Where We Spent a Wake Window: Kerrisdale Indoor Play Palace.
Location & Parking:
Parking: There is limited on-site parking at the arena. We got lucky once, but on the weekend it was a struggle, we ended up parking about a 5-minute walk away. Plan for a little extra "hunting time" if you’re going on a Saturday.
Set your GPS to: Kerrisdale Arena, 5670 E. Boulevard, Vancouver, B.C. (Corner of E. Boulevard and W. 41st Ave., tucked right behind the McDonald’s).
Official info: https://kerrisdalecc.com/facilities-rentals/play-palace-2/
The Damage Report ($):
Open Seasonally: April through August only.
0–6 Months & Adults: FREE
2-12 Years: Ranges from $4.94 - $7
Tip: You buy tickets at the entrance, so it's a great spur of the moment destination. Just double-check the session times on their website before you head out, as they vary by age group.
Wheely Friendly?
Yes. There is a designated area inside to park your stroller. On one visit, I kept Gabe in the stroller and pushed him along while I chased Yuyu - the space is definitely large enough to navigate.
Lunch tables outside the play area.
The Snack Situation:
You are allowed to bring your own food. There are three plastic tables just outside the play area that are free to use. If you didn't pack a lunch, you’re right next door to a McDonald’s and plenty of other Kerrisdale restaurants are within a short walk.
Potty Proximity:
Typical high-traffic arena-style bathrooms are located near the play area. They are large, semi-clean, and equipped with a change table.
Mum Musings:
EVERYONE needs socks. You, the baby, the toddler, shoes off at the door, socks on for everyone. I’d also recommend dressing the kids in long sleeves and trousers; the inflatables are way more comfortable that way.
The Vibe
It’s a massive, warehouse-style space filled with everything from reading mats and blocks to ride-on cars and giant inflatables. On my first visit (a Saturday), it was absolutely packed. My second visit was a Tuesday morning when we had no childcare, and it was a total game-changer.
The Weekday magic: Weekdays from 9:30 am to 11:30 am are designated for ages 0–5 only. It is SO much more manageable. You aren't constantly holding your breath hoping your toddler doesn't get steamrolled by a 10-year old.
The Soundtrack: They had pop music blaring throughout the warehouse, I found myself grooving out while Yuyu burned off energy.
The 11:30 AM "Eviction"
There is a mandatory cleaning break from 11:30 am to 12:00 pm where everyone has to leave the building. Since it was a beautiful day, we just took our packed lunch and ate on the grass in front of the Arena. You can go back inside afterward, but we decided to just play outside a bit longer and then head home.
Toddler Tolerance Level:
2 hours. Yuyu was happily entertained for the full two-hour morning session.
Nap Roulette Options?
Your entry is valid for the whole day, so you could technically leave for a nap and come back. We opted to stroll up 41st Street for some "restaurant window shopping." If you want to stay in the "play" zone, Kerrisdale Park is also within easy walking distance from the Arena.
Author
I’m Mimi, the writer behind Mi & Yu. This blog was born out of a year spent exploring Vancouver with my toddler Yuyu and newborn son Gabe while my husband Jamie worked through a demanding fellowship.
What started as a way to survive the newborn phase turned into a collection of tried-and-tested family adventures, real reviews, tested logistics, and the occasional toddler meltdown included. Now back home in Newfoundland, I’m sharing those adventures so other parents can skip the decision fatigue and get straight to the fun part.
