Sparks, Giant Generators & Weekend Fun: Why Your Kids Will Love the Powerhouse at Stave Falls!
Looking for a weekend activity in the Fraser Valley that manages to tire out the kids, spark their curiosity, and not cost a small fortune? Pack up the family car and head over to Mission for a trip to the Powerhouse at Stave Falls.
As electricians, we spend all day working with power behind the walls, so taking time with the family to see where BC’s electrical grid came to life over 100 years ago is extra special. It is easily one of the best hidden-gem day trips in the Lower Mainland!
Quick 60-Second Preview
Before reading on, check out this fun TikTok from @bchydro sharing 3 fun facts about the Powerhouse:
Three MORE Fun Facts are:
It Was BC's Biggest Powerhouse: Built back in 1912, Stave Falls was once the largest hydroelectric power source in the entire province!
Hollywood Loves It: Because of its massive industrial look, it’s a popular filming location featured in major movies and shows like The X-Files and Stargate SG-1.
It's a National Historic Site: The original generating facility retired in 2000 and was preserved as an interactive museum so future generations could explore it hands-on.
Need a Deeper Look First?
If you want to see what the entire facility looks like room-by-room before making the drive, you can also check out this detailed, in-depth third-party walk-through video:
Why Your Kids Will Love a Visit
1. It Feels Like Stepping Inside a Sci-Fi Movie
The moment you walk onto the main generator floor, kids’ eyes go wide. The museum is housed inside a massive, 1912-era powerhouse complete with towering mechanical generators and massive steel turbines. There is even a sliced-open turbine so kids can peek directly inside the machinery to see how rushing water turns into electricity.
2. Hands-On "Mad Science" & Scavenger Hunts
This is definitely not a "don't touch anything" museum.
The Tesla Coil: Watch mini lightning bolts crackle in live electricity demonstrations.
The Scavenger Hunt: Grab a scavenger hunt sheet at the front desk to turn the exhibit walk into a high-energy game of "spot the hidden artifact" across the turbine floor.
Interactive Energy Games: Kids can crank hand generators, play with circuit displays, and test how much energy it takes to light up different types of bulbs.
3. Antique "Tech" That Will Make Them Laugh
Walk through the vintage appliance gallery to show your kids what household electrical work looked like 100 years ago. Watching a child try to figure out how a 1920s wringer washing machine or a century-old refrigerator works is pure comedy. It’s a sneaky way to teach them how far home wiring and safety have come!
4. It’s Budget-Friendly & Weather-Proof
Rain or shine, the entire powerhouse exhibit is enclosed, making it an ideal escape when typical West Coast weather rolls in.
Admission: Kids 5 and under are FREE, youth (6–17) are $7, adults are $8, and seniors (55+) are $7.
Parking: Free on-site parking.
5. Make a Full Day Out of It
Located right on Dewdney Trunk Road, the Powerhouse sits right next to the Hayward Lake Reservoir and Stave Lake. Once you finish the tour, you can pack a picnic, launch a boat, or take the kids on the scenic trail around the lake to burn off their remaining energy.
Quick Visitor Details for the Weekend:
Location: 31338 Dewdney Trunk Road, Mission, BC
Hours: Open 7 days a week during open season from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. (Note: The Visitor Centre closes for the winter after Thanksgiving weekend).
Guided Tours: Available at 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM on weekends.
Check out the TikTok preview or full walk-through video, and let us know if your kids end up inspecting your circuit panel when you get home!
