Free or Low-Cost

StrongStart Armstrong - Highland Park Elementary is a free, drop-in early learning program for children ages 0–5 and their caregivers, running weekdays from 8:00–11:00am (mid-September to end of June) at Highland Park Elementary in Room 38. Enjoy a morning of playtime, circle time, dance parties, gym time, snacks, and more—all aligned with the School District 83 calendar.

StrongStart Penticton – KVR Elementary offers a free, play-based early learning program for children aged birth to five and their caregivers.

StrongStart Penticton – Columbia Elementary is a free, play-based program for children aged birth to five and their caregivers. The classroom is arranged for creative projects, pretend play, sensory exploration, and interactive story time.

Families with children aged birth to five are invited to join this free, drop-in StrongStart Penticton program at Queen’s Park Elementary. Enjoy creative art projects, songs, stories, and active play during morning sessions Monday to Thursday, plus one Wednesday evening each week.

The Okanagan Falls Heritage Museum, located beside Tickleberry’s Ice Cream and the Thrift Shoppe, offers a step back into the everyday life of early settlers in the South Okanagan. Through carefully preserved rooms, vintage furnishings, and local artifacts, visitors can see how families lived, worked, and relaxed over a century ago.

The Westbank Museum in West Kelowna is a great spot for families to explore local history together. Take a self-guided tour through pioneer homes, a vintage classroom, and farming displays, then let the kids enjoy the Beaver and Bear Hunt scavenger game. Open year-round with admission by donation.

The Summerland Museum and Archives is a family-friendly spot where you can explore the town’s history at your own pace. Admission is by donation, and kids love the highlight upstairs, a working model railway they can start with the push of a button, complete with step stools so even the smallest visitors get a great view.

The Summerland Library is a bright, family-friendly spot with free Wi-Fi, cozy reading areas, a fun kids' section, and a dedicated teen zone. It’s a great place to read, play, study, or just unwind.

The Penticton Public Library serves as a vibrant community hub with a wide array of resources and programs for all ages. Families can enjoy access to books, audiobooks, magazines, and movies, alongside engaging activities. Young children can participate in programs like Baby Songs and Rhymes, Toddlertime, and Preschool Storytime, while older kids will love after-school activities such as Lego Club. For teens, the library offers creative outlets like CraftQuest and STEAM-powered sessions.

Davison Orchards in Vernon is a family-friendly destination where kids can play in the Crazy Cow Kids Corral, meet farm animals, and explore a working orchard. The farm offers a full day of fun with toy tractors, tire swings, duck races, and tractor-pulled train rides through the orchard. Parents can enjoy local eats from the Farmhouse Café, real fruit ice cream, and shop for handmade goods, produce, and baked treats in the Country Village.