Science World

Science World is Vancouver's most iconic family attraction, housed in a massive geodesic dome at the eastern tip of False Creek. It's the kind of place where kids don't realize they're learning because they're having too much fun.

The main galleries are spread across multiple floors, each with a different theme. The Wonder Gallery on the ground floor is where parents with toddlers and preschoolers should start. It's a beautifully designed space with water play, building stations, a climbing net, and soft play areas — all sized for little bodies.

Staff members are stationed throughout to help facilitate play and clean up the inevitable water spills.

Upstairs, the Eureka Gallery is where things get seriously hands-on. Kids can build structures with real tools, test the strength of different bridge designs, launch air rockets, and experiment with pulleys and levers. The Search Gallery explores nature and sustainability with live animal displays and interactive stations about local ecosystems.

The live science demonstrations on Centre Stage are a highlight you shouldn't skip. Shows run multiple times daily and cover topics from chemical reactions to electricity, always with dramatic flair — fire, smoke, and loud pops that make kids shriek with delight. The OMNIMAX dome theatre shows nature documentaries and space films on a screen that wraps around and above you.

It's immersive in a way that even jaded tweens find impressive.

Outside, the Ken Spencer Science Park is an often-overlooked gem — a nature play area with water channels, sand pits, and logs for climbing. It's free with admission and a great way to let kids burn off energy between indoor exhibits.

The building is fully accessible with elevators, family washrooms, nursing rooms, and stroller parking. Food options inside are limited to a small cafe with sandwiches and snacks — bringing your own lunch is the move. The gift shop has genuinely good science kits and books, not just branded junk.

Science World sits right next to Creekside Park, which has its own excellent playground with a zipline, making it easy to extend your visit into a full day.