Tired of being cooped up? There’s no time like spring time to get outside and shake off the winter blahs. Not only are the days getting longer, with the extra light chasing away the shadows, but there’s lots more to do now that we can get outdoors and explore. So where to start?
Spring Activities
1. Reacquaint Yourself with the Aquarium. If you’re in Ucluelet, attend the Aquarium’s free opening day on March 1, 10am–5pm. Uclueletaquarium.org.
2. Plant Flowers. What better time to plant spring flowers than on National Plant a Flower Day, March 12? For tips, register for Horticulture Centre of the Pacific’s program, Seed Starting for Kids on March 4 from 10–11:30am. hcp.ca.
3. Be a Tourist. Okay so the official event isn’t running this year—why not make up one of your own? In Victoria, visit Miniature World or the Royal BC Museum, among many other tourist attractions. Nanaimo, follow the Nanaimo Bar Trail or visit the Bastion. In Courtenay, take a Fossil Tour at the Courtenay Museum and Paleontology Centre.
4. Stay Up Late & Play in the Dark…before the clock springs ahead on March 12 and the days get longer. Play flashlight tag, glow-in-the-dark Frisbee or stargaze. The next morning, sleep in!
5. Hop On the Harbour Ferry. Take a 45-minute Harbour Tour, a 75-minute historic Gorge Tour or a hip and a hop on a water taxi. Stops include the Empress Dock, Chinatown and Fisherman’s Wharf. victoriaharbourferry.com.
6. Host a Community Garage Sale. Out with the old! Gather everyone together, hang up signs and make a day of clearing the clutter. Afterwards, spend your earnings and host a neighbourhood pizza party.
7. Visit Fort Rodd Hill. If it’s rainy, step inside the Fisgard Lighthouse and play an old-fashioned game of checkers or one of the new video games.
7½. Play Capture the Flag. With lots of room to roam at Fort Rodd Hill, a game of Capture the Flag is an all-out exhilarating experience. Bring enough friends for two teams and play on!
– Sue Fast
