Monday’s Big Kids are Keeping Cool by the Water

Although the summer heat is beginning to ease off as we move towards the mellowness of autumn, Monday’s Big Kids and I have been splashing around Vancouver, finding the coolest places to play.

She Sells Seashells, Monday’s BKC Summer Journeys class, has taken us on some sandy and watery adventures, as we explore the ocean and its beaches – the landscape where water and land meet.

One of my favourite adventures so far, was a trip down to False Creek’s Hinge Park and Habitat Island. There is endless fun to be had here, as the park offers tunnels to pass through, big rock steps to climb, bridges to cross, and the highlight – a water pump and metal runnels. The kids could’ve stayed here all day, racing up to the top to press the button that turns on the water pump, then racing back down to follow the water’s path as it cascades down the metal ramp, shooting off into a big puddle at the end.

Though it was hard to convince the kids to leave this watery playground, they also loved exploring Habitat Island. You have to cross a stepping stone bridge to get to the ‘island’, and there are all kinds of little pathways to explore once you’re there. Plus a great spot for stopping to throw stones in the water, and a view of downtown Vancouver’s skyscraper landscape.

Last week we headed out on a spontaneous adventure to Aquariums West (gecko needed a new heat lamp bulb…), to see some creatures that call water home. We saw fish, shrimp, snails, turtles, frogs and even land animals like guinea pigs, hamsters and rats.

Frankie liked the rats the best, Mabel was keen on the guinea pigs, and Sylvie loved seeing all the different colours and sizes of fish that filled row upon row of aquariums.

With only two Mondays left this season, come join us for our last two sandy journeys!

Monday, August 21st, we’ll be experimenting with making homemade kinetic sand (check out the recipe here: Sticky Sand Dough)

Monday, August 28th, join us for our final beach field trip to Trout Lake Park (okay, I know it’s not the ocean, but it still has a great beach).

Looking forward to bringing these adventures to life with all the fun of #BKCSummerJourneys!