Children's activities
Fort Langley National Historic Site
Children's activities
Visiting Fort Langley National Historic Site will be different than previous years. Be prepared, and know what is open and closed before you go.
Children’s play area | Xplorers program | Gold panning | Club Parka | Playhouse | Dress up | Farm animals
Children's play area
Step inside the new children’s play area, and let your imaginations run free. At the trade window, pretend to trade salmon, cranberries or furs in exchange for axe heads, blankets, rope and other props. Pack toy barrels with salmon fillets, roll them to model boats that you can pack and “paddle.” On the wall, a magnetic map of BC lets children discover the resources that drew the fur traders to the area, where Indigenous communities were already well established and trading along the network of rivers.
A dedicated toddler area with soft flooring provides a safe place for your youngest children to explore. Climb in a boat and catch fish with nets, load and roll toy barrels, collect magnetic cranberries in a basket, build a soft foam fort, and make a trade through the trade window.
Xplorers Program: X marks the spot!
Request your Xplorers booklet and follow the map and “X” signs to find fun activities throughout the site. Bring your sense of adventure and play the part of an 1800s Hudson’s Bay Company worker. Dress up and try out blacksmithing, barrel-making, trading and even being the boss. After completing a set number of these experiences, bring your booklet back to the Trade Shop Window or the Visitor Center to receive a certificate and souvenir.
Gold Panning
Did you know in 1858, Fort Langley’s peaceful trade community was shaken up by the arrival of 30,000 gold prospectors seeking gold on the Fraser River? Get a taste for gold fever! Pick up a gold pan and see if you will strike it rich.
Club Parka
Have you met Parka, the Parks Canada mascot? She has a fun scavenger hunt to share with you using the My Photo Missions app. We recommend downloading it before you visit.
On site, see if you can find our Parka statue, photo station, and ask for a Club Parka activity booklet at the Visitor Centre. Find out lots more about Parka on our Parka website!
Playhouse
Kids! Try it out! The fort was built from on-site timber using similar methods to the playhouse here. At our playhouse, you slide these wallboards in place and climb the ladder into the loft.
Dress Up
Find the secret wardrobe in the Big House and try on a costume to wear inside the building. When you’re finished, return the articles for the next children.
Farm animals (summertime only)
The Hudson’s Bay Company used to operate a 2000 acre farm near Fort Langley. During summer, visit our farm animals and heritage garden near the Big House.
Group Programs
Bringing a group? Check out our Groups page for program ideas and guidelines.
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