This weekend is all about family
Take a break from the winter weather (and eyes glued to electronic games) by celebrating Family Day this long weekend at events throughout the region.
Go for a swim, build a Lego castle, visit the provincial museum, skate with the kids, appreciate art, go for a hike or pump weights on Monday, a holiday meant to encourage working parents and other caregivers to pause and spend quality time with their children or extended family.
From Feb. 11 to 13, Sidney hosts Sidney Family Days — a Lego Brick Festival, with activities throughout downtown Sidney. The theme this year is agriculture, and Robin Sather, Canada’s only Lego professional, will build a 1.8-metre-long tractor inside the Bodine Family Hall at Mary Winspear Centre.
The fun starts at 10 a.m. Saturday when the Sidney Museum opens its doors to hand out scavenger-hunt maps. The Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea will feature underwater bricks and the Sidney Pier Hotel will host an animated brick display by VicLUG.
The Mary Winspear Centre will have play areas and host a community open house. For more information, go to Sidney Family Day Weekend on Facebook.
Make a splash with your family at a free swim at the Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre after 1 p.m. on Monday.
Have a parent-kid race on the Wibit obstacle course, take a cruise down the waterslide or swing on the Tarzan rope. Try a fitness class or squeeze in a workout in the weight room or cardio area.
A personal trainer will be on hand to challenge parents and youth with exercises to get the whole family fit.
The morning family swim is ideal for some quieter swimming time in the shallow end of the main pool as well as the two small pools. Features include the small pool spray creatures, basketball net and small slides.
Activities take place at Crystal Pool, 2275 Quadra St.
For schedule information, go to victoria.ca/crystalpool.
Get a sneak peek at the interactive features of the upcoming Family: Bonds and Belonging exhibition at the Royal B.C. Museum on Monday.
Share your story of what family — whatever you consider it to be — means to you at the interactive exhibit.
The exhibition runs from 1 to 3 p.m. Participation is included with museum admission or membership. The museum is at 675 Belleville St. Details at royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/visit/ exhibitions/family.
Enjoy a free hour of skating (noon to 1 p.m.) at Westhills Arena on Family Day. RSVP by Friday to Daniel Fanizza at 250-915-2136 or daniel.fanizza@raymondjames.ca. The arena is at 1089 Langford Pkwy.
Join in a day of imagination, creativity and discovery at the Family Arts Festival at the Arts Centre of the Cedar Hill Recreation Centre.
Children of all ages can explore the world of visual arts, dance, music and theatre, with hands-on stations and performances by the Veselka Ukrainian Dancers, Shan-e-Punjab Dance School, Arts Calibre Preschool, Chinese Cultural Dance Victoria and Reynolds Secondary R&B Band.
The event runs 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the centre, 3220 Cedar Hill Rd. For more information, go to saanich.ca.
Enjoy free admission to swimming, skating, weight room and fitness classes at the Free Family Day Fun event at Panorama Recreation Centre on Monday.
Swimming runs from 1:30 to 3 p.m., while skating runs from 1 to 2:20 p.m. at the Panorama Recreation Centre and Greenglade Community Centre, 1885 Forest Park Dr. For details, go to crd.bc.ca/panorama.
Esquimalt Parks and Recreation invites residents to its Family Day Event at the Esquimalt Recreation Centre and Archie Browning Sports Centre.
The event kicks off with an inflatable amusement and Toddler Play Zone. While waiting their turn, children can take advantage of free face painting.
Parents and guardians can join in at a family yoga class, swim or skate in the afternoon.
The event runs from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the centre, 527 Fraser St. For more information, go to esquimalt.ca/news-events/ events/family-day.