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Looking for fun things to do with your kids on Granville Island that go beyond another lap around the playground?
If you have a creative kid, or a busy kid, or a kid who asks “what are we doing now?” every 10 minutes, Granville Island is your move. From art classes and workshops to interactive activities and even edible creations, Granville Island is one of the best places in Vancouver for families craving hands-on, creative experiences.
Arts Umbrella
If your child loves to move, draw, sing, perform, or just generally express themselves loudly, Arts Umbrella is the place!
Located at 1400 Johnston Street, their Granville Island campus offers programs in visual art, dance, theatre, and music starting as young as three years old. They also offer Spring Break Camps and Summer Camps for ages six and up.
The perfect combo of strong foundations with room to explore, Arts Umbrella gives kids the chance to grow their skills while actually enjoying the process. And yes, you’ll probably end up with a handful of mini performances or art shows at home!
Beadworks
Beading has a way of pulling kids into deep focus (a true parenting win).
At Beadworks in the Net Loft, they can wander through rows and rows of beads in every colour, sparkle, and shape imaginable, carefully curate their favourites, and then settle in to design their own jewelry.
There are no formal workshops, but they provide a workspace so you can create right in the store. Arrive as early as you can: Jewelry making wraps up at 4 pm, and time flies when building your beading masterpiece!
Bon Macaron
Not all art belongs on a wall. Some of it belongs on a plate (or in your stomach)!
Bon Macaron Patisserie offers a constantly rotating lineup of sweet and savoury macarons. You can grab a box inside the Public Market, or take it up a notch and book a workshop at their Cartwright Street space.
Kids ages seven and up can join with a parent to learn how to pipe, fill, and assemble their own macarons. They also host birthday parties where young bakers leave with sweet skills and a box of colourful creations. And honestly, when the art project doubles as dessert, everybody wins.
The Art Foundry
Just steps from Granville Island on West 1st Avenue, The Art Foundry is where young artists can level up. With a maximum of five students per session, they get personalized guidance and space for each child’s ideas to be seen and nurtured.
Programs for ages nine to fifteen dive into drawing fundamentals, mixed media exploration, and one-day workshops that go beyond surface-level crafting. Don’t be surprised if your fridge art gets seriously upgraded!
Kids Market
Kids Market regularly hosts “Make & Take” events where children can create wind chimes, Pot a Plant projects, seasonal crafts, and more. They are hands-on fun, low-pressure, and best of all, they’re completely free!
And make sure to check out their Kids Craft Fair, where young makers set up their own tables to showcase and sell creations they’ve made themselves! It’s held every 6 months, and a wonderful way to support creativity, confidence, and entrepreneurial spirit.
Check out their website for upcoming event details and time your visit accordingly.
Activity Village at the Festival
And of course, if you are visiting during the Festival, the Activity Village is a must. It’s basically a creative playground packed with cultural art activities and interactive experiences designed for kids of all ages.
Families can explore hands-on art in the African Pavilion, the Indigenous Arts Tent, and Kultura Kubo, try juggling at the Circus Arts tent, or pick your paints and see your art whirl into action as a volunteer pedals the Spin Art Bicycle from MAKE Vancouver.
Whether your child wants to paint, perform, build, bake, or simply get their hands busy, Granville Island makes it easy to turn an ordinary outing into something creative and memorable!