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Pier at Crescent Beach | photo credit: Tourism Surrey

Come celebrate the first ever Family Day in BC! Whether you’re looking for indoor or outdoor activities Surrey has something to please every age.

Heading outdoors?  One of my family’s favourite activities in Surrey is splashing in the puddles and pools at Crescent Beach. We do this in the summer, but it’s awesome in the winter! At low tide, the kids will love exploring the tidal pools for hermit crabs, sand dollars, sea stars and other marine life, but be sure to not disturb the marine life. Low key and relaxed, Crescent Beach is the perfect spot to grab a coffee and let the kids ride their bikes on the trail that runs parallel to the beach. Bring your kite if it’s a windy day, or travel a little further up the shoreline and you’ll come to Blackie Spit, a popular sailing location in summer, but in February it is ideal for bird watching and nature aficionados!

Family fun at Crescent Beach | photo credit: Tourism Surrey

I know that Family Day isn’t technically until Monday, February 11, but if you’re around on the 8^th consider heading to the Surrey Nature Centre to meet a nature guide who will introduce you to the discoveries of the forest. There will be a heritage exhibit, kids can create an eco-craft, and everyone will learn something new with their interactive Exploration Boxes and Discovery Backpacks.

Grandpa is an avid year round golfer (you can do that in Surrey!), and while he would gladly spend the day trying to lower his handicap at Northview Golf & Country Club or Peace Portal Golf Course, I think this year he’s going to try to teach my son the finer points of the game.  We’ll be heading to Bear Creek Park Train & Mini Golf! Tee off at the train station and have a blast as you work your way around this “natural” course. Hop on the Bear Creek Park Train and let the locomotives Eddy The Engine and Chough take you into the magical woods of Bear Creek Park.

Do you have some older children looking to blow off steam? Try your hand at Panther Paintball. They are offering free admission and rentals on Family Day!

Golfing in Surrey | photo credit: Tourism Surrey

But wait, this is Metro Vancouver in February! What am I thinking heading outside? No problem, Surrey has plenty of indoor options as well!

The Newton Recreation Centre (formerly the Newton Wave Pool) promises fun for the whole family! Features of the wave pool include a Pirates Water Fortress, a 63-metre long waterslide and their waves are the biggest in the West! Grab your suits and get ready to get wet! Or, if your New Year’s resolution hasn’t quite paid off yet, perhaps some active play at Coastal Climbing Centre will let you take the kids out for some fun that does not require a bathing suit body. The rock climbing and bouldering is suitable for kids aged 6 to 96. Times fill up quickly so call ahead.

After the pool, treat yourselves and the kids to a unique outdoor shopping experience at Grandview Corners, or The Shops at Morgan Crossing. With shops to please every style maven, including Calvin Klein and Muse Social Fashion House and restaurants to please every taste bud. All done shopping? Head to Rasoi for authentic Indian cuisine. Although kids can be picky eaters, I find that a classic Butter Chicken hits a home run with my son every time, and it happens to be the most popular dish on their menu!

Photo credit: Tourism Surrey

For more ideas, visit 45in45.com by Tourism Surrey and start planning your BC Family Day weekend today!