British Columbia is famous for its beautiful scenery, wild and secluded areas, history, culture and outdoor activities. The Sunshine Coast is home to all of the things that B.C. is so well known for, which makes it the perfect place for a family vacation. There are plenty of interesting things to keep your kids busy for days on end as you explore the 177-kilometer stretch of beaches, provincial parks, rainforest, old growth forests, and towns. To get here from the mainland you can travel by ferry or air and choose to stay in hotels or camp while you explore.
Skookumchuck Narrows Provincial Park – Egmont
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Sprockids Mountain Bike Park – Gibsons
If your kids have some mountain biking skills, spend the day exploring Sprockids Mountain Bike Park, the first officially recognized mountain bike skills park in North America. There are over 14 kilometers of trails that includes jumps, downhill trails, teeter-bars, and ramps. Most of the biking routes loop back to the park centre so you can just keep going and going as you experience the different trails. There are some easy ones that are not as technical if your kids are just starting out.
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Powell Forest Canoe Route
This is a great, multi-day family activity that takes you along an 80-kilometer canoe journey that travels through ten lakes, with seven portages. The entire route takes about five days to complete but there are also three day and two-day routes if you don’t want something as long or strenuous. Both the portages and the canoe time vary in length, but there are plenty of canoe rest areas and more than twenty campsites located around the lakes so you can stop when you want. If you are travelling with your own equipment, just keep in mind that this is not a circular route, you need to have two vehicles in order to have one waiting for you at the end. Otherwise there are several operators in the area who can arrange transport and equipment rental.
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Porpoise Bay Provincial Park
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Hike the Trinket Trail to Bunster Bluffs
A part of this trail overlaps the Sunshine Coast Trail, but thankfully is much shorter. Your kids will have a lot of fun along this route. Named Trinket Trail because of all the items along the walk, this also makes an excellent place for geocaching. Make sure you bring a trinket of your own to leave behind. Just take a GPS and download the geocaching app to enjoy this activity with your kids. This 5.5-kilometer round trip hike needs at least three hours to be enjoyable, we suggest allotting for four hours. There are so many surprises and things to check out along the path that it might take you all day as your kids check everything out. The views from the bluffs are incredible and a perfect place to enjoy a picnic lunch.
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Enjoy Family Watersports on Sechelt Inlet
Canoe, paddleboard or kayak, if your kids are into watersports this is the perfect place to explore the waters and scenery of Sechelt Inlet. Ocean kayaking here is ideal as it is more sheltered than other areas, and there are many places to pull up your kayak and explore the old growth forest, including trees that are up to 1,700 years old. Use your own kayak or canoe, or participate in a guided tour, or contact one of the local operators about renting. No matter your choice, you will enjoy every second in this paradise.
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Spend some time at Snickett Park – Sechelt
This trail is located right in Sechelt and takes you along the waterfront and is easily accessible for walkers of all ages and abilities and is great for strollers. The views to the water are spectacular, but there are also things to see along the paved trail, such as poppies in the spring, amazing rock outcropping, and the Salish totem poles.
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Powell River Historic Townsite
Designated as a National Historic District in 1995, Powell River Townsite is a unique area which gives visitors a glimpse into the past of the town. Kids will enjoy the oldest running movie theater in the country here which offers both regular movies and theater shows. Along with the world’s largest floating breakwater of WWI and WWII ships, there is much to enjoy here. You can visit on your own or take a walking tour of the area to get all the backstories and information.
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Take an Aboriginal Cultural Tour with I’Hos – Sliammon
This is an excellent opportunity to see the area with a First Nation’s guide who will entertain you will traditional stories and lots of information about the history of the area, the animals who roam, and the traditional ways of life of the Coast Salish. Along with grizzly and zodiac tours, this company offers a unique tour to learn the traditional cedar weaving methods. Custom tours are also available.
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Enjoy the Blackberry Festival – Powell River
Blackberries are found everywhere in the Powell River region and the community celebrates every year by holding a festival. It’s one of British Columbia’s favourite fruits and picking time for this wild berry provides an excuse to hold an entertaining block party like your family has never experienced. With local goodies (not just blackberries) for sale at the market, great food, drinks, entertainment and more, this event is a great reason to travel to Powell River in late summer.
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Check out the Sea Fair – Powell River
In July it may be a good idea to time your vacation around this fun event. More than 50 years in the running, Sea Fair treats locals and visitors alike to a small-town fair for three days. Kids and family members can participate in the fishing derby or canoe race, watch the parade, or other special events. Rides, booths, local products for sale, entertainment and fireworks all make this a fun time for all.
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Take an Aboriginal Cultural Tour with Talaysay
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Take in a Show at the historic Raven’s Cry Theatre – Sechelt
This is no regular movie theater, or stage theater either, and kids will be fascinated by this historic theatre and all it contains. Built in the early 1900’s this was one of Canada’s first operating movie theaters. With the ability for audiences to view both screen movies and live performances, the theater offers a wide variety of opportunities to enjoy a show. A great place to spend some indoor time along the Sunshine Coast on a rainy day or when your kids need a break from outdoor sports.
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Eat at Molly’s Reach – Gibsons
Made famous by the iconic Canadian television show, the Beachcombers, this is a great stop for parents who may remember the show. Kids may be more familiar with the movie Charlie St. Cloud, starring Zac Efron, for which the building was also used. Using locally sourced products, this restaurant offers amazing dishes and yummy desserts, along with locally roasted coffee! The building itself has been around since 1926, so along with the great food you will enjoy the historic touch.
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Hiking or Biking in Kinnikinnick Park
An easy access park located right in Sechelt, this family friendly destination has hiking and biking trails for all skill levels. Trails vary in length and are well marked so you can’t get lost. There are also sports fields here to enjoy and a playground for the kids. In the late summer and fall you can find many ripe blackberries to munch on as you walk but be aware that the bears in the area also love them!
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Willingdon Beach Trail
A good family trail for hiking and biking, this path takes you through beautiful forests and beside the seaside, along an easy trail with very little elevation gain. It is only about a 20-minute walk each way so perfect for little feet, and the views are excellent and there are interesting historical items to be found along the lovely walk.
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Inland Lake Provincial Park
The park itself has a lot of opportunities to swim, fish, boat, canoe, hike and cycle, so it would be easy to camp and spend a couple of days here exploring. The easy, 13-kilometer trail here takes you on boardwalks and well-maintained bridges and gravel paths so for a family bike ride this is a perfect place.
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Cliff Gilker Park
There is a whole network of trails here, so you can choose your distances and walk times based on your children’s abilities. Waterfalls and other rainforest scenery make every step enjoyable, and because of the easy trails this is a good family destination. The kids will enjoy looking up at the magnificent Douglas Firs and Red Cedars, which make the walk worthwhile.
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Princess Louisa Inlet
The Princess Louisa Marine Provincial Park is a fantastic destination for those families who love the water, sea life and gorgeous views. Guided boat tours are available that will show you the amazing waterfalls, petroglyphs and other highlights of the park, or you can walk on the beautiful boardwalks, camp, or enjoy other outdoor activities.
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Savary Island
Located in the Georgia Strait, by Powell River, Savary Island is only 7.5 kilometers long and 1 kilometer wide but there are still plenty of things to do here to keep your family busy. There are gorgeous white sand beaches here, along with warm waters for swimming. You can camp or spend the night in one of the available cabins. There are short hikes and biking routes on the island, with bike rentals available, but no water toys available for rent so make sure you bring your own. Kids may be excited to hear that whales and other sea life can be easily seen from here. Make sure you read all of the recommendations about enjoying this island and keep in mind that you also have to get there, so make sure you book your water taxi ahead of time.
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Sechelt Heritage Hidden Groves
Just ten minutes from downtown Sechelt, this 170-acre park has over 16 kilometers of smooth, well marked trails for the family to enjoy. This is an important park that is home to old growth forest trees that are 500 to 1000 years old. There is no overnight camping here, but since it is so close to town you don’t have to worry about a long commute back to civilization!
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Burnett Falls Park
If your family has not had enough of impressive waterfalls, then this is a great short walk for them. With no more than a half an hour needed for the hike, you will have plenty of time to do other things in the area. There is a lovely lookout and a picnic table in route, so you could take a picnic or snacks with you to munch along the short trail.
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Sunshine Coast Museum and Archives in Gibsons
For an indoor activity on a rainy day, or for a change of pace from outdoor activities, the museum here holds a great variety of historical displays and items that will keep your kids interested for a couple of hours. Based on the First Nations history and the stories of the early families of the area, as and long with old photographs, there are exhibits based on the logging and fishing industries. There are two floors to explore and enjoy.
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Nicholas Sonntag Marine Education Centre (NSMEC) – Gibsons
A fun place for kids to learn about the marine environment without the need to get underwater! Located right inside the Gibsons Public Market, the center is currently open only on weekends. There are 30 local marine life habitats with more than 70 species available to view. You can self-guide through the center or get a volunteer to take your family through to learn all about it. Kids can even touch sea life in one of the pools under the guidance of a staff member.
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Chapman Creek Hatchery and Nature Destination
Right by the town of Sechelt you will come across this small hatchery. This hatchery is all about maintaining the population of the salmon and trout in the nearby streams and rivers and has a small pool to view and some information about the fish. This is a not for profit association that works on donations and volunteers and paid activities, such as the fun camps they run for kids during the summer months. If your kids love nature and would like to have some fun in the wild learning about the natural world, you can choose a week of either half days or full days during July or August.
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Merry Island Lighthouse – Halfmoon Bay
On the Strait of Georgia, you will find the cute little Merry Island. This is home to one of the few still manned lighthouses in Canada. You can’t actually visit the island as much of it is private land or government owned, but this is the perfect place to pop your kids into a sailboat, boat or kayak and explore the waters surrounding the historic 1902 lighthouse and the views around it.
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Whale Watching Tours
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Mikes Gelato in Gibsons
Just up the road from the famous Molly’s Reach restaurant is another great eating spot. Known for its homemade selection of gelatos, which any child will love, this little café also has great snacks, lunch items and great coffee for the grown ups in the family. A good choice for lunch or take some of their homemade sourdough bread to make sandwiches for a picnic.
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Iris Griffith Interpretive Centre at Ruby Lake
Run by the Ruby Lake Lagoon Society and located near Pender Harbour, this interpretive center houses interactive displays based on the nature of the Sunshine Coast. It is on a 10-hectare nature reserve and allows children to learn more about the natural world and the surrounding area. The center hosts many workshops and classes, along with visiting opportunities. Contact them for more information on how to visit or their special workshops.
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Cheeky Monkey Cupcake Shop
What is better than a cupcake? For kids, this place is going to become a fast favourite as they can choose from a wide variety of little cakes and goodies. Order some for a special occasion or stop by the storefront to choose your favourites to eat in the moment.
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Roberts Creek Pier
Check out the community painted mandala at the Roberts Creek Pier if you want something unique to view while you are in the area. Organizers create the outline each year and the community is invited to paint! If you happen to be there when they are painting, you may be able to get a portion to paint on your own.
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Farm Ventures – Robert Creek
A fun farm to visit just minutes away from Sechelt or Gibsons, children can enjoy pony rides, a petting farm, tours of the farm, and lots of fun activities to keep them busy for hours. Please note that only cash or cheque is accepted for services, so check the website for current pricing.
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Smuggler Cove Marine Provincial Park
Learn about the history of Smuggler’s Cove as you explore the area with your family. This can be used as a jumping off point for some great paddling on the calm waters of the cove. There are a number of walking trails that wander their way through some beautiful coastal forest which offers phenomenal views of Georgia Strait and Welcome Passage. Your kids will love to explore the rocky shoreline, lagoons and tidal pools to find all sorts of cool sea life, such as sea cucumbers.
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Palm Beach Regional Park
With a playground, horseshoe pit, picnic areas and one of the best beaches around, the family will enjoy every moment here. There is a BBQ pit available and a flush toilet during the summer months. Don’t forget your towels and lunch to make the day complete.
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Texada Island Sandcastle Weekend
This fun event is family friendly and takes place once a year, with tons of entertaining things to do during the two days it runs. Eat some pancakes, build a sandcastle, watch the fun parade or the bed races, listen to live music, let your kids bounce in the fun castle, or spend time going through the variety of vendors. There is so much to do your kids will have a hard time choosing what to do first.
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Feed the Ducks in Sechelt Marsh
The marsh is a bird sanctuary and breeding grounds, which means that it is an amazing place to feed not just the ducks, but other species as well! A fun place to spend time with your children, the marsh has various easy trails to wander.
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Henderson House Living Museum
This was the first house in Powell River and is an amazing piece of history that visitors of all ages will enjoy. The house has been renovated recently to reflect the time period using historically accurate photos, furniture and other exhibits. Children should enjoy seeing how families lived way back when!
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Sunshine Coast Botanical Garden
A good opportunity for children to learn about the plants and birds of the area. This is a great place to get up close and personal and get some information about what they are seeing, or going to see, as they traverse the surrounding forests, wetlands and mountains with you. There are lots of special presentations available, so check the website to see if there is anything that your family will be interested in.
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Learn to sail in Gibsons
If your family is planning on spending at least a week in the Gibsons area and your kids are interested in learning to sail, you can take advantage and enrol them in a five-day sailing course held by the Gibsons Sailing Club. There are two courses available, one for beginners who are aged 8 years and up, and the second for teens aged 13 years and up, no experience required.
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E.B’s Ice Cream in Sechelt
This great little ice cream shop claims to be the best on the Sunshine Coast and you will find your kids will agree! With lots of flavours of creamy cold goodness, this location provides their own small batch ice cream along with flavours from another local maker. Everyone will be leaving satisfied. Sometimes you can find live music being played here, which creates an even more fun atmosphere.
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Powell River Historical Museum
It is a great idea to let your kids have some time exploring some of the history of the area as well as the outdoor activities. The history of the First Nations, the pulp and paper mill and the logging industries are featured along with interesting photos and exhibits. For children who are interested in how the area came to be and the stories behind the founding families and businesses, this museum is a good stop.
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Powell River Forestry Museum
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Straight Up Rock Climbing
In Sechelt you will find a good opportunity for your kids to take on rock climbing in a safe environment. There are plenty of technical places to climb outdoors along the Sunshine Coast, but this indoor climbing wall will allow them to get their technique down pat before venturing to harder climbs. Day passes and family passes, along with equipment rental will get your family started out or choose to put your kids in one of the kid’s classes that start at just 4 years old.
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Sechelt Aquatic Center
Some days are just not meant to be at the beach or in open waters, so if your kids love to swim but the weather is not permitting it, take some time to hop on over to the Aquatic Center where the family can easily spend a couple of hours galivanting in the pool here. The Centre includes a leisure pool, lap pool, lazy river, waterslide, hot tub, steam room, and a sauna, so parents will be happy as well as children.
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Alpha Adventures Kids Camps
If you would like your kids to learn the skills of paddling, this company offers courses for 9 to 11 years old, and 11 to 13 years old. A week of instruction will allow them to learn both kayaking and paddleboarding skills. What a way for your kids to spend some of their summer holidays!
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