Looking for something to do on this B.C. Family Day long weekend? There are dozens of free events to choose from on Vancouver Island.
Know of another event we should add to the list? Send the details to localnews@timescolonist.com.
• Campbell River — Recreation and Culture is inviting families to join them on Feb. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sportsplex (1800 S Alder) for free family activities.
• Campbell River — Collaborative sculpture at the Campbell River Art Gallery. Using the materials provided, participants will create a three-dimensional artwork together as a family. Participants can either come to the gallery itself on Saturday, Feb. 19, to participate in-person or join a digital live-stream on Monday, Feb. 21. 1-3 p.m., Campbell River Art Gallery
• Chemainus — Family Day Free Skate. Join us at the Fuller Lake Arena on Feb. 21 for a free skate and free skate rentals. Proof of vaccination reauired. 12 to 1:45 p.m., 2876 Fuller Lake Rd.
• Comox — Participate in an adventure-filled Family Day challenge around the Comox Community Centre. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Comox Community Centre, 1855 Noel Ave.
• Comox Valley — Comox Valley Hunt for Heritage: A scavenger hunt of sorts that will lead participants on a trail of history and culture through the Comox Valley. Feb. 19-27.
• Courtenay — Register for the Claymation Family Day challenge to receive a free kit with the supplies needed to create ta Claymation movie. Kits include tie die fabric backdrops created by the family along with blocks of clay, coloured paper and instructions on how to create characters. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Lewis Centre, 489 Old Island Highway.
• Courtenay — Family Day swim and skate. Join us for a free family swim 1-5 p.m. and a free family skate 1-3 p.m. at the Comox Valley Sports Centre. Skate rentals are included, limited helmets available. 3001 Vanier Dr.
• Cowichan Bay — Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre Pile Drive Scavenger Hunt: Find the puzzle parts for our pile driver and learn how it can help rehabilitate our heritage pier. Feb. 19-21, online and at the Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre and surrounding businesses.
• Cowichan Valley — B.C. Family Day free skate. Admissions and skate rentals are free. Pre-registration is required; call 250-749-6742 ext. 0 or go to www.reccowichan.ca. Feb. 21, 3:30 to 5 p.m., Cowichan Lake Sports Arena, 311 South Shore Rd.
• Cowichan Valley — Family Day free bowling includes admission and shoe rentals. One person registers per group, with a maximum of five people per group/lane. Feb. 21, 6:30pm - 9:30pm, Youbou Community Bowling Alley, 8550 Hemlock St
• Cowichan Valley — Free event features skating, sports, crafts, and activities for all ages in the Multipurpose Hall. All participants will be eligible for prizes. Feb. 21, noon to 3 p.m., , Cowichan Community Centre, 2687 James St.
• Cowichan Valley — Come join us at the Cowichan Aquatic Centre for the B.C. Family Day Splash. Two free sessions available: Feb. 21 11 a.m.-1 p.m. or 2-4 p.m. Maximum of 200 people at each session. Proof of vaccination (age 12+) and masks (5+) required. Cowichan Aquatic Centre, 2653 James St.
• Esquimalt — Free event features Kindergym, skating, swimming as well as a craft zone. Feb. 21, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Esquimalt Recreation Centre, 527 Fraser St.
• Ladysmith — Ladysmith Parks, Recreation & Culture will host two free Family Day swims and gym activities at the Frank Jameson Community Centre. Special family-oriented activities and games will be facilitated in the pools and gymnasium, with a focus on family, inclusivity, physical activity and physical literacy. Healthy to-go snacks will be provided at the end of the event. Feb. 21, noon to 1:30 p.m. and 2 to 3 p.m., Frank Jameson Community Centre, 810 6th Ave.
• Ladysmith — Dive into fun at Ladysmith’s waterfront. Stories, music, “take away” activities, refreshments, videos, and tours of steam locomotives, heritage boats and more. Feb. 21, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Ladysmith Community Marina and Industrial Heritage Site at the former Comox Logging & Rail Co. building adjacent to the marina.
• Mayne Island — Seedy Saturday: 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! Feb. 19, Mayne Island Agricultural Society Museum and Grounds.
• Mill Bay — Family skate and learn to curl event. The fun skate will be filled with special family-themed Amazing Race-style challenges. Pre-register online or by calling Kerry Park. Feb. 21, 2:15 p.m., Kerry Park Recreation Centre, 1035 Shawnigan Mill Bay Rd.
• Mill Bay — Family Day Learn to Curl. Learn about curling and throw your first rock and this free event. Coaches will be on hand to provide instruction. Helmets are required for children and strongly recommended for adults. Children are required to wear a helmet. Feb. 21, 1-2:30 p.m. and 2:45-4:15 p.m., Kerry Park Recreation Centre, 1035 Shawnigan Mill Bay Rd.
• Nanaimo — Join us on Family Day for a free family-oriented skatingsession, complete with free skate and helmet rentals, our popular ‘Game Zone’ recreational hockey area, and great family-friendly music. Feb. 21, noon to 3:15 p.m., Nanaimo Ice Centre , 750 Third St.
• Nanaimo — The City of Nanaimo Parks, Recreation and Culture invites you to Fam-Jam 2022. Fam- Jam 2022 will include an open gym, bouncy castle and inflatables, kindergym, arts and crafts, story walk and playground fun outside. Spaces will be limited, please call 250-756-5200 to register or drop by one of our recreation centres. If you cannot make it in person, we will also be running Rock Your Weekend all Family Day weekend. Paint a rock and leave it at your favourite park or trail sign. Snap a picture and tag #rockparksandrec for a chance to win a $50 Parks and Rec gift card. Feb. 21, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Oliver Woods Community Centre, 6000 Oliver Rd.
• Nanaimo — Come to the Nanaimo Art Gallery for a free B.C. Family Day activity hosted by Indigenous engagement co-ordinator Violet Elliott and her family. 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. Feb. 20. 1-4 p.m., Nanaimo Art Gallery.
• North Saanich — Family Day at Panorama Recreation. Bring your family to one of our free activities: Family Day Yoga (age 5+), 11 a.m. to noon; Everyone Welcome Skate, 1-2:20 p.m.; Everyone Welcome Swim, 1:30-5 p.m. Proof of full vaccination is required for all people born in 2010 or earlier. Register online or email info@panoramarec.bc.ca for Family Day Yoga. Feb. 21, Panorama Recreation, 1885 Forest Park Dr.
• Oak Bay — Visit the Oak Bay Recreation Centre for the annual B.C. Family Day Fun Swim! Play, splash, and slide with your family and friends for free. Feb. 18, 1-5 p.m., Oak Bay Recreation Centre, 1975 Bee St.
• Parksville — Come out to the free Oceanside Place Family Day Skate. Free admission and free skate and helmet rentals. Feb. 21, 1-4 p.m., Oceanside Place Arena, 830 West Island Highway.
• Parksville — Come on out and 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, local Bowser magicians. If the weather is good, be sure to bring your bike as Lighthouse Recreation will have their famous bike ramps set up. Feb. 21, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Lighthouse Community Centre, 240 Lions Way.
• Parksville — Join the Parksville Museum for the Happiness Bike Parade! Children of all ages are invited to decorate their bikes, and ride in a parade through the grounds of the Parksville Museum. Feb. 21, 1-3 p.m., Parksville Museum.
• Port Alberni — Join the City of Port Alberni in celebrating B.C. Family Day with free activities on Feb. 21. Rollerblading 4-5:30 p.m.; ice skating 1-2:30 p.m. and 2:45-4:15 p.m.; swimming 10 a.m.-noon. Rock painting at the museum 10-11:30 a.m. or 12:30- p.m. Proof of vaccination required. Feb. 21, Port Alberni Echo Centre, 4255 Wallace St.
• Port Hardy — Celebrate Family Day with free skating and craft making. 2 to 3:30 p.m., Don Cruickshank Memorial Arena, 7400 Columbia St.
• Qualicum Beach — Bring your family to a free B.C. Family Day fun swim at Ravensong Aquatic Centre. Enjoy the main pool, leisure pool, hot tub, sauna and steam room. Toys, mats, the rope swing and the diving board will be available. Capacity limited to 120 people. Feb. 21, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Ravensong Aquatic Centre, 737 Jones St.
• Salt Spring Island — Enjoy a free swim at Rainbow Road Aquatic Centre to celebrate Family Day! Free admission Feb. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p,m. Bring the whole family for a splash, games, crafts and treats! Rainbow Road Aquatic Centre, 262 Rainbow Rd.
• Salt Spring Island — Salt Spring Arts celebrates kids and families through the arts, performance, and fun with its annual Family Day Celebration. Join the fun at Mahon Hall or enjoy from the comfort of your home with a special performance by the Myrtle Sisters. Feb. 21, 1:30-3:30 p.m., online and at Mahon Hall
• Saanich — Free skate from 11 a.m.-noon, 12:15-1:15 p.m. and 3:30-4:30 p.m. You must reserve yourself a spot as capacity is limited. Skate rentals are available. Please bring your own helmet. GR Pearkes Recreation Centre, 3100 Tillicum Rd.
• Sidney — Come enjoy the Sidney Museum’s outdoor scavenger hunt for your chance to win fantastic prizes! Explore downtown Sidney while keeping an eye out for special icons in the windows of local businesses. Feb. 18-March 7, Sidney Museum.
• Sooke — SEAPARC is hosting a free Family Day skate on Feb. 21, with sessions from 12:30 to 2 p.m. and 2:30 to 4 p.m. Participants 12 and older must be fully vaccinated. Advanced reservation is recommended as space is limited. Limited skate rentals available. SEAPARC Leisure Complex, 2168 Phillips Rd.
• Sooke — Join in a family-friendly Jeopardy night to learn about the rich human and natural history of the region. Explore through photos social media the families of the past and the activities they participated. Relive the fun of All Sooke Day by viewing the wonderful All Sooke Day Story movie. Online, Feb. 18-21
• Tahsis — Submit a photo of your family doing a family activity — for example, playing a board game, taking a nature walk, or crafting or cooking together. Participating families will receive a gift certificate to a local business. Feb. 18-21, Tahsis Recreation Centre, 285 Alpine View.
• Ucluelet — The free Family Day Treasure Hunt will be a family adventure where the whole family will trek around the community to locate hidden messages by completing riddles. From historic monuments, the inlet to the ocean and trails abound families will have a fun filled day discovering their community outdoors. Feb. 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Ucluelet Community Centre, 500 Matterson Dr.
• Victoria — Come to Royal Athletic Park for a free Family Day event. Activities will include family-friendly music, a bouncy castle with fun leader, base running with Harvey, drop-in family soccer (mini-fields) and bocce. Feb. 21, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Royal Athletic Park, 1014 Caledonia Ave.
• Victoria — Join artist Sade Alexis for a portrait drawing video workshop through the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. In celebration of Black History Month, explore the joyful world of portrait making with this engaging, kind, passionate artist and facilitator. This freevideo workshop will be available on Feb. 20 on the AGGV YouTube channel. Families visiting the AGGV on Feb. 20 can ask for a free activity sheet to enjoy and take home.
• Victoria — The Bateman Gallery Family Sketch and Scavenger Hunt combines drawing and searching to create a fun-filled way to explore the Bateman Gallery. Families are encouraged to join us for free in the gallery Feb. 18-19 to experience this immersive activity.
• Victoria — To celebrate Family Day, Carr House is holding a virtual art therapy workshop, where families can work together on an art project while guided by a certified art therapist. Art supplies will be provided. This opportunity is free of charge but registration is limited, so check the Carr House website for information on how to apply. Feb. 19, 11 a.m.-noon.
• Victoria — Help Point Ellice House plant up its seed trays and learn about soil health and historic gardening at the same time. Feb. 19, 12:30-3:30 p.m., Point Ellice House south garden.
• Victoria — The Royal B.C. Museum is offering several Family Day events on Feb. 21, including a family-friendly trivia game, a virtual behind-the-scenes tour of the museum’s collections, a virtual bake-along cooking class, and a streaming screening of Dolphins.
