Thankfully, British Columbia offers tons of outdoor recreation opportunities meaning boredom is a lot less likely to strike once school is out. As soon as the warm weather hits, most of our Coquitlam braces and Invisalign patients are spending their days soaking up the sunshine and fresh air. Yet, when it’s rainy or scorching hot out, the struggle to keep kids occupied suddenly becomes very real. At Evergreen Orthodontics, we sympathize with parents in the Tri-Cities, which is why we’ve rounded up the best Port Moody, Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam indoor playgrounds where the kids can beat the heat (or the rain).
Crash Crawly’s Adventure Fun Centre
Unit 1, 1300 Woolridge Street, Coquitlam – Not only does Crash Crawly’s offer Coquitlam indoor mini golf, it also has a playground, a 4,500-square-foot laser tag arena with a two-level, illuminated obstacle course, an “underwater” train for the tots and a remote control car track for races. It’s open daily but if you go on Tuesdays you’ll get one free game of laser tag per child with the price of admission and on Wednesdays, each kid will receive a free game of mini golf with admission. The parents’ lounge has laptop computers with Wi-Fi access, newspapers and magazines and even DVDs, so you can kick back and relax while the children play.
Jungle Jac’s Play Centre
589 Nicola Avenue, Port Coquitlam – Jungle Jac’s is less of a Port Coquitlam indoor play space and more of a play extravaganza. The huge complex features a three-story laser tag arena, 21-foot water effects slides, glow-in-the-dark bumper cars, a 2,000-square-foot elevated trampoline bounce zone and a play area just for toddlers with slides and toys. There’s free Wi-Fi for the parents and a cafeteria complete with fresh sandwiches and soups.
Koko’s Activity Centre
3210 St. John’s Street, Port Moody – Koko’s is a vast Port Moody indoor playground designed for kids of all ages. It boasts a toddler area (ages three and under), a four-story soft play area, rides, a mini climbing wall and more. There’s also a parents lounge on the open upper balcony where you can hang out while still keeping an eye on your children. If hunger strikes, the café has snacks available for purchase.
Does Your Child Need Braces? Book a Free Consultation Today!
Climb Base5
98 Brigantine Drive, Coquitlam – Okay, so this one isn’t actually a Coquitlam indoor playground but as Metro Vancouver’s largest climbing gym, it is a fun way to spend a rainy day. There’s over 16,000 square feet of climbing space and a 1,000-square-foot wall for bouldering. They have custom programs for kids, though anyone under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Purchase an all-day pass, a package or become a member. Climbers five-years-old and up can take advantage of the gym’s drop-ins for bouldering and auto-belay without having to book an appointment. Rental equipment is even free on your first visit.
City of Port Coquitlam’s Drop-In Play Spaces
Port Coquitlam Recreation Complex, 2150 Wilson Ave, and Hyde Creek Recreation Centre, 1379 Laurier Avenue, Port Coquitlam – There are a number of Port Coquitlam indoor play spaces run by the City itself and each one offers affordable fun. The parent-child programs (Playmania, Peek-a-Boo, Gym-a-Zoo and Time for Gym) cost $3 per child and $5 for two kids and the current session runs through the end of June. The rates for Kids Playzone are $6 for ages three through 10, $3 for ages one and two and free for babies under one-year-old. Group rates are available too.
- Port Coquitlam Recreation Centre: Playmania (0-6 years) is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Mabbett Room. It boasts arts, crafts, toys, ride on cars and theme weeks. Stop by Peek-a-Boo (1-4 years) on Mondays from 10 a.m. to noon for free play, arts and crafts, circle time and music. On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon, April through July 22, the gymnasium transforms into Kids Playzone, an enormous Port Coquitlam indoor playground complete with ride on cars, toys, bouncy castles, a sports zone and a toddler territory. It’s really a sight to behold.
- Hyde Creek Recreation Centre: Gym-a-Zoo (0-6 years) is on Thursdays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the roomy gym, hence the name. Your kid can explore the climbing equipment and plasma cars, play sports or go crazy with the 1,000 rubber ducks that were recently purchased. Time for Gym (0-6 years) involves free play with a sports theme. Stations are set up for soccer, floor hockey, bowling and other activities. There’s also a small ball pit and ride on toys. The sessions, which are held on Fridays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., end with running races, parachute play and songs.
Jungle Gym
Port Moody Recreation Complex Gymnasium, 300 Ioco Road, Port Moody – Jungle Gym is a Port Moody indoor play space run by the City and held in the Rec Complex gym. On Tuesdays from noon until 4:30 p.m., Wednesdays from noon until 3 p.m., Fridays from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. and Sundays from 9 until 11:30 a.m., little ones, ages newborn through five-years-old, and their parents or caregivers can explore a variety of toys, balls, and gym equipment. At $2.50 per child, this popular drop-in, parent-led open gym program is quite the bargain. Note that the current schedule is in effect through July 3. Check the website to stay on top of summer time changes.
Kids Play Park and Kids Interactive Lounge
Coquitlam Centre, 2929 Barnett Highway, Coquitlam – Coquitlam Centre has indoor play spaces for toddlers and older kids. The Kids Play Park, located by Guest Services on Level 1 next to Hudson’s Bay Children, is for children under 46” in height. With a West Coast exploration theme, it has soft foam climbing and play structures including a 12-foot tree with a tunnel, a slide, a sports car and a canoe. The Kids Interactive Lounge, also by Guest Services, is for those who have outgrown the Play Park. It has an interactive floor system with a bunch of educational games that encourage teamwork, movement, and learning.
