Here is the ultimate Summer Bucket List packed with over 100+ family-friendly things to do this summer in the Okanagan Valley. The list features activities from Salmon Arm to Vernon to Kelowna to Penticton, right down to Osoyoos.
Armstrong
- Attend an outdoor show at the Caravan Farm Theatre.
- Book a guided tour at the Village Cheese Company.
- Visit the Log Barn 1912 to see goats, dinosaur statues, a candy shop, bakery and more!
- Head to the Armstrong Fair (IPE) from August 28 – September 1, 2019
Enderby
- Take the family to the Kingfisher Interpretive Centre.
- Bring a floatie and cruise down the Shuswap River
- Catch a new flick at the Starlight Drive-In Theatre
- Take the family to the Enderby Arts Festival on July 27, 2019, free for everyone!
- Bring a chair and enjoy Music by the River on select Sundays between July and September.
Kaleden
- Take a self-guided tour at the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory site, open year-round.
- Stroll around Linden Gardens to view the beautiful gardens as they change with the seasons. Afterwards, have a snack or drink at Frog City Café on site.
- Stop at Pioneer Park to enjoy the playground, sandy beach, bbq area, picnic area and more.
Kelowna
- Immerse yourself in a virtual reality game at Arcadia VR
- Go Indoor Rock Climbing at Beyond the Crux, Gneiss Climbing or the EnergyPlex
- Learn to throw an axe from a trainer at Axe Monkeys
- Try Indoor Laser Tag at Planet Lazer or the EnergyPlex
- Walk up Knox Mountain for a beautiful view of Okanagan Lake and Kelowna.
- Go bowling at Capri Bowling Lanes or McCurdy Bowling
- Can you escape? See if you can figure out the clues at Exit Kelowna or Impulse Escape Room.
- You can find low ropes, kids zip lines, Frisbee golf and more at Myra Canyon Adventure Park
- The YMCA Okanagan offers a variety of lessons, classes or programs for kids.
- Take a dip at the H2O Adventure & Fitness Centre.
- The Energyplex offers trampolines, foam pit, ropes, arcade room, toddler area and more!
- Scandia Golf & Games offers mini-golf, go-karts, batting cages and an arcade.
- For indoor play take the kids to Fun Bugs or Jump2It
- Head to Waterfront Park for the Fat Cat Children’s Festival, June 7-8, 2019
- Pick up some fresh produce or crafts at Kelowna Farmers’ and Crafters’ Market
- Try stand up paddle boarding (SUP). You can rent boards or other beach equipment at Kelowna Paddle Centre or Okanagan Beach Rentals.
- Enjoy Horseback Riding Lessons or Trail Ride at
Kelowna Stables Horse Riding at Myra Canyon - Take a self-guided tour with interpretive displays of Father Pandosy’s Mission.
- Family-friendly splash parks to cool the kiddos off – Ben Lee Water Park or Quilchena Water Park
- Enjoy a cool treat at MOO-LIX Ice Cream Shop
- Visit Mission Creek’s Regional Park and explore the Greenway Trails.
- Book an educational honey tour at Arlo’s Honey Farm (by appt. only)
- Take a stroll through the Kasugai Japanese Gardens
- Kelowna Wibit Waterpark great for kids ages 5 and up.
- Bring the kids to Kelowna Safety Village where you can drop-in on Friday mornings to drive their pedal cars.
- Follow the trail at Mill Creek Regional Park which leads to a waterfall, where you can picnic and enjoy the creek.
- Enjoy a tasting or purchase gelato or unique cheeses from Carmelis Goat Cheese Artisan.
- The Kelowna Museums offer various activities throughout the summer months.
- Bring your mountain bikes up to Big White to explore their new bike park.
Lake Country
- Make a day of it and explore the Kangaroo Creek Farm.
- Tour the Lake Country Farmer’s & Crafters Market on Fridays from 3-7pm.
- Visit the Tretheway Splash Park to cool off.
- Bring the kids to climb, jump and play at Oyama Zipline Adventure Park.
- Stop at Gatzke Orchards to buy fresh produce or bakery items at their café.
Naramata
- Rent a paddleboard or take lessons from Sun N’ Sup.
- Take a short (20 min) hike up to the Naramata Waterfalls/Naramata Creek Park.
- Visit Manitou Beach and Park where there are picnic tables, a kid’s playground, volleyball courts and more.
Okanagan Falls
- Visit Kenyon Water Park located beside the John Bell Playground and sandy beach.
- Do not miss Tickleberry’s Ice Cream for a treat while visiting Okanagan Falls (it’s a must!).
- Stop at Christie Memorial Park to enjoy a picnic, play at park or just relax on one of their benches.
Oliver
- Book a hands on, educational farm tour at Covert Farms Family Estate, great for kid’s 5-18 years old.
- Visit the Oliver Museum which houses exhibits and collection of artifacts.
- Catch a movie at the Oliver Theatre.
- Register for an activity at the Oliver Community Centre or drop-in and enjoy their outdoor pool.
- Stop in at Kinsmen Playground and Spray Park for some water fun!
- Lion’s Park offers a playground, skateboard park, and basketball hoop.
- Stop at Rotary Beach on Tuc-el-Nuit Lake where the kids can enjoy the playground.
Osoyoos
- Stop for a view of Spotted Lake, northwest of Osoyoos.
- Take a self-guided tour at Osoyoos Desert Centre or visit their interpretive facility.
- Experience a world class miniature wonderland at Osoyoos Desert Model Railroad.
- Head to Rattlesnake Canyon for mini-golf, bumper boats, go-karts, rock climbing wall, an arcade and more!
- Rent a bike from Heat Stroke Cycle or Double O Bikes.
- Take the kids to cool down at Jack Shaw Splash Park.
- Head to Lions Park Playground or Osoyoos Elementary Natural Playground to burn off some energy.
- Spend the afternoon at Osoyoos Waterslides, open June 28 until Labor Day, 2019.
- Visit the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre for an interpretive tour or view the displays and films available.
- Drive up Anarchist Mountain for views of Osoyoos.
- Kobau Lanes Bowling Centreoffers 5 pin bowling fun.
- Rent a scooter or pedal car from Osoyoos Scooters
- Head down to the Osoyoos Market on Main, May 18 to Sept 14, 2019
- Take Horseback Riding Lessons at Sun Hills Riding Centre or Indian Grove Riding Stables
- Visit the Osoyoos Museum and Archives and join a guided historical walking tour.
- The Sonora Community Centre offers drop-in programs for families and teens, year-round.
Peachland
- Visit Parrot Island Sanctuary to learn about the beautiful birds and the story of the sanctuary.
- Fly through the sky at ZipZone Peachland.
- Book an Okanagan ATV Tour (16+ years old).
- Rent a bike, paddleboard or kayak at Peachland Beach Rentals.
- Visit Peachland Farmers and Crafters Market on Sundays, May 26 to September 28, 2019
- Bring your skateboard, bikes, scooters and more to Peachland’s Skate Park.
- Cool down at Peachland Wibit Waterpark (ages 5+).
- Take a stroll along the Bat House Interpretive Trail
Penticton
- Cool off at Lakawanna or Skaha Lake Water Splash Parks
- Visit LocoLanding Adventure Park which features rock climbing, go-karts, bumper boats, and more!
- Have an ice cream treat at the Peach, Tickelberry’s, Ogo’s or the new Lickity Splitz Shop.
- Rent 2, 4 and 6 person pedal cars at Penticton Bike Rentals. Motor scooters, paddleboards, kayaks, double kayaks and Segways are also available for rent.
- Cool down at Penticton Wibit Waterpark (ages 5+).
- Rent a tube or bring your own to float the ‘Channel’.
- Try indoor rock climbing at Hoodoo Adventures or book one of their adventure camps.
- Head to the Penticton Skate Park – a great venue for borders, bikers and bladers.
- Tour the historic SS Sicamous, the largest surviving stern wheeler in BC and it’s open as a museum to the public.
- Go outdoor rock climbing at Skaha Bluffs.
- Make a splash at the Penticton Community Centre Pool.
- Head to the Penticton Speedway where they host drifting and stock car races, a racing school and bull riding events.
- Walk through the Penticton-Ikeda Japanese Gardens to view the fish and enjoy the beautiful gardens.
- Head to Main Street for the Penticton Farmers’ Market and Community Market
- Bring the family to Roll N’ Stones Fun Centre for laser bowling or blacklight mini-golf.
- The Penticton Peach Festival is five days of free family fun, August 7-11, 2019
- Bring your kids to LocoLanding on June 9, 2019 for the Wildstone Colors4Kids Run.
- Bike or walk the KVR Trail from Penticton to Naramata or head south to Okanagan Falls.
- Head to Penticton’s BMX Park located on Munson Mountain Road.
- Take the short walk/hike up Munson Mountain to see the famous PENTICTON sign and for a view of the city.
- Stop at one of the many fruit stands and u-picks in the area where you can buy local fresh fruit.
- Both Okanagan and Skaha Beach offer beach fire pits for you to enjoy (when permitted).
- Try stand up paddleboarding, regular or glow in the dark
- Escape within an hour at Desmios Escape Rooms
Salmon Arm
- Visit DeMille’s Farm Market in Salmon Arm where you can buy fruit and produce, visit farm animals, look at antique farm equipment or have a bite to eat.
- Spend the day at the Salmon Arm Waterslides.
- Head to the outdoor Westgate Public Market every Friday from 9am-1pm.
- Visit Fletcher Park where there is a playground, picnic benches and a water and spray park.
Summerland
- Book a seat on the Kettle Valley Steam Railway Train or the Great Train Robbery & BBQ.
- Enjoy the pool, hot tub or sauna at the Summerland Aquatic & Fitness Centre.
- SWR Boat Rentals offer powerboats, pedal boats, Seadoos, SUP’s, canoes, kayaks and scooters for rent.
- Visit the Summerland Museum to view their displays.
- Take a self-guided tour of the Summerland Ornamental Gardens.
- Tour the Summerland Trout Hatchery, where you can see its aquarium, trough room and outdoor ponds.
- Enjoy ice cream, jams, syrups and more at Summerland Sweets. Afterwards, visit B.C.’s highest train trestle located within walking distance.
- Head to the new Summerland Skatepark on the corner of the Summerland Secondary School field.
- Walk or hike up Giant’s Head Mountain for a view of Summerland and area.
- Visit the Nixdorf Classic Car Museum, which features over 70 classic vehicles to view.
- Every Sunday from 9am to 1pm is Summerland’s Sunday Market located on Main Street.
- Visit Buddy’s Buddies Petting Zoo for a hands on interaction with select farm animals (by appt. only).
- Bring the family to Peach Orchard Beach and Waterpark, featuring a playground and fire pits.
- Choose between Rotary Beach and Kinsmen Beach in Summerland or Powell Beach and Sun-Oka Beach in Trout Creek to relax and soak up the sun.
Vernon
- Spend the entire day at Atlantis Waterslides – water activities perfect for all ages.
- Discover and learn in the Allan Brooks Nature Centre Interpretive Centre.
- Explore Davison Orchards Country Village! Tractor rides, playgrounds, feed the animals, shop for fresh farm food and more.
- Visit Planet Bee Honey Farm to watch live honey bees in their indoor glass observatory hives or book an educational tours, great for all ages.
- Enjoy quality family time while bowling at Lincoln Lanes.
- The Okanagan Science Center offers fun, hands-on science activities from pre-school through grade 7.
- The annual Sunshine Festival takes place on June 15, 2019 in downtown Vernon.
- Historic O’Keefe Ranch features heritage buildings, museum exhibitions, farm animals and many more events and activities!
- Head to Polson Spray Park or the Lakeview Wading Pool to cool the kids down during the hot summer months.
- Silver Star Moutain Resort offers a downhill bike park, horseback and pony rides, hiking and trail running, gondola rides and more – all available in the summer months.
- Learn about alpacas on a guided tour and browse the gift shop afterwards at Camelot Haven Alpacas. Open by appointment.
- The Vernon Farmers’ Market is open Monday and Thursday from 8am-10pm for fresh, in-season produce, fruits, crafts and more!
- Bike/walk the Okanagan Rail Trail along Kalamalka Lake.
- Bring the kids to Don-O-Ray Farm Adventure where they can feed ponies and goats at their mini petting zoo or let them run through their maze.
West Kelowna
- Spend the morning or afternoon at Just 4 Fun, an indoor play centre featuring over 5500 square feet of fun.
- Music in the Park – Friday and Saturday nights in memorial park
- 19 Greens Putting Course and Mini Golf is great for junior golfers to try out the sport for kids 4 years and up.
- Broken Rail Ranch offers lead horseback rides for children 3 years and up. Riders must be 10+ to ride on their own.
- Bring your skateboards, roller skates, bikes and scooters to the West Kelowna Skatepark located next to Johnson Bentley Memorial Aquatic Centre.
- Learn about various nuts, lets the kids play on the playground, have a picnic or walk the trails at
Gellatly Heritage Nut Farm. - Every Saturday from June 29 to September 21, 2019, you can head down to the Westbank Farmers Market.
- At Safari Ridge Adventure Park you can try adventure paintball, outdoor laser tag or archery games. Age registrations apply.
- Teach your family about seasonal fruits and vegetables while touring Westside’s Farm Loop.
- Bring lunch or a picnic to Westbank Centre Spray/Water Park. Other parks such as Anders, Marina and Rose Meadow have playgrounds.
Other Activities
- Visit the Enchanted Forest in Revelstoke
- Try the Pipe Mountain Coaster in Revelstoke
- Spend the day at the BC Wildlife Park in Kamloops
- Book a tour of the Mascot Mine in Hedley
- Visit the Grist Mill and Gardens in Keremeos
- Head to Sunpeaks Resort for their bungee trampoline, horseback trail rides, mountain cross carts and more.
- Visit the Hot Pools and Cool Pools of Crazy Creek between Revelstoke and Sicamous.
- Grab a tube and float between Bromley Rock and the Red Bridge on the Similkameen River.
