Bonjour from Lac Kipawa! We’re at the family cottage this week, a trip we’ve been talking about and looking forward to for months.

A few highlights so far: Kai passed the swim test by swimming out to the raft and back, we found chanterelle mushrooms in the forest, rescued a garter snake that had gotten tangled in some netting, and discovered an assortment of tiny animal bones on Birthday Island.

And back home in Victoria, there’s still plenty of summer left to enjoy, but I know some of us are also starting to think about fall. This week, I’ve rounded up a few ideas for soaking up these last couple of weeks of summer. I’m also sharing what I’ve learned about co-op preschools, which can be a great option for families looking for early learning, childcare, and community.

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Soaking Up Summer

I know September is starting to creep into conversations, but we still have a couple of weeks of summer left! If you’re looking for a little inspiration for these last summer days, here are a few things worth squeezing in before routines, school, and fall activities take over.

🌼 U-Pick Flowers: Little Lochside’s Dahlia U-Pick is a beautiful family adventure. They do have a few rules around cutting the flowers, so it’s best for kiddos who can follow directions, or are happy to wander among the blooms while you put together a bouquet.

🐷 Experience a Farm Day: Woodside Farm in Sooke offers farm days on Saturdays where you can stroll through the gardens to taste what’s in season. Country Bee Honey Farm in Saanichton is another great farm, offering self-guided farm tours and opportunities to meet and feed the animals.

🛍️ Spend an afternoon downtown: Downtown isn’t just for the tourists! Wander the Inner Harbour, browse the Bastion Square Market, grab a treat and enjoy some live music. Use our Downtown Guide for family-friendly recommendations.

💦 Head to a splash pad: There are only so many days left to run through sprinklers in bathing suits. Pick a splash pad and don’t forget the snacks!

🍨 Go for an after-dinner treat: Ice cream, gelato, doughnuts… whatever feels like summer to your family. An evening treat followed by a walk while it’s still light out is exactly how I want to remember these summer evenings with the kids. It would be a good time to use your Summer Adventure Passport at Parachute Ice Cream or 49 Below. Wink wink.

⛳ Do something you kept saying you'd do “this summer”: That new playground you haven't made it to yet? The picnic you've been meaning to have? A ferry ride, mini golf, a new trail? This is your reminder that summer isn't over yet!

Co-op Preschools

If you’ve been considering preschool options for your kids, you may have come across a co-op preschool.

Preschool is generally a part-time, school-year program focused on early learning, play and social development, while daycare is designed around longer hours of childcare and often runs year-round. Some families use both.

At a co-op preschool, families help make the school run. That does mean a bit more commitment than a typical drop-off program, but it may be less time-consuming than it sounds. Depending on the school, families might help with laundry or yard work, take the occasional classroom shift, pitch in at events or take on a larger role with the preschool executive.

The sense of community can be a big part of the experience. Parents get to know the teachers and other families, get a glimpse into their child’s world outside of home, and some co-ops also offer parent education along the way.

Co-op preschool can also be a more affordable option. It won’t be the right fit for every family, but if you’re looking for a mix of early learning, childcare and a strong sense of community, it could be a great fit for yours.

Here are two local co-op preschools currently welcoming families:

Cordova Bay Co-operative Preschool offers a play-based program with plenty of outdoor time, rain or shine. Kids can dig and explore in the large sandbox, and this past year they even hatched chicks and watched caterpillars turn into butterflies. Inside, there’s lots of space for creative play, building and hands-on learning. Teacher Leasa is an experienced ECE who incorporates sign language into the classroom, and families can take part in the co-op in different ways depending on their time and interests.

Gonzales Cooperative Preschool, in north Oak Bay, has been part of the community since 1953. The preschool offers play-based, nature-rich early learning in a warm and welcoming environment. Experienced educators encourage curiosity, creativity and confidence, while the cooperative model gives parents the opportunity to be involved in their child’s first school experience. Along with helping children build school readiness, Gonzales places a strong emphasis on friendships, confidence and creating a supportive community for families.

Both Cordova Bay Preschool and Gonzales Cooperative Preschool offer x2 week programs for 3 year olds and x3 week programs for the 4 year olds.

For the grown-ups: If you’re looking for a bottle to bring to a summer dinner or open on the patio, try Ghost Rock’s Super Natural Pinot Noir 2024. It doesn’t really drink like a typical Pinot Noir. Wild-fermented, unfined and unfiltered, it’s juicy, lively and full of personality. It also came out on top in our family Pinot Noir taste test! Find it locally at Swans Liquor Store downtown.

For the kids: The Hike by Alison Farrell: A little adventure book about three kids heading into the forest and noticing all the plants, animals, and tiny details along the way. It feels especially fitting this week after our own cottage adventures, and I love books that make our kids want to head outside and explore!

Fall Crew Mail

The Fall edition of Little Local Crew Mail is now available! Your kids will receive an envelope in the mail, filled with a little seasonal fun inspired by Vancouver Island.

Fall Crew Mail will be sent out in mid-September, so order yours now to make sure your kiddo gets one this season!

Beach Advisories

It’s worth checking the latest beach advisories before packing the swimsuits. A beach advisory means swimming isn’t recommended right now because of elevated bacteria, blue-green algae or another possible health concern.

🍦 Parachute Ice Cream: Parachute makes small-batch ice cream right here in Victoria, with creative flavours and plenty of kid-approved classics. Use your Summer Adventure Passport for a free kids scoop of ice cream!

🛍️ Thistle & Wren: Thistle & Wren is a sweet little stop for thoughtfully chosen kids’ clothing, toys and gifts, and a great place to discover something from a local Fernwood business. Show them your Summer Adventure Passport for 10% off a single item, excluding Jellycat.

Today

🛍️ Bastion Square Market
Wednesdays – Sundays | 11am–5pm
Browse local makers, artists and vendors downtown, and pair it with lunch or a wander along the Inner Harbour. [Info]

🌟 Sidney Street Market
Thursdays | 5:30–8:30pm
Wander Beacon Avenue for local vendors, food trucks, live music and family activities, then finish the evening with a stroll along the Sidney waterfront. [Info]

🥕 Esquimalt Farmers Market
Thursdays | 4:30–7:30pm
Grab dinner from a food vendor, browse local produce and makers, listen to live music and let the kids play at Memorial Park. [Info]

🎶 Summer at Ship Point
Thursday, August 20 | Afternoon + evening
Head downtown for free outdoor programming at Ship Point, including yoga at noon and live music later in the day; tonight’s concert lineup includes Sarah Smith.

This Weekend

⚓ Dockside Nights
Friday, August 21 | 5:30–7:30pm
Spend a summer evening by the water at Port Sidney Marina with local vendors, food, music and a relaxed dockside atmosphere. [Info]

🎭 FringeKids Fest
Saturday, August 22 + Sunday, August 23 | 10am–1pm
Kick off Fringe season with two free mornings of drag storytime, music, interactive theatre, dress-up, crafts and more at Kaleidoscope Arts Centre. [Info]

🌻 Saanichton Sunflower Festival
Saturday, August 22 + Sunday, August 23 | 10am–8pm
Wander through the sunflower fields, pick your own blooms, grab an ice cream or farm treat and enjoy an easy summer outing with the kids. [Info]

🪻 Bilston Creek Farm Lavender Festival
Saturday, August 22 + Sunday, August 23 | 10am–5pm
It’s the final weekend of Bilston’s summer festival, with lavender fields to explore, local makers in the barn, ice cream and plenty of room to wander. [Info]

🚜 Luxton Heritage Festival
Saturday, August 22 | 11am–4pm
Celebrate Langford’s agricultural roots with vintage farm equipment, blacksmith demonstrations, live country music and plenty of old-fashioned family fun. [Info]

🎆 Summer Fireworks at The Butchart Gardens
Saturday, August 22 | 9:15pm
Stay up a little later for Butchart’s Saturday night fireworks, with the show choreographed to music and included with admission to the Gardens. [Info]

🐐 Goats in the City
Sunday, August 23 | 12–3pm
Head to Langford for a kid-friendly FireSmart event featuring goats. It’s a fun excuse to learn a little about how they can help manage vegetation. [Info]

Upcoming

🇬🇷 Victoria Greek Fest
August 28–30 & September 4–7
Head to the Greek Community Centre for Greek food, live music, traditional dancing and cultural performances over two late-summer weekends. [Info]

🏴‍☠️ Sails & Sagas: A Pirate & Viking Jubilee
Saturday, August 29 + Sunday, August 30 | Various times
Pirates, Vikings, mermaids, circus performances, live music, a treasure hunt and an inflatable pirate ship take over Iroquois Park for a weekend of family fun. Kids 12 and under get in free. [Info]

🏓 Victoria Pickleball Festival
Sunday, August 30 | Kids Zone 10am–4pm
Head to Topaz Park for Canada’s first Pickleball Festival, with tournament action, a local vendor market, food garden and a Kids Zone running from 10am–4pm. [Info]

🎡 Saanich Fair
September 5–7
The annual Labour Day weekend tradition is back with farm animals, midway rides, agricultural displays, competitions, food and live entertainment at the Saanich Fairgrounds. [Info]

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.