Little Local – June 26

School’s out, summer’s here, and I’m so excited to finally share all the details of the Little Local Summer Adventure Passport. It has been such a fun project to put together, and I think you and the kids will love it.

This week’s issue is full of things we’re loving right now (including a perfect summer vino), plus a round-up of family-friendly Canada Day events. Maybe you'll even check off your first passport activity or hit up a local business for one of the Passport Perks!

🎒 Kick Off Summer with the Summer Adventure Passport!

We’re celebrating the start of summer break with the launch of our Summer Adventure Passport! It’s made up of 15 mini adventures that get kids moving, exploring, and connecting with our local community. Here’s why it works:

• Takes the pressure off planning – The passport offers ideas for outings, play-at-home, and easy wins.

• Encourages local exploration – Discover new parks, beaches, and family-friendly businesses you may not have visited before.

• Builds confidence and independence – Kids feel proud as they track their progress and check off each activity. It gives them a real sense of ownership over their summer adventures!

• Includes local perks – Passport holders get access to sweet deals and treats at participating businesses from July 1 to August 31.

• Ends with a reward – Complete 10+ activities before August 31 and enter to win great prizes!

Passport Perks

Show your Summer Adventure Passport at any of these amazing local spots between July 1 and August 31 to enjoy some sweet deals:

• Urban Grocer: 20% off one purchase (excludes milk, eggs, or flyer/sale items)

• Swans: 2for1 kids meals

• Ottavio: A free kids scoop of gelato

• Big Wheel Burger: Free fries + soda (Pepsi) with the purchase of any reg burger

• 49 Below Ice Cream: 10% discount (before tax) on any purchase in-store

• Wheely Clean: $50 off mobile teeth whitening (for adults)

Win Prizes!

At the end of the summer, share a photo of your completed passport, and you’ll be entered to win one of these 3 amazing prizes:

🥇 The Ultimate Date Night
This dreamy prize includes a $150 gift card to Part & Parcel and $100 cash toward a babysitter, plus a few local extras to make your evening extra special.

🥈 Local Foodie Escape
Treat yourself to a night out with a $150 gift card to Ferris’. Whether it’s fresh oysters, cozy comfort food, or Spanish-style tapas, this prize is made for a memorable night out.

🥉 Sweet Treats Surprise
Get ready to indulge! This delicious bundle includes a 6-scoop card from 49 Below, goodies from House of Luo, and a Little Local tote filled with more sweet surprises.

✨ Bonus Prizes for creativity, effort, and best passport photo 📸

Ready to have fun this summer?

Sign up for our newsletter to get your Summer Adventure Passport in your welcome email.

OR pick up a printed copy at the Moss Street Market Info Tent starting this Saturday.

If you have any questions about the Passport, hit reply. It’s me, Sarah, behind the inbox ;)

👉🏼 Share this link with friends so they can sign up and get their free Summer Adventure Passport in their welcome email: www.littlelocalvictoria.com/subscribe

1. Knight Owl by Christopher Denise is a cute and clever story about a tiny owl with a big dream: to become a knight! It’s sweet, funny, and beautifully illustrated. My kids love it, and it’s one I don’t mind reading again (and again). –Sarah

2. Reusable Water Balloons are a total game-changer. My kids are obsessed with these eco-friendly silicone balloons that refill in seconds, seal up on their own, and can be reused all summer long. All fun without the mess! –Sarah

3. Sesame Apricot Tofu from Pinch of Yum is a family fave. The tofu gets pan-fried until it’s crispy and golden, then tossed in a sticky, sweet-savoury sauce made with apricot jam, soy sauce, garlic, and sesame. It comes together quickly, and is perfect over rice with a side of steamed or roasted veggies. –Sarah

4. Casal Garcia Vinho Verde is the wine of summer and one of the best value-for-dollar whites out there (under $20). Vinho Verde literally means “green wine,” and this Portuguese beauty is crisp and clean, with notes of green apple and lime. It’s slightly effervescent (a fancy word for bubbly) and seriously crushable. Available locally at Swans Liquor Store. –Joey, our favourite wine consultant

👶🏻 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 big and small. Find them at the Moss Street Market (Saturdays), Esquimalt Farmer’s Market (Thursdays), and now at Urban Grocer!

🛒 Urban Grocer is a locally owned market on Fort Street offering fresh and thoughtfully sourced groceries, with a strong focus on supporting Canadian producers. Stop in for everyday essentials, local products, and a pleasant shopping experience.

📅 Upcoming Events

🎉 AfriCa Fest Victoria: June 26–29 | Evenings from 5pm
Celebrate African culture at Centennial Square with music, dance, food, and interactive art activities for all ages. [Info]

🎉 June Be A Kid: Cookie Decorating & Bouncy Castle: Sat June 28 | 3pm–6pm
Come out to McTavish Academy of Art for a fun day just for BIPOC kids and their families, featuring cookie decorating, games, and a bouncy castle! [Tickets]

🎆 Fireworks at The Butchart Gardens: Sat, June 28 | 10:15pm–10:45pm
Kick off summer with a spectacular fireworks show at Butchart Gardens. Come early to enjoy live music by The Chuckleberries at 7:15pm. Weekly fireworks in the summer [Info]

🦀 BC CrabFest at Ship Point: Saturday, June 29 | 11am–7pm
A fun waterfront fest with fresh seafood, live music, kids’ activities, and ocean-friendly fun. Don’t miss the Dungeness crab boil! [Info]

🇨🇦 Canada Day at the Inner Harbour: Tuesday, July 1 | 11am–10pm
A huge downtown celebration with a Kids Zone, multicultural performances, food trucks, and fireworks to end the night. [Info]

🎪 Canada Day Family Fun Fair: Tuesday, July 1 | 12–4 pm
Join the festivities at Sidney’s Iroquois Park right after the parade—think carnival games, food vendors, face‑painting, live entertainment, and fun for all ages! [Info]

🇨🇦 Gorge Canada Day Picnic: Tuesday, July 1 | 8:30am–4pm
A full day of family fun along the Gorge Waterway with parades, kids’ inflatables, pony rides, puppets, canoes, live music, and market vendors. [Info]

🏰 Canada Day at Fort Rodd Hill & Fisgard Lighthouse: Tuesday, July 1 | 10am–4pm
Celebrate with a mix of nature and history, featuring live music, old-timey ice cream, interpretive activities, and heritage games in a beautiful oceanside setting. [Info]

🎈 Sooke Canada Day Celebration: Tuesday, July 1 | 10am–4pm
This is a full-on family festival: magic shows, food trucks, a dunk tank, bouncy castles, karaoke, and more. Plus a parade to kick things off. Shuttle service available [Info]

⚾ HarbourCats Canada Day Fireworks Game: Monday, June 30 | 6:35pm Catch a family-friendly baseball game and stick around for post-game fireworks. A fun way to spend the evening with older kids or sports fans. [Info]

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

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.