Little Local - Jan 29

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Good morning! It’s my husband’s birthday today, celebrated quickly before school drop-off. Cake after school is the plan!

In today’s newsletter, we’re sharing a recent day trip to Sidney, a handful of spring break camps that might not be on your radar yet, details on the hot chocolate festival kicking off this weekend, and a few other events worth pencilling into the calendar.

Catch you next week!

A Day in Sidney ✨

Last weekend we packed up the boys and the grandparents, and headed to Sidney for one of our favourite day trips. First stop: the Sidney Museum to check out their annual LEGO Exhibit (on now until April 6). We go every year, but this one felt especially good. The scavenger hunt had the kids fully dialed in, inspecting every display and spotting details we definitely would have missed otherwise.

After we completed the scavenger hunt, it was time to refuel. We made a beeline for Scotty’s Dog Shack across the street, which is always a hit and keeps things moving without a big sit-down meal.

Next up was the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea, where we could have easily spent the rest of the afternoon. Tanks and touch pools, but the real highlight was Chuck the octopus, who was out and about, clearly on a mission to find his lunch.

We wrapped up the day beachcombing at Glass Beach, with pockets full of sea glass and a fossilized shark tooth (?!), perfect timing for Darcy’s show and tell.

If you’re looking for an easy, high-reward family outing, Sidney is always a good idea.

Spring Break Camps

I have some mildly alarming news: if you’re hoping to get your kids into Spring Break camps, now’s the time to register. Many options are already open, and spots are filling up fast.

If you usually default to your local rec centre (they have great programs!), here are a few Spring Break camps you might not have thought to check: WildPlay Victoria (outdoor adventure), Kaleidoscope Theatre (creative drama camps for ages 5–12), Glenlyon Norfolk School (sports and specialty programs open to the community), Birdhouse Creative Studio (art-focused, screen-free creativity), Vikes Athletics (multi-sport camps at UVic), and Byte Camp (coding and game design for ages 9–12).

📚 If I Built a House by Chris Van Dusen is one of my favourite kids’ books because it captures how kids think with no rules, no boundaries, just pure imagination. It’s a great read for slowing down, listening, and letting kids lead the creative conversation.

 🎂 Best Chocolate Cake: We’re celebrating a birthday today, which feels like the perfect time to share our favourite chocolate cake recipe from Add A Pinch. I use this cake as a base for most of our birthdays and usually top it with a whipped cream + cream cheese frosting for decorating. It’s the perfect balance of rich and moist, and most importantly, it’s reliably good.

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

🌲 WildPlay Victoria: Looking for an adventurous option for school breaks? WildPlay Victoria offers Spring Break and Pro-D Day camps for kids ages 5–14, featuring zip lines, aerial courses, and outdoor challenges, including a Spring Break camp running March 16–20 for ages 10–14.

🛍️ Thistle & Wren’s Winter Sale is on with 40–70% off select collections. Shop in-store Saturday, Jan 31 (10am–5pm) or online Sunday, Feb 1 (5am–11:59pm).

Upcoming

🔬 Passport to Science Expo
Saturday, Jan 31, 2026 | 10am–2pm
A free, family-friendly Science Expo at Tillicum Centre (near Old Navy) where kids can explore dinosaurs, live bugs, robots, and hands-on experiments in an inclusive, curiosity-sparking environment. [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]

✨ Wassail Day at Sea Cider
Sunday, Feb 1 | 11–4pm
Celebrate the old orchard tradition of Wassailing with live music, warm cider, and a joyful blessing of the apple trees to welcome a bountiful year ahead. A cozy, festive, and family-friendly winter outing at Sea Cider. [Info]

💌 Wild in Love: Valentine’s Day Card Making
Feb 6–8 | 12–3pm
Love is in the air at the Royal BC Museum! Stop by the card-making station and create a heartfelt Valentine for someone special, with all supplies provided for crafting a one-of-a-kind card to brighten their day. [Info]

🦋 Discover the Rainforest: Butterfly Gardens Mobile Workshop
Saturday, Feb 7 | 1–2 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]

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