Explore Campus | Sun Feb 20, 10am-5pm

Let the kids take over the day and plan the family's adventure across campus! 

In addition to the online activities in the virtual Kids Take Over UBC! Treehouse, we are also offering a self-directed option for families to explore UBC's Vancouver campus and access some of the world-class museums, and arts and cultural amenities!

For one day, on Sunday, February 20, from 10am-5pm, kids and their families can enjoy special family day activities offered by our Kids Take Over UBC! venue partners. Check out the list of Explore Campus programming below, and start planning your campus adventure! 

Please note that most activities have limited capacity and require additional pre-booking. Availability is on a first-come-first-served. 

Participants are responsible for pre-registering their spots with the venues, and reviewing and adhering to each venues' health and safety protocols, and  UBC'S COVID-19 campus guidelines.

How it works - Important details for participating families:

  1. Review the activities below and decide which activities you would like to attend and when. We suggest planning, at most, three activities/venues to visit for the day. Don't forget to factor in time for travel distance between the venues and lunch/snack breaks

  2. Admission is free for kids and their families, unless stated. Please note that paid parking is in effect at UBC. For rates and to figure out which parkade is best suited for your plans, check out our Event Map for suggested lots, or use the UBC Parking Map. 

  3. Before pre-registering for any Explore Campus activities, please first register with through the general registration for Kids Take Over UBC!. This ensures you receive event updates and reminders. 

  4. Please only pre-register for activities you can attend. To do so, review 'HOW TO PRE-REGISTER' for each activity and follow the instructions. 

  5. On event day, simply show up and check in at your first scheduled venue. Check ins will take place at each venue before entry — please expect to show your registration and requested documents (if applicable) each time.

  6. Questions? Check out our FAQ or contact info.utown@ubc.ca

Explore Campus Activities (Click for Map View):

These listed activities are only offered on Sunday, February 20, 2022.

Seeing Family Through Houseposts - All ages

First Nations House of Learning
11am-3pm | Meet at the Reconciliation Pole (2373-2425, Main Mall, Vancouver BC)

Seeing Family Through Houseposts is a walking-tour of Musqueam Houseposts on UBC campus, where youth will learn about the importance and significance of people, land, and place while engaging with Musqueam Houseposts. Youth will also learn about the local indigenous plants found throughout UBC campus.  

This outdoor activity will teach the importance of engaging in oral traditions, as youth will be encouraged to introduce Houseposts to the group along the tour. The tour will wrap up at the First Nations Longhouse for refreshments and activities.   

Tours are about one hour long with three sessions (10 families maximum) being offered: 11am, 1pm, 3pm. The tour starts at the Reconciliation Pole (2373-2425, Main Mall) and ends at Sty-Wet-Tan Great Hall (1985 West Mall). 

Please note: Tours will run rain or shine; please dress for the weather. The route is around 2km long and accessible for most wheelchairs and strollers. 

HOW TO PRE-REGISTER: Free! Pre-registration required. FULL. *All sessions are full. Day of walk-ins can meet at the Reconciliation Pole to join the outdoor walk portion (due to room capcity limit, we will not be able to accomodate walk-in attendees for the activities inside the Longhouse). 

 

Tracing, Erasing, Resisting - Ages 5+

Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery 
11am-3pm | Belkin Art Gallery (1825 Main Mall, Vancouver BC)

Celebrate Family Day this year with a take-home art activity inspired by drawing techniques used by artist Laiwan in our current exhibition Laiwan: Traces, Erasures, Resists. The activity can be done from home on a small flat surface, with any paper material with print (newspaper, book pages, posters, etcetera) and whiteout. Take-home art kits with supplies for these activities are available on a first come first serve basis, and must be picked up at the Belkin Art Gallery. To request an art kit or materials list, please contact: belkin.rsvp@ubc.ca 

Interested in learning more in person? Visit the Belkin Art Gallery for a short, kid-friendly tour. These mini- tours will look at a couple pieces by Laiwan that use these techniques and discuss how she draws surprising connections between what’s revealed and what’s hidden. 

Tours last ten minutes and with four sessions being offered: 11am, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. 

Please note: On-site tours are limited to two families at once. The Gallery will be open to the public as usual. Belkin is currently requiring proof of full vaccination for all visitors to the gallery aged 12 and older.

HOW TO PRE-REGISTER: Free! Pre-registration is required. FULL

 

Kids Take Over the Gym - Ages 0-13 years

Active Kids - UBC School of Kinesiology 
3pm-5pm | Gym B East, Osborne Centre (6108 Thunderbird Blvd, Vancouver BC)

Enjoy two hours of a free gymnastics drop-in at the Osborne Centre. This unstructured session will be supervised by staff and is a great opportunity for children to explore the wide variety of equipment. 

Please note: All child participants must be accompanied by an adult, and children under the age of four are required to be within arm's length of their accompanying adult. 

HOW TO PRE-REGISTER: Free! Pre-registration required. FULL. All spots and the waitlist are full.

 

Biodiversity Take Over! - Ages 5-12

Beaty Biodiversity Museum 
10am-5pm | Beaty Biodiversity Museum (2212 Main Mall, Vancouver BC)

The Beaty Biodiversity Museum is Vancouver’s Natural History Museum. We are offering admission by donation to those that pre-register with us this Kids Take Over Day.

Activities: Please see the daily schedule for February 20.  

Please note: We are committed to providing a healthy and safe environment and require proof of full vaccination for all visitors ages 12 and older. Please review our procedures for a safe visit. 

HOW TO PRE-REGISTER: A limited number of by donation, timed tickets available for Feb 20, 2022 only. Pre-registration required: Book online using the promo code: KIDS2022 

 

Kids Take Over MOA - Ages 6+

Museum of Anthropology (MOA) 
11am-3pm | MOA (393 NW Marine Dr, Vancouver BC)

Celebrate the Family Day weekend by bringing your entire family to MOA for an afternoon of activities and events placing children and youth in the centre of arts and culture.  

It’s a day of museum fun for the whole family at MOA, where kids and youth can take part and take the lead! Listen to children’s stories about African and Black Canadian heritage, follow a youth-led tour of the exhibition Sankofa: African Routes, Canadian Roots, participate in a hands-on conservation lab, and chat with our artist in residence, Willy White, as he demonstrates Chilkat weaving. Discover fun activities throughout the Museum all afternoon! 

Activities: 

11am to 2pm - Kids Conservation Lab: a drop-in activity where all ages can practice the care and repair of materials found in the museum. There will be demonstrations on mending for paper, mini ceramic repair and the polishing of metals like pennies. Come have fun with this hands-on activity and then take your projects home. 

1 to 2 pm - Tours by members of African Descent Society’s Heritage Keepers: special 20-minute tours that explores the exhibition Sankofa: African Routes, Canadian Roots from an individual African descent and youth perspectives. 

11am to 11:30am & 12pm to 12:30pm - Storytelling: Listen to Njamba Koffi (author of Refuge-e: The Journey Much Desired), read a selection of illustrated children’s books exploring West African and Black Canadian heritage, in line with the Sankofa: African Routes, Canadian Roots exhibition.  

11am to 3pm - Chilkat weaving: Watch our artist in residence, Willy White, weave a Chilkat dance apron and matching leggings as part of his artist residency at MOA. Learn more about his techniques, Chilkat weaving, and Tsimshian ceremonial practices. 

Full details and bios can be found on MOA's website.

Please note: Kids Take Over UBC programming is open to youth of all ages and free with museum admission (Free admission for UBC students, staff, faculty, Indigenous People, MOA members). Kids under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Capacity is 15 people in each space. Please review our procedures for a safe visit.

HOW TO PRE-REGISTER: Pre-registration is not required. Drop in during opening hours or book your visit online.

 

Fun Times At... - Ages 6+

Youth Art Engagement Committee at the University Neighbourhoods Association (UNA)
1-4pm | Meeting Rooms 1 & 2 at The Old Barn
(6308 Thunderbird Blvd, Vancouver BC)

Led by youths for youths, join the UNA's Youth Art Engagement Committee for fun art activities!

Activities:

  • Participate in decorating the community sidewalk with chalk art as a way to stand with social justice
  • Learn to make meaningful hand-made bracelets for your friends 
  • Create your own Teru Teru Bozu, these Japanese dolls are made of cloth with string and are hung up to shoo away the rainy weather 

Please note: Children under the age of 12 must be supervised by an adult guardian (aged 19+), and proof of vaccination is required for those over the age of 12. Masks required for those over the age of 5.

HOW TO PRE-REGISTER: Free! Book Online.

 

Garden Stroll - All ages

Nitobe Memorial Garden (UBC Botanical Garden)
10am-2pm | Nitobe Garden
(1895 Lower Mall, Vancouver BC)

Stroll through a traditional Japanese landscape. Count the lanterns, walk over bridges and look for koi fish.  Enjoy some family time in a photogenic place of beauty.

Activities: Guides onsite from 10am-2pm.

Please note: Health and safety measures are in place to ensure the wellbeing of our guests, members, and staff. Masks are mandatory in indoor spaces at UBC, including our Shop and washrooms.

HOW TO PRE-REGISTER: Free! Simply drop in.