Parksville Beach Festival brings five weeks of sand, art and entertainment to one of Vancouver Island’s most iconic beaches, culminating on August 17. Featuring the world-class Quality Foods Sand Sculpting competition along with live music, artisan markets and a lot of family fun, it’s a summer tradition you don’t want to miss. parksvillebeachfest.ca

The 2025 Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival runs from March 31 to May 12. This volunteer-run organization is committed to bringing the love of the arts to the public in the form of music, dance and speech art. Featuring a variety of ages and skill levels, individuals and groups, these local artists are here to inspire and educate. gvpaf.org

Kids between the ages of seven and 18 can unleash their energy at the vibrant Colourful Run, May 3 at Willow Point Park. Walk or jog the 1K or 5K route. It’s all about fun and being splattered, so it’s not timed! Finish off the day with snacks and music in the Splash Park. Register in advance to ensure your spot. campbellriver.ca

The Parksville Lions and Save On Foods present a free family skate at the Oceanside Place Arena on April 20. Bring the whole family for some skating fun but remember parents must accompany all kids on the ice. rdn.bc.ca/skate-schedule

This vibrant celebration of artistry involving community and creativity will be held at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney on April 12 this year. This all-ages event promises a magical experience where whimsy and make-believe come together through interactive activities. faerieevents.ca

The 2025 Cowichan Spring Home Show will be held May 2 to 4 at the Cowichan Community Centre and is your one-stop shop for all your home needs and questions. Families will love the demonstrations and exploring all the new products and projects throughout the exhibition. homeshowtime.com

During a cold winter morning when you don’t want to cook, there is nothing better than taking the family out for brunch. Whether you’re looking for something cozy, upscale, or with a view, here’s a list of some of the best brunch places on the island:

1. Jam Café – Victoria

A Victoria institution, Jam Café is famous for its hearty and delicious brunches. Known for their creative takes on comfort food, they serve up dishes like the “Big Breakfast” and “French Toast Elvis”—a decadent dish with peanut butter, bananas and bacon. Expect a cozy atmosphere and a wait on weekends, as it’s always busy!

2. The Blue Fox Café – Victoria

A local favourite for over 25 years, The Blue Fox Café is renowned for its oversized portions and inventive menu. From classic breakfast plates to more indulgent options like the “Chicken & Waffle” or “Mediterranean Omelette,” there’s something for everyone. The funky décor and casual vibe make it a great place for kids.

3. Café Brio – Victoria

For a more upscale brunch experience, Café Brio offers an exceptional menu with locally sourced ingredients. Their brunch options include mouthwatering dishes like their eggs Benedict or house-made pastries. It’s the perfect spot for those looking for a more refined brunch with a contemporary twist.

4. Café de Soleil – Victoria

This charming spot is perfect for brunch with a side of great views, located near the Inner Harbour. Café de Soleil serves a blend of European-inspired brunch dishes like croissants, quiches and freshly brewed coffee, all served in a bright, relaxed atmosphere.

5. Willow Street Café – Nanaimo

If you find yourself in Nanaimo, Willow Street Café is a must-visit. They offer a menu full of locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. The menu ranges from fresh pastries and yogurt parfaits to savoury options like eggs Benny and inventive avocado toasts. Their cozy atmosphere and exceptional service make it a favourite among locals and tourists.

6. The Farmhouse Café – Qualicum Beach

Located a bit off the beaten path, The Farmhouse Café in Qualicum Beach offers a farm-to-table experience that is perfect for brunch lovers. Known for their homemade pastries, seasonal menu and excellent coffee, it’s a peaceful, laid-back place to enjoy a meal.

7. The Oyster Bar – Comox

For those on the northern part of the island, The Oyster Bar in Comox offers a fantastic brunch menu with fresh seafood options, including oysters, crab cakes and other West Coast delicacies. Enjoy the view of Comox Harbour as you sip your mimosa or enjoy a local craft beer.

8. The Five & Dime Diner – Sidney by the Sea

With the mission to feed friends the tastiest food around, this classic diner is a space that is fun and friendly for all to enjoy and where everyone is welcome. Whether you want all-day breakfast or lunch, this ’50’s style retro diner will serve up what you are craving.

9. The Millstone Bistro – Parksville

This quaint bistro in Parksville serves a fantastic brunch in a charming atmosphere. They feature a range of breakfast classics with a unique twist, such as their signature crab cakes or eggs Benedict with smoked salmon. It’s a great spot for a casual but delicious brunch.

10. The Cove Resort & Marina – Sooke

If you’re in Sooke, The Cove Resort & Marina offers both brunch and breathtaking views. Their West Coast-inspired brunch menu includes dishes like fresh crab omelets. It’s a picturesque spot to enjoy a leisurely brunch.

Each of these spots offers something unique, from hearty comfort food to sophisticated brunch experiences. Whether you’re on the southern tip of the island in Victoria or exploring the northern shores, there’s a brunch spot to suit every taste. So pull up a seat and dig in!

The ultimate celebration of pop culture will be at City Centre Park in Langford from March 28 to 30. Fans of all ages will love the interactive activities, merchandise, one-on-one meetings with celebrities and exclusive panels offered over the three-day convention. Tickets are available now and going fast! Kids under 12 are free when accompanied by an adult with a ticket. islandfancon.ca

Kids and parents look for different things in a playground.

The most important thing I look for is safety. It’s a good habit to walk around the playground first and check for any hazards. Next, I look for a place to sit where I can see most of the playground with an unobstructed view. The third item on my checklist is a nice view of an ocean, lake or mountain.

However, we aren’t making the trek to a playground for me, we are there for them, so I recently asked my children and their friends (who are between the ages of nine and 13) what they look for in a playground. The most popular items included:

1. Spinners

2. Swings

3. Ziplines

4. A long slide

5. Abstract art

For spinners (aka merry-go-rounds), they liked both the ones that can fit lots of children and the individual spinners such as the teacup-type seat. They were also fans of the tall palm-tree-looking spinner that you jump and hang on for it to spin.

Armed with this information, we set out to find some playgrounds that have everything both the kids and I were looking for.

In Victoria, the Gorge Waterfront Playground meets their criteria with four spinning pieces of equipment. It also has a double-accessible swing. They highly rated the merry-go-round at Quadra Elementary School. You can sit inside or climb the ropes on the inside or outside of the structure. The spinner at Lone Oak Park is also a favourite.

Swings ranked number two in importance and good ones have us returning to certain parks. Disc swings that can fit multiple children are a must. If the swing has an ocean view, it received a 100 percent rating from our entire family. The disc swing at the Beachlands playground in Royal Bay fits these criteria.

Near the Beachlands is Meadow Park Green, which is a nice community park with amazing double ziplines that you can race your siblings or friends on. You can stand or sit on these ziplines. We are known to frequent Beachlands and the Meadow Park Green on the same day. Other amazing ziplines to note include Maffeo Sutton Park in Nanaimo, Cadboro-Gyro Park in Saanich and the Parksville Community Park.

I remember going down slides in our rain pants during my children’s toddler years. We flew at record speed off long, straight slides. We all enjoyed the thrill of out-of-control sliding. I recommend having someone at the bottom of the slide to catch younger kids.

Speaking of younger kids, I appreciate all the fenced-in playgrounds that we visited when my kids were toddlers. Sidney Playground and Sarah Beckett Playground both have sturdy fences and other toddler-friendly features.

My children will often describe a park to me that we haven’t been to for years. They will list neat artwork or a sculpture or design they liked or a certain piece of equipment. Sometimes I can figure out the park or look back in my journal or notes. However, often I find myself giving them a blank look.

The free Playground Buddy app is an amazing assistant in these situations. You can search the map by equipment type, accessibility, age, amenities and surfaces. This app can find the perfect playground to match the whole family’s mood and equipment requests. It is also handy for road trips or any city in the world you are travelling in. We’ve enjoyed discovering parks in Hawaii, Mexico and throughout BC during road trips.

As a parent, safety is always first and foremost in your mind. Thankfully as my children grow up, we have had fewer playground incidents and injuries. They often go to the park in small groups (with siblings and friends). I always pack a mini first aid kit in my purse or my child’s bag. If we don’t use the kit, there is often someone else at the park who needs to.

When choosing a playground that both you and your kids can enjoy, there are several factors to consider. Perhaps the most important is that you all have fun and can’t wait to go back.

Get your seeds, gardening supplies and mingle with all the gardening experts on March 8. Seedy Saturday will be held at the Florence Filberg Centre in Courtenay and will allow you to immerse yourself in vast gardening knowledge. People of all ages will enjoy learning how to grow flowers and plants in their own gardens. cvgss.org