150. Go Bananas, North Vancouver

The weather these days has been really, really terrible.  I'm all for getting outside to play and get some fresh air, but this weather is totally inhumane!  I was told there is a good free playground in Capilano Mall, and given that we have just spent an awful lot of money on our beloved Theo, "free" was good.  Well, we went upstairs to the Go Bananas and it wasn't free at all, but I didn't have the heart to dangle this amazing playground in front of Charlotte and then tell her she was out of luck.

The guy at the counter had a little more spark to him than employees at these types of places usually have.  He had Charlotte excited to go and play - but once we got in there, she was disenchanted by the loud noise and the rambunctious older kids.  I convinced her to go play and I tried to read, but it was no place to sit back and relax.  Charlotte emerged from the playground on a regular basis and I kept coaxing her back to play.  Finally, I gave up and we left - $12 I'll never get back.  At least we didn't get rained on.  Go Bananas is located in Capilano Mall at 935 Marine Drive, North Vancouver and is point no. 150 on the map at the bottom of home page.

140. Galaxyland, West Edmonton Mall, Edmonton, Alberta

In Alberta, not all playgrounds are outside - it gets pretty cold in the winter!  We took a drive out to Edmonton to check out the way-OTT West Edmonton Mall.  If we lived here, I imagine we would spend many a winter afternoon in Galaxyland, though I bet it's crazy busy on the weekends.  It was pretty busy even on a Tuesday afternoon during the school year.  The playground here is several storeys high (!) and I just don't know how any small child could ever get bored here!  The mall is located at N 53.31.279 W 113.37.214 and is point no. 140 on the map at the bottom of home page.