Hi friends!
Mondays we go to Hillcrest. This Monday would've been my first time using the new parking registration machines. I had two choices: convince my 5-year-old to walk 40 minutes to Hillcrest, or drive there and figure out a new piece of bureaucracy.
I'm not going to tell you what I chose. But I can tell you that my 5-year-old was very happy about the ice cream.
I did scope out the machines once we got there. They are inside, they look straightforward, and yes, the parking is still free (you just have to register your plate).
If you've already used them, hit reply and let me know how it went.
My 5-year-old would love to find out whether she's getting ice cream next Monday or we're driving.
Here’s what’s inside this issue:
📋 Spring Rec centre registration dates (all of them, sorted for you.)
ℹ️ A free teen anxiety program at Langara YMCA (and a personal opinion about shovels)
💸 IKEA Richmond sale, free kids workshops, and a $4 bunny bounce.
🪶 How your teen can get published by Vancouver Public Library.
Let's get into it. 👇🏼
💸 IKEA Richmond Spring Sale — Up to 50% Off (Until Mar 3)
If you've been eyeing new storage bins, a bookshelf, or basically anything to contain the chaos, this is your window. IKEA Richmond is running a spring sale with up to 50% off select items through Tuesday, March 3.
What: Spring sale, up to 50% off select items
Where: IKEA Richmond
When: Now until Tuesday, Mar 3 at 9:00 PM
Cost: Less than usual. That's the whole point.
Bonus hack
Kids eat FREE at IKEA every Wednesday when you have an IKEA Family card (also free). One free kid's meal per adult meal purchased. IKEA dining is already cheap, so this is genuinely a great deal. Sale shopping + free kid lunch on Wednesday = a solid outing.
🎲 Family Board Games: The Thursday Easy Button
Sometimes the best outing is the simplest one. This Thursday, Terry Salman Library has board games out for kids to drop in and play. No screens, no sign-up, no cost.
What: Drop-in board games using the library's collection.
Where: Terry Salman Branch (QE Park area).
When: Thursday, Feb 26, 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM.
Ages: Grades K–7.
Cost: Free.
The Move
Skip going home after school pickup and head straight here instead. Click here for the event details.
Why It Matters
Great post-school wind-down. You get an hour of free entertainment without having to find the missing dice under your couch later.
🪶 Calling All Creative Teens: Get Published in 'ink'
If you've got a teen who fills notebooks with poetry, short stories, or doodles, this is worth flagging. Vancouver Public Library publishes ink, an annual journal of writing and visual art made entirely by Vancouver teens. It's been running since 2018 and it's legit — your kid's work gets printed in an actual publication.
What: ink is the VPL's annual journal written and designed by teens, for teens.
Looking for: Short stories, poetry, essays, photography, comics, and drawing. basically, anything creative on a page.
Deadline: April 21, 2026.
The Move
Forward this link vpl.ca/ink to your teen (or text it to them, since they definitely won't read your email). Good one to mention to any teachers or tutors in your circle too.
Why It Matters
It’s a legitimate publication credit from a major institution. Plus, seeing their name in print is a confidence boost that lasts longer than a TikTok like.
🔬 STEAM Makers at Mount Pleasant Library — Drop-In, Free
If you need a solid after-school activity that requires zero planning on your part, this is it. Mount Pleasant Library is running weekly STEAM sessions where kids experiment, craft, and build. The activity changes every week, so it stays fresh.
What: STEAM Makers — hands-on science, tech, art, engineering, and math activities
Where: Mount Pleasant Library branch
When: 3:30–4:30 PM on Wed Feb 25, Wed Mar 4, Wed Mar 11.
Ages: Grades K–7
Cost: Free. Drop-in. No registration.
The Move
Just show up. That's literally it.
Why It Matters
Free, no sign-up, one hour, and someone else runs it. That's the trifecta for a weekday afternoon.
📌 The Notice Board
📋 Spring Registration Dates Just Dropped
I know, we are barely through February, but the Park Board waits for no one. The dates for Spring programs (April–June) just dropped, and they're staggered, which means you need multiple calendar reminders, not just one.
Cambie-ish centres (online + in-person):
🟢 Kerrisdale — Sat, Mar 7, 7pm
🟢 Marpole-Oakridge — Mon, Mar 9, 7pm
🟢 Hillcrest — Thu, Mar 12, 7pm
🟢 False Creek — Sat, Mar 14, 9am
🟢 Mount Pleasant — Sat, Mar 14, 9am
🟢 Douglas Park — Tue, Mar 17, 7pm⚠️ (See conflict below)
🟢 Creekside — Wed, Apr 8, 7pm
🏊 Citywide swimming lessons: Tue, Mar 17, 7pm ⚠️
The move
Log into your VanRec/ActiveNet account today and confirm your kids are attached + ages are correct.
Save your payment method.
Write down 2–3 activity numbers before registration opens.
If you miss online, some centres open phone registration later (so you still have a second shot).
Why It Matters
Because missing the 7:00 PM window by five minutes often means missing the entire spring season of swimming lessons.
🔨 Home Depot Kids Workshop — Farm Planter (Registration opens Mar 16)
The next free Home Depot Kids Workshop is coming up and this one's adorable. Kids get to build a little farm planter, which is perfectly timed for spring.
What: Build a Farm Planter (free kids workshop)
Registration opens: Mon, Mar 16 @ 10:30 AM (local time)
Workshop date: Sat, Apr 11, 2026
Cost: Free
Why It Matters
It's free, it takes about 30 minutes, they get to keep what they build, and they come home with a pin and a certificate. That's a solid morning activity for zero dollars.
The Move
These workshops fill up fast, so you’ll want to be quick. Head to the Home Depot Workshops page a few minutes before10:30 AM to select your preferred store (Cambie & 8th) so you are ready to click "Register" right when it opens.
🐰 Bounce with Bunny at Mount Pleasant Community Centre — Mar 28
Yes, it's a month away. No, I won't apologize for the early heads-up. This one requires registration and it's $4, so you'll want to lock it in before you forget.
Mount Pleasant Community Centre is throwing a spring celebration for little ones, organized by their youth volunteers and staff. Think flowers, bouncing, and general toddler joy.
What: Bounce with Bunny, a family-friendly spring event
Where: Mount Pleasant Community Centre
When: Saturday, March 28. Two time slots:
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Register here (Code 586785)
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Register here (Code 586786)
Ages: 0–6
Cost: $4
The Move
Register online or call 604-257-3080. Pick your time slot now while both are still open. Refunds available up to the withdrawal deadline.
Why It Matters
It’s $4, it’s indoors (weather-proof), and it burns off that morning energy just in time for the lunch/nap window.
ℹ️ Free Teen Anxiety Support at Langara YMCA — Info Sessions This Week
If your teen is dealing with "mild to moderate" stress, I have a personal opinion and a community resource.
The Personal Opinion
Get a shovel. A real one. Drive them to Jericho Beach (rain or shine). Hand them the shovel and stand back. Let them dig a hole, haul the wet sand to the water, and repeat. Anxiety hates nature and movement. Sitting still is not an option; just go do something, however meaningless the physical action might look.
It's not advice. I'm not a psychologist. I'm just a parent with an opinion.
But that’s not all—there are great professional resources that can help.
One of them is Y Mind Teen at the Langara Family YMCA.
Y Mind is a free 7-week group program run by trained mental health professionals. It's evidence-based, small group (max 12), and the same kids show up each week. No drop-ins, no chaos. They also get a free book and workbook, plus a free YMCA membership for the duration.
What: Y Mind Teen, a free psycho-educational group for teens (ages 13–18) experiencing mild to moderate anxiety or stress.
Where: Langara Family YMCA, 282 W 49th Ave
When: Mondays, 4:30–6:00 PM, Mar 9 to Apr 20
Cost: Free. No YMCA membership needed. You can self-refer.
How to get in: You have to attend an info session first. Two options coming up fast:
Mon, Mar 2 at 4:30 PM
The Move
Email [email protected] with the date you want to attend. Space is limited and advance registration is required.
Why It Matters
This isn't a webinar or a worksheet. It's a real, structured program with trained facilitators, peer connection, and proven results. Free programs like this with actual clinical backing don't come around often. And if it turns out it's not the right fit, they'll connect your teen to other resources.
That’s a wrap for this week.
We’ve got this!
Saba Yazdani
The Cambie Memo
