Little Local – July 3

Do your kids have a Summer Adventure Passport yet?

You (and your kids) have the next two months to check off 15 mini adventures — and the Passport Perks are good until the end of August. One of the activities is “go for ice cream,” so in today’s issue we’ve rounded up the best spots in Victoria to grab a sweet scoop.

👉🏼 Sign up for our newsletter to get the Summer Adventure Passport in your welcome email: www.littlelocalvictoria.com/subscribe

Victoria’s Sweetest Scoops

Here’s our list of where to go for ice cream this summer:

🍦 49 Below — 49 Below is the best if you love trying new and unique flavours (hello, Cheezies?!). They make small batches with local ingredients, so there’s always something different. Personal favourites: Vietnamese Coffee and Honeycomb. Find them on Cadboro Bay Rd and now in Fernwood. Show your passport for 10% off your purchase this summer!

🍦 Parachute Ice Cream — Parachute does seasonal flavours really well. Everything is made in-house in small batches, and their flavours are always interesting! Locations in Victoria (Burnside), Langford, and Oak Bay.

🍦 Cold Comfort — We love Cold Comfort for their big, delicious ice cream sandwiches and unique flavours. They’re also really thoughtful about offering good dairy-free options, so there’s something for everyone. Find them on North Park St. and now on Cook!

🍦 Beacon Drive‑In — A real Victoria classic. They’ve been serving soft serve since the 1950s, and it’s one of those simple treats that just hits the spot, especially after a walk in Beacon Hill Park. Kids love the twisting tower of goodness!

🍦 Better Acres — A farm-to-scoop ice cream shop right downtown. They make small-batch ice cream with fresh BC dairy and seasonal flavours. The perfect place to grab a scoop after exploring downtown.

🍦 Hidden Gem Ice Cream — Small-batch, plant-based, and true to its name! Creative flavours, natural ingredients, and fresh waffle cones make this hidden gem worth seeking out in Cook Street Village.

🍦 Mosi Gelato — Mosi on W. Saanich Rd is a lovely little spot for real, Italian-style gelato. The flavours are dense and rich, often made with seasonal or foraged ingredients, and they have refreshing sorbets too!

🍦 Ottavio — This Oak Bay gem is part Italian deli, part café, and their gelato is so so good. It’s a nice place to sit outside with a scoop and an espresso. Come for what might feel like a mini escape to Europe! Enjoy a free kids scoop when you present your Passport!

The Passport says you only need to go for ice cream once… but I highly recommend trying all of these spots at least once this summer. 😉

Hit REPLY if you have another favourite spot that should be on this list!

Sun Safety: Less Drama, Fewer Sunburns

If your kids fight sunscreen and whine about it like mine do, you’re not alone. But sunscreen is non-negotiable even on cloudy or cooler summer days. Just one blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles the risk of melanoma later on. ^source

The good news? Skin cancer is largely preventable with sunscreen. It helps to know the different types and how they work so you can make a more informed choice the next time you’re stocking up.

There are three main types: physical, chemical, and hybrid:

1) Physical (mineral) sunscreens sit on top of your skin and physically block and deflect UV rays. They’re often white (but come in fun tints, too). Look for active ingredients like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. They tend to be less irritating and safer for kids’ sensitive skin.

2) Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays and convert them into heat that’s released from the skin. They’re lightweight and easy to blend, but some ingredients (like oxybenzone) can be more irritating, and research is still ongoing about long-term safety.

3) Hybrid sunscreens combine both.

Pediatricians and dermatologists still recommend physical (mineral) sunscreens as the safest bet for kids — but really, the best sunscreen is the one you’ll actually use.

Ones We Like

1. Sun Bum SPF 50 Spray – mineral liquid spray with zinc and titanium

2. All Good SPF 30 Spray – unscented mineral spray, a bit hard to rub in

3. Sun Bum Original SPF 30 – smells good, easy to apply

4. Sun Bum Face Stick SPF 50 – tiny, easy to apply, kids LOVE to put it on

Sunscreen Tips

✔️ Pick broad-spectrum SPF 30+ — it blocks about 97% of UVB rays.
✔️ Reapply every 2 hours, even on cloudy days.
✔️ Skip sprays if you can — they’re harder to apply evenly and can be inhaled.
✔️ Don’t forget lips! Use SPF lip balm.
✔️ Keep babies in the shade, but use sunscreen if that’s not possible.
✔️ If you can, patch test new products to avoid irritation.

Sun safety is more than just lotion. Hang out in the shade, cover up with hats and sunglasses, and protect all skin tones — no one’s immune.

Here’s to sun-safe summer days! ☀️🧴🧢

☕ Kanteen at KWENCH — Kanteen is the new café at Club KWENCH, serving up great coffee, Ottavio pastries, Part & Parcel favourites, and house-made treats you won’t find anywhere else, all in a space built for connection and community. Visit the Kanteen between 8am–3pm Monday to Friday, and mention the code KANTEENINTRO for a free coffee! They’re next to Victoria Gymnastics downtown.

🥗 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!

👶🏻 Beany Bites makes yummy, plant-based smoothie-melt snacks right here on Vancouver Island! These family-friendly bites are vegan, nutrient-packed, and perfect for tummies of all sizes. Find them at the Moss Street Market (Saturdays), Esquimalt Farmer’s Market (Thursdays), and now at Urban Grocer! You can also pick up the Summer Adventure Passport at their market tables!

📅 Upcoming Events

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

🎨 Bracelets & Mindfulness Station: July 3–7 | 12 pm–3 pm
Celebrate International Self‑Care Month with a relaxing, hands‑on activity station at the Royal BC Museum – Old Town. Create your own bracelet and leave a positive message for someone else to discover—supplies provided, all ages welcome. [Info]

🌙 Sidney Street Market: Thursday, July 3 | 5:30–8:30 pm
A bustling evening market along Beacon Avenue with local produce, handmade goods, street food, and live entertainment — great for a family stroll. [Info]

👧🏽 Sooke Senior & Family Fair: Saturday, July 6 | 3pm-7pm
A community event at John Phillips Memorial Park with games, exhibits, food, crownings (including the 2025 Sooke Spectacular Senior), and activities for all ages. Raising awareness for the need for a new seniors and youth centre. [Info]

🍓 Saanich Strawberry Festival: Sunday, July  6 | 11 am–4 pm
Celebrate summer at Beaver Lake Regional Park with free family-friendly fun. Live music, bouncy castles, arts & crafts, vendors, a farmers’ market, and the classic $2 strawberries and ice cream from 2–4 pm. [Info]

⚓ Sensory Friendly Hours @ Maritime Museum: Sunday, July  6 | 9:30am - 12pm
A quieter museum experience for neurodivergent kids and families. Lights and sounds are adjusted to create a calm, welcoming visit. [More Info]

🎵 Oak Bay Summer Concerts in the Park: Sunday, July 6 | 2-4pm
Bring a blanket and enjoy a family-friendly afternoon at Willows Beach Park with performances by the lək̓ʷəŋən Traditional Dancers, Pacific Opera Victoria, STAGES Dance Company, and Marimba Mufaro. [Info]

🥕 *NEW* PKOLs Farmers Market: Sundays until Sept 7 | 10am–2pm
There’s a new farmers’ and artisan market at Lambrick Park in Gordon Head on Sundays! It’s set up under the trees by the tennis courts with lots of local goodies, live music, and space for the kids to run around while you shop. A couple of our favourite vendors from Moss Street Market are there (Stark Raving Bread and Beany Bites)! [Info]

🧸 Teddy Bear Picnic: Monday, July 7 | 11am-12:30pm
Grab your favourite stuffed animal and picnic blanket and head down to Captain Jacobson Park for some crafts and storytime. [Info]

⚽ Panorama FREE Play in the Park @ Tulista Park: Wednesday July 9 | 5:30-8pm
Drop in for a summer evening of free outdoor games (incl. giant 50’ inflatable obstacle course), crafts, and family activities hosted by Panorama Rec, perfect for kids of all ages. [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]

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. And some links may be affiliate links (I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you), but every product is something I genuinely love or comes recommended by someone I trust.