Little Local - April 30

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Crazy! It’s the last day of April and summer is actually around the corner ☀️

I’ve started working on this year’s Little Local Summer Adventure Passport, a bucket list of family-friendly activities designed to encourage kids to explore Greater Victoria over the summer. Last year, hundreds of families used it for everything from splash pad visits to ice cream stops, with local perks and prizes sprinkled in too. I’m excited to bring it back with a few new ideas this year.

I’d love your input as I plan this summer’s version:

And now, onto this week’s adventures 🚲

Easy Bike Rides

We’ve officially entered bike ride season over here, and I’ve been on the lookout for rides outside of our immediate neighbourhood, especially now that we’re proud owners of a bike rack. The sweet spot for us is a ride that feels like a little adventure, but still manageable for little legs.

Here are a few easy rides around Greater Victoria:

Alumni Chip Trail (UVic): Start near the parking lots off Ring Rd or Cedar Hill Cross Road and follow the Alumni Chip Trail next to campus. If you stay along the top, it’s flat-packed gravel, with easy options to detour into grassy areas and wide open paths near the UVic library for a picnic or snack break.

Lochside Regional Trail: If you’re looking for a longer ride (about 10 km round trip), start around the Blenkinsop Lake area and head north. This stretch is quiet and pretty flat, with a fun reward stop at Mattick’s Farm for ice cream. Alternatively, park at Lochside Park and simply head north for as long as the kids are up for.

Galloping Goose Regional Trail and Selkirk Trestle: An easy, mostly flat stretch that works well for little riders. Park near Cecelia Cove Park and ride over Selkirk Trestle, which is always a fun bridge crossing. If your kids still have energy, continue up the Goose toward Switch Bridge and loop back down. You could even stop at Cecelia Ravine Bike Park along the way.

Sidney Airport Loop Trail: Hop on from one of the many entry points and ride a section of the loop. The full loop is just over 9 km, but it’s easy to do a shorter out-and-back. Plane watching is a big bonus.

Kinsol Trestle: Park at the Kinsol Trestle lot and ride straight to the bridge (about 1.5 km each way). It’s wide, flat, and the trestle crossing is the highlight.

🚲 P.S. If your kids are more into pump tracks than long rides, I’m putting together a list of the best local spots. Coming soon 👀

☀️ Camp Planner: Map out your summer with Little Local’s Camp Planner. It’s perfect for discovering camps and filling in those still-empty summer weeks. Filter camps by week, provider, or interest, and save the camps you’ve registered for all in one place to make planning feel a little less overwhelming.

📷 Free family photos: Local photographer Adam is offering free mini sessions for families this spring. His style leans candid and relaxed, capturing sweet in-between moments rather than stiff poses. If you love the photos, you can purchase prints afterward or all of the high-res digital files for $139. Check out a sample gallery or book directly through his calendar.

This Weekend

✨ Oak Bay Rec’s Family Spring Fling
Friday, May 1 | 5:30–7:30pm
Head to Henderson Recreation Centre for an evening of family fun with games, activities, and a great way to kick off the weekend. [Info]

🎨 Kids Spring Market
Sunday, May 3 | 1–4pm
Shop handmade goods created by local kids at Oaklands Community Centre. A great way to support young makers in the community! [Info]

🌸 May Day Spring Fair at Sea Cider
Sunday, May 3 | 11am–4pm
A cheerful spring fair with local vendors, live music, and family-friendly fun set against beautiful orchard views. [Info]

Upcoming

🫖 A Cup of Love: Mother’s Day Teapot Crafting at Staples
Wednesday, May 6 | 5pm–7pm
A free, hands-on crafting session where kids can decorate a paper teapot gift for Mom. Offered at both Langford and Victoria locations. [Langford & Victoria]

🛍️ Mother’s Day Weekend Craft Market at Bilston Creek Farm
May 8–10 | 10am–4pm
A lovely mix of local makers, flowers, and treats in a scenic farm setting. [Info]

🔬 Science Rendezvous
Saturday, May 9 | 10am–3pm
A free, hands-on science festival at University of Victoria with interactive experiments, demos, and activities for curious kids.
[Info]

🌼 Mom & Me Hanging Basket Workshop
Saturday, May 9 | 1:30pm–2:30pm
A hands-on gardening experience at Patio Gardens designed for kids and their moms! [Info]

🌸 Mother’s Day Musical Garden Tour
Saturday & Sunday, May 9–10 | 10am–4pm
Wander beautiful local gardens with live music performances along the way. [Info]

🎶 Mother’s Day Concert in the Park
Sunday, May 10 | 2–4pm
Pack a picnic and enjoy live music at Playfair Park for a relaxed Mother’s Day afternoon. [Info]

🎉 Family Fun Day with Braefoot
Saturday, May 23 | 11am–2pm
A community celebration at Braefoot Elementary School with games, activities, and fun for all ages. [Info]

Ongoing Programming

📚 Storytime at the Library
Multiple dates and times
An easy outing with stories, songs, and rhymes for little ones. Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. Check out our storytime timetable.

👶🏼 Kindergym + Play Groups
Multiple dates and times
Open play with toys, climbing, and space to run around! Great for toddlers and preschoolers (and a nice way to meet other parents). Check out our Kindergym & Play Groups timetable to find one near you.

Hope you enjoyed this issue of Little Local! Please reply with any feedback and suggestions :)

P.S. Would you like to get your business in front of thousands of local Victoria families? Email us at [email protected].

Final Note: I do my best to keep everything accurate, but I am only human so the odd mistake might sneak in! If you catch one, feel free to let me know.