Many organizations on Vancouver Island are offering family-friendly activities this weekend to celebrate Family Day.
The B.C. government has provided funding to some recreation centres and museums to provide free activites and free entry.
A full list of activities can be found on the B.C. government’s Family Day website.
The events below take place on Feb. 21 unless noted otherwise.
Capital Regional District
Royal Athletic Park – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Activities include family friendly music, activity stations, mini-field soccer, bouncy castle, bocce area, and base running with Harvey the HarbourCats mascot. Bring a picnic or enjoy complimentary light refreshments.
Oak Bay Recreation Centres – various times – free swimming, free skating, Jazzercise, pickleball, badminton.
G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre – 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – free open skates, and free ice hockey.
SEAPARC Leisure Complex – 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. & 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Free skating.
Panorama Recreation Centre – Various times – Yoga, skating, and swimming.
Esquimalt Recreation Center – 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Kindergym, skating, swimming as well as a craft zone.
Rainbow Road Aquatic Centre – 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Swimming, games, crafts and treats.
Mayne Island Agricultural Society Museum and Grounds – Feb. 19 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Participate in the Mayne Island Seed Exchange and have some family fun learning about the island’s agricultural heritage through museum artifacts, photographs, exhibits and art activities for kids.
Mahon Hall – 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. – A special performance by the Myrtle Sisters: harmonies, twinkling-tap numbers and family antics.
Sidney Museum – Feb. 18 to March 7 – Scavenger hunt.
Sooke Regional Museum online – Feb. 18 to 21 – Family Fun Jeopardy & Film and Photos of Families Past.
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria online – Feb. 20 – Portrait drawing virtual workshop.
Bateman Gallery – Feb. 18-19 – Family Sketch and Scavenger Hunt
Point Ellice House – Feb. 19 – Family Day Gardening Extravaganza
Royal BC Museum – Various times – Museum trivia, tower tour, family recipes, and IMAX Dolphins.
Cowichan Valley Regional District
Frank Jameson Community Centre – 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. & 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Free swims and gym activities.
Cowichan Lake Sports Arena – 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Free skating.
Youbou Community Bowling Alley – 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. – Free bowling includes admission and shoe rentals.
Cowichan Community Centre – 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Skating, sports, crafts, and activities for all ages.
Cowichan Aquatic Centre – 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – “BC Family Day Splash”
Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 19-21 – Find the puzzle parts for our pile driver and learn how it can help rehabilitate our heritage pier.
Ladysmith Community Marina and Industrial Heritage Site – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Stories, music, “take away” activities, refreshments, videos, and tours of steam locomotives, heritage boats and more.
Regional District of Nanaimo
Nanaimo Recreation Centres – Feb. 19-21 Various times – Skating, swimming, Fam Jam at Oliver Woods, Rock Your Weekend, StoryWalks, Then & Now Scavenger Hunt.
Ravensong Aquatic Centre – 9:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Family day swim.
Oceanside Place Arena – 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Free skating.
Lighthouse Community Centre – 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Play hockey, pickleball, badminton, and ping pong, games will be set up, music will be playing, refreshments will be available and a live performance from Carolos and Carlitat Clowning, our local Bowser magicians.
Nanaimo Art Gallery – Feb. 20 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Make cedar wrist bands and braided rope with Tyrone Elliott while listening to Joe Elliott share stories from the Coast Salish tradition. Enjoy bannock and tea while learning, creating and sharing together.
Parksville Museum – 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Children of all ages are invited to decorate their bikes, and ride in a parade through the grounds of the Parksville Museum.
Alberni–Clayoquot Regional District
Ucluelet Community Centre – Feb. 20 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Treasure hunt.
Port Alberni Echo Centre – 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Rollerblading, ice skating, rock painting and swimming.
Comox Valley Regional District
Comox Community Centre – 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Challenge course and scavenger hunt.
Lewis Centre – 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. – Pre-register to receive a free Claymation kit with the supplies needed to create a Claymation movie.
Comox Valley Sports Centre – Various times – Swimming and skating.
Various communities in the Comox Valley – Feb. 19-27 – A Scavenger hunt of sorts that will lead participants on a trail of history and culture through the Comox Valley.
Strathcona Regional District
Tahsis Recreation Centre – All day Feb. 18-21 – Family Day Activity Photo Contest.
Sportsplex – 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Family Gym, Badminton/Volleyball, Basketball, Racquetball, Squash, and Wallyball, Weight Room.
Strathcona Gardens Recreation Complex – 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Swims, skating, and stick and puck.
Campbell River Art Gallery – Feb. 19-21 1:00 p.m. t 3:00 p.m. – Families will create a three-dimensional artwork together as a family.
Regional District of Mount Waddington
Don Cruickshank Memorial Arena – 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Skating and craft making.
Laura Brougham
