New Westminster has some brilliant spots where your kids can learn whilst actually having fun. We’ve found places that make education feel like an adventure rather than a chore.
Please note: Programme availability, admission prices, and schedules change. Call ahead or check websites before heading out to avoid disappointment.
Hands-On Discovery: Douglas J. Husband Discovery Centre
The Douglas J. Husband Discovery Centre in Ladner (4450 Clarence Taylor Crescent) gives your children proper hands-on learning about New Westminster’s history and environment. This isn’t your typical museum where kids just look at things behind glass.
Your family will find interactive exhibits that actually engage young minds:
- Sand table where kids create land formations and watch how New Westminster’s geography works.
- Water table demonstrating how the region formed over 9,000 years.
- Habitat theatre with wands that activate local animals and teach about ecosystems.
The centre runs curriculum-based school programmes and offers sensory-friendly days (last Saturday of each month, 12pm-5pm). Admission is free, and it’s open Saturdays 10am-6pm and Sundays 12pm-5pm.
Learning About Wildlife: OWL Rehabilitation Society
OWL (Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society) at 3800 72nd Street gives your kids an up-close look at raptors they’d never see in the wild. We’re talking eagles, hawks, owls, falcons, and turkey vultures.
Guided tours show children how injured birds get rehabilitated and released back into nature. The staff explain each bird’s story, teaching conservation whilst your kids meet these incredible creatures face-to-face. Tours run regularly, and the educational programmes work for all ages.
Call 604-946-3171 to book your visit.
Birdwatching Education: George C. Reifel Bird Sanctuary
The George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary (5191 Robertson Road, Westham Island) turns a day outdoors into a proper learning experience. With nearly 300 bird species recorded here, your children can see migration patterns and ecosystems in action.
Learning Experiences
- Biologist-led school tours explaining bird behaviour and habitat importance.
- 5 kilometres of trails through wetlands and marshes.
- Hands-on feeding (Black-capped Chickadees eat from your hands).
Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for kids and seniors. You’ll need to book reservations before visiting.
Interactive Adventures
Turn your family outings into exciting learning experiences right here in New Westminster. We’ve found brilliant local spots where your children can investigate real-world science and engineering principles whilst having fun.
- OWL Rehabilitation Society lets your kids see raptor rehabilitation up close, combining biology with conservation education and wildlife care principles.
- Boundary Bay Regional Park converts outdoor walks into interactive environmental education, teaching ecosystem mechanics through direct coastal experience.
- Emma Lea Farms introduces agricultural concepts with berry picking and farm animals that your children can examine up close.
- Deas Island Regional Park’s heritage buildings allow your kids to examine historic structures, combining architecture with local history.
- Douglas J. Husband Discovery Centre’s interactive displays celebrate New Westminster’s natural and cultural heritage through engaging activities that get your children thinking like scientists and historians.
We’ve seen how these everyday outings spark curiosity and help children understand complex concepts through play and exploration.
Outdoor Learning: Boundary Bay Regional Park
We love having Boundary Bay Regional Park right here, where kids can get hands-on environmental education across this internationally recognized Important Bird Area. The park’s coastal programmes connect your children directly with local ecosystems through trails and seasonal birdwatching that teach everything from shorebird migration to coastal habitat protection. The dyke walks let your family explore diverse habitats together, all whilst learning about conservation and sustainability
Green Spaces Education Programs
Boundary Bay Regional Park, nestled along New Westminster’s coastline, offers specialized education in coastal ecosystems that get local kids hands-on with the environment around them. Your children learn through practical conservation activities that cover:
- Biodiversity protection – understanding why every creature matters in our coastal wetlands.
- Sustainability practices – building habits that’ll preserve New Westminster’s natural beauty.
- Environmental stewardship – becoming guardians of your neighbourhood’s coastal spaces.
These programmes are shaping New Westminster’s next generation of environmental advocates.
Creative Arts Programs for Young Minds
We’ve watched New Westminster’s creative spirit come alive through art programmes that spark your children’s imagination throughout the community. Your family can visit local galleries and creative spaces where art programmes connect young artists with New Westminster’s cultural heritage. We also recommend checking New Westminster’s recreation centres, which mix activities with hands-on art sessions.
| Location | Programme Focus | Age Appeal |
|---|---|---|
| New Westminster Libraries | Art workshops & exhibitions | All ages |
| Recreation Centres | Interactive art & crafts | Children-teens |
| Discovery Centre | Heritage-inspired activities | Youth development |
These spaces help your children develop creativity whilst building connections within our artistic community.
New Westminster’s Library Programs
Across New Westminster’s library network, we’ve found brilliant programmes that turn everyday learning into exciting adventures for children. Local libraries build spaces where knowledge grows through hands-on activities.
- George Mackie Library’s story times and computer classes turn learning into fun, interactive experiences.
- Tsawwassen Library’s varied programming brings families together whilst building educational growth.
- Annieville Library’s workshops spark curiosity in science, technology, and creative activities.
