CREDIT: Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society.

​BIKING EXCURSIONS

For those who prefer a gentler pace, Richmond is also home to more than 80 km of designated cycling routes. Many of these pathways are scenic while the city’s relatively flat topography makes them accessible to most skill and fitness levels. A great way for families to explore the city together, click here for routes and itinerary ideas. Need wheels? You can rent bikes (including e-bikes) at Village Bikes in Steveston.

Consider going on a biking excursion on the West Dyke Trail. PHOTO CREDIT: Tourism Richmond.

Last Updated on February 20, 2024 by Tourism Richmond