Pre-Trip Fun for Vancouver, B.C., Canada

"Best in Show" -- This hysterically funny mockumentary about the competitive world of dog shows was filmed in Vancouver, with lots of footage of the Coliseum. (Teens)

"I, Robot" -- Most of this sci-fi adventure was filmed in Vancouver, including an extended scene in the highways and tunnels of northeast Vancouver. (Teens)

Salmon -- Salmon fishing has been important to this part of Canada since before the Europeans arrived.

Pancakes with maple syrup -- The Canadian flag is adorned with a maple leaf, and maple syrup has been harvested in Canada since before recorded history.

"My Vancouver Sketchbook" -- An aspiring young artist and poet delights in recording her impressions of Vancouver in her sketchbook. (Ages 4-8)

"M is for Maple" -- Presents the symbols, history, people, and culture of Canada with each letter of the alphabet, plus rhymes and notes. (Ages 4-8)

"Far West: The Story of British Columbia" -- From the gold rush to the Gumboot Navy and from "brideships" to W.A.C. Bennett, BC history comes alive for young readers. (Ages 10-14)

"Vancouver Nightmare" -- Mysterious dirty dealings keep Tom Austen up nights as he tries to solve a mystery and see justice served. (Ages 10-14)

Maple candy -- In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, maple sugar was as common as table salt is today. Let kids make and sample their own sweet treat from this ancient source of pure sugar.

Tin can totem poles -- Natives of the First Nations created totem poles to symbolize a family or clan. Make your own family totem pole to display in your back yard.

An orca whale mobile -- Orca whales are common off the coast of Vancouver. Create your very own pod of whales to "swim" overhead.