Little Local – July 10

How’s your summer going 😅? We have a nice low tide this morning, and Willows Beach is safe for swimming again, which is great news because it’s shaping up to be a HOT week ahead!

If you need a place to keep cool, Victoria has some wonderful indoor spaces to explore and learn, like the public library and the Royal BC Museum. With storytime back up and running, we’re sharing the summer hours below. Plus, there’s a fantastic interactive exhibit 🎵 at the Museum right now, and you can follow it up with a family-friendly IMAX film!

📚 Summer Storytime at the Library

Storytime is back at your local library! There are two different programs for the little ones: Baby Time (songs, rhymes, and fingerplays – best up to 18mths) and Family Storytime (fun-filled stories, songs, rhymes, and puppets). Both include 30 minutes of social time and free play.

Schedule for July 7 – August 2nd

Monday
Oak Bay Branch Family @ 10:30am-11:30am

Tuesday
Central Branch Family @ 10:30am-11:30am
Saanich Centennial Family @ 10:30am-11:30am
Langford Heritage Baby @ 11:30am-12:30pm

Wednesday
Oak Bay Branch Family @ 10:30am-11:30am
Central Branch Baby @ 11:30am-12:30pm
Juan de Fuca Family @ 10:30am-11:30am

Thursday
Saanich Centennial Baby @ 11:30am-12:30pm
Juan de Fuca Baby @ 11:30am-12:30pm

Friday
Oak Bay Branch Baby @ 11:30am-12:30pm
Langford Heritage Family @ 10:30am-11:30am

📚 Summer Reading for Bigger Kids

If your kids 5+ haven’t signed up for the Summer Reading Club at the library yet, it’s not too late! It’s a fun (and free) way to help kids keep up their reading all summer long. My kids love checking off each day they read, and then heading to the library for a new sticker and a little prize every week. Plus, there are special events and activities too! Head on over to your public library branch to grab your summer reading package.

🎸 On Now at the Museum

One of the activities in Little Local’s Summer Adventure Passport is ‘Go to the museum,’ and if you’re heading to the Royal BC Museum to check off that activity, definitely check out the Beyond the Beat exhibit. Friends who went last weekend said it was amazing! The displays are super dynamic and there are lots of hands-on parts for kids. You get to learn the stories behind iconic songs and artists who used music to stand up for what they believed in. It’s such a cool way to see how music has inspired change and action throughout history.

🎥 Family-friendly IMAX films:

Great Bear Rainforest: Go on an immersive journey through BC's wild habitats where, wolves, sea otters, and the rare spirit bear are shown against the forest’s stunning coastal backdrop (41mins). [Trailer]

T.Rex: Dive into the world of the Tyrant Lizard King with jaw-dropping CGI and fresh paleontology discoveries. Perfect for dino-curious kiddos (42mins). [Trailer]

Call of the Dolphins: Experience the playful lives and fascinating intelligence of wild dolphins, and meet the rescuers who help stranded friends (40mins). [Trailer]

Elephants: The Ultimate Giants: Discover the lives of Earth’s largest land animals, from family bonds to incredible migrations (40 mins). [Trailer]

All four are showing daily (often in both 2D and 3D) on the big IMAX screen at the museum. It’s a great way to wrap up your visit!

We have a nice low tide this morning. And… Willows Beach is safe for swimming again! Grab your sunscreen, buckets, shovels, and hat!

🦷 Wheely Clean makes it so easy to get your whole family’s teeth cleaned this summer — they come right to your home and are great with the kids! It might even be the perfect time to treat yourself, too: they’re offering $50 off teeth whitening when you show your Summer Adventure Passport.

🧀 Ottavio is the perfect summer stop. Come for the amazing deli goods and stay for the espresso and gelato. Show your Summer Adventure Passport and your kiddo gets a free scoop of gelato!

🥦 Part & Parcel is one of the best restaurants in Victoria, located in the heart of Quadra Village. You can count on P&P for delicious, inventive food that always hits the mark. Make sure you complete the Passport this summer so you can enter to win a $150 gift certificate to P&P for the ultimate date night!

📅 Upcoming Events

📘 Stories in the Park: Thursday, July 10 | 10am-11am
Head down to Saxe Point Park every Thursday in July & August for stories by Canadian authors, followed by a fun activity. Great for kiddos 2-5, but everyone’s welcome. [Info]

🎭 Skampede: Friday, July 11 – Sunday, July 13
Enjoy a curated weekend of 10‑minute live performances – comedy, music, dance, theatre, and more, on family-friendly pedestrian or cycling tours along scenic trails in Victoria! [Info]

🍓 Central Saanich Flavour Trails: Saturday, July 12 & Sunday, July 13
Grab the kids and spend the weekend exploring local farms, markets, and tasty stops around Central Saanich with this self-guided tour! Meet farmers, taste fresh goodies, and enjoy fun activities, including mini golf at Island View. [Info]

🌅 Gonzales Sunset Beach Party: Saturday, July 12 | 4:30pm–7:30pm
Pack a picnic and celebrate arts and community at Gonzales Beach. Enjoy crafts, local food, artisan vendors, live music, and free stand-up paddleboarding tours! [Info]

🎉 Royal Bay 10-Year Anniversary Celebration: Saturday, July 12 | 1pm–4pm
Head down to Quarry Park to celebrate a decade of Royal Bay with live entertainment, family activities, and treats for everyone. [Info]

🚗 Light 'EmUp.TV’s Summer Car Show: Saturday, July 12 | 11am–5pm
Head up to the rooftop at Mayfair Mall for a fun car show with music and cool rides. Your car-loving kids will be thrilled! [Info]

🎆 Fireworks at The Butchart Gardens: Saturday, July 12 | 10pm
End a summer evening with spectacular fireworks choreographed to music by Jennie Butchart’s great-grandson. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy a world-class fireworks show, included with your Gardens admission! [Info]

🪱 Life in the Dirt: Parent & Child Nature Program: Sat, July 12 | 10 am–12 pm
A hands-on workshop for families with kids ages 3–7 (but all are welcome!) at the Compost Education Centre. Learn about composting worms, seeds, and soil critters. Kids get to plant seeds and take them home. $12 [Tickets]

🚗 Oak Bay Collector Car Festival: Sunday, July 13 | 8am–3pm
Stroll past hundreds of classic cars on Oak Bay Ave, chat with collectors, and enjoy local food, perfect for little car enthusiasts! [Info]

⚓ Sensory-Friendly Hours: Sunday, July 13 | 9:30am–12pm
A quieter time to explore the Maritime Museum with lower lighting and hands-on fun for kids who prefer a calm setting. [Info]

🐝 Buzzapalooza: Sunday, July 13 | 1–4pm
Celebrate the magic of pollinators and other amazing insects at Bilston Creek Farm with live demos, kids’ crafts, honey tastings, and farm-fresh treats! [Info]

💜 Summer Lavender Festival: every weekend in July | 1pm–6pm
Head over to Bilston Creek Farm for a peaceful afternoon in the sun and lavender fields. Wander the blooming fields, listen to live music, and enjoy local treats. [Info]

🌸 Flower Pressing at HCP: Tuesday, July 15 | 1:30pm–3pm
Learn how to press flowers and create beautiful keepsakes at the Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific – a lovely activity for kids and parents together! [Tickets]

🎨 Art Gallery Paint-In: Saturday, July 19th | 11am-4pm (on Moss St), 11am - 6pm (in Gallery) | Moss Street & Art Gallery of Greater Victoria | Join thousands for Victoria’s biggest art bash! Enjoy live art demos, kid-friendly activities, and food trucks. [Info]

🌾 Local Folk Summer Fair: Sunday, July 20 | 11am–4pm
Relax at Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse with live folk music, local eats, and family fun at this charming countryside fair. [Info]

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.