Lakes, Mountains and Pools! Check out some of the most beautiful homes around the OKV.
Read MoreHorse Therapy! Register and Volunteer with NOTRA this Spring.
Each Spring and Fall NOTRA sees upwards of 100 riders on a weekly basis for an 8 week program. During a rider’s lesson they get the wonderful support of trained volunteers and instructors who guide them every step of the way. It truly is a special place where people of all ages and abilities get to experience the many benefits of therapeutic riding.
Read More
Local Alcohol that Pairs Best with Spring Break
Alright, parents. Spring Break is on the horizon and I’m just going to say it: I am going to need a drink.
We know you love them. We love our kids so dang much we’d... cross oceans, climb mountains and slay dragons for them.
But. We. Get. It. Your kids get going and suddenly your house is a whirlwind of dirty laundry, discarded toys (half of them broken) and left over regurgitated snack crumbles. Is that half a sandwich tucked between the couch cushions with a Barbie arm sticking out of it?! It’s gross… they’re gross.
Spring Break also means endless talky-talky time (if you have ‘talkers’ you know what I’m saying here). You would think the constant, never-ending chatter would tire them out a little but it seems to just energize them!
Never fear, we have you covered! If you like wine, beer, the occasional cocktail, or… alcohol, Spring Break 2021 is not the time to cut back. So choose one of these amazinggg local bevies, grab your secret chocolate stash and hide out in the pantry so you can get 10 minutes to yourself.
It’s only two weeks. You’ve got this.
THE ESPRESSO MARTINI
Legend Distilling, Naramata
It’s 5:45. No, not P.M. 5:45 A.M. You wake with a child standing beside your bed looking you dead in the eyes. It’s like the start of a horror film, but with a lot of questions being asked like where is my tolgontit (unintelligible) sock? poop? and is my iPad charged?.
Since you’re up, you’ll need a dose of coffee. Why not spike it with a little Espresso Martini mix from Legend Distilling? It’s a combination of Blasted Brew liqueur, Shadow in the Lake vodka and espresso. Sure, it’s a little early but we won’t tell anyone. In fact, you can skip the coffee altogether and just drink the martini out of your mug. No judgement.
Buy it HERE
SWEETHEART CHERRY CIDER
Upside Cider, Lake Country
A DTO fave! It’s not too sweet - perfect for those sunny Spring days where you’ve locked your children outside in the yard and you can watch them through the warmth of the sliding glass door. “GO PLAAAY!”
Buy it HERE
THE SOCIAL WHITE
Intrigue Wines, Lake Country
Don’t let yet another unfinished dinner go to waste! Scrape your kids leftover food scraps on to a clean plate, pour yourself a crisp glass of Social White and daydream about that trip to Mexico you’ll take - eventually.
Buy it HERE
* pro tip * become a Social Club member (commit to buying 2 shipments annually) and receive 15% off online and in-store purchases.
BLONDE ALE
Rustic Reel, Kelowna
A classic. This blonde ale is clean, light and subtle. It’s the perfect beer to crack when your living room has been turned into a giant fort and the floor is lava, so unless you like a G.I. Joe hand up your butt, you have to move outside to BBQ on the patio.
That’s why you bought that expensive patio furniture anyway, right?
Buy it HERE
PINOT NOIR
The View, Kelowna
Ok, the kids are running out of activities and they’re getting a little whiny. Time to pull out the big guns!
Dim the lights, turn the clocks forward by a couple of hours and convince them it's bedtime. Now you can grab your nice bottle of red, hunker down on the couch and watch that Netflix show you’ve been saving.
Buy it HERE
What’s your drink of choice? Tell us in the comment box below!
Spring Scavenger Hunt
I love going for nature walks. My kids do not feel quite the same way. Which is why, when I discovered this awesome Spring Textures Hunt, I knew I’d found exactly what we needed to keep my everyone happy on the Okanagan’s family-friendly trails.
Read MoreVernon Winter Carnival knows how to Celebrate February!
~ Guest blog submitted by The Vernon Winter Carnival.
Since 1961, our mission has been to foster community spirit and promote Vernon as a Winter Destination through a 10-day Winter Festival. Vernon Winter Carnival offers a unique winter experience that is inclusive to all. We strive to bring our community together through fun events and activities that keep us connected through shared experiences.
Through honoured Carnival traditions and exciting new opportunities, residents and visitors get to show their community spirit— to show the true Carnival spirit.
As a non-profit society we rely on your continued support to help us achieve our vision to be leaders in community spirit and engagement, not only during Vernon Winter Carnival, but year round.
This year Vernon Winter Carnival Celebrates the 62nd Annual winter festival - presented by Valley First! From Feb 4-13 events will take place through-out the city - in person and virtually as we continue to navigate the ever changing world of COVID-19. All events held during Vernon Winter Carnival will take place under the most current Public Health Orders from the PHO.
New events this year include the Winter Playground happening at the DND Grounds every day of Carnival Feb 4-13. The Playground will feature an Ice Palace, family-friendly winter activities and entertainment. A daily activity schedule and tickets for the Winter Playground can be found online at:
👉🏻 vernonwintercarnival.com/events
In addition to the new Winter Playground event the festival will also welcome back the Vernon Winter Carnival Parade Feb 5th, Snow Sculptures at Silver Star Mountain, the Polar Bear Swim and many more outdoor events.
Many third party events will also go forward including virtual events with Planet Bee and the Greater Vernon Museum and Archives, outdoor and indoor events at O’Keefe Ranch, Chocolate Classes with Cotton’s Chocolates and an outdoor scavenger hunt with the Downtown Vernon Association, just to name a few.
Event tickets can be purchased online at vernonwintercarnival.com/events by phone at 250-545-2236 or in person from the Vernon Winter Carnival Office 3401 35 Ave – open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday 10am-3pm.
Girls' Guide to Weekending in Vernon
What do snowshoes, fish tacos, hotel room dance parties and shopping carts loaded with liquor all have in common? 1) They are a few of our favourite things and 2) they are all part of our weekend getaway in Vernon!
Whether you’re an Okanagan visitor or dweller, Vernon is an awesome place to slow down, recharge and get outdoors.
We gathered up a group of the raddest ladies we could find and spent a couple days in good company.
Read More
75+ Kid-Friendly things to do this Winter
FROM NORTH TO SOUTH!
🔴 Vaccine Cards for ages 12+ required only where noted. For more information click here. Many activities are running at limited capacity, you may need to reserve a spot before you go.
- ENDERBY -
Visit the Courtyard Art Gallery.
Check out Soapolallie Soapworks.
Grab pancakes or quesadillas at Hungry Jack’s.
Stay at Miska Haven’s woodsy cabin or yurt.
- ARMSTRONG -
Shop new and used at Sea Star Kids Boutique.
Toboggan at Armstrong Elementary School’s famous hill.
Have a sundae at Pink Rock Ice Cream Shoppe. HOT TIP: Sundaes on Sundays are only $5.
Grab soup and a giant cookie from The Wild Oak Cafe.
🔴Roller skate at Hassen Arena every Friday night. Vaccine Card Required
- VERNON -
Taste honey and visit the bees at Planet Bee.
Buy some new-to-you books at the Alpine Centre Book Warehouse for only $1.
Pick from over 200 board games to play at The Boarding House Cafe.
Shop for new-to-you clothing and toys at Little Plum Children’s Boutique.
Grab traditional pizza and gelato at La Carraia.
Learn something new at the Okanagan Science Centre. HOT TIP: Yearly family passes are only $75 and includes FREE admission to 28 other Science Centres and Museums in Canada.
🔴Paint something pretty at Colour Time Ceramics. Vaccine Card Required.
Have stuffed french toast at EATology.
Bring your remote control truck to Make My Fun and drive their indoor crawler track.
Visit the critters at AJ’s Pets & Things.
🔴Drop in to do some rock climbing at The Rock Garden. Vaccine Card Required
Spend the night at the Vernon Lodge. They have a live indoor jungle complete with river and swimming pool. *Vaccine card required for the restaurant.
Head to Vernon Teach and Learn & Lollipop Lane for take-home activities, fresh made waffle cones and a wall of Jelly Belly flavours.
- SILVERSTAR -
Whip down the mountain at Tube Town.
Ride the Gondola and take in breath taking views.
Skate 2.5 acres of Brewer’s Pond. Skate rentals available for $12.
Turn the kids loose on mini snowmobiles.
Go for a ski. Kids 5 and under are free!
Have hot coco and snacks at Town Hall or Tube Town Cafe & Bar.
- LAKE COUNTRY -
Drop-in at the Lake Country Play Cafe on Tuesdays.
Grab snacks and hot drinks at Lake Country Coffee House.
Bundle up and play at Beasley Park.
Wander the Rail Trail and Pelmewash Parkway. With enough energy, you can do a full loop around the lake.
Visit some exotic critters at Lake Country Pet.
- KELOWNA -
Jump on giant inflatable bouncers and climb around on the play structure at Jump 2 It. Plus a toddler area for little ones!
Enjoy a Moolix ice cream cone at their McCurdy location.
Go indoor jungle themed mini golfing or play the arcade at Scandia.
Experience virtual reality at the Arcadia Virtual Reality Lounge.
Your kids are going to love EnergyPlex - there’s a 4 level indoor playground, rock climbing, laser tag, an aerial park and arcade.
Play some extreme glow-in-the-dark laser tag at Planet Lazer.
Jump that energy out at Airhouse where there’s enough trampolines to tire out any active kid (and their parents too!).
Skate downtown at Stuart Park.
Pick out some brand new books to read at Once Upon a Bookstore.
🔴Go climbing at Gneiss Climbing Gym. Ages 3+. Vaccine Card Required
🔴Hop in the pool at H2O Adventure & Fitness Centre. There’s a wave pool, water slides, spray area and a surf wave simulator. Vaccine Card Required
Paint pottery at Work of Art Pottery Studio.
Have a Breakfast Bento Box from J’s Cafe.
Visit the Okanagan Heritage Museum and learn a little history about the area.
Work together as a family and escape at Exit Kelowna.
Loadza Toys is Kelowna’s best toys and games store! Pick out some new stuff to keep them occupied at home.
Shop East Kelowna Market.
Visit Farming Karma for fruit sodas and porch swings.
- BIG WHITE -
Hit up the Tube Park and slide like a maniac.
Skate the giant outdoor rink.
Ski the slopes. Kids 5 and under are free!
- WEST KELOWNA -
Snow shoe and toboggan at Telemark Nordic Club.
Play indoors at Just 4 Fun PlayCentre. There’s a bouncy castle, soft play merry go round and a 20 ft inflatable slide.
Try bannock at Kekuli Cafe Indigenous Cuisine.
Go for a treat at Bliss Bakery.
- SUMMERLAND -
Taste authentic Canadian maple syrups at Maple Roch and grab an ice cream.
Grab a smoothie, lunch and baked goods from The Beanery Cafe.
Go birding in the Ornamental Gardens.
- PENTICTON -
Enjoy a coffee while the kids play at Busy Beans Play Cafe. Great for ages 0 - 7.
Drop in for gymnastics at Springers Gymnastics Adventures. These guys prefer cash :)
Head down to the Penticton Virtual Reality Studio to play games and experience new things in VR.
Have ice cream and cake at Ogos. Everything’s bright and colourful, the kids will love it.
Drop in and try parkour at Ethos Parkour & Movement.
🔴Choose from over 500 board games to play at Meeples and Milkshakes Board Game Cafe and make sure to have a milkshake too. Vaccine Card Required
🔴Climb the walls at Hoodoo Adventures’ climbing gym. Vaccine Card Required
- APEX -
Skate through the forest on a 1km loop.
Blast down the hill in the tube park.
Grab some crinkle fries at the Cafeteria.
- NARAMATA -
Rent a cabin at Chute Lake Lodge.
Hike Naramata Waterfalls.
- KEREMEOS -
🔴Hit up the Similkameen Recreation Centre and enjoy 5 pin bowling and an indoor climbing wall. Vaccine Card Required
Grab some comfort food and pie at The Ranch.
Did we miss anything good? Comment below!
Stay tuned… we have more coming!
Need more stuff to do? 👇
5 simple ways to boost your health this Fall!
5 simple things you can do to boost your health this Fall. Brought to you by Okanagan businesses!
Read More
The NOCLS Golden Burger Challenge!
Who likes to eat burgers?! 🙋♀️🙋🙋♂️
Yup, us too.
That’s why we’re so excited to be taking part in the NOCLS Golden Burger Challenge! We get to eat burgers, support local restaurants and $5 from every burger goes to NOCLS to help support people with disabilities live independently.
How awesome is that?!
Team “Celebrity” Judges
Do The Okanagan and Hello Okanagan:
We want you to participate along with us! Here’s how it works:
Competition opens to the public October 11th and runs until October 24th - that’s right, you get two weeks to eat as many burgers as you can.
There are 10 local restaurants participating. Order from one, order from all ten or somewhere in-between. There is no minimum number to try to participate!
All burgers are $20 or less and $5 of that goes directly to NOCLS!
These burgers are specially made for this competition! Get them now because they are not a typical menu item.
Order your burger to eat in OR take-out. Each burger will have a scannable QR code on the bag or on your table. Scan it with your phone to rate the burger on presentation, originality, creativity and yummyness!
Each vote you make enters you into the contest to win one of three awesome prizes!
The votes will be tallied and one burger will win the title of Golden Burger Champion! Who will be victorious?
Participating Restaurants:
The Kal - The Bad Boy Bruschetta Burger
A handmade beef, bacon and sausage Pattie on a ciabatta bun smothered with a red wine onion jam, a special sauce and drizzled with balsamic reduction. Topped with mozzarella, grape tomatoes and arugula. Served with fries.
Marten Brewing Co. - Golden Burger Challenge Specialty Burger
A wagyu beef burger with beer and gouda sauce, an apple-pepper relish, on a kaiser bun. Served with potato scoops and a side of beer and gouda sauce.
The Longhorn Pub - Big Bad Bighorn Burger
A 7oz sirloin patty with jalapeño aioli, spicy ketchup and topped with mozzarella, onion anglers and candied bacon, all nestled on a brioche bun.
EATology - Banh Mi Burger
The finest beef patty topped with slow roasted, seared and seasoned pork belly. Topped with their crunchy fresh citrus slaw, sriracha garlic aioli and hoisin sauce.
Roster’s Sports Club - Roster’s Viper Smash Burger
Two 3-oz house made smashed patties on a toasted brioche bun with smoked gouda, candied bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, onion ring, truffle mayo and topped with crispy onion rings.
Mr. Mikes - MIKEburgerPLUS
A MIKEburger patty cooked to perfection, coated in bourbon BBQ sauce, topped with parmesan and cheddar cheese, melted to perfection before 2 delicious slices of bacon are placed on top. Topped with 2 signature sauces and lettuce, tomato, onions and pickles. Served with lodge chips and a caesar salad.
Bourbon Street Bar and Grill - Beluga Lentil Burger
A beluga lentil patti stuffed with halloumi cheese and topped with perfectly grilled vegetables, hummus and a tangy soft cheese.
Alexanders Beach Pub - BBB Burger
In house, handmade bison and pork belly burger with blue cheese, caramelized onions and herb infused marscapone cheese spread. Topped with provolone cheese, homemade tomato jam and arugula on a fresh brioche bun.
Browns Socialhouse - Butcher’s Block Burger
Maple peppercorn bacon, smoked cheddar, crispy onion ring, housemade chipotle aioli, iceberg lettuce and tomato.
Diner on Six - The Covid Vaccine Burger
A house made beef burger patty (or sub for chicken breast), lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, mustard, crispy bacon, BBQ sauce, cheddar cheese, onion rings, fried pickle chips and house made beer sauce for a flavour injection into your burger. Served with fries.
The Burgers:
The challenge starts October 11th. Are you up for it?!
Tag us in your Golden Burger social media posts and pictures:
Instagram: @do_the_okanagan
Facebook: @dotheokanagan
Field of Screams is Undead for 2021
*submitted by Field of Screams*
What do zombies that roam the corn maze say? Grainnnnnns.
Field of Screams is back at O’Keefe Ranch for 2021 and this years theme? Zombies.
Grey-skinned, moaning, missing an eyeball and coming for you - Zombies are fear incarnate. Field of Screams: Zombie Apocalypse will feature the origin of the infection, the breakout hospital and even an overtaken amusement park! Enter the walking dead neighbourhood if you dare and protect your brains at all costs!
In a twist of events, the Field of Screams will harvest your soul in their first ever fourth maze: The Dark Maze. In previous years the event has hosted three mazes full of creepy actors and elaborate sets. This year, they have announced that they will be opening up a fourth and even more terrifying maze with no sets, no actors and no lights. we dare you to walk through without using your flashlight and only your imagination to keep you company.
Among other exciting changes, Field of Screams has announced that they will be beginning ticket sales early this year and will be limiting the tickets sold each night. This means, if you want to get in you better act fast! Tickets will go on sale August 1st, 2021 and can be found on their new website at www.fosokanagan.com.
The dates for this year’s Field of Screams are:
October 1st & 2nd
October 7th - 9th
October 13th - 16th
October 20th - 23rd
October 27th - 30th
Gates will be open at 6:30pm and the event will run 7:00pm - 10:00pm each evening.
It will once again be hosted at Vernon’s O’Keefe Ranch.
Online Ticket Prices:
$10 +GST Dark Maze Pass
$15 +GST Single Maze Pass
$30 +GST Double Maze Pass
$45 +GST All Maze Pass
At The Gate Prices (if not sold out online):
$15 Dark Maze Pass
$20 Single Maze Pass
$35 Double Maze Pass
$50 All Maze Pass
*Cheap Nights will be held on October 7th, 13th, 20th and 27th where you can get an All Maze Pass for only $30 +GST. This option is at the gate only.*
HOT TIP: Want to skip the line? Field of Screams offers a VIP option for an extra $20 per ticket. If you have ever attended the event, you know this is a must! Get your tickets before they’re sold out!
Follow Field of Screams on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK for more exciting updates and giveaways.
80 Things To Do With Kids In The Okanagan To Get Out Of The Smoke
- ENDERBY -
1.Have lunch at The Small Axe Roadhouse. The vibe is super fun and funky and kids will get a kick out of the decor. Plus they have a great kids menu!
- ARMSTRONG -
2. Head to Hassen Arena for family floor time. The arena is open for use every Tuesday and Thursday in August from 10am - 12pm. Bring some equipment from home and play a game indoors!
3. Start your back to school shopping early at Sea Star Kids Boutique. New and pre-loved items available up to size 8/10 for boys and 14/16 for girls.
4. Have a sundae at Pink Rock Ice Cream Shoppe and enjoy it in their indoor seating. HOT TIP: Sundaes on Sundays are only $5 and made the way you like it!
5. Relive history at the Armstrong Spallumcheen Museum & Art Gallery. They have so much explore, including replicas of a railway station, schoolroom, general store and blacksmith shop.
6. Grab a kids hot chocolate from The Wild Oak Cafe. Make sure you treat the kiddos to a giant cookie from the pastry case too!
- VERNON -
7. Go for a public swim at the Vernon Recreation Centre. There’s a slide, whirlpool, shallow pool for little ones, hot tub and lane pool.
8. Taste honey at Planet Bee and visit the bees! They also offer educational presentations for all ages.
9. Drop in to do some rock climbing at The Rock Garden. Tot prices (ages 5 and under) available!
10. Go bowling at Lincoln Lanes. HOT TIP: Kids bowl FREE (2 games per day) all summer long!
11. Check out some books at the Vernon branch of the Okanagan Regional Library. They have a great kids and young adult section and lots of seating to sit and read together.
12. Pick from over 200 board games and play for only $5 per person at The Boarding House Cafe. Bonus: enjoy coffee, tea, hot chocolate and a whole bunch of snacks and baked goods.
13. Head to Teeter Totter Toys to find some new toys and games to keep the littles busy when it’s too smoky to go outside.
14. Hang out in the Habitat Room and the Discovery Room at the Allan Brooks Interpretive Centre. Admission is by donation!
15. Shop for new-to-you clothing and toys at Little Plum Children’s Boutique. They have weekly activities and a parenting room for your littles to play in or for nursing mamas to use.
16. Grab gelato at Vernon’s newest spot La Carraia Gelato. They also have baked goods and snacks and a lot of air-conditioned indoor seating available.
17. Learn something new at the Okanagan Science Centre. HOT TIP: Yearly family passes are only $75 and includes FREE admission to 28 other Science Centres and Museums in Canada.
18. Paint something pretty at Colour Time Ceramics. This is great for kids ages 5+ and should buy you at least an hour of inside time.
19. Find a new creative project at the Vernon Teach & Learn. They have tons of “build your own” style kits that will keep the kiddos busy at home.
20. Snack on a stack of pancakes at Diner on Six. Ordering at the counter makes it quick (and painless with small kids) and they provide colouring sheets to keep ‘em occupied until the food arrives.
21. R/C Cars and Trucks? R/C Planes? R/C Boats? Make My Fun has it all! Plus they have an indoor crawler track you can use.
22. Get above the smoke and see what’s going on up at Silver Star. Bike or hike the trails or if that’s not your jam and/or your kiddos are too small, there are lots of things to see in the Village. Check out their list of summer activities.
- LAKE COUNTRY -
23. Eat at Norman’s Diner. They have a kids menu and super fast service so no one gets hangry.
24. Sign up for parent + tot Summer Gym Mini Sessions at Lake Country Gymnastics.
25. Shop for used books and treasures at the Lake Country Museum & Archives Saturday afternoon vintage item and book sale. It runs every Saturday from 1-4pm until the September long weekend.
- KELOWNA -
26. Cruise around Orchard Park Mall and then hit up Fortuna Gelato for a treat.
27. Check out the book selection at the downtown Kelowna branch of the ORL and read something new together.
28. Go climbing with your kids at Gneiss Climbing Gym. Ages 3+.
29. Hop in the pool at H2O Adventure & Fitness Centre. There’s tons to do for kids including a wave pool, water slides, spray area and a surf wave simulator.
30. Find something cool to wear at Once Upon a Child.
31. Pick a game (or two or three!) from a selection of over 800 games and play the day away at Twice the Dice. HOT TIP: “Wee Wednesdays” are when everyone pays the $3 child rate to stay and play.
32. Jump on giant inflatable bouncers and climb around on the play structure at Jump 2 It. Plus a toddler area for little ones!
33. Knock down some pins at McCurdy Bowling Centre.
34. Sit in and enjoy a Moolix ice cream cone at their McCurdy location.
35. Go indoor jungle themed mini golfing at Scandia. Also play at the arcade - Dance Dance Revolution anyone?
36. Go bowling at BNA Brewing. They’re family friendly until 10PM and there are also vintage arcade games and pinball. Plus food and beer for the grown-ups and a kids’ menu for the kiddos!
37. Drop in at the Kelowna YMCA and use the pool, gymnasium, climbing wall, youth zone and child and family centre.
38. Experience virtual reality at the Arcadia Virtual Reality Lounge. This is great for older kids!
39. Your kids are going to love EnergyPlex - there’s a 4 level indoor playground, rock climbing, laser tag, an aerial park and arcade. Tire. Them. Out.
40. Play some extreme glow-in-the-dark laser tag at Planet Lazer. After you’re done, tack a trip to their arcade where you can save up your tickets to win prizes.
41. Jump, jump, jump that energy out at Airhouse where there’s enough trampolines to tire out any active kid (and their parents too!).
42. Pick out some brand new books to read at Once Upon a Bookstore.
43. Drop-in to paint some pottery at Work of Art Pottery Studio. No appointment necessary!
44. Get climbing at Beyond the Cruz Climbing Gym.
45. Pick something fun off the kids menu at EK’s Grill. Kid’s menu items start at only $5.50 and come with a drink, choice of fries or veggies and a dessert!
46. Visit the Okanagan Heritage Museum and learn a little history about the area.
47. If you have older kids, they’re going to love the escape rooms at Exit Kelowna. Work together as a family!
48. Play some board games and snack on some gelato at Flip Flops and Hops. Plus there’s beer (bonus!) and delicious locally sourced food.
49. Loadza Toys is Kelowna’s best toys and games store! Pick out some new stuff to keep them occupied at home.
50. Go laser bowling at Capri Bowling Lanes.
51. Play some virtual reality games at Xperience Kelowna.
52. Swim in the pool at Parkinson Recreation Centre. They have a 25 metre pool, kids play pool, hot tub and steam room.
53. Find out what’s happening at Big White. They have mountain biking, hiking and other fun summer activities! It’s not indoors but you might be able to get above the smoke…even just for a little while.
- WEST KELOWNA -
54. Play indoors at Just 4 Fun PlayCentre. There’s a bouncy castle, soft play merry go round, a 20 ft inflatable slide, a 4 level play structure and a toddler play area for ages 3 and under.
55. Try bannock at Kekuli Cafe Indigenous Cuisine. Even if your kids are picky, they’ll love bannock. Yum!
56. Swim at the Johnson Bentley Memorial Aquatic Centre.
- PEACHLAND -
57. Grab giant house made cookies from Bliss Bakery.
58. Visit the Peachland Museum and learn something new.
- SUMMERLAND -
59. Taste authentic Canadian maple syrups at Maple Roch. Plus grab a delicious ice cream while you’re there.
60. Enjoy a delicious smoothie and baked goods from The Beanery Cafe.
61. Swim in the pool at the Summerland Aquatic Centre. HOT TIP: Ages 3-5 are only $1 for drop in, ages 6-12 are $2.50 and ages 13-18 are $3.25.
- PENTICTON -
62. Stop in for story time at the Penticton Public Library and pick out some books to read while you’re there.
63. Choose from over 500 board games to play and enjoy a milkshake (and more) at Meeples and Milkshakes Board Game Cafe.
64. Climb the walls at Hoodoo Adventures’ climbing gym.
65. Enjoy a coffee while the kids play at Busy Beans Play Cafe. Great for ages 0 - 7.
66. Play all sorts of games at Roll N’ Stones Fun Centre. They have bowling, an arcade, pool tables, mini golf and darts!
67. Create your own Big Kahuna at Lickity Splitz Ice Cream Shop. You pick two fresh baked cookies, choose your ice cream from 48 flavours, choose the topping your ice cream sandwich gets rolled in (cookies, peanuts, candies, sprinkles and more!) and enjoy!
68. Drop in for gymnastics time at Springers Gymnastics Adventures.
69. Head down to the Penticton Virtual Reality Studio to play games and experience new things in VR.
70. Grab lunch and ice cream at Ogos. Everything’s bright and colourful, the kids will love it.
71. Drop in and try parkour at Ethos Parkour & Movement.
72. Get out of the heat and enjoy the Penticton Community Centre pool. Features include a 10 lane lap pool, leisure pool with a lazy river and spray park section, waterslide, whirlpool, sauna and steam room.
- KEREMEOS -
73. Hit up the Similkameen Recreation Centre and enjoy 5 pin bowling and an indoor climbing wall.
- OK FALLS -
74. Pop in to the famous Tickleberries and try one of their 72 flavours of ice cream! While you’re there (and the kids are distracted) check out all the cool goods they sell in shop.
- OLIVER -
75. If it’s too hot and smoky to be outside, check out the Oliver Theatre and see the newest flick on the big screen.
76. Wander around the Oliver & District Museum and learn a little history about the area.
- OSOYOOS -
77. Choo-choo-choose the Osoyoos Desert Model Railroad Museum. Kids will love this world of model trains and tiny figurines.
78. Stop for a scoop of gelato at Roberto’s Gelato Shop.
79. Go cosmic bowling at Kobau Lanes Bowling Centre.
80. Learn something new at the Interpretive Building of the Osoyoos Desert Centre.
Need more stuff to do? 👇
(SOLD) East Hill Charmer ready for a new family
He’s just so dang handsome! Well manicured, laid back and oozing with charm. He loves a little jazz music with dinner, bocce, fresh ground coffee at 6am and growing fresh garden greens. HE… is this adorable East Hill charmer.
3500 17th Street, Vernon
3 bedrooms
2 bathrooms
flat fenced yard
Rec room downstairs
$475,000.00
Backyard Water Games
You guys. It’s happening.
You know what we’re talking about. We made it…
Okanagan SUMMER is on the horizon!
We have officially entered that sweet spot where things are beautiful and green, warm enough to be playing outside in the sun but not so hot you burst into flames if you stay out too long.
And honestly this year, it could not have come soon enough. Our kids are D-O-N-E with inside games. Sure, finger painting and fort building was amazing! It was even still pretty fun the 12th time.
But the 57th time? Yeah, they’re over it.
The kids are finally EXCITED about being outside, instead of crying that they might freeze to death (they’re pretty dramatic). And you’re psyched because the house might stay clean for longer than 1.2734 seconds. HURRAY!
And the longer they play outside, the longer you can sip cider in your lounge chair. So lather everyone up in some SPF 200 and enjoy these 7 great water-themed ways to keep the kids occupied in the backyard (for a while).
1. Sprinkler Freeze Game
You Will Need: a sprinkler and hose, music, bathing suits (or not).
Have the music ON and the sprinkler OFF. The kids can dance around to the music until it stops and the sprinkler turns on - they must freeze in place and get wet (muwa ha ha ha). Anyone who moves is out! Turn the music back on and the sprinkler off to keep the game going.
It’s Great For: super hot afternoons when the kids really need to cool down
2. Sponge Races
You Will Need: 2 - 4 buckets (depending on how many play), sponges (any size works but bigger is more fun).
Place one bucket of water at one end of the yard and an empty bucket at the other end. How fast can the kids fill the empty bucket with water using only the sponges? If you have two or more kids, or feel like playing yourself (it’s actually pretty fun and totally qualifies as fitness), set up two sets of buckets and make it a competition!
It’s Great For: getting their energy out - all that running makes them tired!
3. Paint With Water
You Will Need: paintbrushes, a container of water.
We all love our kids but…sometimes painting with paint can be PAINTful (see what I did there, that’s a total Dad joke). Painting is super fun for kids but usually means super messy clean-up for parents (you know… paint on the table, the walls, the kids, in your hair somehow). Outside water painting is easy to set up and relatively mess free - paint the fence, paint the driveway, paint the house. The best part is their paint evaporates and they can start all over (also a bonus science lesson!)
It’s Great For: keeping the kids busy without the hassle of clean-up
4. Frozen Dino Excavation
You Will Need: plastic dinosaurs or other figurines, freezable containers, ‘tools’ for excavation.
Plan ahead for this one! The night before freeze a container of water with figurines submerged. Once frozen you can warm the outside of the containers slightly and ‘plop’ them out onto the pavement or the grass. Let them chip away to free their friends in their very own ice covered dino fossil field.
It’s Great For: kids who love science and the odd ‘concentration’ based game.
5. Homemade Water Table
You Will Need: a big bin, random assortment of cups, spoons, measuring cups, sponges, empty yogurt containers, etc.
You know the situation where sometimes kids prefer the box over the toy. Well, sometime random water vessels are more fun than an actual water table… especially if they have non-toys to play with. Fill the bin with water (it helps if you add some warm water), throw in the ‘vessels’ and let them play away! They will have tons of fun scooping water, splashing, making things sink, racing anything that floats. Play the “sink or float” game where you guess if something will sink or float - this qualifies as a science lesson!
Safety note: depending on how big your bin is, they may try and climb in. In our experience toddlers love to do things as dangerously as possible, for no reason, without warning, when you’re not looking, probably with something sharp in their mouths… like olympic diving headfirst into a moderately filled bin of water. Just watch them.
It’s Great For: keeping young kids occupied (for hours sometimes!)
6. Ice Cube Towers
You Will Need: ice cub trays and other sized containers, water, time, food colouring (optional).
Freeze ice in various sizes of cubes and blocks - use some ice cubes trays and some small square containers, even big containers if you have the freezer space. Add food colouring if that’s your jam. Once frozen, spill them all out in the yard and let them build and play - race ice cubes down the slide or see who can build the tallest ice tower. The possibilities are endless… until the ice melts.
It’s Great For: being inventive and creative!
7. Child Labour
You Will Need: buckets, sponges, soap, a hose, humans under the age of 12, megaphone (optional).
Who doesn’t have some fond childhood memories of helping Mom or Dad wash the car? Kid’s are especially great for washing the tires or the bumper or anything else under the 4 foot mark - which means less bending down for you! If your kids are old enough, you can sit back and ‘manage’ the car wash whilst shouting instructions. If the kids are younger, you may have to help but it’s still mostly free labour, so win right?
It’s Great For: feeling like you’re getting something done while also keeping the kids busy.
(SOLD) Sweet Farmhouse on 5+ acres in Lavington
She loves to drink Earl Grey and Chardonnay. Each of her chickens answer to their first name and the neighbours have surrendered… she definitely grows the best strawberries and garlic around. Be sure to call before you visit, she’s a bit of a nudist, but why would you have tan lines when you live in such a private location surrounded by nature?
SHE: is a 1930’s farmhouse located on nearly 6 acres and only 10 minutes from downtown Vernon.
7219 Brewer Road Coldstream, BC
2 bedrooms + den
2 bathrooms
5.76 acres
RU ALR zoning
$999,000.00
O'Keefe Ranch Completes Rain Garden Construction Project!
The Historic O’Keefe Ranch has completed its exciting new Rain Garden Construction Project with help from the Okanagan Basin Water Board. The OBWB provided the Ranch with a $20,000 grant to design and construct this project, which was completed using Cabin Forestry Services Ltd.
The Rain Garden Construction Project is an innovative way to not only help protect the integrity of the water resources which flow through the O’Keefe Ranch, but it is a project which helps with water conservation and sustaining the local ecosystem. Adding rain gardens helps protect the valuable water resource, the integrity of the Heritage buildings and enhance the natural beauty of the site by providing natural and drought-tolerant pollinator plants which attract bees, butterflies, and other insects.
The O’Keefe Ranch recognizes that it must play a role in the protection of the Okanagan water resource. A clean and abundant water source is the central building block for the stunning landscape of the Okanagan Valley. A clean water source is an integral part of the overall well-being of its citizens, animals, and guests. The O’Keefe Ranch is doing everything it can to ensure that this valuable resource is protected for current and future generations to enjoy.
This project is an innovative way to show how the protection of a valuable resource can be done in a sustainable and innovative way while enhancing the beauty of the natural setting of the O’Keefe Ranch that has occupied the site since 1867.
The O’Keefe Ranch will be producing educational material about the project and visitors can enjoy the new rain gardens this season from Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am - 4 pm. The Ranch would like to thank the OBWB for their generous grant in order to fund this important project.
Want to go check it out?
Hours of Operation:
Wednesday - Sunday | 10AM - 4PM
Admission by donation.
7 Last Minute Mother's Day Weekend Adventures
Oh whoops! So you forgot that Sunday is Mother’s Day. We bet you didn’t make any plans then, did you?
Don’t worry, we’ll help you keep that a secret. You don’t want to end up like Kevin do you (see video below)?
We have you covered. We put together a list of 7 Last Minute -but still wonderful- Mother’s Day Weekend Adventures so you can take your Mom (or your wife, Grandma, Aunty…) for a very special day.
Start the car!!
Young and old alike, everyone loves to visit the farm. This is a particularly great option if you have young children to entertain because they’ll get a real kick out of the goats, chickens, sheep and cows!
For a list of all the farms you can visit in the OKV check out our Animal Farms page.
Hot Tip: O’Keefe Ranch is having their opening weekend right now! Both Saturday May 8th and Sunday May 9th from 10AM - 4PM, there will be lots of fun at the Ranch for the whole family.
Activities include: historic mansion tours, a model railway exhibit, farm animals, greet a goat, photoshoot with a donkey, food trucks, playground and much more! Admission is by donation (suggested $10 per adult, $5 per child).
For more details, check here.
If your Mom lives the Okanagan, she probably drinks wine. Why not take her out to enjoy some of the beautiful wineries that our region has to offer? After the year we’ve all had, she probably needs a drink anyway.
Check out our Wine Tasting pages to find some great wineries in your area.
Hot Tip: Check out the East Kelowna Mother’s Day Passport Tour! On Saturday and Sunday you can pick up your passport card and sip and explore your way through the beautiful wineries, cideries and distilleries of East Kelowna. Grab your passport at your first stop and hit as many or as few of the spots as you like!
If you collect stamps from at least 5 of the 11 participating spots, you’ll be entered to win some amazing prizes! Many of the locations are offering complimentary tastings and/or a special treat for Mom to help spoil her right.
For more details and the participating locations, check here.
You can’t dine inside this year but so many local restaurants have adapted and have beautiful patio set-ups ready for you! And most of those places are offering fun brunch menus and specials so you can treat Mom this year. Waffles and mimosas? Yes please!
Check out our list of Restaurant Patios for ideas or if you’re wanting to sit by the water, head over to our 14 Favourite Lakeside Patios to find a great spot!
Hot Tip: One of our favourite spots, Upside Cider, is offering something a little different if you’re feeling adventurous. Eggs Benny Wood Fired Pizza in the orchard (by reservation only, so get on it!). Plus you can treat Mom to a flight (or two) of cider. We love the Sweetheart Cherry and the Peary-Oakey.
For more details, check here.
Sunday is supposed to be sunny and beautiful, so what better to do than to head out on a spring hike? One of the great things about living in the OKV is that there are trails for all levels - if you’re feeling super motivated and adventurous, head out to Enderby and do the cliffs.
If you’re feeling like more of a stroll, and less of a “hike,” never fear because we have this figured out. Check out our list of Easy Trails for great casual hikes, most of which are stroller friendly for those Mom’s with young ones.
Another popular spot is the Myra Canyon Trestles, which has STUNNING views that Mom will love.
Or if your Mom is more into biking, head out to the Rail Trail with your bikes and enjoy some lake views! Check out our how-to here.
Take Mom for a nice picnic! There are plenty of great spots - pick a playground, a nice beach or a look-out with a view. Pack up a picnic. You can make one yourself or try and score a last minute Crudite and Co. or Gumtree Catering box.
Maybe drop by Burnett’s Florist and grab her a last minute bouquet to bring, because spring flowers on a picnic just sounds really nice.
Hot Tip: OK Patio Cafe is offering Mother’s Day Brunch to-go so you can take it with you! There are 3 package options to choose from and any of them would make fabulous picnic fare.
For more details, check here.
If your Mom is like my Mom, she likes to shop. One of her favourite things to do is wander the small shops downtown because she can browse, chat with the shop owners and enjoy a nice walk in the sunshine. Our recommendation? Stop at your favourite local coffee spot, grab fresh pastries and coffees and spend some time meandering the local shops.
You can bet the local shop owners will be happy to see you AND you can offer to buy Mom something nice if it catches her eye. Which is why you didn’t bring Mom a pre-wrapped gift….you wanted her to pick something nice….it was all totally planned…
Hot Tip: The Downtown Vernon Association is offering free parking downtown this Saturday for Mother’s Day as part of their Downtown Days. There will be ‘roaming entertainment,’ FREE potted Mums for Moms and an online contest to win your Mom some downtown dollars.
More details about this event here.
Also check out what the Downtown Kelowna Association and the Downtown Penticton Association are up to for Mother’s Day.
Maybe Mom wants to stay in this year? And that’s okay because you can hang out in the backyard, throw something nice on the BBQ and make some fun cocktails! We have a list of cocktail recipes featuring local ingredients that are easy to make but impressive enough to WOW Mom.
Check out our Online Cocktail Recipe Book for ideas - Buzzed Berry Lemonade anyone?
Hot Tip: Okanagan Spirits is making it easy to stay home and enjoy cocktails this Mother’s Day. They’re hosting an online “Afternoon Cocktail Tea” designed for you and your Mom to make cocktails together! Pick up your cocktail kit full of everything you need and tune into the Zoom lesson with their in-house cocktail expert!
More details here.
Looking for more fun ideas?
Check out our Event’s Calendar 👇
Return to Our Mother’s Day Guide 👇
Plant Some Jellybeans this Easter!
This is Santa-level magic!
On the eve of Easter, head outside with your kiddos and plant some jellybeans. Don’t forget to water them. Also, glitter makes awesome magic dust.
Sometime during sleeping-child-o’clock whip out there and make them “grow”. When your kids wake up Easter morning they will have an enchanting jelly bean garden!
FREE Spring Break Birding Kits
Need something super cool to keep the kiddos occupied this Spring Break? The Regional Parks team is ready to help you get geared up and outside exploring this spring.
Stop into the Environmental Education Centre for the Okanagan (-map-) to pick up a birding kit. The kit includes foldable binoculars and a birding checklist.
Then choose a Regional Park (or two, or three…) to check off the birds you see! Check out the list of Regional Parks -here-
How many birds can your family find?
Environmental Education Centre Hours:
Tuesday - Sunday 10am - 3pm
**Please remember to keep everyone safe inside the Environmental Education Centre for the Okanagan. Masks and physical distancing are required. Please keep it to 5 customers a time inside their space.
Make sure you pick up your birding kit before March 28 when Spring Break ends!
Save our Towne Cinema!
Calling all Vernonites! Help save our beloved Towne Cinema! Read the press release to find out how to help.
Read More
Sponsored by: Upside Cider
What pairs best with girlfriends? Upside Cider of course! Order yourself and your best gal pals some cider for Galentine’s Day - our faves: Plum Rose (it’s pink!), Sweetheart Cherry (because it’s on theme) and Bourbon Barrel Aged Peach (yum!). Order HERE to get your cider before Galentine’s Day.
5 Fun Ways to Celebrate Galentine's Day This Year
Hey Ladies! Do you know about Galentine’s Day yet?
We’re going to let Leslie Knope, from Parks and Recreation, explain:
Who doesn’t love a holiday where ladies celebrate ladies? And after the year we’ve all had, we need any reason to celebrate!
Granted, we can’t exactly meet up with our 20 closest friends for brunch this year. Just like everything else, we need to find a new and fun way to celebrate. Luckily we have some ideas for ways you can connect with your besties and still maintain distance!
So throw on your cutest “going out with the girls” outfit (for no other reason than to feel like you might be going somewhere, even though your aren’t) and get ready for some quality gal pal time because Galentine’s Day is almost here!
Who doesn’t love baked goods?
Surprise your girlfriends on February 13th by baking them some cute treats - cupcakes, cookies, Rice Krispie squares. This is your chance to get fun and fancy because you know your girlfriends are going to appreciate it. Use those heart cookies cutters, pink dye and allll the sprinkles and get ready to get a bunch of texts about how adorable your baked goods are.
If you don’t have time to bake, check out one of your local bakeries to see what kind of cute Valentine’s Day treats they are offering this year. You can bet that the folks down at the local Mom and Pop shop will be just as excited to see you as your girlfriends will be.
To make delivery extra fun, show off your ninja moves by dropping the baked goods on the doorstep, ringing the doorbell and making a run for it! The site of you sprinting back to your car is enough to make any friend giggle.
Ugh, exercise, am-i-right?
Okay, okay, exercise is great and important and blah blah blah. But working out has never been our most favourite thing to do.
Unless of course, you work out with a friend. Not only is that infinitely more fun, but it’s motivating. You’re more likely to actually show up if you have plans to workout with a friend and it can also get a little competitive.
It can be hard to meet up with friends for workouts at the best of times, so luckily for us a lot of local studios are offering virtual classes! Which makes “meeting” up with a friend for a workout so much easier!
This year on Galentine’s Day, Soul Studio is offering a Virtual Zumba class from 9:00 - 10:00am so you can have a fun, energetic, dance workout with your best friend from afar!
Information on how to register HERE.
Remember when you could go out with friends? You know, meet them at your favourite restaurant and hang out, drink bellini’s and enjoy food together?
We can’t really do that right now BUT that doesn't mean you can’t enjoy your favourite meal together.
Here’s what you do:
Pick a meal - maybe you miss having dinner together at your favourite pub or maybe, like Leslie Knope, you love brunching with the gals.
Coordinate ordering food from your favourite restaurant, either through delivery or go and pick it up! Maybe you pick up your besties food too and drop it off at her house!
Log into Zoom, FaceTime, Houseparty, your quarantine socialization app of choice and eat together! If you have kids and/or a partner at home, maybe lock yourself in your bedroom and tell them that you need some best friend time. It’s Galentine’s Day, they’ll understand.
Disclaimer: Your kids and partner will probably NOT understand, so have some back up bribes ready so you can actually have an hour of time with your gal pals.
Galentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to remind your best friend just how much you love them.
It’s been a rough 12 months. Sometimes we just need a special treat from someone we love to cheer us up a little.
Lucky for us, Okazon.ca has created pre-packaged Galentine’s Day gifties so you can send something to your best gal pals without having to work too hard.
Their Galentine packages includes: a velvet scrunchie from Oranj Fitness, a lip balm from Planet Bee and a bath bomb from Flury Naturals. And BONUS, shipping is included.
All you have to do is order HERE - and they guarantee that any orders made by Wednesday, February 10th will arrive by February 13th, just in time for Galentine’s Day.
Super easy ✔️
Supporting local ✔️
Make your BFF’s feel amazing ✔️
Win-win-win!
Thanks Okazon!
Is there anything better than popping a fresh bottle of bubbly with your girlfriends?
And while you can’t exactly drink it together, not in the same room at least, you can still enjoy some bubbles together over Zoom/FaceTime/etc.
Head down to the liquor store, grab a couple bottles (or more, depending on how many friends you want to treat) and then stop at the party supply store to get some pink and red helium balloons.
It’s time for Ding, Dong, Ditch again. This time with booze and balloons. Maybe leave a cute note telling her how much you love her and inviting her to a Zoom date.
Our Galentine’s bubbly of choice? The Distraction Frizzante from The View. Not only is it delicious, but it’s PINK. So fun!
It’s the perfect way to end Galentine’s Day: pink bubbly, comfy pants (because you know your bestie is going to be in her comfiest clothes by this point) and conversation with someone you love.
And of course, the silent appreciation for your best girl friends. Because really, where we would be without them?
Need some more gift ideas for Galentine’s Day?
Check out Okazon.ca!
