Especially for Kids

Victoria offers unique opportunities for kids to view creatures from whales and giant butterflies to sea anemones and hermit crabs. The oldest of petting zoos is the Beacon Hill Children's Farm, Circle Drive, Beacon Hill Park (tel. 250/381-2532; www.beaconhillpark.ca), where kids can ride ponies; pet goats, rabbits, and other barnyard animals; and cool off in the wading pool. May to Labour Day, the farm is open daily 10am to 5pm (11am-4pm in the fall, 10am-4pm in the spring). Admission is by donation.

To see and touch (or be touched by) even smaller creatures, visit the Victoria Butterfly Gardens. Closer to town is the Victoria Bug Zoo, 631 Courtney St. (tel. 250/384-BUGS; www.bugzoo.bc.ca), home to praying mantises, stick insects, and giant African cockroaches. Admission is C$8 (US$7/£3.60) for adults, C$6 (US$5/£2.70) for seniors, C$7 (US$6/£3.15) for students, C$5 (US$4/£2.25) for children 3 to 16, and free for children under 3; open Monday through Saturday 9:30am to 5pm, Sundays 11am to 5:30pm.

The Pacific Undersea Gardens is a face-to-face introduction to some of the sea creatures of the Pacific coast. Better still, take the kids out to explore any of the tide pools on the coast. Botanical Beach Provincial Park, near Port Renfrew, is excellent, though the 60km (37-mile) drive west along Highway 14A may make it a bit far for some. Closer to town, try French Beach or China Beach (also along Hwy. 14A), or even the beach in Mount Douglas Park. The trick is to find a good spot, bend down over a tide pool, and look -- or else pick up a rock to see crabs scuttle away. Remember to put the rocks back where you found them.

In Goldstream Provincial Park, the Visitor Centre (tel. 250/478-9414) has nature programs and activities geared especially for children. The Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary, 3873 Swan Lake Rd. (tel. 250/479-0211; www.swanlake.bc.ca), offers a number of nature-themed drop-in programs over the summer, including Insectmania and Reptile Day.

Back in the city, the Royal B.C. Museum has many displays geared toward kids, including a rather dramatic and amazing life-size reconstruction of a woolly mastodon.

Miniature World, with its huge collection of dolls and dollhouses, model trains, and diminutive circus displays, is a favorite with kids of all ages.

Located in Elk and Beaver Lake Regional Park, Beaver Lake is a great freshwater spot where kids can enjoy a day of watersports and swimming in safe, lifeguard-attended waters.

On truly hot days, head for the waterslides at All Fun Recreation Park, 2207 Millstream Rd. (tel. 250/474-3184; www.allfun.bc.ca). From mid-June to Labour Day, it's open daily 11am to 7pm. The cost is C$20 (US$17/£9) for sliders 11 years and older; C$15 (US$13/£7) for those 4 to 10 years old; it's free for children under 4. Cost for observers (including use of the hot tub, minigolf, and beach volleyball courts) is C$6 (US$5/£2.70). The park also has go-carts and batting cages.