Little Local - June 19

Kid-friendly eats + a summer sneak peek, plus Father’s Day love, weekend events, and the Summer Adventure Passport heading to print.

Author

Little Local
June 18, 2026

New to Little Local? Subscribe here.

June has been crazy. For you too?! Between baseball, soccer, end-of-year school activities, and my oldest turning 8 tomorrow, we’ve definitely been eating out more than usual. Some nights, the cooking and cleaning just feels like too much.

So this week, I’m sharing a few fun places to dine out with kids around Greater Victoria, especially the kind of spots that turn dinner into a bit more of an outing.

Plus, Little Local’s Summer Adventure Passport is officially heading to the printer, and I’m so excited to share what’s coming for summer!

Let’s jump in!

Fun Places to Dine Out With Kids

These six places offer something a little extra, whether that’s tacos and doughnuts, watching planes take off, visiting goats or wandering through magical gardens afterward.

Benjo’s Tacos – Our family LOVES tacos, and Benjo’s is an easy, casual spot in Cook Street Village. They have a simple kids’ menu, and because they share the space with Empire Donuts, you can finish lunch with a doughnut. Then go run around at Beacon Hill Park playground!

Mary’s Bleue Moon Café – This is a fun one for kids who love planes. Mary’s Bleue Moon Café is an aviation-themed restaurant near the airport, with plane memorabilia to look at, a great patio and a kids’ menu. Pair it with a visit to the BC Aviation Museum for a plane-themed day!

My-Chosen Café – Lunch at My-Chosen makes a great beginning or end to a Metchosin adventure. Kids can say hello to the goats, miniature donkeys and chickens at Critter Corner, then you can round out the outing with a walk at Witty’s Lagoon or a beach stop at Devonian Regional Park.

Charlotte & the Quail – Charlotte & the Quail is one of those places that feels special without being too formal for kids. The children’s options are smaller, simpler versions of dishes from the main menu, along with a few fun drinks. After breakfast or lunch, wander through the Gardens at HCP next door, one of the most magical places in the area.

Ferris’ Burger & Oyster Bar – Ferris’ recently introduced a new menu, including options for kids! If it’s a nice day, don’t forget to ask for a table in the tucked-away courtyard. It feels a little magical back there and makes for a lovely family dinner pre or post downtown stroll!

Flying Otter Grill – With floatplanes taking off and landing just outside, there’s plenty to keep kids entertained while you wait for your meal. Wander the docks afterward and look for sea stars, jellyfish and other marine life in the harbour!

What matters most when dining out with kids?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Exploring New Foods

We’ve all been there: you put dinner on the table and your child rejects it before it’s even been tasted. Selective eating is a normal part of childhood, and a few small shifts can make mealtimes feel less stressful. Our friends at Sprout Family Health suggest:

🥕 Keep offering it. Serve a tiny portion without pressure. Seeing a food regularly helps it become more familiar.

🥕 Talk about learning taste buds. Try saying, “Your taste buds might not be sure yet. We can try it again another day.”

🥕 Include at least one familiar food. That way, they'll always have something to fill their tummy.

🥕 Make new foods together. Being part of the cooking process can make them more curious and more willing to taste what they helped create.

Need help making mealtimes easier?

Your Summer Bucket List

Little Local’s FREE Summer Adventure Passport is officially on its way to the printer! I’m so excited to bring it back after seeing how much fun you all had with last year’s activities, perks and prizes.

New around here? The Summer Adventure Passport is your family’s bucket list of easy, affordable adventures around Greater Victoria. Complete at least 10 of the 15 activities throughout July and August, snap a photo of your finished passport and enter to win one of three grand prizes!

And don’t forget the Passport Perks. Show your passport at participating local businesses to enjoy free ice cream, discounts on kids’ meals and admission, and plenty more.

👉🏼 Passport Pickup Party: Be among the first to pick up a copy next Saturday, June 27, from 10am–12pm at Uptown on the Boulevard. Exact location to come ;)

Starting July 1, passports will also be available at Victoria City Hall downtown and Thistle & Wren in Fernwood. And if you have a printer at home, we make it easy for subscribers to print our digital version as well.

Summer plans change and new camps are still being added! Here are a few great options with spaces still available.

🏺 Ceramics Camp (Saanich Rec)
Kids ages 6–9 and 9–12 can get creative with clay, making sculptural projects while enjoying outdoor games and activities. These half-day camps were added late, so there are still spots available!

🔬 Junior Scientists (Science Venture)
Grade 1 campers can explore physics, chemistry, biology and more through hands-on activities, campus field trips and visits to UVic’s science facilities. Use code LL50 for $50 off.

🛠️ Mini Makers (Science Venture)
Kids in Grades 1–4 can tackle hands-on projects, engineering challenges, creative problem-solving and computer science fun. Use code LL50 for $50 off.

🛶 Kayaking Essentials (EcoQuest / Braefoot)
Kids ages 8–12 can build their kayaking skills with a week of paddling, rescues, navigation, safety, paddleboarding and West Coast exploring around places like Todd Inlet, the Gorge, Oak Bay and more.

Little Local is free to read and independently run by me (Sarah 👋🏼 ) each week. If it helps your family find fun things to do, discover local gems, or feel more connected to the community, consider supporting me below.

Every contribution helps keep Little Local going and helps me keep creating free resources for local families.

Thanks for being here!

Happy Father’s Day to the dads, grandpas, stepdads, uncles, and father figures bringing the snacks, the fun, the calm, and the love. Hope you feel celebrated this Sunday! 💙

Multicultural Festival

🗓️ Sunday, June 21 | 11am–3pm
📍 Uptown Boulevard

Uptown’s Multicultural Festival is a free, family-friendly celebration on Uptown Boulevard with live music, dance, cultural performances, international food vendors, community booths, and activities for all ages. It’s a fun way to experience the many cultures that make up our community, try something tasty, and enjoy an afternoon outside with the kids.

⚽ Soccer Fever

Market Square: Market Square will be showing select World Cup matches outdoors on June 18–21, June 24–28, July 4–5, July 9–11 and July 14–19. Check the full schedule for teams and kickoff times.

Langford Station: Langford Station is showing most matches live on a giant outdoor screen, with food trucks, live entertainment, a licensed garden and a kids’ zone. Check their events calendar to confirm what’s playing.

This Weekend

🌿 National Indigenous Peoples Day at Royal Roads
Friday, June 19 | 10am–3pm
Gather at Royal Roads University for a free community celebration of Indigenous cultures, traditions and knowledge. The day includes performances, activities, food and children’s field games, with everyone welcome to attend. [Info]

🧙 Children’s Garden Gnome Hunt
June 19–21
Ten mischievous garden gnomes are hiding throughout The Butchart Gardens! Kids can pick up a map, track down all ten and return their completed map for a special gift. [Info]

🚂 Heritage Acres Summer Fair
Saturday, June 20 & Sunday, June 21 | 9am–4pm
Ride the miniature trains and explore heritage displays, old-fashioned machinery and family activities at Heritage Acres in Saanichton. [Info]

🎶 Solstice & Song with Wild Child
Saturday, June 20 | 5-6:30pm
Gather at Memorial Park in Esquimalt for a magical summer evening of music, community and outdoor play. Bring a family picnic and support Wild Child’s free, accessible nature playgroup. [Info]

🐉 Victoria Dragon Boat Festival
Saturday, June 20 | All day
Cheer on dragon boat teams and enjoy cultural performances and activities around the Inner Harbour and Ship Point. [Info]

👟 Father’s Day Walk/Run for Prostate Cancer
Sunday, June 21
Walk or run a family-friendly 3K or 5K route while supporting local prostate cancer patients and their families. Participants of all ages are welcome, and all funds raised stay on Vancouver Island. [Info]

Upcoming

⭐ Passport Pickup Party
Saturday, June 27 | 10am–12pm
Head to the Boulevard at Uptown to find me handing out free Little Local Summer Adventure Passports! Stop by to grab your passport, say hi, and get ready for two months of easy local adventures, perks, and prizes!

🍝 Victoria Italian Day
Sunday, June 28 | 12–5pm
Celebrate Italian culture with live music, food, gelato, classic cars and family fun at the Leonardo Da Vinci Italian Cultural Centre. Free. [Info]

☕ Sunday Circle: Art + Play
Sunday, June 28 | 9–11 am
A new monthly family gathering with coffee, connection, expert-led learning, and open-ended play for kids 0-7. This first session held at Memorial Park in Esquimalt, features art therapist Erin Robinson sharing how creativity supports children’s development and wellbeing. [Info]

🍓 Saanich Strawberry Festival
Sunday, July 5 | 11am–4pm
Enjoy live music, kids’ activities, crafts and strawberries and ice cream at Beaver Lake Regional Park. Admission is free. [Info]

🎶 Victoria Folk Music Festival
Saturday, July 4
Spend the day enjoying live folk music, local food, an artisan market and a children’s area at Royal Athletic Park. [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.