Vancouver with kids
Granville Island with Kids: the Kids Market, Ferries and a Half-Day Plan
Granville Island is a small island of markets, workshops and boats under the Granville Street Bridge, and it's easy to love with kids: you arrive by a bathtub-sized ferry, there's a whole market just for children, and the food hall has something for everyone.
Most of it is indoors, so it works in the rain too. Here's a half-day plan and what to know. Check hours on the official website.
A half day on Granville Island
Ferry over, the Kids Market, lunch in the Public Market, and the water park in summer.
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Morning
Little ferry across False Creek (opens Google Maps)
The Aquabus and False Creek Ferries are tiny boats that cross from downtown in a few minutes. Kids love them; small children ride for less.
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Late morning
The Kids Market (opens Google Maps)
About 25 shops of toys, games, costumes and treats, plus an indoor play area, in an old factory by the pond. Open daily from 10am.
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Lunch · Lunch
Granville Island Public Market (opens Google Maps)
Fresh donuts, fish and chips, pasta, fruit and more. Eat outside on the dock with the boats (watch out for bold seagulls).
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Afternoon
Water park or playground (opens Google Maps)
In summer, a free water park with slides and sprays; the rest of the year, the playground and a walk to watch the buskers and the boats.
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Afternoon
Ferry onward (opens Google Maps)
Ride a ferry along False Creek to Science World or back downtown.
Good to know
- Getting there: parking on the island is hard. Arrive early, or park outside and walk in. From downtown, take the Aquabus across False Creek and skip the car altogether: not the cheapest ride, but convenient and fun.
- Go early: the Public Market gets very busy around lunchtime and on summer weekends.
- Rainy day? The Kids Market and Public Market are indoors. See our rainy day guide for the rest of the day.
- Seagulls: they steal food, pizza especially. Eat inside or keep plates covered.
- Inside the Kids Market: the magic shop is a favourite, along with a little indoor play structure, an arcade, and an outdoor climbing structure by the pond at the back.
Make it a game
A Play Your Trip book turns your day into an adventure: every stop a quest with a coin to collect, every place one tap from the map. Vancouver books are coming soon; see how it works.
Questions
Is Granville Island good for kids?
Yes: tiny ferries to get there, the Kids Market with about 25 shops for children, the Public Market's food, and a free water park in summer.
What are the Kids Market's hours?
It's open daily from 10am to 6pm. Check the official website for holiday hours.
How do you get to Granville Island from downtown Vancouver?
The easiest way is a small ferry (Aquabus or False Creek Ferries) across False Creek, a few minutes' ride. Buses and walking from Kitsilano also work.