Guest post by Marie Erikson, fourth-year Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy Honours student
If you have children with you on campus and need a break or family activity, UBC’s campus offers plenty of opportunities to spend time as a family. Read on to find spaces on all corners of campus designed for family friendly-visits – from a few minutes to a few hours.
Playgrounds
Iona Green Park Playground
Located near the Buchanan buildings and Allard Hall, the Iona Green Park Playground offers swings, a slide and a climbing structure on the southeast side of the historic Iona Building. The space also has an open green field perfect for energetic play or relaxing.
Jim Taylor Park Playground
This larger playground offers a slide, climbing walls and a play structure next to a small field. If your family needs food, washrooms or a moment indoors, the Jim Taylor Park Playground is right next to the Old Barn Community Centre and Bean Around The World cafe.
East Campus Playground
The East Campus Playground has natural wood and stone climbing features within a wooded area that offers plenty of shade. This playground is perfect for families looking to get a bit closer to nature or take a break near UBC Hospital, the Life Sciences Building or the Pharmaceutical Sciences Building.
Acadia Park Playground
As one of the largest and most popular playgrounds on campus, Acadia Park Playground includes multiple slides and climbing structures next to an expansive grass field. The playground is right next to student family housing and is ideal if you're looking to meet other families at UBC.
Other Family-Friendly Spaces
Graduate Student Life Centre (GLC)
Operated by the Graduate Student Society, the GLC offers a child-friendly space adjacent to quiet study spaces on the main floor of Thea Koerner House. Graduate students can use their student IDs to access the GLC, and visit their website to view upcoming programming and events.
Pacific Museum of the Earth
The Pacific Museum of the Earth’s exhibitions include kid-friendly features such as dinosaur skeletons, minerals and a tornado machine. Admission is by donation, and additional activities for kids during or after a visit are available on the museum’s website.
UBC Aquatic Centre
Right next to the bus loop, the UBC Aquatic Centre offers drop-in swimming times that are free for students and only $4 for children. The facility’s leisure pool includes floats and a lazy river and is adjacent to a hot tub. Sensory sensitive hours are also available, visit their website for details. Weekly child and adult swim classes are also offered.
Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre
Like the Aquatic Centre, the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre offers drop-in sessions on their ice rink. Public skating sessions are free for UBC students and $4.50 for children, and helmet or skate rentals are available for $5.
Beaty Biodiversity Museum
Known for housing the largest blue whale skeleton in Canada, the Beaty Biodiversity Museum includes family-friendly exhibits such as a hands-on experience with dinosaur trackway casts and an extensive collection of plant and animal specimens. Admission is $15 for students, $10 for youth and free for children five and under.
Museum of Anthropology
The Multiversity Galleries and Great Hall of the museum offer exhibition areas specifically designed for children, allowing them to explore collections up close. Resources on the Musqueam First Nation (teaching kits) for children are also available on the museum’s website. Admission is free for students and children five and under or $10 for youth, with half-price admission on Thursday evenings.
If you are on campus with children and need a quick spot for a break, try checking out one of the recommended playgrounds. Or if you have more time, consider one of the other activities on campus, excellent for a longer family outing.
Do you have a favourite spot? Let us know at graduate.communications@ubc.ca.