With the rising cost of living, we are working hard to keep costs down this year. If you’re also staying close to home, but don’t want to sacrifice fun, here are nine cheap family fun activities.

Ice Skating

Skating is cheap family fun at its finest. We often forget to check out the public skate times at our local skating rink, but we always have so much fun when we remember.

Hot Tip: If your kids aren’t strong skaters, it’s a good idea to get some practice before those school field trips that will have them skating in front of their peers.

You can rent everything you need there. Check your local skating rink for times.

Planet Ice Maple Ridge Contact Information

23588 Jim Robson Way, Maple Ridge, BC V2W 1B8
Website: Planet Ice Calendar

Public Swimming

Public swimming is another cheap, family-fun classic activity, that always exhausts the kids, so that’s a double win. Check out your local pool’s public swim times, or drive to a neighbouring community and check out their pool.

Walnut Grove Swimming Pool

The pool in Walnut Grove, Langley, boasts a 300-foot waterslide.

Walnut Grove Contact Information

8889 Walnut Grove Dr, Langley Twp, BC V1M 2N7
Phone: (604) 882-0408
Website: Walnut Grove Swimming Pool

WaterMania Pool

WaterMania in Richmond has tons of unique attractions that the kids will love. 👇🏻

• wave pool with interactive water play features – includes a large seahorse that pours water into a giant tipping bucket, a fun tot slide, and a variety of interactive  sprayers and water wheels 
• two exciting waterslides 
• steam room and sauna  
• two large whirlpools

WaterMania Contact Information

14300 Entertainment Blvd
Richmond, BC V6W 1K3
Phone: 604-448-5353
Website: Water Mania

Play Laser Tag

Don’t even think about sending your kids in alone! You can, you’re allowed, but Laser Tag is too much fun to miss out on. So get in there and have some fun with your kids. My girlfriend and I crashed the party and dominated. In some cases, age before youth does win out. 😂

There is no age limit, but my five-year-old found it all overwhelming, so I’d recommend it for 6+. Don’t wear too many layers. You work up a sweat in there, so you can also check exercises off your to-do list. 🎉

At Planet Lazer, the game is 20 minutes, so it isn’t the cheapest option on this list but it is loads of fun.

Planet Lazer Contact Information

Planet Lazer, New Westminster (Located in Extreme Air Park)
109 Braid Street, New Westminister, BC
Phone: 604-515-4244
Website: Planet Lazer

Stave Lake Power House

You’ll feel like a super mom who magically combines fun and learning while exploring this 100-year-old Powerhouse with your kiddos.

A scavenger hunt, electricity demonstrations, and many interactive exhibits show how we consume and can reduce energy usage. You’ll be taken back in time as the family explores History Hall.

Hot Tip: Make a day of it; the surrounding areas are gorgeous! Pack lunch and explore the Hayward Lake picnic area afterwards.

Contact Information for the Stave Lake Powerhouse

31338 Dewdney Trunk Rd, Mission, BC V4S 1C4
Phone: (604) 462-1222
Website: The Stave Lake PowerHouse

Roller Skating 

Our family had a blast checking out the roller rink at Central City Fun Park. Bring your skates or rollerblades or rent them there. They also provide helmets, or you can bring your own.

Hot Tip: The skating rink is located in the back of the Arcade, so if you don’t want to get sucked into spending a fortune on games front end load your kids, and set the expectation that you’re only going for the skating.

Central City Fun Park Contact Information

11125 124th Street, Surrey, BC
Website: Central City Fun Park
Phone: 604-498-4897

Meadows Family Farm

A jumping pillow, a bouncy castle, tons of friendly animals to visit, a zip line, lots of seating for hanging out, a maze, a miniature train, and many play areas with slides, swings, and playhouses. You could pack a lunch and spend an entire day here, and the kids wouldn’t get bored.

Meadows Family Farm Contact Info

12377 248th Street, Maple Ridge, BC V4R 1J9, Canada
Website: Meadows Family Farm
Phone: (604) 790-9934

Hollywood 3 Cinemas

Check out the Hollywood 3 Movie theatre; they usually play older movies but have way lower prices than the bigger movie theatres.

They have locations in White Rock and Pitt Meadows.

Holywood 3 Cinemas Contact Information

White Rock Hollywood 3 Cinema location: 2381 KING GEORGE BLVD, SURREY, BC V4A 5A4
Phone Number: 604-531-7456

Pitt Meadows Hollywood 3 Cinema location: 19190 LOUGHEED HIGHWAY, PITT MEADOWS, BC V3Y 2H6
Phone Number: 604-459-6004  
Website: Holyrood 3 Cinemas

Go For a Hike

It doesn’t get cheaper than hiking. Discover new trails and enjoy the beauty of nature while getting some exercise and spending no money! Except for the donuts you may have to purchase to bribe your kids to stop complaining.

Check out the Malcolm Knapp Research Forest in the Maple Ridge. It has two great family-friendly trails to explore. The red trail is 30-45 minutes, and the yellow trail is just over an hour long. Both a very well marked so you don’t have to worry about getting lost.

Hot Tip: Malcolm Knapp is an active research forest, so no dogs are allowed.

Plan a Family Game Night with Friends

Everyone is battling the high cost of living right now, so call up friends; everyone brings a dish to share and have a family game night at home. Some of our best nights have been playing “Just Dance” with friends or family bingo.

Cheap Family Fun Activities

I hope you enjoy these low costs ways to keep everyone happy and answer the never-ending question, “what are fun things to do with the kids near me? Three cheers for cheap family fun, am I right?

Did I miss anything? What are your favourite ways to keep costs down and not skimp on the fun?

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About the Author

Christine lives on the West Coast of Canada with her husband, their three kids and approximately one million plant babies.

She is in the exploratory “In-Between” phase of rediscovering herself after being a stay-at-home mom for the last decade. She loves all adventures on the water or in the forest and connecting with other open-hearted, lifelong learners.