Canada | $ CAD
USA & International | $ USD
Things to do on Vancouver Island with kids
Living on Vancouver Island has given our family so many opportunities to explore beautiful places close to home. And whether you live here or are just visiting, I’m sure you’ll agree that there are lots of awesome things to do on Vancouver Island! I’ll be sharing my family’s favourite spots to explore around Victoria and the lower part of the island.
Enjoy a Walk Around Beacon Hill Park
My toddler asks to come here the most, and it’s one of my favourites too! Peacocks roam freely in this beautiful park and there are plenty of ducks to feed! Stroll around the ponds and watch the herons fly above. Try to find the turtles hanging out on the log in the big pond under the bridge. We always bring a picnic, have a play at the playground, and bring peanuts for all the squirrels we see.
Play at Gyro Beach
Spend an afternoon at the coolest playground right on the beach in Cadboro Bay. The sea serpent and giant octopus to slide down are a hit, as well as the always popular zip line! It’s perfect for kids that love to explore by the water and is a great spot for a family day visit.
Hop on a Harbor Ferry
This has got to be one of our favourite things to do downtown. The little harbor ferry is a great way to get from the Inner Harbor to Fisherman’s Wharf. It’s also fun just for a ride if you choose to do a loop of the gorge and harbor. We love hopping on the ferry by the Empress hotel and riding over to the wharf. There are some fun houseboats to see and lots of great little restaurants! We usually grab some fries and watch the kayakers or hit the playground! Definitely a spot to check out if you’re in Victoria!
Take a Road Trip Up Island
A drive anywhere on the island has such beautiful scenery! There are some cool forests along the way that are perfect for a break or to spend the day exploring. At Goldstream Park, you can hike to a beautiful waterfall. A little further up the highway is Bright Angel Park, where you can walk across a suspension bridge. Cathedral Grove is a truly magical-looking forest full of massive old growth trees! We always make time to stop in Parksville at the community park for a play at the splash pad and sandy beach. If you’re looking for more of a family hike, we suggest driving up the west coast to Mystic and China beach. The trails aren’t too difficult, and the beach is worth every step.
On this beautiful coast surrounded by ocean and mountains, there are tons of things to do on Vancouver Island! I hope these ideas lead you to some fun-filled family adventures!
– Dana, island-living mother of two
Looking for things to do on Vancouver mainland? We've got you covered in this blog post!