Summer means that school is out, and entertaining the little ones is essential. The good news is that there are plenty of things to do in Metro Vancouver with kids — and into other areas like Abbotsford, Langley, and Surrey — so here are some of our favorite picks. From paper airplane contests to learning about farm life, here are ten things that your kids will enjoy doing this summer.

Summer Fort Festival

Kids are captivated by horses, so take them to the Summer Fort Festival. Save the dates of August 23-28 to see beautiful equines as they compete at the Thunderbird Show Park in Langley.

Castle Fun Park

Celebrate this park that is reopening this summer! There are so many things for the whole family to enjoy, such as miniature golf, rides, games, bowling, batting cages, and more. Plan to spend an entire day having fun!

Kids Take Over

Pick a rainy day and head indoors to the Vancouver Art Gallery for this unique event featuring kids’ artwork. The exhibit runs through September 11, so you can be flexible about when you want to attend.

Paper Airplane Competition

Head to Buckley Park in Langley on July 9, where kids ages 3-12 can take their best paper airplanes to compete. Make whatever you like, but the competition rules say you can only use one piece of paper.

Stories in the Garden

Darts Hill Garden is one of the places in Metro Vancouver to visit with kids that often flies under the radar. The garden hosts a story and craft time for kids ages 2-6 (although everyone is welcome!) on the last Friday of the month.

International Children’s Festival

Although this is a little early — May 27-29 — make plans to attend the kid-centric International Children’s Festival in Surrey. It features education in a fun way through entertainment and lots of performing arts.

Cultus Lake Park

Pick a sunny day this summer and take a picnic to Cultus Lake Park near Abbotsford. Visitors can swim, hike, kayak, and paddleboard, so pick age-appropriate family activities for your kids and have an enjoyable day on the lake.

Aldergrove Fair Days

From a car show to a photography contest, this festival also has food, dog contests, parades, music, and so much more. Save the dates of July 14-17 to attend the 110th year of this fun, family-centric event just outside of Abbotsford.

Farm Life Summer Day Camp

Kids ages 6-12 can learn all about living on a farm during day camp from June 27-30. Children will participate in daily activities like feeding animals, growing food, and learning about the ecosystems on this farm in Surrey.

Abbotsford International Airshow

Children of all ages will enjoy looking into the sky and seeing amazing feats of talented pilots as they fly their trusted planes. The Abbotsford International Airshow takes place from August 5-7 and is always a hit with families, so make plans to attend.