When you need to reward your child's angelic behaviour while grocery shopping, stop by the bakery department and ask for a free cookie.  My husband was at Save on Foods with my howling 2-year old when the undercover security person told him that the bakery gives out one free cookie per kid, and I will bet that all the big grocery chains have similar cookie policies. 

Another great grocery store tip:  Thrifty Foods will do your child's 1st birthday cake for free. Thanks for the tip, Emily!  If you have any tips for parents of young children in your community, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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This website is all about finding low-cost, everyday things to do for the average parent or caregiver of under 5-year olds, and this city is bursting with FREE events and entertainment for families all summer long.

Farmers Markets - free to wander, and kids love the bright colours, delicious scents, live music and cheerful crowds.  

• Tues: Fernwood Community Market, 4:30-8:30, Fernwood Square*
• Wed: Colwood Farmers Market, 4:30-7:30, Colwood Plaza, 1913 Sooke Road*
• Esquimalt Community Market, 5-8, Town Square (behind municipal hall)
• View Royal Market, 3-7, View Royal Community Hall, 279 Old Island Highway
• Thurs: Estevan Village Pocket Market, 2:30-6:30, Estevan and Musgrave*
• Island Chef's Collaborative Market, 10-5, Bastion Square
• Sidney Summer Market, 5:30-8:30, Beacon Avenue
• Fri: Humboldt Valley Market, 1-5:30, Plaza in front of Cafe Mela, 788 Humboldt St.*
• Island Chef's Collaborative Market, 10-5, Bastion Square
• Jubilee Market, 1-5, in the parking lot behind Jubilee Pharmasave, 1775 Fort St.* 
• Vic West Market, 10-2, Craigflower Rd and Raynor Ave.*
• Sat: Gorge/Tillicum Market, 9:30-2, Pearkes Arena (outside)*
• Moss Street Market, 10-2, Sir James Douglas Elementary School grounds, 401 Moss St.
• Reynolds High School Market, 4th Saturday each month, 9:30-1 p.m., Reynolds High School, 3963 Borden St.*
• Strawberry Vale Market, 10-2, Outside Strawberry Vale Community Hall, 11 High St.*
• Luxton Station Market, 10-2, Luxton Fairgrounds, 1040 Marwood
• Peninsula Country Market, 9-1, Saanich Fairgrounds, 1528 Stelly's Cross Rd
• Quadra Village Farmers' Market, 10-3, Kings Rd and Quatra St.*
• Sooke Country Market, 10-2, 2047 Otter Point Rd
• James Bay Community Market, 9-3, corner of Menzies and Superior
• Sun: Government Street Market, 11:30-4:30, 1600 block Government St.
• Highlands Market at the Caleb Pike Homestead, last Sunday of the month, 10-2, 1589 Millstream Rd
• Metchosin Farmers' Market, 11-2, Metchosin Municipal Grounds (behind Fire Hall) 4450 Happy Valley Rd
• (*Pocket Markets)

Programs and Ongoing Events - All you need is a bag, blanket and bus pass to keep your kids entertained all summer.

• Summer in the Square - at Centennial Square, including free lunchtime concerts every weekday from noon to 1
• Stage in the Park - all the free outdoor concerts and events at Cameron Bandshell in Beacon Hill Park
• Saanich Sunfest - over 30 fun-filled family events including Clownfest, Sandfest, 3rd Annual Strongest Man Competition and free Music in the Park series
• Brentwood Bay Music in the Park - open air concert and food vendors on Wednesday evenings at Pioneer Park
• From the World to BC, Saturday Series - Royal BC Museum, every fourth Saturday of the month, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., free cultural celebration with the exception of 10 a.m. storytimes.
• Kids Programs at GVPL - Reading and early literacy programs for all library branches (drop-in storytimes have been added to the Playtime Calendar!)

Festivals - celebrations of history, music, art, culture and light.

• Luminara Festival - lantern festival at St. Ann's Academy and Beacon Hill Park, July 26
• Stinking Fish Studio Tour - self-guided tour of artist studios in Sooke, July 26-Aug 4
• Festival 150 - four days of family-oriented activities at Inner Harbour, Aug 1-4
• Firebells and Fanfare Parade - 150th anniversary tribute to Victoria Fire Department, Aug 2
• Symphony Splash -  Victoria Symphony Orchestra 2-hour concert in the Inner Harbour, Aug 3
• Free B Festival - every Friday and Saturday in August, free B-movies at Cameron Bandshell in Beacon Hill Park
• Victoria Dragonboat Festival - exciting races, cultural entertainment, crafts for the whole family, Aug 15-17
• Sooke Art in the Park - Art and entertainment at Ed McGregor Park, Aug 16-17

(Please This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it if you would like me to add any!)

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