We are almost halfway through the season, and I’m looking for cheap ways to keep my young and older kids busy. Any ideas?
Here are a few ideas that cover a range of age groups.
The Toy Lending Library is an amazing free service run by the Childcare Resource and Referral, in both Sechelt and Gibsons. It’s a welcoming place for parents and caregivers to sign up for a free account and sign out toys – from wagons, mini basketball hoops and parachutes, to ferry boat toys, stacking toys and diggers. They have many pre-curated activity boxes put together by their super team of staff. Did I mention lots of neat books and puzzles? Let kids pick something out, then when the novelty wears off, return and pick a new one. Tip – at the Sechelt location, they also stock art supplies for cash purchase. Call 604-885-5657 or visit coastccrr.ca for more info.
SD46 Early Learning Summer programming, aimed at kids 0-5. It includes the magical WonderWheels Bookmobile and Tales & Trails program touring the coast with a full load of books and programming for kids. No pre-registration needed. Dates, locations and times are all listed on the poster: sd46.bc.ca/sd46-summer-programming/ or call Kelsey at 604-741-5787 to get the details. Dress for the weather!
Follow and scroll through Sunshine Coast Youth Outreach’s Instagram account – @scyouthoutreach – to stay up to date on inclusive activities aimed at youth aged 13 to 23. In August, for instance, there’ll be another two pop-up parties with free food (and possibly swag!) where youth can come and go as they please.
The Instagram account recently promoted the Sunshine Coast Gender-Diverse Network – a social space for local gender-diverse youth and folks of all ages to connect. Those hangouts continue on the second Thursday of each month, 6-8 p.m. The August hangout is set to be in person. Call Shayne for more info at 604-865-0812, or email [email protected].
If you haven’t checked out Shirley Macey Park – there is a playground/sandbox area that is wheelchair accessible, with washrooms about 100 metres away. Into the forest, you can find the free disc golf course (just use a frisbee if you don’t have “discs”) and there is easy access to Soames Hill hikes. More info: scrd.ca/Shirley-Macey.
I’m going to squeeze in your local libraries because they are so cool. By simply perusing the @Gibsonslibrary Facebook page, I see things like citizen science challenges, map decoding contests, reading clubs and summer author talks. If you’re on the opposite end of the Coast, the Pender Harbour Reading Centre (604-883-2983) hosts a reading program every Wednesday at 9 a.m. to Aug. 11.
Our Resource Centre offices continue to be open 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday to Thursday at 107A-5710 Teredo Square (just next to the Scotiabank.) Appointments are recommended, drop-ins welcome. Call us at 604-885-4088 with your questions and to connect with services you need. Happy summer, everyone!
Angie Theilmann is an information and referral specialist at the Sunshine Coast Resource Centre, your community information hub. Do you have a question? Just Ask Angie! Email: [email protected].
