The 2010 Winter Olympics for Kids

Where can I take my children without them getting trampled or lost in the hordes of revellers during the 2010 Winter Olympic celebrations?

Granville Island offers a wonderful opportunity for the little ones to enjoy the Olympic Spirit in a child-safe, friendly environment.  And it’s fun for mom and dad, too!  There’s lots to see and do in the Island.  First you might take a quick, free tram ride from the Olympic Village Canada Line Station to the Granville Island Station. Otherwise you can take the False Creek bus, or any bus going south on Granville Street, get off at 7th Avenue and walk down under the bridge to the Market site.

As you walk into the Market area under the bridge, go right along the path by the little creek and you’ll come to the Kid’s Zone.  There’s a big white bubble tent that looks like a bride’s dress where the children can enjoy some storytelling. (You get tickets for ”The False Creek Bride” at a table nearby).  There are also tables set up under tarps for face painting, circus skills, lantern, mask and musical instrument making.  And on February 17 from 1.30 – 4.30 there will be a Rainforest Procession.

 In the big Picnic Zone tent you can relax with while listening to music by various ethnic groups. Behind that tent is a large playground where the kids can safely slide and climb.  And of course, there’s Kids Only Market, a shop full of amazing toys, books and lots of children’s activities.

As you walk around the Market area, there are lots of street entertainers — jugglers, acrobats, comedy acts and musicians.  Wandering around are some weird-looking rubbery creatures called the Big Nazos, 75 of them from New York.  Place de la Francophonie hosts this collection of bizarre creatures every day through to February 28th.  The kids can join their daily paradefrom 5.30 pm to 6.15 pm and some days they are performing along with the Carnival Band down on Railspur Alley.

Pick up some lunch and desserts in the Market and enjoy the sunny afternoon on the deck overlooking False Creek, then take the Aquabus or False Creek ferry back across False Creek to a variety of destination including Science World and David Lam Park or to the Maritime Museum($3 adults, $1.50 kids)

Be sure and stop by Teatro Tatro,a bus dubbed the Magical Theatrical Vending Machine with a goofy troupe of performers from Slovakia who perform sports-based comedy sketches.  They’ll  be at Granville Island on February 26 from 1 pm to 4 pm, and at the Surrey 2010 Celebration site in Holland Park on February 27 and at the Slovak Representative House, 1181 Seymour Street, on February 28.

PHOTOS by W. Ruth Kozak