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Did you catch the Snowbirds on Tuesday? We weren’t going to make it down to Dallas Rd in time, so we climbed Mount Tolmie with thousands of others who had the same idea. It wasn’t the best viewing spot, but the kids still caught a few glimpses of the show and were completely in awe!

This week in the newsletter, I’m sharing some of Greater Victoria’s kid-friendly museums, practical tips from Sprout Family Health for navigating summer meltdowns, and plenty of family fun happening around town.

See you out there!

Victoria’s Museums

When I started planning the Summer Adventure Passport, it was important to me that it felt accessible to families across Greater Victoria. That meant including activities available in different communities, from the Peninsula to the Westshore, and keeping the prompts broad enough that families could complete them in their own way, without having to visit or spend money at a particular business.

One of those activities is simply to explore a museum.

Most local families are familiar with the Royal BC Museum, with its IMAX theatre and spectacular new Ancient Egypt: Obsessed with Life exhibition. But Greater Victoria is home to quite a few smaller museums that may not be on your radar yet.

🚂 Heritage Acres: Spread across 29 acres in Saanichton, Heritage Acres is a living-history park filled with vintage tractors and machinery, historic buildings and plenty of room to wander. Step inside the schoolhouse, log cabin, chapel and other buildings to get a glimpse of what life in the area once looked like. Heritage Acres is open from May 1 to October 31, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and admission is by donation.

This Saturday, August 8, is also Children’s Day at Heritage Acres, with family-friendly activities, entertainment and train rides throughout the day.

🪐 Centre of the Universe: Head up Observatory Hill to learn about stars, planets and space at Victoria’s historic observatory. Visits include interactive exhibits, an immersive planetarium presentation and a chance to step inside the dome that houses the enormous Plaskett Telescope. For kids fascinated by space, it’s well worth the trip.

🦖 Dino Lab: This one requires advance booking, but it may be the most memorable museum experience on the list for dinosaur fans aged 4 and up. The 90 min guided experience includes the fossil gallery, a behind-the-scenes look at a working fossil-preparation lab and the chance for visitors to try fossil restoration themselves. They also host birthday parties!

✈️ BC Aviation Museum: A must for kids who love planes! Families can get an up close look at full-size airplanes, helicopters, and aviation equipment, including the enormous Hawaii Mars water bomber. With so much to see at kid level, it feels more like exploring a hangar than visiting a traditional museum.

⚓ Maritime Museum of BC: This small downtown museum introduces kids to shipwrecks, exploration, navigation and life on the coast. Look for family activities and nautical displays, and check their schedule for children’s programs.

🗝️ Sidney Museum: This small, admission-by-donation museum shares the history of Sidney and the Saanich Peninsula through displays of old toys, household objects, farming equipment and transportation. It has rotating exhibits throughout the year, and our favourite time to visit is December through March for their annual LEGO exhibition.

⛯ Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse: Kids can roam through underground bunkers, military buildings and old gun batteries before walking out to Fisgard Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse on Canada’s West Coast. Pick up a free Parks Canada Xplorers booklet at the entrance to add activities and challenges to your visit.

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.

The beach may still be open for playing and exploring, but it’s best to keep kids and pets out of the water until the advisory is lifted.

🌲 Malahat SkyWalk: Have you visited yet this summer? Just 30 minutes outside Victoria, it offers a treetop walk, panoramic views and plenty of picnic spots. Kids can join the SkyWalk Creative Club for hands-on, nature-inspired art activities Wednesdays through Fridays, race down the Sizzler Slide, or step into The Overhang, a glass cube extending from the top of the Spiral Tower. Summer Adventure Passport holders can also get 50% off one admission with a paying adult by showing their Passport.

🍔 Ferris’ Burger & Oyster Bar: Looking for an easy family meal downtown? Ferris’ serves up house-made burgers, crispy fries, fresh seafood and a kids’ menu, with a cozy garden patio tucked away out back. It’s a relaxed spot where parents can enjoy a great meal while the kids dig into familiar favourites. Get 50% off kids meals with the Summer Adventure Passport!

Today

🦭 What’s the Deal with Seals?
Thursday, August 6 | 10am–1pm
Drop by Witty’s Lagoon to learn about local seals through hands-on activities and a self-guided all-ages walk with CRD Regional Parks naturalists. [Info]

🎨 Feel Free at the Art Gallery
Thursday, August 6 | 5–9pm
Visit the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria for free and explore the exhibitions and self-guided Make Art Table together. [Info]

🛝 Play in the Park
Thursday, August 6 | 5:30–8pm
Bring the kids to Horth Hill Regional Park for a free evening of outdoor games and activities. [Info]

🛍️ Bastion Square Market
Thursday, August 6 | 11am–5pm
Browse locally made art, clothing, treats and other finds in the heart of downtown Victoria. [Info]

🌙 Sidney Street Market
Thursday, August 6 | 5:30–8:30pm
Stroll along Beacon Avenue while browsing local vendors, grabbing a treat and enjoying live entertainment at this popular summer market. [Info]

This Weekend

💎 Victoria Rock N’ Gem Show
Friday, August 7–Sunday, August 9
Discover colourful minerals, crystals, fossils, polished stones and gemstone creations at this affordable, all-ages show at Eagle Ridge Centre. [Info]

🎨 Arts & Music in the Gardens
Saturday, August 8 & Sunday, August 9 | 9am–4pm
Explore the HCP Gardens while enjoying local art, live music, plant sales, food vendors, floral installations and family-friendly activities. [Info]

🚂 Children’s Day at Heritage Acres
Saturday, August 8 | 10am–3:30pm
Spend the day exploring interactive exhibits, riding the miniature train (kids 2+) and enjoying balloon artists, face painting, live music, storytime, blacksmith demonstrations and local food vendors. [Info]

⚛️ Particles That Cure
Saturday, August 8 | 9:30am & 1pm
Kids ages 8–15 can discover how radiation and physics are used to treat cancer through 2 hours of fun, hands-on activities led by UVic physics students and BC Cancer’s medical physics team. Held at BC Cancer Clinic (2410 Lee Ave). Free but registration required. [Info]

🎤 David Foster & Friends Concert
Saturday, August 8 | 7:30pm
Make a summer night of it with a free outdoor concert in Victoria’s Inner Harbour featuring David Foster, Josh Groban, Katharine McPhee, CeeLo Green, The Tenors and more, accompanied by the Victoria Symphony. Bring layers, arrive early to find a good viewing spot and enjoy a memorable evening of live music with older kids. [Info]

🫧 Community Foam Party
Saturday, August 8 | 1–3pm
Prepare to get sudsy during a free community foam party at the KELSET Elementary School field. Bring clothes that can get wet and a towel for afterward. [Info]

🎆 Summer Fireworks at Butchart Gardens
Saturday, August 8 | Fireworks at 9:30pm
Spend an evening exploring the gardens before watching Butchart Gardens’ spectacular choreographed fireworks show. [Info]

🥕 Moss Street Market
Saturday, August 8 | 10am–2pm
Browse local produce, baked goods, prepared food and handmade creations at this lively neighbourhood market. [Info]

🛍️ Bastion Square Market
All Weekend | 11am–5pm
Wander through Bastion Square and browse local art, handmade goods and market vendors in the heart of downtown Victoria. [Info]

Upcoming

🎶 Music in the Park
Tuesday, August 11 | 6–8pm
Pack a picnic and enjoy a free evening of live music and family fun at Rutledge Park. [Info]

🌿 Park Naturalist Pop-Up & Nature Walk
Friday, August 14 | 9–11am
Meet a Saanich park naturalist at Hyacinth Park for hands-on nature discoveries and a guided family walk through the park. [Info]

⚔️ Victoria Renaissance Faire
Saturday, August 15 | 10am–8pm
Step into a world of knights and fantasy with sword fighting, wandering performers, a medieval market and a costume contest at Banfield Park. [Info]

🌱 VegFest Victoria
Friday, August 14 | 4–8pm & Saturday, August 15 | 11am–8pm
Head to Centennial Square for plant-based food, live entertainment, local vendors and activities for kids and families. Admission by donation. [Info]

🥒 Picklefest Victoria
Saturday, August 15 | 11am–7pm
Phillips Backyard transforms into a celebration of all things pickled and fermented, with more than 35 vendors, live music and plenty of unusual snacks to try. There will be a kids fun zone, and kids 12 and under are free with a ticket-holding adult. [Info]

🍓 Flavour Trails Festival Weekend
Saturday, August 15–Sunday, August 16
Follow a self-guided trail around the Saanich Peninsula for farm visits, tastings, workshops and special experiences celebrating local food and agriculture. [Info]

🇻🇳 Soul of Vietnam
Sunday, August 16 | 11am–8pm
Celebrate Vietnamese culture at Ship Point with live music and dance, authentic food, a waterfront fashion show and a Kids Zone with games and face painting. [Info]

🍎 Orchard Market
Sunday, August 16 | 12–6pm
Spend a relaxed afternoon at Junction Orchard & Cidery browsing local makers, bakers, artisans and food vendors in a family- and pet-friendly setting. [Info]

Library Summer Drop-Ins

The library has a great lineup of free summer drop-in programs for kids and families, from storytimes and crafts to comics, artifacts, Lego, buttons, and book-themed fun.

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.