Kelowna offers a mix of outdoor activities, cultural experiences, and food discoveries that can engage every family member at any time of the year. Here are some fantastic family-friendly activities to enjoy in Kelowna for every season.
Spring Activities
As the trees bloom, Kelowna presents itself with a fresh face of beauty to explore.
Kangaroo Creek Farm
One delightful spring activity is visiting the Kangaroo Creek Farm which is a must for families looking to enjoy a unique and interactive outdoor experience. This delightful attraction offers visitors the rare opportunity to hold and cuddle baby kangaroos, creating unforgettable memories for children and adults alike. Beyond kangaroos, the farm is home to a variety of fascinating animals, including wallabies, parrots, emus, capybaras, and even exotic birds.
The farm, which reopens in the spring, provides the perfect outing as the warmer weather invites families to explore the outdoors together. Kangaroo Creek Farm is not just a petting zoo—it’s a place where families can connect with nature, support ethical animal care practices, and create cherished memories in a picturesque setting.
Kelowna Farmers' and Crafters' Market
The Kelowna Farmers' and Crafters' Market is perfect for the whole family. Open from spring through fall, this market is a perfect outing for families seeking a blend of fun, food, and discovery. With its lively atmosphere and wide variety of offerings, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Children will delight in sampling farm-fresh produce, an array of baked goods, handmade artisanal products, and locally crafted items. The market often features live performances, providing free entertainment that enhances the festive vibe and keeps younger visitors engaged.
Fat Cat Children’s Festival
The Fat Cat Children’s Festival in Kelowna is the ultimate family-friendly event, offering a day packed with activities, entertainment, and opportunities for connection at the beginning of June. Designed to delight children and parents alike, the festival takes over Waterfront Park with a vibrant lineup of workshops, performances, and interactive displays that spark creativity and imagination. From hands-on arts and music activities to live shows featuring magicians, musicians, and dancers, there’s something to captivate every age group.
The festival’s colourful parade is a highlight, as children and community groups march in playful costumes alongside dazzling floats, creating a joyful spectacle. With plenty of food vendors offering family-friendly treats and local artisans selling unique crafts and toys, the event is a perfect mix of fun and relaxation. Set against the stunning backdrop of Okanagan Lake, the Fat Cat Children’s Festival is a memorable way for families to enjoy quality time together in the summer sunshine.
Summer Activities
Summer in Kelowna is all about outdoor adventures and time spent near or on the water.
Kelowna Beaches
Kelowna’s extensive selection of over 30 beaches offers endless opportunities for families to soak up the summer sunshine and create cherished memories together. From sandy shores to lush green parks lining the lake, each beach presents its own unique atmosphere. Families can spend the day building sandcastles with the kids, splashing in the shallow waters, or trying their hand at paddleboarding and kayaking on the serene Okanagan Lake. Many beaches also feature playgrounds, picnic areas, and concession stands, making it easy to extend your stay and enjoy meals with breathtaking waterfront views.
Kelowna’s beaches cater to a variety of interests. Gyro Beach is popular for its family-friendly amenities and water sports rentals, while Boyce-Gyro Beach and Rotary Beach Park are perfect spots for picnics and relaxing in the shade. For those seeking a quieter experience, smaller hidden gems like Paul's Tomb Beach provide peaceful settings surrounded by nature. With plenty of space to spread out and activities to keep kids entertained, Kelowna’s beaches are a summer staple for family fun and relaxation.
Myra Canyon Trestles
A visit to the Myra Canyon Trestles offers a thrilling mix of adventure, history, and breathtaking scenery, making it an ideal summer activity for families. This section of the historic Kettle Valley Railway features 18 restored trestle bridges and two tunnels that wind through the dramatic landscape of Myra Canyon. The flat, well-maintained trail makes it accessible for families with children of all ages, whether you choose to walk or bike.
Parents can enjoy the stunning vistas of the canyon while kids marvel at the engineering of the towering wooden trestles. Along the route, interpretive signs provide a glimpse into the railway’s history, offering an educational element to this outdoor adventure.
Autumn Activities
Autumn colours in Kelowna provide a dazzling backdrop as the city transitions into a colourful kaleidoscope of reds and oranges.
Fruit Picking
Fruit picking in Kelowna’s lush orchards is a quintessential autumn activity that blends fun, education, and family bonding. As the harvest season reaches its peak, families can enjoy the unique experience of handpicking fresh fruit like juicy peaches, crisp Zari or Honeycrisp apples, and late-season plums right off the tree. This activity not only offers delicious rewards but also gives children an up-close look at where their food comes from, fostering an appreciation for agriculture and nature. Local favourites like Kempf Orchards, Arndt Orchards, and Griffin Farms provide welcoming environments where families can roam the orchards, fill baskets with fruit, and take memorable photos amid the fall foliage.
Many orchards also enhance the experience with additional activities such as hayrides, petting zoos, and on-site farm stores selling homemade jams, cider, and baked goods.
Scenic Hikes
Autumn in Kelowna transforms the city’s hiking trails into a canvas of vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows, making it the perfect time for families to explore the great outdoors. The cool, crisp weather adds to the comfort of walking trails, while the breathtaking views provide a scenic backdrop for quality time together. Knox Mountain is a popular family-friendly choice, offering a manageable trail with rewarding panoramic views of Kelowna, Okanagan Lake, and the surrounding valley. The summit provides plenty of space for kids to rest, snack, or simply marvel at the stunning scenery.
Other trails, like the Mill Creek Regional Park loop or the Myra Canyon trails, are equally captivating during autumn, offering gentler options for families with younger children. Along the way, kids can enjoy spotting wildlife, collecting colorful leaves, and learning about the natural world.
Winter Activities
Winter in Kelowna transforms the valley into a snowy wonderland, offering exhilarating opportunities for family adventures.
Outdoor Ice Skating
Experience the charm of outdoor ice skating at the Stuart Park Ice Rink which offers a quintessential winter experience for families, combining the joy of ice skating with a stunning lakeside setting. Families can rent skates and glide across the rink under twinkling lights, soaking in the festive ambiance of downtown Kelowna. The rink’s casual and open environment makes it a great option for skaters of all levels, from wobbly beginners to seasoned gliders. With hot chocolate stands nearby and plenty of laughter on the ice, this activity provides a simple yet magical way to create cherished family memories during the winter season.
Big White Ski Resort
Big White Ski resort is a winter paradise for families, offering activities that cater to all skill levels and interests. Families can enjoy skiing and snowboarding on trails designed for beginners and experts alike, ensuring everyone can join in the fun. Beyond the slopes, the resort boasts unique attractions like an ice-climbing tower for adventurous teens and scenic snowshoeing trails perfect for exploring the snowy landscape together. With its family-friendly amenities, cozy dining options, and dedicated kids’ areas, Big White creates the ideal setting for a memorable winter getaway.
Silver Star Ski Resort
SilverStar Ski Resort combines a welcoming, family-focused atmosphere with a wide range of activities that make it a hit for all ages. Alongside skiing and snowboarding, families can explore the resort’s extensive cross-country ski trails or enjoy snowshoeing through peaceful, snowy forests. The highlight for many is the exhilarating tube slide, where parents and kids alike can laugh and race down the snowy slopes in inflatable tubes. The charming village, with its vibrant colours and cozy eateries, provides the perfect spot to warm up and share stories from the day.
Conclusion
Family adventures come in all shapes and sizes, and Kelowna is an example of this. With its myriad of offerings catering to every family size and interest, there is always an opportunity to create lasting memories, regardless of the season. It's easy to see why families return to Kelowna year after year. Make sure you add Kelowna to your travel list, it's a destination that infuses lasting memories in family vacation stories.
