Memories are the best gifts! Experience gifts let you do that for the holidays & year-round. When you give an experience gift instead of physical items, you can make memories long after the wrapping hits the floor.
Gifting family experiences, like a getaway, an annual membership to a great local attraction, or buying tickets for a fun family show or adventure also helps to reduce clutter and allow for an enjoyable, eco-friendly celebration without all the excess packaging. Enjoy all that British Columbia has to offer, stop the accumulation of clutter, get your family moving, and enjoy the luxury of spending time together!
50+ prizes to be won at the party!
At this year’s Holiday Instagram Live Party for BC families, we’re giving away over $5,000 in prizes from the ideas featured in our Foodie Stocking Stuffer Guide, BC Experience Gift Guide, and Metro Vancouver Holiday Events Guide! To RSVP, just follow @hflvancouver on Instagram & set a reminder for the party by clicking the Live Video Reminder button under our profile on your phone. Then join us in @hflvancouver Instagram stories on November 16th at 8 pm PST for your chance to win over $5,000 in prizes!
BC EXPERIENCE GIFT IDEAS
FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
TIN WIS RESORT
TOFINO, BC
Make this the year to explore BC together! This holiday season, gift the experience of the pristine beaches and amazing wildlife of Pacific Rim National Park at the oceanfront Best Western Plus Tin Wis Resort! Located on the peaceful and scenic Mackenzie Beach in Tofino off BC's Clayoquot Sound, the Tin Wis Resort offers the perfect accommodations for outdoor lovers with world-class hiking, deep-sea fishing, paddle boarding, surfing, hot springs, canoeing, and kayaking at your doorstep. Not to mention the sunsets! We love that all rooms have guaranteed ocean views, guests can enjoy the ocean view hot tub and the new on-site gym, and their new on-site restaurant, Browns Socialhouse, offers an indulgent hot buffet breakfast and convenient lunch & dinner options! And you can save 15% off your next booking with our exclusive promo code (HFLIVING).
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL ECHO UNDER THE BIG TOP
Looking for a magical experience the whole family will love? Dive into the enchanting world of Cirque du Soleil’s ECHO presented by Sun Life! This mesmerizing show is a captivating adventure that sparks the imagination and celebrates the connections between humans, animals, and our beautiful planet. Through incredible acrobatics, stunning visuals, and jaw-dropping artistry, ECHO takes you on a journey filled with hope, youthful optimism, and a deep sense of empathy. Whether it’s a special date night or a memorable family outing, this show is perfect for everyone! With matinee and evening shows available until January 5th, 2025, there are plenty of opportunities to catch this unforgettable experience right in downtown Vancouver. Don’t miss out—grab your tickets now and save 40% off all child admissions for shows running until November 24th, 2024!
Canadian Dolls
From Maplelea
Maplelea® is distinctly Canadian, featuring gorgeous 18-inch dolls with story journals, outfits, and accessories that celebrate our country’s spirit and identity! Maplelea® was developed to enlighten and entertain children, providing an experience that your child will continue to cherish for years to come. Maplelea® mission is to provide age-appropriate dolls and activity products that promote creative play and active lifestyles while fostering a love and interest in Canadian culture, heritage & geography. Their new clothing and accessories for this holiday season are gorgeous, and their "In My Canadian Era" Taylor Swift-inspired outfit is on our niece's wish list this year! We also love that their Maplelea&ME! dolls allow kids to choose from a variety of different hair, eye, and skin-tone combinations, create their own stories, and personalize with accessories!
Vancouver
Art Gallery
Looking for a unique gift that sparks creativity? Do you know someone who craves more access to art? A Vancouver Art Gallery Membership, includes unlimited access to all exhibitions, allowing them to explore captivating collections whenever they want. They’ll also receive exclusive invitations to members-only exhibition previews, plus 3 one-time-use complimentary guest passes to share the experience. But that’s not all! Membership comes with sweet discounts at the Gallery Store and the new 1931 Gallery Bistro, making it easy to find the perfect art-inspired gift or grab a delicious bite after a day of exploring. With Vancouver’s winter weather, we can all agree that there’s no better time to enjoy the indoors! Inspire someone special to connect with the vibrant art scene right here in our backyard.
rock climbing
at Climb Base 5
Give the gift of adventure and family bonding at Climb Base5 this holiday season! With 2 locations - Coquitlam & North Vancouver - this incredible climbing gym is the perfect spot for families to learn and grow together. With over 20,000 square feet of climbing fun, there’s something for everyone - from bouldering walls to roped climbing areas. Don’t worry if you’re new to climbing - the expert staff will handle all the technical rope skills, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for beginners. Their friendly instructors make learning fun, helping your family build confidence while tackling new challenges side by side. We love the gift of an exciting family outing & Climb Base5 is all about creating memorable moments together. A gift of a climbing experience is perfect for families with kids 6+ right up to teens!
school of rock Vancouver
Have an aspiring rock star on your list? Give them the chance to shine where music students grow into real musicians! School of Rock Vancouver is a music school for all skill levels, ages (toddlers to adults), and musical aspirations. Their revolutionary program combines 1-on-1 instruction with group band practices and fosters a passion for music performance. Rock 101 is one of their top programs for kids and beginners where students have a weekly group rehearsal to learn to play classic rock songs and a weekly private music lesson to learn concepts and skills behind their performance songs. And they also offer amazing kids camps during the winter, spring, and summer breaks! We love that School of Rock Vancouver is centrally located near Cambie & Broadway in Vancouver and students can choose from guitar, bass guitar, drums, singing, keyboard, or piano lessons!
EXPERIENCE GIFTS FOR
METRO VANCOUVER kids & FAMILIES
- Discover mountain adventures at the Sea to Sky Gondola
- Explore underground at Britannia Mine Museum
- Brave a 70 m high walk at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
- Enter the magical world of horses & horse care with the Unicorn Club
- Explore life on the farm at Maplewood Farm in North Vancouver
- Do a Virtual Family Paint Night with YayMaker
- Explore a miniature city & indoor playground at Kidtropolis in Richmond
- Nature-loving families can enjoy a family membership to NatureKidsBC
- Are the kids climbing the walls? Get them a membership to The Hive Climbing Gym
- Cheer on the Vancouver Canucks or the Vancouver Giants
- Take a workshop together at 4Cats
- Try Parkour at Origins Parkour in Vancouver & Port Moody
- Brave tightropes, climbing up cargo nets, sliding down zip lines & more at WildPlay
- Support bird rehabilitation at George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary
- Build circus skills at Vancouver Circus School
- Learn about the sea and the ships that sail it at the Maritime Museum
- Have a tea party at Neverland Tea Salon, Secret Garden Tea Company, or La Petite Cuillère
- Connect with nature at VanDusen Gardens
- Science their socks off at Science World
- Explore outer space at the H.R. Macmillan Space Centre
- Take bigger kids white-water rafting
- Go whale watching
- Take an Online Art Class together at Collage Collage
- Family bowling night out
- Snuggle up with adoptable furry friends at the Catfe or Bunny Cafe
- Head up to the Peak of Vancouver at Grouse Mountain to see the World Famous Lumberjack Show and the awe-inspiring Birds in Motion demonstration
EXPERIENCE GIFTS FOR METRO VANCOUVER ADULTS
- Expand your culinary horizons with the Dumplings Masterclass
- Expand your tea knowledge with a Guided Tea Tasting
- Enjoy a staycation at Skwachàys Lodge, Canada's first Indigenous Arts Hotel
- Spooky stories live year-round at the Vancouver Police Museum with Movies in the Morgue
- For those who love the great outdoors, try snorkeling with salmon on Vancouver Island
- Soar over beautiful BC with one of Harbour Air award-winning tours
- Explore the stunning wineries of the Fraser Valley with Beyond Bubbles Wine Tours
- Get in touch with your senses at Dark Table restaurant
- Seadoo over to Bowen Island for dinner
Wondering what to do with the kids in Metro Vancouver this weekend, or what to make for dinner? You can find it at HealthyFamilyLiving.com! From the Sunshine Coast to the Fraser Valley, we’re the best online resource for busy parents looking for practical tips for healthy, active, sustainable living. For the latest on family events, outdoor adventures, birthday parties, camps & classes and kid-approved recipes, follow us on Facebook and sign-up for our parent-approved e-newsletter!