Earlier this week, I shared five of my favorite free kids activities you can enjoy in and around Metro Vancouver. And they’re great… but summer is long and you need plenty of ways to keep the cries of “I’m booooored” at bay. Thankfully, for the price of a fancy coffee and baked good, you can enjoy the peace of mind of some cheap kids activities too.

Let’s keep it under ten bucks, shall we? Okay, so, where can you go?

Farms and Animals

Maplewood Farm (North Vancouver) is $8.51 for adults, $5 for children. There’s a petting zoo area with goats, free range chickens roam the grounds, and children can bring fresh greens to feed the rabbits and guinea pigs too. Take a leisurely pace for a couple hours and let the kids enjoy the outdoor playground afterward too.

Bloedel Conservatory (Vancouver) in Queen Elizabeth Park is home to over 100 free-flying exotic birds, surrounded by hundreds of tropical plants and flowers. Kids literally surround themselves with macaws, finches, pheasants and more across three different climate zones. Regular admission ranges from $3.30 for children 5-12 to $6.75 for adults. Kids 4 and under are free.

Krause Berry Farm (Langley) isn’t just about u-pick berry picking, though that’s certainly a big reason to visit. They’ve also got the “Fresh Family Fun Field,” which includes a free tractor train ride on the weekends. Admission is $5 for children and $2.50 for adults.

Miniature Trains

Burnaby Central Railway

Burnaby Central Railway (Burnaby) is located by Confederation Park (enjoy the playground and trail there too). Each train ride — with straddle-style seating — takes about 10 minutes and costs $4.50 for a single ticket. Get a better look at the miniature train in this vlog from a couple summers ago.

Bear Creek Park Train (Surrey) is another miniature train, but “Eddy the Engine” is a fair bit bigger with more conventional bench seating. The train ride ($5 per person) takes you through themed tunnel display, over a bridge and through natural forest.

Playgrounds and Play Areas

Circus Play Cafe (Vancouver) describes itself as a “purposefully designed play space where children and their families connect, learn and grow through the power of play and imagination.” Admission ranges from free to $9 per child, depending on age, with sibling and multiple visit discounts.

Granville Island Kids Market (Vancouver) is a perennial favorite. Visit the various toy stores or try your hand at some arcade games at Circuit Circus. If you want to splurge, a day pass to the Adventure Zone multi-level playground is $10.95 plus tax, a smidgen over the $10 limit of this list. Be sure to visit the public market while you’re there too. Lee’s Donuts and Oyama Sausage, anyone?

More Cheap Kids Activities

Richmond Night Market (Richmond) has grown a lot since I wrote about it 12 years ago. And while there are some midway games and live entertainment, the reason why you’ll go is for the food. Your little foodie will delight over all the Insta-worthy treats. General admission is $4.75, children (under 8) and seniors (60+) are free, and the rainbow grilled cheese sandwich below is $6.50.

Michaels Stores (multiple locations) offer a Kids Club with drop-in crafts for $3 per child, including 30 minutes of crafting with supplies included. Weekly themes include sea treasures, fantasy creatures and zoo adventures.

Kitsilano Pool (Vancouver) is the only saltwater swimming pool in Vancouver, and it’s an outdoor pool with a beautiful setting by the beach to boot! Drop-in fees range from free for preschoolers (0-4 years) to $6.10 for adults, just like other pools run by the City of Vancouver.

What other cheap kids activities in and around Metro Vancouver would you recommend? Or do you have some fun arts and crafts projects to enjoy at home?