It’s Raining, Now What? 10 Activities for Kids in Whistler

Exploring Whistler with kids can be an enjoyable new experience for the whole family. There are plenty of child-friendly activities in Whistler, so it’s easy to organize a day of fun. However, one thing that can be unpredictable here is the weather. 

When visiting with your family, it’s wise to think about what to do in Whistler in the rain. Come here in spring and it may be raining one minute and bright and sunny the next. Come in autumn and you can expect pretty much the same. Sometimes it can be raining in Whistler Village while the mountaintops bask in bluebird skies.

Rainfall can be particularly high from September through November (get a good idea on weather patterns here), so if you’re visiting during this season, you’re very likely to get the experience of Whistler in the rain.

Top Kid-Friendly Rainy-Day Activities: 

1. Forged Axe Throwing 

Of course, the first thing parents think of when asked about kid-appropriate holiday activities is axe-throwing. But, you know, just in case a parent needs a little persuasion, we’ll spell it out here.

Forged Axe Throwing is not just an adult’s game. Yes, the tots need to be over 10 years old to participate and have a legal guardian accompanying if under the age of 16, but if within those requirements, kids are more than welcome at our venue.

Forged Axe is well received because it responds to people’s desire for a healthy dose of competition, physical activity, and ridiculousness. Bringing kids to Forged when you’re in Whistler in the rain gives them a chance to get active, figure out if they are natural-born lumberjacks, and feel like they have the most incredible parents on the planet.

Details:

• Drop-in price, $37.99
• Caters to small and large groups (up to 110 players), so why not book the whole place for three hours at $2,499.

2. Climbing Gym 

If you’re looking for a way to introduce the kids to a new sport (aka leave them somewhere while you grab a beer), then The Core, Whistler’s climbing gym, has a variety of classes and camps tailored for the young’uns.

In both winter and summer, kids can enroll in climbing camps. Guided sessions are available throughout the year and are suitable for kids ages four and up. Friendly guides will be in charge of the technical and safety aspects (e.g. belaying and coaching), and sessions are sold in one-hour blocks.

A climb and dine evening program is also available to kids (6-14). This is a chance for them to learn how to climb during the evening hours. In addition, a kid-friendly dinner is provided, giving them a chance to meet other kids from all over the world.

Details:

• Climb & Dine Evening Program costs $70 + GST.
• Guided climbing sessions costs vary depending on the number of participants. One child is $60, two is $39 per child, three is $35, four is $33 per child, and five is $32 per child.
• General opening hours are Monday-Friday 7:30 am-9pm, Saturdays 8am – 8pm, Sundays and holidays 9am-7pm (inquire directly for kids’ course times).

3. Public Indoor Pool 

Meadow Park Sports Centre is an award-winning recreational facility just four kilometres north of Whistler Village. It has many amenities (including an indoor skating rink and a fitness centre), but the swimming pool is a fantastic kid-friendly choice for parents who are pondering what to do in Whistler in the rain.

If laps are in the cards, then the 25-metre, six-lane lap pool should fit the bill. An eight-foot slide and basketball net are a couple  fun features integrated with the lap pool.

There is a dedicated kids’ pool, which contains a lazy river and spouting bears– yes, bears! Pretty cute and colourful decoration makes the kids’ pool feel inviting, and there are shallow areas specifically for the smallest of the small people.

Also in this facility, you’ll find a hot tub, steam room, and sauna. Plenty for all the family!

Details:

• Drop-in rates for a child (4-12): $4.75
• Drop-in rates for youth (13-18): $5.50
• Drop-in rates for adults: $9.25
• Open 6am-9pm daily. View the pool schedule for detailed public swim times.

4. Visit the Candy Store!

Did someone say CANDY?!

In Whistler Village, there is an extraordinary place. Dentists hate it. Children and guilty adults love it. Its name is the Great Glass Elevator Candy Shop, and it’s got 1,000 square feet of sweetness.

While we don’t endorse expensive trips to the dentist, what’s a family holiday without a fair number of “let’s treat ourselves” statements? Nostalgic for a candy of your childhood? Browse the giant wall of bulk candy and you may very well find your sweet memory there.

This candy store isn’t subtle. Its walls are painted bright colours, and it’s a draw for kids of all ages. You can find candy in stock from the US, the UK, and of course Canada. If you’ve got a party coming up, check out the half of the store that’s dedicated to party-related goods such as greeting cards, balloons, and other party supplies.

The Glass Elevator is the perfect sweets stop for adults visiting Whistler with kids. 

Details:

• Free to visit
• Sunday-Thursday, 10am-7pm
• Friday and Saturdays, 10am-8pm

5. Visit the Library 

The library is a peaceful, comfortable, and QUIET way to spend time with your family when you’re in Whistler in the rain. It is easily one of the best indoor activities in Whistler for younger children. 

First off, the library is a fantastic piece of architecture (take a look at it here). Massive cedar beams prop up a slanted roof in a style that harkens back to traditional west coast First Nation longhouses. It’s a unique hub within the Whistler community and deserves a visit.

If you are looking for fun activities to do in Whistler with kids, there are a number of activities on offer at the library, for children of various ages.

• For babies: ‘Singing with the Babies’ has got to be the most adorably named activity we’ve come across so far. Parents learn songs and ‘tummy tickles’ (yep that is what they say!) to encourage early language development. Adorable.
• For kids aged 5-12: For kids 5 – 9, the Outdoor Explores Kit encourages them to get outside and take part in a family-friendly scavenger hunt. For those ages 10 – 12, the Mindful Creations Activity Kit includes supplies to make your own mindfulness glitter jar and get going with gratitude journaling, and offers inspired ideas and activities for tuning into the magic of everyday mindfulness.
• For teenagers: Creative activities like “Let’s Make a Book” will encourage teens to get out of their comfort zone as they design, write, and create a book to be published and loaned in the library.

Details:

• Free
• Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 10am-6pm
• Tuesday and Thursday, 11am-7pm
• Sunday, 10am-4pm

6. Try Escape!  

Whistler has its very own escape rooms. An escape room is a type of real-life gaming experience where groups are challenged with puzzles in order to find the key to get them out of the room.

In Whistler’s escape rooms, groups of two to six people compete at a time, and all the rooms are indoors, which makes it an excellent option for a family considering what to do in Whistler in the rain. You get to choose from four themes, and then you have 45 minutes to figure your way out of the rooms.

While kids over 12 can be left alone for the escape rooms, kids 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian (19 years+). The challenges are, funnily enough, actually pretty challenging, so having an adult on standby is both helpful and hilarious. Kids six and under go free, which is great because, let’s be honest, how useful could they really be?  

Details:

• $35 per player (kids six and under free)
• 12pm-8:30pm, daily

7. Go to the Movies 

When you’re in Whistler in the rain, and you’re also pretty exhausted from whatever action-packed adventures you’ve been doing on or off the slopes, the local cinema located in Whistler Village is a pretty great and kid-friendly option.

Village 8 Cinemas plays a surprisingly large selection of (mainstream) movies. There are usually several options directed at younger viewers at any one time.

Grab some popcorn, definitely don’t sneak in any candy from the Great Glass Elevator Candy Shop (…), grab a seat, and enjoy a few hours of non-active relaxation in one of the most active leisure communities in North America.

Details:

• Child (3-13), $10
• General (14 and over), $14
• Tuesdays, $10 all day!

8. Whistler Racket Club 

This is not your average country club. Nestled across the road from the marketplace in Whistler Village, the Whistler Racket Club offers a lot for kids to enjoy. 

Take on your friends and family at tennis and pickleball, or work on your skills with a clinic. Avalaunch snowball fights will have you laughing until you can’t stop, and on holidays and pro days, join the Whistler Racket Club team for indoor activities, sports, arts & crafts, lunch and smores.

Details:

• Open 8am – 10pm daily 
• Some activities need reservations, be sure to book

Kid-Friendly Lunch Options

There are no places in Whistler that rival the baked treats of Purebread

LUNCH! Kids love lunch! Adults love lunch! The following restaurants make lunch with kids when it’s raining in Whistler even more special.

• Earls: This local favourite is in a perfectly central Whistler village location and offers a small kids’ menu, making lunch (and dinner) decisions that bit easier. The kid menu has been known to include crispy ribs and avocado super toast. Super toast!
• Caramba! Restaurant: If you’re craving some Italian cuisine, head to this fun and delicious eatery. If they’re lucky, kids may even be invited to sit at the bar and play with pizza dough.
• PureBread: This bakery probably produces the most delicious baked goods on the west coast. That’s our personal feeling, but we’re pretty sure it’s not just us. This is a kid and adult dreamboat. Think of every kind of brownie you didn’t realize you wanted until you saw it, and then you realized you needed it. For example: caramelised banana brownie. Caramelised banana brownie. One more time: caramelised banana brownie. Have you got the idea?
• Creekbread: You will enjoy the family-oriented vibe as soon as you enter, not to mention the amazing woodfire pizzas at Creekbread. A local favourite for a reason, their delicious toppings will have you wanting more. Also, you will notice all of the artwork the kids before have left behind. So please sit down and enjoy a slice and a beer while your kids draw their best art piece yet.  
• Crepe Montage: Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, even for the pickiest of eaters. Enjoy savoury meals and sweet treats. For breakfast, there are simple bacon and eggs as well as crepes (of course) and omelettes. Lunches and dinners expand their menu to fondues of all kinds. 
• COWS: Okay, so maybe this isn’t a nutritional lunch, but everyone deserves a treat. COWS is famous for their  ice creamz boasting over 30 flavours. Make sure to check out their merchandise shop for their hilarious t-shirts.

It’s Raining in Whistler? Get Wet Anyway! 

You know what, if you’re in the Pacific NorthWest, you’ll likely experience at least a shower, if not a deluge. So don’t be afraid to explore outside of the indoor activities in Whistler. After all, the rain is why our trees are so damn lush!

You don’t have to be a couch potato or flock to the inside world if it’s raining. Many outdoor activities continue to be fun, if not epic, in the rain. 

1. Zipline Through the Coastal Forest

Speed demons need only apply to a zip line tour of whistler

In Whistler, we are lucky enough to have two of the best ziplines in the world; one is even the longest in North America. Step off the platform and see amazing panoramic views if you have the courage. 

Both Ziptrek Eco-Tours and Superfly offer family-friendly and adrenaline-suited tours, yet they have their own touches that separates them from each other. We’ve written about them here.

2. Time to Get Muddy on an RZR Tour

Perfect for those who aren’t afraid to have some messy fun. On an RZR Tour guided by the amazing TAG team, you will find yourself becoming one with nature as you plow through every muddy puddle you find. 

There are two tours to choose from, the BC Tour and the Wilderness Ride, that run for one and half hours on Cougar Mountain. Both are amazing tours that are guaranteed to leave both drivers and co-pilots grinning from ear to ear. 

Don’t Be Afraid of the Elements —Embrace Them!

Whistler weather can be tricky to navigate, so it’s best to embrace whatever the mountains throw at you. We know it can be hard to encourage some to brave the rain, but they will have the time of their lives when they do. 

Even if the weather isn’t ideal, there are plenty of indoor activities in Whistler that you can choose from. And even if you get wet, you know you can always warm up and finish your day right by throwing some axes with us at Forged. 

We look forward to seeing everyone and hearing about how you enjoyed your day in Whistler.