Finnerty Gardens

Once you've enjoyed your "homemade" breakfast in bed of dry cornflakes with a side of hot sauce (true story), head out for a morning stroll through Finnerty Gardens! This (free) public woodland garden is snuggled in the University of Victoria campus. Its star attraction is its sizeable collection of towering rhododendrons and stepping-stone pond. Click here for a self-guided walking tour.

Photo: Sarah Blackstone

Grab a Picnic Box 

Premade picnic kits are my jam! All that's left to do is find the perfect picnic spot (see above). Packed with enough delicious nibblies to satisfy hungry picnickers, Picnic has a tasty selection of charcuterie boxes for pick-up or delivery. All boxes are perfect for two people to share or four people to sample. Pro Tip: Start Mother's Day off right with their Breaky Box and avoid the aforementioned hot sauce+cereal combo. 

Charlie's Trail

Practice the Japanese art of shinrin yoku, or Forest Bathing, on this 3.5km walk through giant old-growth trees and past pristine waterfalls. This trek will take you from Hatley Park to the beach at Esquimalt Lagoon and is just under an hour (perfect for little legs). Of course, your 'canine children' are welcome too. 

Ice Cream Break 

Worked up an appetite? Sign up to receive text notifications when The Ice Cream Truck is in your neighbourhood, or view their 'Live' location on their web tracker! Bonus: Nearly half the menu is Canadian-made and includes popular Vancouver Island treats from Cold Comfort, 49 Below Ice Cream, and Mexipops.

Macarons & More

Keep that sweet tooth satisfied with a trip to chandelier-lit French pastry shop La Roux Patisserie. Nestled in the heart of China Town, this gem offers the daintiest desserts, from French-inspired tarts to nostalgic treats from your childhood. Enjoy there, or get them to-go. I mean, macarons are mostly air, right?! 

Game On!

Let's burn off some of that sugar with a visit to The Board Game Café. Challenge each other to your favourite board game or learn a new one together. It's $6 to stay & play, with a library of over 800 games to try! Of course no visit is complete without slurping back one of their famous house-made milkshakes (noticing a trend here?) to fuel your gaming session. Bonus: Their Game Experts can help you find the best game for your group and teach you how to play it! 

Mother's Day at the Farm

This tucked-away lavender farm in Metchosin will have you dreaming of the south of France. Their Mother's Day event does not disappoint! Over the weekend, the farm hosts activities for all ages, including a Mother's Day picnic, floral workshops, mini photography sessions, and games throughout the orchard for your kiddos. In addition, Orchard Pub will be open for drinks and small offerings. Pro Tip: Get into their lavender shortbread! Stat!

The Art Gallery

For an experience steeped in art and culture, head to The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. The Gallery has been building its collection for almost 70 years and represents significant works produced in BC. The Emily Carr: Seeing and Being Seen exhibit is nothing short of stunning. Pro Tip: Admission on Thursday evenings from 5-9 pm is by donation.

Musical Garden Tour

Like the Magical Mystery Tour, but ... not quite. Slip past the garden gates to visit these private backyard gems while enjoying live music performed by students and faculty of the Victoria Conservatory of Music. This Garden Tour has been a treasured annual event in the community since 1982. Pro Tip: Clear out your trunk; their plant sale is legendary. 

Mum & Me Spa Night

Phew- busy day! We're firm believers in modelling self-care, so it's time for some tranquillity at home with a Mum & Me green routine, and when it comes to self-care, we kind of have this market cornered. Tuck in to our Mother's Day Gifts, or create a glowy skin spa-night fit for you and your mini-me. We love this kid-friendly spa menu: 

Mum & Me Spa Day Kit
*in order of application
Consonant Natural Foaming Face Wash
Orgaid Greek Yogurt Nourishing Sheet Masks
Indie Lee Squalane Facial Oil
Rose Quartz Roller
Mermaid Water