Top 10 things to do with your family in Victoria
Whether you’re travelling with kids, friends, your partner, or extended family, a visit to Victoria is all about spending quality time together. Here are some of our favourite ways to explore, play, and experience the destination.
Updated June 18th, 2026
A 6-8 minute read
Playtime in the park
For a relaxing afternoon with family, head to Beacon Hill Park where you will see totem poles, roaming peacocks, beautifully manicured gardens and stunning fountains. There's also a dedicated kid-friendly zone for climbing and play. Be sure to visit the Beacon Hill Children’s Farm, where kids can meet friendly goats and other farm animals in a fun, hands-on setting.
Stop in for lunch at Big Wheel Burger on Cook Street, Canada’s first carbon-neutral fast-food restaurant. Take your meal to go and enjoy a picnic at Willows Beach or Cadboro-Gyro Park. Both parks have large playgrounds and sandy beach access, perfect for playtime or a relaxing family stroll. There's even a mini zipline at Cadboro-Gyro Park.
Visit local museums
Explore the province's history at the Royal BC Museum across from the BC Parliament Buildings. Step into immersive galleries that bring British Columbia’s natural and human history to life, from life-sized wildlife displays and Ice Age creatures to recreated streets and scenes that transport you back in time, alongside rotating feature exhibitions from around the world. While you’re there, marvel at a movie in the IMAX theatre attached to the museum. There is usually a selection of feature films and documentaries to choose from.
Just a short walk (about 3 minutes) from the Royal BC Museum, the Maritime Museum of British Columbia offers a deeper look at the region’s connection to the sea, with engaging exhibits, artifacts, and interactive displays that explore everything from early exploration and naval history to modern coastal life.
Meet the locals
No visit to Victoria is complete without seeing the resident harbour seals at Fisherman's Wharf or just a short drive away at Oak Bay Marina. These chubby cuties are called "dogs of the sea" for a reason and will do just about anything to get your attention - just remember to admire them from a distance and avoid feeding or disturbing wildlife.
To continue your wildlife experience on land, visit Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary, just a 10-minute drive from downtown Victoria, where educational programs for all ages encourage curiosity and a deeper understanding of the local environment. Check their events calendar or connect ahead of your visit to book a program and secure your spot. You can also pack a picnic and choose from any of Victoria's other great walking and hiking trails. We also love Goldstream Provincial Park, about a 25-minute drive from downtown, for its wildlife spotting opportunities and lush coastal rainforest landscapes.
Climb, ride and get active
For active family fun, Victoria offers plenty of ways to climb, move, and play together. Bounce and explore at Flying Squirrel Trampoline Park, a high-energy indoor playground with wall-to-wall trampolines and fun challenges for all ages or try indoor rock climbing at Crag X Climbing Gym, known for its welcoming atmosphere and diverse climbing routes for all skill levels. You can also head to The Boulders Climbing Gym, featuring bouldering alongside state-of-the-art lead and speed climbing areas, all designed with a focus on movement and problem-solving. Both offer an engaging way for families to challenge themselves and try something new together.
A family bike ride is another great way to explore the city at your own pace while spending quality time together. Rent bikes or sign up for a guided tour with The Pedaler Cycling Tours & Rentals.
Tip: Check to see if your hotel offers free bike rentals! The Parkside Hotel & Spa has a fleet of bikes, helmets, and locks available for complimentary use by hotel guests.
Experience modern history
Canada's Oldest Chinatown is not only kid-friendly, but a truly fun experience for families of all ages. Shop local in Fan Tan Alley, North America's Narrowest Commercial Street, snap a photo under the Gates of Harmonious Interest and enjoy lunch at Don Mee Seafood Restaurant. While you're downtown, stop in at Cherry Bomb Toys, a unique toy shop that specializes in collectible and vintage toys. They're also home to the National Toy Museum of Canada!
For history buffs, a visit to Fort Rodd Hill & Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites is a must when in Victoria. Wander through the coastal artillery fort and see the beautifully preserved Fisgard Lighthouse, which was built in 1860 as a beacon for the British Royal Navy's Pacific Squadron, offering sweeping ocean views and a glimpse into Canada’s west coast military history.
Get hands on
Get hands-on and experience Victoria through play, creativity, and interactive adventure, with activities designed to spark curiosity and invite you to actively engage with your surroundings.
Flick switches, press buttons, and explore a world of flashing lights and immersive sound at Canada's first artcade, Monkey C’s Artcade, an interactive playground for all ages. Step into the world of dinosaurs at DinoLab, where interactive exhibits bring prehistoric creatures to life in a fun and educational setting (pre-book online; visits by appointment). Climb into the canopy and glide through the treetops at WildPlay Elements Park. Or channel your Inner Islander and become the woodsman or woodswoman you were meant to be at Forged Axe Throwing or Axe & Grind, where you can test your aim in a fun, high-energy setting. Keep the fun going at Pinhalla Pinball Pizzeria, where you can enjoy pizza and play classic pinball games in a lively, all-ages space (minors welcome daily until 9pm).
Bugs and boo
If your kids are a fan of the creepy crawlies, start in downtown Victoria at the Victoria Bug Zoo, where guided, hands-on experiences let you get up close with fascinating insects from around the world, then continue the adventure about a 30-minute drive to Brentwood Bay at the Victoria Butterfly Gardens, where a lush, jungle-like environment is home to thousands of butterflies, along with reptiles, flamingos, and tropical birds.
For those really looking to make their skin crawl, putt a round at Haunted Manor Victoria, where eerie effects and glowing scenes add a spooky twist to mini golf, or test your nerves at Horror Escape Victoria with immersive, spine-tingling escape room experiences.
Make a whale of a tale
Set sail for the Salish Sea to meet our largest residents, book a family whale watching tour for unforgettable coastal views and front-row seats to incredible wildlife. Whether you're looking for a gentle ride or the adventure of a lifetime, choose from a range of vessels, including catamarans, cruisers, and zodiacs, to suit your family’s style. Many of the region's whale watchers offer educational, eco-conscious experiences that respect marine life while providing insights into their natural habitat. Keep your eyes peeled for marine life like orcas, humpback whales, sea lions, and more!
Explore and discover the Saanich Peninsula
About 30 minutes north of downtown Victoria, the scenic Saanich Peninsula offers the perfect mix of coastal charm, local stops, and family-friendly attractions. On your way through the peninsula, stop at the BC Aviation Museum beside Victoria International Airport, where your little ones will be captivated by flight simulators, interactive exhibits, and more than 40 full-sized aircraft spanning a century of aviation history, including the iconic Martin Mars water bomber.
While exploring the peninsula, make time for hands-on stops like Island View Farm & Mini Golf, where families can enjoy friendly competition and farm charm, or Country Bee Honey Farm to learn about beekeeping and sample local honey. Leave time for a leisurely stop in one of the peninsula’s seaside communities, where you can enjoy a family-friendly stroll, browse local bookstores, or grab a snack at a cozy, locally owned café.
Become a coastal naturalist
From sea stars and snails to chitons and barnacles, Victoria’s coastline is home to a rich variety of marine life that can be observed right from the beach. Peer into shallow tide pools and watch as tiny ecosystems come to life, with colourful creatures clinging to rocks and darting through clear, sunlit water.
Take a scenic drive along the Pacific Marine Circle Route, winding through ocean vistas and coastal rainforest, to reach Botanical Beach in Port Renfrew about a 2-hour drive from Victoria. Bring a notebook and record your discoveries, sketch your favourite species, or create a tide pool scavenger hunt to search for your favourite coastal creatures.
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