Little Local - Jan 22

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Hello friends! This recent sunshine has been such a mood booster around here, and somehow it even led to a January ocean swim by the kids. Meanwhile, they’re also asking daily when it’s going to snow 🤪

Our winter Downtown BINGO wrapped up last week and we announced our winners… Rebecca and Rose! Congrats!

And thank you to everyone who weighed in on Little Local Crew. There’s lots of interest, so I’m cooking up a few more ideas and will share what’s next soon.

Now, let’s get into it!

Crafty in Duncan

We recently made the trip up to Duncan to make t-shirts at the new studio of one of our favourite kids’ clothing brands, Whistle & Flute.

I took the two older boys, and they loved every minute. Kids can draw their own designs on a tablet or choose from Whistle & Flute’s archive of illustrations, then watch their artwork get printed onto a t-shirt.

The 1.5-hour workshop felt like the perfect length, and seeing the kids proudly put on their finished shirts at the end was such a highlight. Yes, it’s a bit of a drive from Victoria, but if you’re looking for a creative, hands-on outing that feels a little different, this one is absolutely worth it.

A Duncan Day Trip

🌲 Bright Angel Regional Park: One of the best nature stops on the drive north. There’s a playground, suspension bridge, river access on hot days, space to picnic and forests to explore.

☕ Duncan Garage Cafe & Bakery: A great stop for families in downtown Duncan. With fresh baking, easy lunch options, and good coffee, it’s a relaxed place to refuel before or after a wander.

🦅 The Raptors: This hands-on wildlife education centre near Duncan is where kids can get up close with birds of prey like eagles, owls, and hawks. Open weekends.

🗿 Hand of Man Museum: An eclectic museum filled with fossils, ancient artifacts, and natural history displays. You could spend hours here, enjoying the weird and wonderful collections. Open daily.

LittleLocal.com

If you didn’t know already, Little Local has a website! I realized I haven’t really shared what lives there, so here are a few sections you might find especially helpful:

Articles
Evergreen roundups you might recognize from the newsletter, like where to play indoors, birthday party venues, and family-friendly places to eat. Perfect to bookmark for later.

Directory
A growing list of local attractions and places to play. Easy to browse when you’re looking for something fun to do.

Library Storytimes
All the library storytimes in one place, laid out so you can quickly see what’s happening and when.

Kindergyms & Playgroups
A weekly schedule of playgroups organized by day, so you don’t have to hop between multiple calendars.

📚 What to Read: Bathe the Cat will make them laugh! It’s cleaning day, but the family cat keeps mixing up the chore list to avoid a bath, sending the household into increasingly funny chaos. We love it for the clever wordplay and rhythm, making it an easy, engaging read-aloud for ages 3–7.

🍣 What to Cook: Sushi Bowls are a hit in our house. We marinade the salmon in this teriyaki-style bbq sauce from Thrifty Foods, then serve the grilled or baked salmon with rice, avocado, and edamame beans. The kids love using cut-up seaweed squares to make their own little rolls or sushi tacos. It’s a close second to our favourite sushi nights!

🧹 Root & Rise Cleaning: Looking for a friendly, reliable, and detail-oriented cleaner? Root & Rise offers family-friendly, eco-conscious home cleaning using non-toxic products that are safe for kids, pets, and everyday life. Tell Wade I sent you!

🌿 Wild Child: Forest Playgroup is a child-led, year-round meetup in local parks that supports confidence, resilience, and a meaningful connection to nature. Families gather for relaxed hikes, free play, and circle time. Right now they meet on Tuesdays, 10am–12pm at Cuthbert Holmes Park. By donation. Reserve a spot on their website.

Want to spread the good word about your business, a hire, or just want to say hi to thousands of local Victoria families?

Upcoming

🎤 Taylor Swift Concert Party!
Friday, Jan 23 | 6–9:30pm
Sing, dance, and shake it off at this high-energy Taylor Swift–themed party for kids/teens 10-15 at Saanich Commonwealth Place. Expect music, movement, and plenty of Swiftie fun. [Info]

⚓ Community Day at the Maritime Museum of BC
Friday, Jan 24 | 9:30am–4:30pm
Enjoy free family-friendly activities, hands-on exhibits, and maritime stories during this special Community Day at the museum. From 1:30–4pm, drop in for a hands-on craft session where you can make beaded fish inspired by our coastal waters. [Info]

🤖 Archaeology & Robotics Project Display – First LEGO League
Saturday, Jan 24 | 11am–2pm
See student-led robotics and archaeology projects on display at the Royal BC Museum. A fun stop for curious kids who love building, problem-solving, and LEGO. [Info]

🏀 Open Gym for Parents + Kids
Saturday, Jan 31 | 11:15am–12:10pm
Burn off some energy in the gym at Colquitz Middle School, designed for parents and kids to play and move together. Bring your own equipment and enjoy unstructured play in the gymnasium. Registration required. [Info]

☕ Hot Chocolate Festival
Feb 1–28
Sip your way through February with creative, cozy hot chocolates served up by local cafés and shops. [Info]

🦋 Discover the Rainforest: Butterfly Gardens Mobile Workshop
Saturday, Feb 7 | 1:00–2:00 pm
Get up close with nature as the Victoria Butterfly Gardens brings insects, a tortoise, butterfly wing microscopes, feathers, and more to Crystal Pool. Hands-on learning for all ages (kids under 10 must be with an adult). [Register]

✨ Victoria at Dusk
Feb 13–15 | 5–9pm
Explore downtown Victoria after dark with illuminated art, live performances, interactive installations, and pop-up experiences during this free, family-friendly nighttime festival. Wander at your own pace and discover the city in a whole new light. [Info]

🎉 Family Day Fun Weekend with the City of Langford
Feb 13–16
Celebrate Family Day weekend with multiple days of free and low-cost activities, events, and community fun hosted across Langford. [Info]

✈️ Open Cockpit Day
Sunday, Feb 15 & Monday, Feb 16
Kids can climb inside real aircraft and explore the cockpit during this popular hands-on event at the BC Aviation Museum. [Info]

🎼 Dan Brown’s Wild Symphony
Saturday, March 7 | 3pm
Maestro Mouse leads a playful orchestral adventure inspired by the animal kingdom in this kid-friendly concert by the Victoria Symphony. A wonderful first symphony experience for young music lovers. [Info]

🐾 Gabby’s Dollhouse Live!
Saturday, March 14 | 4pm
A colourful, music-filled live show featuring Gabby, Pandy Paws, and friends on a magical adventure to save the rainbow. Perfect for preschoolers and young fans. [Info]

Ongoing

🧱 20th Annual LEGO® Brick Exhibit at the Sidney Museum
Now – April 6
Marvel at incredible LEGO creations built by local and regional builders, with detailed displays that will impress kids and adults alike. A classic family favourite that’s easy to pair with a day in Sidney. [Info]

🍽️ Dine Around Victoria
Jan 23 – Feb 8
Victoria’s favourite foodie festival returns with special prix-fixe menus and tasting experiences at restaurants across the region, including many family-friendly spots that make dining out suitable (and enjoyable!) for the whole family. [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. And some links may be affiliate links (I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you), but every product is something I genuinely love or comes recommended by someone I trust.