Children can visit the Coquitlam Animal Shelter and take a tour of the facility. They'll see some of its special features, find out about volunteering -- which is open for kids 16 and younger -- and meet the animals up for adoption. The shelter has two kennel buildings, a fenced dog exercise area and a dog viewing area. Tours must be scheduled in advance. The Coquitlam Animal Shelter is open daily.
Planet Ice is an ice sports complex that offers public skate sessions for all skill levels and ages twice a week. Children can also join "Stick and Puck," which is open to those who want to improve their hockey and ringette skills. Stick and Puck is scheduled four times a week. Ice skate rentals are available.
Coquitlam's City Centre Aquatic Complex offers swimming lessons and swim programs for kids. Children can also play in the free-form wave pool with water play features, a lazy river current, a 177-foot long water slide and tots bubble pool.
Poirier Community Centre and Centennial Activity Centre offer programs and activities for preschoolers to adults. Some sports programs include volleyball, basketball, indoor soccer, badminton and indoor tennis. Performing arts programs include hip hop and creative dance. Summer day camps are also offered.
At the Pinetree Community Centre, children can participate in ballet, hockey, basketball and day camps.
Children in Coquitlam can play in Blue Mountain Park's spray park, wading pool and playground. The park has a wheelchair accessible playground. Burns Park also has a spray park for kids. Toddlers can play in Blue Jay Tot Lot and kids of all ages can play in Bramble Park, Cottonwood Park and Cape Horn Tot Lot. Kids can enjoy riding their bikes on routes including Guildford Way, David Avenue and Chilko Drive or around Mundy Park.
Children ages 16 and younger can compete at the Como Lake Fishing Derby. At this free event, held each year in May in Como Lake Park, children receive prizes for the largest fish, the smallest fish, the strangest catch of the day and other catches.
On its 22nd year in 2011, the Teddy Bear Picnic offers children activities including storytelling, spin art, puppet shows, gymnastics, a bicycle safety course, face painting and a parade. The event takes place in Coquitlam Town Centre and also offers children the chance to try tightrope walking, juggling, plate spinning and stilt walking. Children under 3 are admitted free of charge.
Other annual events that children might enjoy are the Coquitlam Grand Parade and the Blue Mountain Music Festival.
