For some reason, the Vancouver pools are a little stodgy. They don't have ropes and slides and fun kid stuff. However, don't despair. If you're willing to hop on the SkyTrain and take a short ride or drive a short distance, you can find all kinds of very cool kid pools.
On the North Shore, in North Vancouver, you'll find the Karen Magnussen recCentre. It has a wave pool that's very fun and not so big that it intimidates small children. The pool is located at 2300 Kirkstone Rd in North Vancouver.
To get there, cross the Lions Gate Bridge and go east (right) at the end of the bridge. Turn north (left) at the first light on Capilano Road and go up Capilano Road to the Highway 1 East turn off. Go east (right) on Highway 1 and exit at the Lynn Valley exit.
At the intersection, go north (right) on Lynn Valley Rd. Watch for signs to Karen Magnussen on the right hand side of the road. Turn right at Kirkstone Rd, and you're there.
There's a good slide at the Harry Jerome recCentre pool at 123 East 23rd Street in North Vancouver. Follow the same directions as if you were going to Karen Magnussen; however, exit at Lonsdale, one exit west of Lynn Valley, and go south (right) for one block and then east (left) at 23rd. The pool is on the corner of 23rd and Lonsdale. Park in the lot across the street from the pool.
Call 604-987-7529 (play) for hours.
The Eileen Dailly Leisure Pool in Burnaby is a kid's paradise with several pools, a great slide, fountains, sprinklers and pool toys. To get there, go east on Hastings all the way through Vancouver and into Burnaby, the city east of Vancouver. At Willingdon turn north (left) and go a block and a half. The pool building will be on your right. Call 604-298-7946 for hours.
The Canada Games Pool in New Westminster is an Olympic-sized pool with diving towers, diving boards, rope and trolley swings, and a flotilla of water toys.
There's also a small pool for small children, a sauna, swirlpool, poolside basketball and ping-pong. You can also work out in the mezzanine fitness centre or swim laps.
To get to the Canada Games Pool, take the SkyTrain to the Columbia Station and transfer to Bus #102. You can get more information about the Canada Games Pool by calling 604-526-4281.