Parents, aunts and uncles, and grandparents that are in need of things to do, skip the brainstorming and keep reading!
Whether your family is coming to visit, or you need ideas for you and your kids, we’ve compiled a list of family-friendly activities to check out.
For ease, it’s been split into two categories: lower and higher cost. The lower contains activities that either have a small fee or none at all, whereas the higher cost’s admission fees cover the more expensive ideas.
Choose your own adventure based on your comfortability and have fun!
Without further ado, here’s the official list of family-friendly things to do with loved ones this summer:
Lower cost:
Visit Fisherman’s Wharf
Fisherman’s Wharf is a charming gem, accessible by water taxi from Victoria’s Inner Harbour or a quick stroll from Odgen Point.
Once there, guests are welcome to browse the eclectic stores, check out eco-tours, stroll the docks and look at the neat houses, pick up a local meal and more!
It’s free to access the docks, and any extras you purchase are up to you.
- Where: 12 Erie Street
- When: Open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Meet Up at Momease
Moms of Victoria, this is for you!
The Meet Up at Momease is located within the Momease Baby Boutique, and contains a custom play space, party room and multipurpose area for children five-years-old and younger.
Come on by for some baby socialization and make some new friends with other moms, all for a $10 drop-in fee.
Check the Momease Baby Boutique website for all of the party and booking details!
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- Where: 1581 Hillside Avenue
- When: Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (weekends available by booking)
Picnic at Cadboro-Gyro Park
Cadboro-Gyro Park provides the ultimate beach day experience with the family!
Between long-strewn sandy beaches, a massive playground, tons of greenspace, picnic tables and accessible washrooms, you can stay all morning and afternoon with no stress.
Plus, it’s completely free!
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- Where: Sinclair Road
- When: Open seven days a week from dawn until dusk
Fort Rodd Hill and Lighthouse
Bring your family to tour through Fort Rodd Hill, a 19th century west coast artillery fortress that was active from 1895 to 1956.
Then, check out the Fisgard Lighthouse—the oldest on the west coast. Take your time reading the personal stories from all the soldiers and lighthouse keepers, as well.
And the best part? Parks Canada is offering free admission until September 2nd!
- Where: 603 Fort Rodd Hill Road
- When: Open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Beacon Hill Children’s Farm
For four decades, the Beacon Hill Children’s Farm has been a place where families, animal lovers and curious little ones come to connect with farm life!
Located right in the heart of Victoria, the farm hosts pigs, chickens, goats, donkeys, alpacas, ducks and more.
Admission is by donation!
- Where: 815 Circle Drive
- When: Open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Interactivity Board Game Cafe
Gather with your loved ones and enjoy a night at the Interactivity Board Game Cafe.
There are endless amounts of games to choose from and you can also treat yourself to a delicious food or beverage menu item while you play.
If you find a game you love, you can purchase it in their store section and take it home with you!
It’s $7 per person to sit and play.
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- Where: 723 Yates Street
- When:
- Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Higher cost:
Miniature World
Attached to the hip of the Fairmont Empress, this big little world features over 85 exciting miniature dioramas and displays!
It’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in Victoria and is definitely worth a visit if you’ve never been.
Now’s your chance to step into the Story Books of fact, fiction and fantasy.
Admission rate for an adult is $19, $11 for a youth aged 13 to 17 years old, and $9 for a child aged 5 to 12 years old.
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- Where: 649 Humboldt Street
- When: Open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (last admission is 8:15 p.m.)
Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea
Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea offers a fun, interactive and informative experience of science and culture to visitors of all ages!
It’s home to many incredible features including 35 aquarium habitats with more than 160 marine species and 3,500 animals including a giant Pacific octopus and wolf eels.
There are also shallow pools to get up close to colourful sea stars, urchins, anemones, and sea cucumbers!
An adult day pass is $18.50, $13 for those ages 13 years and up, and $9 for children ages 4 to 12.
- Where: 9811 Seaport Place
- When: Thursday to Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Victoria Bug Zoo
Described as a hands-on experience you’ll never forget, the Victoria Bug Zoo offers a close-up look at some of the most wonderful (and often horrifying) creatures in the world!
Marvel over the blending abilities of certain insects, gawk at the hairy legs of tarantulas, and admire the strength of ants.
You may even get the opportunity to hold something, if you dare!
Admission varies depending on age—$18 for adults, $8 for children aged 5 to 17, and free for 4 and under.
- Where: 631 Courtney Street
- When: Open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Butterfly Gardens
Humid, naturally-lit, filled with tropical animals and plants, the Butterfly Gardens is the perfect place to spend a couple of hours!
You begin by browsing their collection of exotic bugs and slowly move towards their vibrant jungle adventure that’s been beautifully crafted for visitors and animals alike.
The ceilings are high to allow for spacious flying zones and growing trees. There are also multiple water features and plenty of gorgeous flowers to peek at.
Ticket prices vary, but a general adult ticket is $20 for adults and $9.50 for children aged 5 to 12-years-old.
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- Where: 1461 Benvenuto Avenue, Brentwood Bay
- When:
- Monday to Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Thursday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Butchart Gardens
If you’re after the magic and vibrancy of flowers, Butchart Gardens lives up to its hype, offering a variety of attractions and activities in addition to the hundreds of floral species.
Themed gardens include the Sunken Garden, Rose Garden and Japanese Garden. Other activities include the tearoom and fireworks on Saturdays.
Admission is season dependent, but for the summer, adult passes are $42.75, $21.38 for kids aged 13 to 17-years-old, and $5 for children aged 5 to 12-years-old.
- Where: 800 Benvenuto Avenue, Brentwood Bay
- When:
- Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Wednesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The Malahat SkyWalk
The Malahat Skywalk is one of Vancouver Island’s most unique outdoor experiences, and contains breathtaking views, good eats, a giant slide and more!
Just 35 minutes from downtown Victoria, the Skywalk is more than just a spiral tower. It’s a peaceful forest stroll, an outdoor art gallery, and an epic view spot all rolled into one.
Children 5-years-old and younger get in for free, it’s $26.95 for kids aged 6 to 17-years-old, and adult passes are $42.95.
- Where: 901 Trans-Canada Highway, Malahat
- When:
- Monday to Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Thursday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Dino Lab
Dino Lab Inc. is a high-tech, low-tech, all fun fossil restoration lab right in Victoria!
You can organize your own trip to take a look at their private gallery and prep lab to get a taste of what these incredibly dedicated individuals get up to. Check out the Junior Programs while you’re there.
Prices will vary depending on the kind of tour you would like, but regular tours start at $40 and can be booked here.
- Where: 43 & 45 Erie Street Unit #100
- When: Open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
If we’ve missed a family-favourite of yours, let us know in the comments!
