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I can’t get over how dark the evenings are getting, and we still have a ways to go before the shortest day of the year! On the bright side, we don’t have to stay out nearly as late to enjoy all the spooky yards popping up around the neighbourhood.

If you’re making Halloween plans, I’ll keep updating the Halloween Guide I shared last week as I come across more events and activities. Our Spooky House Map is now live too, though I’d suggest saving your tour for the week leading up to Halloween, when more displays are ready.

And for those cooler, wetter days when you still want to get out with the kids, a nature house visit paired with a short walk makes a lovely outing. We have a few around Greater Victoria, and this week’s Local Find shines a spotlight on Swan Lake’s Nature House in Saanich.

Swan Lake Nature House + Nature Trails

Swan Lake makes an easy outing with the kids: start with a little exploring inside the Nature House, then head out to see what you can spot around the sanctuary.

Start at the Nature House
Kids can check out the bee hive, dress up as a wetland creature and browse a nature book. It’s a small stop that gives them plenty to investigate, and a chance to learn about the wildlife living right here in Saanich. The Nature House is open Tuesday–Friday, 10am–4pm, and Saturday, 11am–3pm. Admission is by donation, with $10 suggested per family.

Wander around Swan Lake
A floating boardwalk brings you right into the wetland, with plenty of opportunities to look for birds along the way. Follow the 2.5 km lake loop or keep things short with a stroll out to the boardwalk and back. The lake trail is stroller accessible, though there’s a hillier section on the south side. Trails are open daily from dawn to dusk. Pets aren’t permitted in the sanctuary, so you’ll have to leave furry friends at home.

Up for a little more? Try Christmas Hill
Christmas Hill is nearby and offers a different kind of adventure, with Garry oaks, rocky trails and views across Victoria from the summit. You can reach it on foot from Swan Lake via the connecting trail. Choose this option for kids keen on a climb, and leave the stroller behind, as the trail has uneven rocks and stone steps.

Give your walk a little mission 🍂
Bring along the fall scavenger hunt printable I shared last week and see what the kids can find along the way. It’s a great way to slow down and notice the little things, whether you’re exploring the boardwalk or heading up Christmas Hill.

Getting four kids out the door means transitions are a very familiar challenge in our house. This week, I’ve invited the team at Sprout Family Health to share a few simple ways to make moving from one activity to the next a little easier.

Why does getting out the door feel like climbing a mountain?

Transitions can be hard, especially for young kids who are absorbed in what they’re doing and still learning what “five more minutes” means. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Here are a few small things to try:

Make time more concrete. A visual timer or a familiar song can help kids understand when it’s time to switch activities. “When this song finishes, we’ll put our shoes on” gives them a clear cue to follow.

Bring a little play into the process. Can they stomp like a dinosaur to the shoe rack or help their stuffed animal get ready for bed? A playful invitation can help get things moving.

Keep the order predictable. Simple routines help kids know what to expect. When brushing teeth always comes before storytime, there’s a little less to figure out each night.

There’s no trick that makes every transition easy. But small, consistent changes can help make these everyday moments feel more manageable.

Looking for support with the questions that come with raising kids? Get to know Sprout Family Health and explore whether a membership could be a good fit for your family.

🛍️ Thistle & Wren’s Customer Appreciation Sale is back this weekend. Enjoy 20% off storewide, with some exclusions. Shop in-store on Saturday, October 17, or online on Sunday, October 18. A good time to pick up the next size up or get a head start on holiday gifts!

🥪 Lunch at NICO. Pick up lunch at NICO, a new, independent kitchen and deli inside Farmy at 2897 Foul Bay Road. Alongside sandwiches, you’ll find an assortment of cheeses, charcuterie plates and cookies. Editor’s note: Nicole is wonderful, and her sandwiches are truly the best!

This Weekend

🚂 Halloween Express at Heritage Acres
Friday, October 16 & Saturday, October 17 | 4–8pm; Sunday, October 18 | 2–6pm
Catch the last public train rides of the season at Heritage Acres, 7321 Lochside Drive in Saanichton! This Halloween event is all about trains, with no other activities on site. [Info]

🎃 Spooky 3: Revenge of the Markets
Saturday, October 17 & Sunday, October 18 | 11am–4pm
Browse spooky handmade goods and enjoy food and Halloween atmosphere at Langford Station, 720 Station Avenue. Free, family-friendly and happening rain or shine. [Info]

📚 Holiday Play Days at Indigo
Saturday, October 17 & Sunday, October 18 | Various times
Enjoy storytime and toy testing on Saturday, then Nook Nooks, sticker activities and MAGNA-TILES building on Sunday at Indigo Mayfair. Sunday sessions require registration and cost $5 plus fees, including a $5 Indigo gift card. [Info]

🎵 Les Petits matins en musique
Saturday, October 17 | 10–11am
Enjoy French nursery rhymes, musical games and playful activities with La Société francophone de Victoria. For children ages 0–6 and their parents. Free. Registration required. [Info]

🐝 From Hive to Honey Jar
Saturday, October 17 | 12pm
Discover the Root Cellar’s resident bees, learn how honey is made and try spinning it from the honeycomb at The Potting Shed, McKenzie Corner. Free and family-friendly; registration required. [Register]

📚 Victoria Festival of Authors KidsFest
Saturday, October 17 | 12:30–3:30pm
Meet authors, listen to readings and enjoy activities at this free celebration for young readers in the Fernwood Community Centre gymnasium. Writing workshops require sign-up. [Info]

🦄 The Unicorn’s Birthday
Saturday, October 17 | 3pm; instrument petting zoo at 2pm
Victoria Symphony brings musical animals and an interactive birthday celebration to the Farquhar at UVic. Designed for young families and sensory-friendly audiences, with a chance to try real instruments before the concert. [Info & tickets]

🐟 Sea Shirt Sunday
Sunday, October 18 | 1–3pm
Make fish prints at the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea in Sidney! Bring a T-shirt, cloth bag or pillowcase and $2 for fabric paint. Regular admission applies. No registration required. [Info]

🚂 Halloween Train Opens This Weekend
October 16–20, 23–26 & 28–30 | Train departures 4–9pm
Head to the BC Forest Discovery Centre near Duncan for a Halloween train ride, crafts, trick-or-treat stations and live entertainment. Earlier rides are recommended for younger children. A few tickets left! [Info & tickets]

Upcoming

🖐🏼 Yes to Mess
Thursday, October 22 | 9:30–10:30am
Outdoor art and sensory play at Majestic Park for children ages 6 months–5 years and their caregivers. $15 drop-in. Dress for the weather and the mess! [Info]

🐙 A-scare-ium of the Salish Sea
Friday, October 23 | 4:30–8pm
Explore the aquarium after dark with eerie displays, underwater jack-o’-lanterns and trick-or-treating at the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea. Costumes welcome! Suggested donation is $5–10 per person. [Info]

👻 Wicked Victoria
Sunday, October 25 | 10am–3pm
Put the costumes on and head downtown for this free Halloween festival! Government Street and Bastion Square will be filled with live entertainment, kids’ activities, vendors and trick-or-treating. [Info]

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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.