Rainy Day Activities in Vancouver
Vancouver gets 166 rainy days a year. Here are 40+ ways to have an amazing time indoors when the skies open up.
Never Run Out of Indoor Ideas
Rain is part of Vancouver life — especially from October to March. But Vancouverites do not let a little (or a lot) of rain stop them. The city is loaded with museums, play spaces, creative studios, indoor pools, and entertainment that makes rainy days some of the best days.
Top 5 Rainy Day Picks
Science World
Best all-around indoor destination. 3+ hours of fun for all ages.
Granville Island
Kids Market, buskers, Public Market, and artisan studios all in one spot.
Go Bananas
Best indoor playground for toddlers and young kids. Exhaustion guaranteed.
Watermania
Wave pool, waterslides, and lazy river. A full day of swimming fun.
Pottery for the People
Creative, calm, and everyone takes home a painted keepsake.
Museums & Science
Science World
Interactive exhibits, OMNIMAX theatre, and live science shows. Plan 3+ hours.
Museum of Anthropology
First Nations art, totem poles, and Bill Reid's masterpieces at UBC.
H.R. MacMillan Space Centre
Planetarium shows, space simulators, and astronomy exhibits in Vanier Park.
Vancouver Art Gallery
Emily Carr collection and rotating international exhibitions. By-donation Tuesdays.
Vancouver Maritime Museum
Explore the historic St. Roch ship and interactive maritime exhibits.
Indoor Play Spaces
Go Bananas (Richmond)
Multi-level play structures, ball pits, and dedicated toddler zone.
Crash Crawly's (Langley)
Massive tube slides, climbing walls, and parent cafe.
Circus Play Cafe
Play cafe in East Van — espresso for parents, soft play for toddlers.
Kids Market (Granville Island)
Two floors of toys, adventure zone, and art stations.
Apex Adventure Plex
Trampolines, ninja courses, dodgeball, and foam pits.
Creative Activities
Pottery for the People
Drop-in pottery painting. Choose, paint, pick up glazed a week later.
AR Workshop Vancouver
DIY wood signs, canvas art, and family craft workshops.
Granville Island artisan studios
Watch glassblowers, weavers, and jewellers at work. Many offer classes.
Board game cafes
Cardboard Cafe and others — hundreds of games, coffee, and snacks.
Swimming & Sports
Watermania (Richmond)
Wave pool, lazy river, waterslides, and toddler splash zone.
Newton Wave Pool (Surrey)
Wave pool and waterslide at affordable drop-in rates.
Richmond Olympic Oval
Ice skating, rock climbing wall, basketball, and badminton.
Sky Zone Surrey
Freestyle trampolines, SkySlam basketball, and foam zones.
Food & Cooking
Dirty Apron kids cooking classes
Hands-on classes ages 8-14. Learn real skills in a professional kitchen.
Granville Island Public Market
Browse and taste artisan foods, watch fresh pasta being made.
Chocolate Arts factory visit
See bean-to-bar chocolate making and sample artisan truffles.
Movies & Shows
Cineplex Family Favourites
Saturday morning movies for $3.99 — classic and new family films.
OMNIMAX at Science World
Giant-screen documentary films on a 5-storey dome screen.
Vancouver TheatreSports League
Improv comedy on Granville Island. Family-friendly Saturday matinees.
I Need Something For...
- • Circus Play Cafe
- • Go Bananas toddler zone
- • Library story time (free)
- • Aquarium touch pool
- • Science World
- • Trampoline parks
- • Pottery painting
- • Indoor swimming
- • Escape rooms
- • Rock climbing
- • Board game cafes
- • Bowling and VR
Planning Ahead for a Sunny Day?
When the rain stops, Vancouver's outdoor adventures are unbeatable. Check out our outdoor guide for hikes, beaches, and nature walks.