Little Local – June 5

It’s starting to feel like summer (finally!), and we’ve got the scoop on the best splash pads around town to help you cool off with the kids. Towels and snacks at the ready!

We’re also in the middle of Ocean Week, and there are still plenty of family-friendly events happening through the weekend, from shoreline cleanups to touch tanks and crafts.

Plus, two big community celebrations are also on this weekend: the Oak Bay Tea Party (rides and root beer!) and the Cook Street Village Block Party.

See you out there!

Splash Pads & Spray Parks in Greater Victoria

We got our first real taste of summer last week with the mini heat wave, which means it’s officially splash pad season! To help you beat the heat, I’ve put together a Google Map with all the local splash parks marked out, plus a handy overview below of where to go and when they’re open so your crew can stay cool all summer long.

Beacon Hill Park Watering Can & Playground Splash
📍 Circle Drive, Beacon Hill Park, Victoria
8am–8pm, late June through Labour Day

Iroquois Water Spray Park
📍 2295 Ocean Avenue, Sidney
10am–7pm, daily until end of summer

Uptown Splash Pad
📍 3440 Saanich Road, Victoria
10am–6pm, daily in the summer

Frog Pond Water Park at Beckwith Park
📍 857 Beckwith Avenue, Saanich
10am–7pm, daily until mid-October

Colwood Creek Park Splash Pad
📍 Accessible via Brittany Dr, Sunridge Valley Dr, or Cecil Blogg Dr
8am–8pm, daily June-September

Glen Lake Beach Park (North End)
📍 3076 Shoreview Drive, Langford
8:30am–4:30pm, daily through September

Centennial Park Spray Park (Langford)
📍 2805 Carlow Road, Langford
10am–6pm, daily through September

Esquimalt Adventure Water Park
📍 543 Fraser Street, Esquimalt
10am–7pm, daily until Labour Day (weather permitting)

Rutledge Park Splash Pad
📍 913 Inverness Road, Saanich
10am–7pm **opening early July due to upgrades

Carnarvon Park Splash Pad
📍 2801 Henderson Road, Oak Bay
May–June: 11am–4pm (weekends only, but I’ve been there mid-week and it has been open), July–August: 10am–6pm, September: 11am–4pm

Name, neighbourhood, family crew:
Renée Jordan. Fairfield/Cook Street Village. Jameson (partner), Anderson (7) and Frances (3)

What do you do (for work, passion, or both)?
Director at the Ministry of Education & Child are and co-founder of Earlybird.

What’s a typical day look like in your household?
Both my husband and I work full-time in high-pressure jobs, so we tag team the division of labour to keep things moving—for the house, the kids, and our careers. We’re up early (Jameson’s at the gym by 4:15 a.m.) and in bed early (8 p.m. bedtime for the grownups!). Frances is in care and Anderson is in Grade 1, so our days are full of school and after-school activities like soccer, baseball, gymnastics, and swimming. If we’re not out in the community at an activity, we usually have a crew of neighbourhood kids playing at our place, either in the driveway or the basement.

Any recent parenting wins (or fails) you’d be willing to share?
Let’s go with a fail. Or more like a fresh wave of parenting anxiety. My daughter starts kindergarten in the fall, and I’ve been struggling not to compare her to her older brother. They’re different kids with different personalities and birthdates (he’s a February baby; she’s an October one). She is the second kiddo, so I worry I didn’t “do enough” with her. If I had my professional hat on, I’d reassure any other parent in my shoes that she is brilliant, curious, funny, charismatic, kind, and wonderful. But when it’s your own kid? It hits different.

Favourite family-friendly spot in Victoria?
Willows Beach is a go-to for our family. The volunteer-run tea room offers a variety of treats, and the kids love bouncing between the playground and the beach. There are public bathrooms, too.

Do you have a go-to park, trail, or rainy day activity?
The library on any and all rainy days. We play board games, play with the toys, and leave with a stack of books and a movie to watch at home.

What’s one thing you’ve learned as a parent that you wish you knew sooner?
That no one knows what they’re doing. I’ve built my career around early childhood development, I have two degrees in it, and I still feel like I’m winging it 99% of the time. People will always have strong opinions on the “right” way to do things, but the only right way is the one that works for your family.

Your favourite coffee shop:
Hide + Seek on Oak Bay Ave. The owners are incredible, and they have books and toys for the kids so we can all relax with a treat.

Kids’ favourite meal (made at home):
Vietnamese salad rolls—they love being able to customize their own and build what works for them.

Kids book on repeat at your house:
Currently: Where Oliver Fits. It is a great story about not changing who you are to fit in with others. It is a lesson adult me needs too <3 

Favourite purchase under $100 with kids in mind:
Any and all Lego sets. My kids play with Lego daily, and it is the toy we have that has spanned the years. It has a great ROI in our household. 

🍔 Big Wheel Burger serves up classic, feel-good burgers made from fresh, local ingredients. We’re the perfect spot for a casual family meal, with options that satisfy both kids and grown-ups. Find us at 4 locations in Victoria!

👶🏻 Earlybird helps you support your child’s development through fun, low-prep play. We share simple activity ideas that build big skills, without the pressure. Think of us as your go-to guide for raising kind, curious, creative kids (and enjoying the ride). Download the app or explore our printables to get started!

📅 Upcoming Events

🌈 Pride in the Park: Wednesday, June 11 | 5:30–8pm
Head to Beckwith Park for an evening of rainbows, live entertainment, games, food trucks, and all-ages fun as the community comes together to celebrate Pride Month. [Info]

🎉 FernFest: Friday, June 13 & Saturday, June 14 | Fernwood Square
Fernwood’s beloved two-day block party is back for its 28th year! Celebrate the start of summer with live music, performers, food trucks, a kid’s zone, face painting, bubbles, games, and a bustling artisan market. It’s a free, all-ages neighbourhood extravaganza filled with art, magic, and community spirit. [Info]