Coombs Emporium, Coombs

Victoria Bug Zoo: Discover the amazing world of insects at this unusual and fascinating zoo - there's even an ant farm! While the Maritime Museum of British Columbia will have the pirates in search of treasure, a visit to Cosmic Reality Laser Tag will get the kid's hearts pumping.

Pacific Undersea Gardens: Take a walk beneath the waves of Victoria's Inner Harbour - right down to the ocean floor! Kids will love the Crystal Gardens: thousands of tropical plants line meandering paths that lead to ponds, along a stream and to a cascading waterfall. See the world's smallest monkeys, an avian world of brilliantly coloured tropical birds, Madagascan lemurs and in summer, free flying butterflies.

The whole family can enjoy an IMAX film at the National Geographic Theatre, next to the Royal British Columbia Museum in downtown Victoria. Plan a morning or afternoon to experience this Museum, where you can see what it was like in the gold rush days - much of BC's history is captured here.

Miniature World's Circus Exhibition

Miniature World is well worth a visit, for adults to put things back into a kid's perspective. There are over 80 attractions for the whole family, including the world's smallest operational sawmill - a miniaturized extravaganza that continues to thrill and delight the young and young at heart.

Visit Miniature World's Wonderful World of the Circus and return to those nostalgic days when the circus came to town. Feel the magic, the wonderment of the Grand City Parade, the Big Top, the Wild Beasts and the death defying High Wire Acts.

Horse drawn carriages take you on various tours around many of Victoria's exciting sites and sounds. From the beautiful Inner Harbour and the Ivy Covered Empress hotel and our magnificent Parliament Buildings to many notable Heritage Homes, through Beacon Hill park and much more.

Stroll amid lush vegetation at the fascinating Victoria Butterfly Gardens, an indoor tropical garden filled with hundreds of dazzling free-flying exotic butterflies and colourful birds. Whether you enjoy hiking, cycling, roller blading, horseback riding, or just going for a stroll, the Galloping Goose and peninsula trails are the places to be.

If you're looking for a great beach, try Oak Bay's Willows Beach. Farther along Beach Drive, past Uplands, there is also Cadboro Bay Beach. The sea air, playgrounds, and sandy beaches are sure to melt away any worries and delight both young and old. Visit the Oak Bay Marina to see the antics of harbour seals in their natural habitat.

Playzone Adventures entertainment centre offers 3 stories of tunnels and tubes, giant slides, laser tag and more. All Fun Recreation Park with its thrilling water slides is a great way to cool off on a hot summer day.

Stroll through the Olde English Village and see replicas of famous buildings from England, including Anne Hathaway's Thatched Cottage, the birthplace home of William Shakespeare.

Stroll through peaceful meadows at Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Park, overlooking Esquimalt Harbour in Colwood, a coastal artillery site built to defend Victoria and the Esquimalt Naval Base - operational from 1878 to 1956. Located on the large grounds of Fort Rodd Hill is Fisgard Lighthouse, the first lighthouse on Canada's rocky west coast, built in 1860 by the British when Vancouver Island was still a crown colony.

The town of Sidney is home to family attractions as well. At the foot of Beacon Avenue is the Sidney Whale Museum, an impressive display of models, skeletons and murals, which traces the remarkable story of the biology and evolution of whales. Explore the habits of undersea creatures at the Marine Ecology Station - special programmes are offered in the summer.

Discover the incredible world of gems and minerals at Mineral World and Scratch Patch. A very popular attraction for children, the Scratch Patch is an outdoor adventureland designed to turn anyone into an enthusiastic rockhound. Pick and choose from millions of beautiful semi-precious stones and tropical shells, or try panning for gold!

The ocean around Vancouver Island abounds with spectacular marine life, you can see these magnificent creatures up-close; whale watching tours with marine naturalists are a "must do" for any visitor to Victoria. Sidney is also a good spot for this popular activity.

South Island
The British Columbia Forest Museum located in Duncan portrays the history of BC's forestry industry through indoor and outdoor exhibits. Board the steam locomotive that travels through a turn-of-the-century farmyard and a logging camp.

Explore the sculpted sandstone tidepools at the world-famous Botanical Beach in Juan de Fuca Provincial Park, a wonderful place for appreciating marine biology and viewing intertidal life - it's a thrill to experience.

Central Island
Budding young golfers can receive personalized instruction and attend spring and summer Junior Golf Camps at the Brent Morrison Golf Academy located at the luxurious Crown Isle Golf Resort in the Comox Valley.

If you want to take the kids underground, there are several hundred significant caves on Vancouver Island, including those at Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park. From education family oriented tours to deep dark adventure, these caves offer something for everyone.

Strathcona Park Lodge and Outdoor Education Centre is committed to helping children of all ages appreciate the wilderness. Within a supportive environment, climb a rock bluff, rappel on a rope, swing on a zip-line and co-operatively solve problems on a ropes course. Learn survival techniques, canoeing, kayaking, orienteering and wilderness etiquette; then participate in a canoe journey for an optional overnight camp-out. Natural history discussions are stimulated while exploring a sphagnum bog, home of insectivorous sundew.

Pacific Rim / West Coast
Along the island's West Coast, the Wickaninnish Centre is a definite highlight for all ages. The centre's purpose is to provide an understanding of the North Pacific Ocean and its influence on nature and man. The history of the North Pacific coast is illustrated by a collection of artifacts used by Nuu-chah-nulth Indians, and interpretive displays.

Teen Surf Camp: Catering to all your surfing needs, Inner Rhythm Surf Camp is located just outside Ucluelet on 5 acres of private grounds. This five-day surfing experience is the only one of its kind in Canada. Each day is spent learning the fundamentals and techniques of surfing and all about our ocean environment (currents, wave formation, ocean safety, mammal life, etc.). Offering daily lessons, rentals, adult surf camps (18+ all inclusive) and Remote Surf Tours.

Experience Teen Day Surf Camps at Long Beach, Canada's number one surfing destination, located in the Pacific Rim National Park, a 10-minute drive from Tofino. Teens will have the time of their lives while learning this incredible sport. All teenagers, big or small, atheletic or non-atheletic will be initiated into the exclusive Surf Sister's circle. This is a girls only surf camp for ages 12 and up.