The Victoria Stroller

Children's Fitness and Arts Tax Credit

2012-02-28T21:23:00.005-08:00

Don't forget that your child's art or fitness class may be eligible for the Children's Arts Tax Credit and Children's Fitness Tax Credit. (We completely forgot and already filed our taxes. Fortunately, we can make the change online, after we've received our assessment!)

BAT Fest

2012-02-25T19:50:00.004-08:00

Still easily one of the best annual deals going, including so many things to do with young kids. The BAT Fest (Be A Tourist in Your Own Hometown) is a great reminder that in Victoria it's not about finding stuff to do - it's about choosing from so many possibilities! http://www.attractionsvictoria.com/bat/

Daddy's Day at Uptown

2012-02-23T21:39:00.002-08:00

I just got the word - In addition to its weekly walking club, Uptown ShoppingCentre is doing a Daddy's Day every Saturday from 10to 11 a.m. starting on March 3rd.Colouring, stickers, painting, face painting, balloons, free coffee, hotchocolate and games. Love it.

Oops! Library Time Mix-up

2012-02-23T21:33:00.000-08:00

It has been brought to my attention that I mixed up the drop-in times at the Bruce Hutchison Library. Indeed I did, so I have fixed it in the calendar: Family Storytime is 10:15-10:45 and Baby Time is 11:00-11:30. I apologize for any inconvenience this caused. :(

New Walking Club at Uptown

2012-02-16T11:01:00.000-08:00

Bring your runners, water bottles (and strollers!) to join in Uptown's FREE Walking Club on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9-10am., starting on March 5th. The group walks on the Galloping Goose Trail from Uptown to Selkirk Trestles and back to Uptown. This group is designed to enjoy some exercise, meet new friends and enjoy Victoria's beautiful scenery. The group will meet at Guest Services for Sign-ins 10-15 minutes prior to the walk. Call Uptown Guest Services to register or for more information at (250) 383-4866.

Hummingbird Day at Swan Lake

2012-02-14T19:43:00.000-08:00

Tinseltots at The Odeon

2012-02-08T18:40:00.000-08:00

"Relax and don't worry if your baby cries." Great movies in a baby-friendly theatre. Monday, Feb 13 at the Odeon, 780 Yates St. $5 per grownup. Doors open at 12 pm, and all films start at 1ish. For full information, please see the calendar listing.

Cineplex Family Favourites

2012-02-07T16:24:00.000-08:00

Join Cineplex in Langford on Saturday mornings at 11 a.m. for Cineplex Family Favourites. Watch a family favourite film each week for only $2.50. A portion of proceeds goes towards supporting Starlight Children's Foundation. (This event has been added to the drop-in calendar.)

Free Car Seat Clinic

2012-02-06T12:48:00.000-08:00

Have your car seats checked at Ladysmith Fire Hall, February12th, 10-3. Email cvcarseattechs@gmail.com to register. https://www.facebook.com/VICarSeatTechs

10 Great Annual Memberships in Greater Victoria for Families with Young Children

2012-01-28T19:01:00.000-08:00

I've added three new events to the drop-in calendar: Wonder Sundays at the Royal BC Museum, Salty Sundays at the BC Maritime Museum, and Tot Tuesdays at the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre. And while these drop-ins aren't actually free because they're included in the price of admission, they can be a great deal when you buy an annual pass.

Which brings me to my first round-up list of the year and since relaunching the blog. Now I tend to be frugal (read: broke) so, noting that kids five and under are often free, and that most memberships come with a couple of guest passes or a guest discount, I find that one adult membership is often a better deal for us than the family rate. Most memberships come with benefits, but I've only mentioned the benefits that seem relevant to families with young kids; please follow the links for more info. So here, in no particular order, is the 2012 list of annual memberships which my family either loves or would love to get:

The Royal BC Museum
Wonder Sundays every month, and children under 5 are free. Includes head-of-the-line express entry, exclusive Kids' Club, 20% discount on single feature IMAX tickets, and limited time 20% discount on Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (great to use for Family Sundays at the Art Gallery.)

IMAX
This is the one we get for my husband every year. Includes a 20% discount on companion passes and a free 'upsizing' of your popcorn and drink at concession. For the five of us, it costs around $13 with the pass for a single feature. It is a BIG deal for the kids to go, and the 45-minute educational features are just long enough (and LARGE enough) to keep them enthralled.

Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
Family Sundays once a month, and children under 5 are free. An individual pass includes 2 guest passes and 20% discount on Royal BC Museum admission. I used to work at a public art gallery, so my husband gave me this membership when I went on mat leave...a lifesaver when it rained.

The Maritime Museum of BC
Children under 12 are free and includes 10% off birthday parties. Salty Sundays every second Sunday (say that one five times fast.)

Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre.
If you live anywhere in Greater Victoria and you've visited this place once, then I am willing to bet that you already own an adult pass. Reason being it's less than the price of two visits, and of course an annual kid's pass comes free with your 3- to 5-year old's admission (under 2 is free.) The first time I went, I actually passed on the adult membership; then I found myself BACK there a week later and fortunate enough to have kept the receipt. Every Tuesday is Tot Tuesday.

The Butterfly Gardens
Not only is this place educational and fascinating, it's a helluva nice warm place to be in the winter. I'm serious: on those awful gray days, when the kids can't play outside...you can take them somewhere positively tropical! An annual adult pass is really only the price of two visits, and kids under five are free.

Fit in Fitness Pass
Enjoy drop-in activities at 13 regional recreation centres for $475, and there's a payment plan option. My husband can use it to take the kids to drop-in swimming and skating every week, as well as for personal fitness (theoretically.) And, until April 30th, pass holders can enjoy discounts to several local attractions.

Butchart Gardens
OK, I've lived in Victoria since 2005, and I've never been to the famous Butchart Gardens. But apparently they have an annual pass that includes a discount on guest admission and boat tours, and the non-fireworks pass is $54.54. This is not a bad deal considering regular adult admission varies as high as $29.60 from June to September. There's also a Children's Pavillion and Rose Carousel. Ages 5-12 cost a max of $3 each at peak season, and children under 5 are free.

Victoria Bug Zoo
My son used to love bugs and even had a bug-themed party, and so was given a $25 all ages annual pass as a gift. However, it was $9 for an adult to accompany him, and combined with the location and Emile being born, we ended up not using it as much as we hoped. Still, it was great when he had a passion for bugs...

Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary
Admission is by donation, but you can also support this wonderful non-profit with a monthly or annual donation. Nature house, educational programs, birthday parties, and they have guided bird walks every Wednesday and Sunday at 9 a.m.

Did I miss a cool tip? What annual memberships would you recommend for families with young kids in Victoria?

Notes from the Library

2012-01-25T22:36:00.000-08:00

Celebrate Family Literacy Week by picking up a Family Activity Card at your local GVPL branch. Complete the reading activities with your child, and you can enter a draw to win a $60 gift certificate to a bookstore of your choice. Contest runs January 23 to March 10, 2012.

Did you know that you can borrow a Royal BC Museum Family Pass?
http://gvpl.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1594135041_royal_bc_museum_family_pass

Ready, Set, Learn

2012-01-24T15:39:00.000-08:00

Ready, Set, Learn is a government initiative to ensure that parents and their preschoolers are ready for kindergarten. "Drop by for snacks, songs, crafts, and important information to make the transition into kindergarten smooth and fun!" Check your local school district website to find one nearest you:

http://www.sd61.bc.ca/
http://www.sd62.bc.ca/
http://www.sd63.bc.ca/

Not sure which is your school district? Try this map: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/reporting/maps/welcome.php

Family Literacy Week

2012-01-23T12:19:00.000-08:00

Family Literacy Week is Jan. 23-28. http://gvpl.ca/news/family-literacy-week-is-january-23-28/

2012 Early Years Awards Survey

2012-01-20T08:49:00.000-08:00

Vote for your favourite child-friendly park, service, attraction, restaurant and more. http://www.successby6victoria.ca/ey_awards12.php

Who Gives a Hoot at Swan Lake

2012-01-18T17:07:00.000-08:00

Free Kindergym Coupon at Pearkes

2012-01-16T19:16:00.001-08:00

http://www.saanichparksandreccontest.com/index.php/coupon

VIHA Baby Talks Added

2012-01-15T16:41:00.000-08:00

The VIHA Baby Talks at the Victoria, Esquimalt, Peninsula, West Shore and Sooke health units have been added to the calendar. Please note that Saanich Health Unit also has Baby and Toddler Talks, however you must pre-register ahead of time, and they are currently full.

Lunar New Year Events at the Art Gallery

2012-01-14T19:20:00.000-08:00

Suggestions Needed to Improve Beacon Hill Playground

2012-01-11T10:02:00.000-08:00

http://www.timescolonist.com/Kids+asked+suggest+play+equipment/5959934/story.html

Harbour Living Family Events

2012-01-08T12:22:00.000-08:00

My husband just added the RSS feed of family events supplied by Harbour Living. I worked for them online for about six months, after deciding to stay home with Eddie. On top of being great people to work with, I haven't found a better source for events on Vancouver Island.

I'm back!

2012-01-04T17:07:00.001-08:00

Yes, The Victoria Stroller is back by popular demand (my one friend who uses it,) and because I have need of it myself lately. Edward is now five-years old and in kindergarten, Emile is our two-year old Juggernaut, and the lovely Ms. Eloise is six-months and already mobile. It is a lot of work to update the calendar, but I make at least some money off the ads (about a bus trip a month, but it's something!) And even if I don't have time to find sponsors or promote it enough, the work is invaluable to me in terms of keeping up my job skills. So I am back. And I am glad to be doing something useful for the community, but most of all...I just love creating.

So let's get on with it! This time I'm using Google to create the drop-in calendar, based on feedback from more than one user who wanted to be able to add events to their own Google calendars. It really is a vast improvement over the old one. I also want to start a calendar of drop-in times for toddler and family swims and skates, since my husband always looks for those. I like getting feedback, so please let me know what is working and not working for you.

The new calendar has been updated with all the usual programs except for the VIHA Baby Talks, which are not posted online, so I will add them next weekend. If I've missed a drop-in, or if you know of one at maybe a church or a coffee shop or someplace not advertising online, please let me know about it. I am only selecting programs which are 'free and low-cost' (around $5 or less) and do not require pre-registration. So be sure to check out the full range of programs and events offered by the different providers. If you happen to find an error, I am only human! Always 'check my source' or phone the program provider to be sure, especially on stat holidays. Without further ado, here is the current list of service providers included in the drop-in calendar:

Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
Blanshard Community Centre
Burnside Gorge Community Centre
Capital Regional District Nature Programs
Cinecenta Kids' Matinees
Downtown YMCA-YWCA of Greater Victoria
Esquimalt Recreation Centre
Fairfield Community Centre
Falcon Gymnastics
Fernwood Community Centre
Greater Victoria Public Libraries
Henderson Recreation Centre
Hillside Shopping Centre
James Bay Community Project
James Bay Community School Centre
Mothering Touch
Oaklands Community Centre
Greenglade Community Centre (Panorama Rec Centre)
Saanich Neighbourhood Place
SEAPARC Leisure Complex
Sooke Family Resource Centre
Spiral Café
St. Dunstan's Toddler Time
Stars and Strollers at Cineplex
StrongStart: SD 61, SD 62, SD 63
Tall Tales Books
Tillicum Centre
West Shore Recreation Centre
Victoria West Community Centre
VIHA Baby Talks

One last word about this blog portion: It is free to post your free or low-cost kids', family or community event in the blog. I try to scan the local papers and community bulletin boards for these events, and I often do 'round-up' lists of seasonal events for children. If you have something else to advertise, please contact me for more info.

Peace in the Year 2012!