Family Attractions in Vancouver to Visit on a Rainy Day

Looking for fun things to do with kids when the skies open up? Vancouver is packed with exciting rainy day attractions that keep little ones happy, active, and dry. From hands-on science experiments to tropical gardens, climbing walls, and sea otters, the city is full of family-friendly adventures that turn a drizzly forecast into an opportunity for discovery.

Kids Market on Granville Island

The Kids Market is a children’s wonderland. The old factory on Granville Island bursts with colourful shops selling everything from puzzles to puppets. The multi-level play area rings with laughter, the arcade dings and flashes, and family-friendly restaurants make snack breaks a breeze. Rain tapping on the windows adds to the cozy atmosphere inside.

Vancouver Aquarium

When it’s raining outside, escape to the underwater world of the Vancouver Aquarium. Inside the sprawling complex in the heart of Stanley Park, kids can watch jellyfish drift like glowing lanterns, sea otters tumble and play, and colourful tropical fish dart through coral reefs. The Amazon Gallery adds a warm, steamy, rainforest vibe - complete with parrots and reptiles - that feels like a vacation from the weather outside.

Science World

With its sparkling geodesic dome visible from all over the city, Science World is a Vancouver landmark. But once you step inside, it’s pure kid heaven. Interactive exhibits invite children to build, experiment, and get hands-on with science in a playful way. Live shows light up the stage with explosions, bubbles, and sparks. Grab burgers from the on-site White Spot Restaurant and spend the day letting your children’s curiosity run wild.

BC Sports Hall of Fame

If your kids can’t sit still, the BC Sports Hall of Fame is the perfect outlet. While the museum has inspiring exhibits about legendary local athletes, the Participation Zone is where the real action happens. Here, kids can scramble up a climbing wall, test their sprinting speed against the clock, or shoot hoops on a mini basketball court. It’s the perfect place to burn off energy indoors when it’s wet outside.

Indoor Rock Climbing

In a city as outdoorsy as Vancouver, climbing gyms are a great way to bring the mountains inside when the weather doesn’t cooperate. Kids (and parents) can channel their inner adventurers while building skills that translate to crags and boulders waiting outside on drier days. Located near downtown, The Hive: Vancouver Heights offers family-friendly roped climbing routes that mimic real cliff faces, while The Hive: Vancouver Boulders is ideal for young climbers who like short, playful routes without a harness. Over at Richmond Olympic Oval, towering walls give kids the thrill of going higher and higher in a safe and fun environment.

H.R. MacMillan Space Centre

Aim for the stars at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, where kids can dive into the mysteries of the universe without leaving Vancouver. Located in the Kitsilano neighbourhood, the interactive exhibits let budding astronauts explore planets, space missions, and even a simulated rocket launch. The real showstopper is the Planetarium: the lights dim, stars fill the dome, and kids are whisked away on a journey through the night sky.

Bloedel Conservatory

Walk through the doors of the Bloedel Conservatory and suddenly you’re not in rainy Vancouver anymore - you’re in a lush tropical paradise. The air is warm and humid, vibrant flowers bloom at every turn, and exotic birds flit above your head. Some of them may even greet you with a cheerful “hello”, delighting kids who can’t believe a bird is talking back. It’s like sneaking away to the jungle, and a wonderful reminder that nature thrives indoors too.

FlyOver Canada

If you’ve ever wanted to soar across the country without leaving your seat, FlyOver Canada makes it possible. The immersive flying ride in Coal Harbour is a wonderful rainy day attraction and is a fun thing to do with kids. Strap into a seat that swoops and glides as massive screens take you over Canada’s most beautiful mountains, rivers, and cities. Add in bursts of mist, rushing wind, and the scent of pine, and you’ll swear you’re really there. After the ride, stop at the Flying Whale Cafe for kid-friendly fare like grilled cheese and hot chocolate.

Hillcrest Aquatic Centre

When it’s pouring outside, why not get wet on your own terms? The Hillcrest Aquatic Centre is a splashy indoor escape, complete with a lazy river and water slide. Younger kids can paddle around in the shallow play areas while older ones test their strokes in the deep end. With warm water, plenty of space, and the bonus of hot tubs for parents, this huge pool in the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood is the kind of place where the whole family can stay active and have fun, even on the dreariest of days.