The BC Wildlife Park offers several activities to keep young minds interested. The Wildlife Express miniature train features a C.P. Huntington steam train locomotive replica that winds its way around over a half a mile of track. The Zippity Zoo Zone playground, open early April to the end of November, weather permitting, has hands-on play features with clever names such as the Giant Spiders Web, Badgers Burrow and the Eagles Aerie. Splash Park, open mid-May through Labor Day, again weather permitting, allows kids to splash around in a zoo-themed water park. The Family Farm lets kids get up close and personal with pygmy goats as they help the volunteers feed and take care of these animals.
Birthday parties can also be arranged at BC Wildlife Park. Available themes are snakes and birds of prey. Party includes park admission, a two-hour decorated private party spot, a visit from one of the zoo's animal ambassadors and extra park time. The BC Wildlife Park is 15 minutes past downtown Kamloops via the Trans Canada Highway (Highway 1) via 390 westbound and 391 eastbound.)
BC Wildlife Park
9077 Dallas Drive
Kamloops, BC V2C 6V1 Canada
1-250-573-3242
bczoo.org
For something that the whole family can enjoy, take a two-hour cruise on the Thompson River on the riverboat Wanda Sue. This 100-year-old vessel cruises at a leisurely pace, letting you see the wildlife and scenery found both on the water and along the shoreline. No reservations are needed. Tickets can be purchased at the departure point, which is on River Street at the Old Yacht Club Public Wharf.
Wanda Sue Paddlewheeler
Kamloops, BC Canada
250-374-7447
Harper Mountain is a ski resort only 20 minutes from downtown Kamloops that caters to both adults and children. In addition to traditional downhill skiing and snowboarding, Harper Mountain has a Tube Park where kids (and adults) can ride colorful inner tubes down a safe slope and a Terrain Park with jumps and boxes and other obstacles that snowboarders love to tackle. Ski and snowboarding lessons are available for kids as well as adults. Harper Mountain offers a Snow Pass Program for children in grades 4 and 5. This gives free ski and snowboarding passes to kids in that age group and is meant to encourage them to learn the sport and spend time with their families. An application is available on Harper Mountain's website. From downtown Kamloops take Route 5A to Paul Lake Road and follow it to the end.
Harper Mountain
2042 Valleyview Drive
Kamloops, BC V2C 4C5 Canada
250-828-1608
harpermountain.com
