Children

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Hot Shopping: Crafting at Make

Kids craft at Make on Granville Island

Budding da Vincis and Michelangelos love designing their own buttons and t-shirts at Make on Granville Island. Staff can personalize lots of other items, too: printing meaningful text onto a pillow, transferring a family photo onto an apron, laser engraving a favourite quotation onto a leather journal. The colourful store definitely gets creative juices flowing, with its assortment of unique wares running the gamut from ninja-shaped cookie cutters to Scrabble-tile jewellery to stylish but sturdy bags made out of old bicycle tires. Make sure to check out the fun section devoted to toques—practical at this chilly time of year.—Sheri Radford

Hot Shopping: TOMS One for One Program

TOMS Classic 101 sunglasses

There’s nothing like the elation after a new purchase. Now that feel-good moment lasts even longer thanks to the TOMS One for One program. First came the shoes, which saw over 1,000,000 pairs given to children in need around the globe, and now for every pair of sunglasses purchased, TOMS offers much-needed medical treatment and prescription eyewear to those who can’t afford it. So protect your peepers and stock up on a new pair, or three, of these Italian-made sunnies (including the Classic 101, pictured), available for the first time this month. Visit www.toms.ca for retailers and to shop online.—Jennifer Patterson

Hot Shopping: GapKids Meets Diane Von Furstenberg

Couture for cuties: GapKids has partnered with designer Diane Von Furstenberg

Winning fashion collaborations, usually limited to the over-20 crowd, have a new audience in newborns, tots and tweens, thanks to GapKids’ recent collection for girls by Diane von Furstenberg. Little ladies—and their parents—go gaga for age-appropriate sundresses, capri pants and espadrilles, along with a too-cool-for-school seersucker blazer, emblazoned with badges and crests (pictured). Available in select stores starting Mar. 15.—Jennifer Patterson

Spring Break Activities in Vancouver

26 of the hottest places to entertain tots, tykes and teens this month

By Sheri Radford

Bill Reid's sculpture outside the Vancouver Aquarium. Photo by KK Law

1) Richmond Olympic Oval
From Mar. 12 to 23, kids aged six to 15 participate in week-long camps in everything from hockey to badminton to volleyball—and explore this stunning building, which was built for the 2010 Winter Games. (more…)

Family Travel Q&A with Corinne McDermott of Have Baby Will Travel

Corinne with her kids in Cuba.

Corinne McDermott started her website for travelling families, Have Baby Will Travel, out of her own frustrated attempts to find travel info for parents with babies and toddlers while planning a trip with her young daughter.

The site is for parents of infants, toddlers and small children. Though McDermott calls it a “work in progress,” it includes a wealth of tips—everything from how to sterilize bottles in a hotel room to where to rent a stroller in the Italian Riviera—plus articles by Corinne and guest writers and trip reports from around the world, sent by real moms and dads. (more…)

Hot Shopping: Fun and Funky Holiday Gift Ideas

Now that we’ve officially hit December, the countdown is on. In just a few weeks, you’ll have tons of pretty presents under the tree. To make getting there a little easier, we’ve highlighted a few gift ideas that you can snag for someone on your list (including those out-of-towners), or use for inspiration. Happy hunting!

Black doesn't mean basic with this Empreinte bra.

Lingerie is a classic, and for good reason. Take the time to give your girl something she’ll love from Brachic (service is top-notch, so feel free to ask for help and suggestions). Along with higher-end brands like Empreinte (featured), Prima Donna, and Andres Sarda, this boutique has an extensive range of sizes (A to N with band sizes 28 to 46), as well as colours, materials, and fits. Thank us later. 433 Richmond Rd., 613-321-0401.

Hot Entertainment: Yo Gabba Gabba!

Visit Gabba Land and dance your heart out with DJ Lance Rock and the rest of the gang. Just say the magic words and characters come to life to captivate kids—and young-at-heart adults—with upbeat music and singing. Catch this lively crew at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (Nov. 11).—Jessie Colgan

More information:

YO GABBA GABBA! LIVE! 2 and 5pm. $24.50-$36.50. Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Hamilton St. at Dunsmuir. Tickets 1-855-985-5000. www.yogabbagabbalive.com

Hot Shopping: Delightful Dishes for Kids

Wean Cubes are cute and eco-friendly.

Take a page from celebrity parents and get yourself the Wean Cubes, a set of eco-friendly baby food containers from Canadian company Wean Green. These cute dishes — which were featured in one of the pre-Academy Awards gifting suites — are made from durable glass and come with an airtight seal, plus their cool factor alone should earn them a place in your diaper bag. $25-$28 for set of four. Available at Red Chair Kids, 1318 Wellington St. W., 613-798-5437, and Tag Along Toys, 499 Terry Fox Dr., 613-270-8697.

Vancouver Life: Gorgeous Granville

Stylish stores and cool eateries line the 11th to 15th Avenue stretch of this upscale neighbourhood

By Jennifer Patterson & Amanda Peters

Pottery Barn Kids

Serious Fashion
Rich colours set the tone at Boboli, a high-end shop with clothes from designers such as Giambattista Valli and Issey Miyake. Head next door for more fancy dress at the attached Max Mara. Hit up Anthropologie for the coveted clothing, accessories and whimsical home decor. Fashionable femmes pop by Violet for items both cute and comfortable.

Artistic Flair
Catch a performance by some of Vancouver’s best thespians at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage. Fans of the static arts visit Winsor Gallery to see pieces by Emily Carr University graduates along with works by established North American artists. Bau-Xi Gallery is the perfect place to peruse contemporary fine art by internationally acclaimed Canadian artists including Joseph Plaskett and Anthony Redpath.

A Taste of the Town
Join the throng of locals at Vij’s and indulge in mouth-watering Indian cuisine. This always-busy restaurant doesn’t take reservations but it’s worth the wait. If you’re tight on cash and time, grab a table next door at sister spot

Smoked sablefish at West. Photo by Tracey Kusiewicz

Rangoli for a more casual take on the same fabulous flavours. Award-winning West caters to theatregoers with a special pre-theatre dinner menu available nightly until 6 p.m. Spice up the day with Cajun and Creole cuisine at Ouisi Bistro. With its relaxed atmosphere and private patio, there’s no better place to enjoy the comforting flavours of the Louisiana bayous.

Happy Homes
Buy colourful quilts, accessories and gadgets galore for your favourite tot at Pottery Barn Kids. Whether a veteran of the kitchen or a novice at the oven, you’ll find everything you need to make that perfect dish at Williams-Sonoma.

Hot Dining: 4 Family Favourites

Rocky Mountain Flatbread photo by KK Law

Just because you have kids in tow doesn’t mean you can’t eat well and healthily.
1 Rocky Mountain Flatbread (pictured) Find the tastiest organic pizza in town, as well as a children’s play area, a smart menu for youngsters and make-your-own Sunday and Monday evenings.
2 The Old Spaghetti Factory This Gastown haunt caters to all comers with home-style Italian plates and an affordable kids’ menu in a fun and lively setting.
3 White Spot The Vancouver institution pampers toddlers with its $5.99 Pirate Pak, served in a cardboard boat, with options such as a grilled cheese sandwich, crispy coated chicken and battered cod, followed by ice cream, of course.
4 Red Robin Kids love the child-sized portions of popular burgers, corn dogs, spaghetti and more, with a choice of sides from fries to salad, while parents love the child-sized prices.—Tim Pawsey