2013
Summer
Activity Guide
Fun Family Outings page
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Ideas for a rainy day! page
Find the Perfect Campground
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LE T T H E M R EAD WHAT THEY W ANT: TOP TI PS FOR SUMMER REA DI NG
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page 11
Want to find events and activities for the kids but don’t know where to look? Find everything in one place!
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www.Okanagan4Kids.com
Find local activities, events, programs, camps and more. Discover local family-focused businesses and services. Check out our blogs for parenting tips, local activities and product reviews. Enter to win great prizes in our monthly contests. Okanagan4Kids.com is a proud supporter of local community events and charities!
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Okanagan4Kids.com Summer Activity Guide | 2013
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
The Interior Provincial Exhibition and Stampede in Armstrong has a host of activities for all ages!
What’s going on We want to help make finding fun for your family just a little bit easier. That’s why we work hard to add new events and activities taking place around the Okanagan Valley on a regular basis. Check back often and never hear the words “I’m bored!” again!
12-13 july
10 august
Oliver Sunshine Festival & Parade Hours of entertainment, food and activities for the whole family!
Peachland Paddlefest Celebrating the history of paddling in Peachland with activities for all ages!
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http://www.oliverrecreation.ca
10 august Downtown Kelowna Block Party Family, friends, dogs, shopping, food and music… who doesn’t love a good old fashion Block Party? Bernard Avenue will be closed to traffic and lined with great deals, yummy treats, children’s activities, dancing, music and lots more for the whole gang!
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http://www.downtownkelowna.com
www.okanagan4kids.com
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VARIOUS DATES THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER
http://www.okanaganpaddlefest.com
28 august
until September 1st Interior Provincial Exhibition (IPE) The Interior Provincial Exhibition (IPE) & Stampede in Armstrong is a 5-day agricultural fair that include Kid’s World, Mini-Chuck Wagon races, Dodge Truck Music Stage, a Historical Village, and the Thistle Hill Petting Zoo. n
Interior Savings Moonlight Movies As the sun goes down in our communities, Interior Savings Credit Union and the Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs will be lighting up parks in your area with a giant inflatable movie screen, concession and fun activities for the family. n
http://www.boysandgirlsclubs.ca
http://www.armstrongipe.com
Okanagan4Kids.com Summer Activity Guide | 2013
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f u n fa m i l y o u t i n g s
Fun Family Outings Be a tourist in your own town this summer! Whether you are visiting from out of town or a local looking to experience some Okanagan attractions, we’ve put together a list of our top choices for family fun.
North Okanagan
Davison Orchards Farm Market What’s not to love about Davison Orchards? Everything from the friendly staff, Crazy Cow Kids Corral play area, farm tours, great food and country charm make this a fun day trip for locals and visitors alike.
Starlight Drive-In Theatre Every family should visit North America’s largest drive-in movie theatre in Enderby. Where else can you enjoy two movies for the price of one in a regular movie theatre? n Open daily until October 31st Thursday night is family night for more savings! www.davisonorchards.ca 3111 Davison Road, Vernon n Open nightly until September 1st www.starlightdrivein.ca Central Okanagan 55 Minutes from Kelowna 22 Minutes from Vernon on Hwy 97A just Planet lazer South of Enderby The Okanaga’s largest and best indoor Lazer Tag facility! They have over 6000 square feet Atlantis Waterslides of extreme lazer tag! Great for a rainy day or Cool off and have fun at the Okanagan’s only to beat the summer heat! outdoor waterslides! They have 10 slides, a tube ride, hot tub, mini golf and more. Make n Open year-round it a day and enjoy lunch in their large open www.planetlazerkelowna.com picnic area! #3-1960 Springfield Road, Kelowna n Open daily until September www.atlantiswaterslides.ca 7921 Greenhow Road, Vernon
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Kangaroo Creek Farm This is a fun and affordable family outing that your family will love! Kangaroo Creek is
Okanagan4Kids.com Summer Activity Guide | 2013
a hobby farm that specializes in uncommon animals like wallabies and sugar gliders. n Open daily from 9am to 2pm or earlier (to give the animals a break through the hot part of the day) www.kangaroocreekfarm.com 3193 Hill Road, Winfield 19 Greens Premiere Putting Course Brush up on your mini-golf skills with the AstroTurf mini golf course which is great for the younger putters and an 18-hole natural grass putting course for tons of family fun! n Open daily until August. Call for fall hours. www.19greenskelowna.com 2050 Campbell Road, Kelowna WildPlay Element Parks Get outside your comfort zone on aerial Elements that entertain and challenge adults, teens, and kids ages 7 and up. This fun park www.okanagan4kids.com
f u n fa m i l y o u t i n g s
n Open daily until September www.locolanding.com 75 Riverside Drive, Penticton n Open daily until October Tickleberry’s Ice Cream www.wildplay.com This wonderful little ice cream shop 5983 Hwy 33, Kelowna features over 72 kinds of ice cream! We make the trek down to OK Falls OgoPlay Family every year to enjoy a cone. They also Entertainment Centre have a gift shop with tons of local This is a great place to take your crafts, sweets and an in-house fudge kids to burn off some energy! The factory! indoor play center features an indoor climbing gym, bouncy castle, toddler play area, carnival-style kid rides and n Open daily in the summer www.tickleberrys.com more. Want a few hours to yourself? Main Street, OK Falls They are offering drop-off sessions this summer for kids ages 6-11 years. Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre n Open daily until September This is a great way to experience www.ogoplay.ca the First Nation’s of the area, the #105-2374 Bering Rd., Wesbank Okanagans, in a self-guided family adventure. They feature two theatres, South Okanagan indoor/outdoor galleries and a 1.5km loop trail with a complete restored LocoLanding Adventure village. Park One of our favorite Okanagan attractions, LocoLanding is a fun n Open daily in the summer www.nkmipdesert.com place to visit in the summer! They 1000 Rancher Creek Road, Osoyoos have everything from mini-golf to bumper boats, Monkey Motion (our personal fav), a new ropes course and more! It’s worth a drive if you’re from out-of-town. has zip lines, a primal swing, tree-top obstacles and more!
Pictured: Left: Crazy Cow Kids Corral at Davison Orchards Farm Market in Vernon Center: Kangaroo Creek Farm in Lake Country Right: Go Kart racing at LocoLanding Adventure Park in Penticton
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Kids Aged 1-12
Family Fun!
West Kelowna’s very own family entertainment centre!
Beat the Heat this Summer! Summer Day Camps & Drop-Off July 1st-August 30th 9am-5pm for Ages 6-11
SUMMER HOURS
Monday..............................9am - 5pm Tuesday..............................9 am - 6pm Wednesday.........................9am - 6pm Thursday............................9am - 6pm Friday.................................9am - 7pm Saturday...........................10am - 7pm Sunday.............................10am - 5pm 6
SPACE IS LIMITED! BOOK TODAY! 3-Story Playground ~ Bouncy Castle Arts & Crafts ~ New Movie Corner Games & So Much More!
778.754.5866
#105 - Bering Road, West Kelowna
Visit us online at www.ogoplay.ca
Okanagan4Kids.com Summer Activity Guide | 2013
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C A M P I N G fTeI PaSt u r e
Find the perfect campground Whether you are avid campers or a family looking to explore the great outdoors, finding the ideal campsite can be a challenge...
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here are a number of ways to determine which campground might be best for your family. First it is important to determine what kind of camping you will be doing. Avid campers often have supply lists, meal plans and clear expectations while beginners may not know just what to pack and benefit from having more amenities while camping. Campsites fall into 2 categories, Provincial Campsites & Private Campgrounds. Provincial Campsites are highly regulated and have set standards for campers. Often located in gorgeous surroundings, these sites are generally known to be well maintained with a wide variety of amenities. Many provincial campsites have flush toilets, showers, drinking water, picnic areas and boat launches. Because these sites are so standardized they make great vacation spots for avid campers and beginners alike. These sites are highly sought after and often require
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booking months in advance. Many campsite reviews can be found on line, including at http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks. A few of our favourite provincial campgrounds are: Harold Provincial Park, Mabel Lake Provincial Park and Christina Lake Provincial Park. Private Campgrounds will each have their own set of rules, regulations and standards. These sites are often operated by local, small business owners who want to share their piece of paradise with others. We enjoying camping at private campgrounds, supporting the local economy and building relationships with the staff and long time residence. Often these campgrounds have a general store on site. A store allows for campers to purchase supplies that may have been forgotten or special treat for the kids. A few of the private campsites that we would recommend are: Beaver Lake Mountain
Resort, Old Cowboy Ranch and Sicamous KOA. The amenities vary widely at these campgrounds from outhouses to a salt water pool. You can find more campsite reviews, as well as detailed camping tips on my blog www. twindragonflydesigns.com The best way to determine which campground might be a good fit for your family is to ask. Ask friends, family and acquaintances where they love to camp. Even avid campers may find a new favourite spot. Beginners may want to camp with friends. That way if something is forgotten, lost or misunderstood they have friends to borrow the proverbial cup of sugar from. n Contributed by Heather Painchaud of TwinDragonflyDesigns.com. She shares epic craft tutorials, delicious recipes and all things DIY. She is also a passionate program instructor who teaches classes such as: Pinspired Projects, Cupcake Creations and Toddlers in the Park. Heather balances life as a working twin momma, wife, daughter and entrepreneur, while keeping it all real.
Okanagan4Kids.com Summer Activity Guide | 2013
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travell i n g w i t h k i ds
taking the whine out of
the road trip Whether you are travelling in the car for two hours, two days, or two weeks this summer, here are some fresh screen free ideas to keep from hearing the dreaded, “are we there yet?” Things to Bring n
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Organize a special trip “busy bag” for the back seat. Things it may include: finger puppets, books, foam stickers, googlie eyes, travel-size games, activity books, glow sticks, colouring book and pencil crayons
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Where are we?
TIP - wax crayons can melt
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Pillow, blanket and stuffed toy Garbage bags, ziplock bags, wet wipes, bandaids, and napkins Music that everybody can enjoy Snacks and plenty of water
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Family Games n
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Colour car game – everyone chooses a colour and for every car that goes by that is your colour you get a point Eyes open – Pick an object, like a motorcycle or a wild animal, and whoever sees the object first and points it out gets a point. Play cooperatively by getting as many points as you can one day and trying to beat your family score the next travel day. Alphabet game – Choose a topic, like food or places, and go around in a circle having each person think of one item that starts with A (apple), then
the next person must think of one that starts with B (banana) and so on. Then choose another topic. Cooperative Story – Tell a story with each person adding one word at a time.
Bring along a map or two for your children to follow the path you travel. Older children may be able to help with directions and planning places to stop. Give your children a travel journal to write in about the things they see, their favourite activities during the trip, or new friends they met. They may even like to glue in photos of themselves or brochures from places they visit.
Activities that must be planned ahead n
Bring a cookie sheet and magnets – alphabets or magnetic paper dolls are great for young children, magnetic poetry with words are great for older children. *TIP - magnets can also hold colouring sheets in place*. v Make an Eye Spy jar – pick up some small toys from the dollar store and take a picture of them. Then put the toys in a jar with rice *make sure the
Okanagan4Kids.com Summer Activity Guide | 2013
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lid is screwed on tight.* Have your children find all the items that are in the photo. Wrap up a few goodies (new small toy, car game, food treat) like presents with a tag on the top that instructs the children to do something before they get to open the box. These should be kept as surprise items (not in their busy bag) for difficult times. Tag ideas: take a nap, read quietly for 15 minutes, drive past a street with a K, spot 10 stop signs. Print out a questionnaire for your children to answer – questions that use their imagination, questions about their experiences or their favourites, questions about their family.
Best Behaviour n
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Bring play money that the children can earn for good behaviour. They can trade in the play money for a treat or a souvenir. Try to plan to get out of the car about every two to three hours. If you can stop at a park or place the children can run and burn off energy all the better. You can even pack a soccer ball or bubbles for things to do when children get out of the car. Let your children know the travel schedule ahead of time. Planning to stop at noon for lunch and a break from the car will help children occupy their time and they will also know that there is a break coming. Keep your children’s rhythms in mind when travelling – when do they usually eat, nap, or play outdoors, and try to keep to a normal schedule.
For more ideas and printables check out my pinterest board: Travelling with Kids - http:// pinterest.com/gotstamped/travelling-withkids/ Happy Travels! n Contributed by Amanda Turner, Success by 6 Coordinator and mom to two spunky boys. Her special place in this world is her paper-crafting studio. When she’s not there you can find her camping in the back country or at the hockey arena, depending on the season, of course.
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Okanagan4Kids.com Summer Activity Guide | 2013
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READING
•
WRITING
•
MATH
•
sTuDy skIlls AND MoRE!
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personal best!GRADES BETTER
Sylvan This Summer Means Next Fall.
Make Sylvan a part of your summer schedule... and make back-to-school time a big success. Your child has the ability to amaze you with how much he or she can learn – Sylvan can unlock that ability!
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250.861.1255
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Learning Should Be Personal ™
Okanagan4Kids.com Summer Activity Guide | 2013
Sy lva n l e a r n i n g . c a
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Offer expires July 31, 2013. Not valid with any other offer. Valid at participating locations only. Limit one per customer. Must present ad at time of assessment.
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s u m m er read i n g
Let them read what they want! School is finished and that means it is time for kids to read what they want!
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he library has a huge variety of materials for readers of all ages and stages. Plus, during the summer the library has prizes to keep young readers motivated! Register your children for the Summer Reading Club for kids ages 6-12 at your local branch of the Okanagan Regional Library. The goal of the club is to keep kids reading and having fun during the summer. Joining Summer Reading Club is completely free and easy. After registering at the library kids will receive a reading log, contest entries and a list of free programs to choose from. Once they have finished their reading log they receive a medal! Some branches of the Okanagan Regional Library are offering additional reading clubs for younger children (newborn-5 years) and teens. Visit your branch today to find out about all the free fun. Contact your local Okanagan Regional Library branch for more information. See you at the library and the beach this summer!
having trouble finding a book for your children? We can help you out. Kids can request their very own Custom Booklist! Visit the Kids section on our website www. orl.bc.ca/kids to fill out the Custom Booklist request form. Kids can tell us what type of books they like or dislike and we will create a booklist just for them. We will email a list of five books within a week. This service is for kids and teens but parents can make a request on a child’s behalf.
Ashley Machum Youth Services Librarian, Kelowna Branch, Okanagan Regional Library
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Okanagan4Kids.com Summer Activity Guide | 2013
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s u m m er b u c k et l i st C ontest
Win
Summer
a Back to School Prize Pack worth over $200!
Bucket List
Contest 12
Okanagan4Kids.com Summer Activity Guide | 2013
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s u m m er b u c k et l i st C ontest All of us at Okanagan4Kids.com hope that everyone has a memorable summer vacation this year! We’ve compiled a list of fun activities for all ages to enjoy and would love to know how you decided to spend your summer. That’s why we decided to hold our first annual Summer Bucket List contest. We want to give one lucky kid an awesome Back to School prize pack worth over $200! All you have to do is take part in at least of these activities and submit photos and a short description of your adventures. We will randomly draw a winner at the end of the summer and post your adventures on our website. Visit www.okanagan4kids.com/contests for all the details.
1. Check out your local museum. 2. Join the Summer Reading Club at participating Okanagan Regional Libraries http://www.orl.bc.ca/kids/story-time/summer-reading-club
A few of our Prize Sponsors:
26. Eat ice cream at Tickleberry’s in OK Falls http://www.tickleberrys.com/
27. Visit Atlantis Waterslides in Vernon http://www.atlantiswaterslides.ca/
3. Plan and execute a scavenger hunt
28. Make homemade popsicles
4. Visit Croc-Talk
29. Have a lemonade stand
http://croctalk.com/
30. Go for a nature walk
5. Get up early and watch the sun rise
31. Go fruit picking
6. Go fishing
32. Go bowling
7. Have a game of frisbee
33. Visit the Okanagan Science Centre in Vernon
8. Go horseback riding 9. Visit an indoor play centre 10. Play hopscotch
http://www.okscience.ca/
34. Play laser tag http://planetlazerkelowna.com/
11. Play catch with a friend or family member
35. Hit up a water park
12. Attend a festival/fair
36. Visit the IPE in Armstrong (Aug 28-Sept1)
13. Skip rope 14. Family Sundays at the Kelowna Art Gallery http://kelownaartgallery.com/programming/family-sundays/
15. Go to the Starlight Drive-In Theatre http://www.starlightdrivein.ca/
http://www.armstrongipe.com/
37. Visit Planet Bee in Vernon http://planetbee.com/
38. Fly a kite 39. Build a fort in the backyard
16. Go Garage Sale-ing
40. Play with sidewalk chalk
17. LocoLanding Adventure Park
41. Hike the Myra Canyon Trestles
http://www.locolanding.com/
http://www.myratrestles.com/
18. Go to a free local concert at a park
42. Go for a bike ride
19. Backyard campout
43. Stargazing
20. Water balloon fight
44. Go camping
21. Tube down the Penticton Channel
45. Visit Davison Orchards Farm Market
22. Visit Kangaroo Creek farm in Lake Country http://www.kangaroocreekfarm.com/
23. Go to the beach and make a sand castle 24. Visit the Nk’mip Desert Cultural Centre http://www.nkmipdesert.com/
25. Make an art collage of of flowers/leaves from your neighborhood
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http://www.davisonorchards.ca/
46. Family movie night 47. Visit Historic O’Keefe Ranch http://www.okeeferanch.ca/
48. Play hide and seek 49. Blow bubbles 50. Have a picnic in the park
Okanagan4Kids.com Summer Activity Guide | 2013
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ra i n y da y i deas
Top 10 things to do with your kids on a rainy day... 1o 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 14
Visit your local library Indoor swimming/waterslides Why not try some indoor waterslides or Canada’s only flow rider at Kelowna’s H2O Centre.
Visit an indoor play centre
Ya Ya’s in Vernon, OgoPlay in West Kelowna or Energyplex in Kelowna.
Okanagan Science Centre in Vernon Model Desert Train in Osoyoos Go to a movie Puddle jump! Bake cookies Visit the bowling alley Color Me Mine Studio in Kelowna Okanagan4Kids.com Summer Activity Guide | 2013
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REGISTRATION
250-470-7496 NOW OPEN!
www.weteachswimming.ca feature now available in Canada!
THIS SUMMER - Xara Soccer CAMP!
This age specific, story based approach is built around the introduction and development of the core motor skills required to play the game. Developed by experts in childcare development and education. is summer? h t l o o p e t a iv r cess to a p come to you! d instructors Do you have ac ie if rt ce r ou having enience of Enjoy the conv
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Okanagan4Kids.com Summer Activity Guide | 2013
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WATER PARKS
Cooling off at a Water park
Want to avoid a sandy beach or swimming pool? Why not pack a picnic and head down to your local water park! This is a great way for the kids to run around and burn some energy. North Okanagan Polson Park Spray Park 2600 Hwy 6, Vernon Open 10am-7pm July and August Lakeview Wading Pool 18th Street and 32nd Avenue, Vernon Open 11am-7pm July and August Central Okanagan Ben Lee Waterpark 900 Houghton Road, Kelowna City Park Waterpark 1600 Abbot Street, Kelowna 10am-8pm until August 17th 10am-7pm August 18th-24th 11am-5pm August 25th-September 7th
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Quilchena Waterpark 347 Quilchena Drive, Kelowna Open 8am-8pm until September 7th Kids Care Spray Park at Westbank Centre Waterpark May Street, West Kelowna (behind Dairy Queen) Open 10am-8pm until September 5th South Okanagan Millenium Waterpark at Peach Orchard Beach Peach Orchard Road, Summerland Open 10am-8pm July and August Skaha Lake Park Skaha Lake Road, Penticton
beach and water park checklist
Towels Hats Sunscreen Water shoes or flip flops Snacks and/or picnic lunch Beach blanket and/or chairs
Sunglasses
Kinsmen Spray Park 255 Park Drive, Oliver Open May-September
Okanagan4Kids.com Summer Activity Guide | 2013
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