Penticton is a super fun and diverse place to explore. There are so many family friendly things to do win Penticton that you’ll never get bored! As photographers in the Okanagan, we have gotten to know many different activities, small businesses and places. Whether you live here or you’re visiting, enjoy this list of 30 summer activities in Penticton to do with your kids. Click on the title of any activity for the link!
Things to do in Penticton with kids
Linden Gardens
Visit this beautiful 3 acre garden 8 minutes South of Penticton on the highway (it’s well worth the drive!). Get a lemonade or iced chai tea latte and either relax in the cafe or walk around the diverse garden. It’s shaded by tall trees, so it’s on average about 10 degrees cooler in Linden Gardens, making it a perfect activity to do on hot days in the South Okanagan. Kids love it here, especially the 2 story playhouse and the animals (goats, chickens, pigs). On average we spend about 2.5 hours here.
The Pump Track
The pump track on Naramata Road is the perfect activity for anyone who loves to ride bikes! My kids are always begging for me to take them to the pump track. They love that they can go around virtually without peddaling over and over, changing their route as desired. It’s fun for older kids on their pedal bikes or bmx bikes, and also fun for younger kids on balance bikes. The KVR trail is right beside in case you want to go for a scenic ride. There are also washrooms in the parking lot. I suggest coming in the morning or evening during the summer as it is HOT! Head to Naramata for a jump in the lake afterwards.
Tickleberries
Tickleberries is famous for it’s homemade ice cream and fun, bear- themed decor. You can buy unique souvenires while enjoying your favorite flavor. There are always new flavors being added and they’re always delicous! There are lactose/ dairy free options as well. There are two locations: one on Main Street in Penticton (walkable from Okanagan Lake) and one in Okanagan Falls. The Okanagan Falls location is the original and my favorite. You can’t miss it as you drive by- look for the building painted with bears!
Floating Playground
On a hot afternoon in Penticton, go have fun on a floating playground on Okanagan Lake! Wibit is fun for anyone 5 and up. Slides, climbing walls, ramps, and ‘air cuishons’ will provide hours of fun for everyone. In Penticton there is a smaller water playground closer to the beach and then a full sized playground behind. Children 5-8 need to be accompanied by an adult (chapherone passes are 50% off) and everyone must wear a lifejacket (provided on site). At the time of writing this, you can purchase day passes online for $30, and evening passes for $20 (5:30-7:30pm).
Photo by Parsons Photography
Penticton Family Photography Session with Parsons Photography
Remember your family fun in Penticton with a gorgeous family photo session in your location of choice. Do you want family photos on the beach, a rolling meadow, or a field with a lakeview? The Parsons Photography family photo experience is designed for real families with real kids. It’s stress free and laid back. Your photos will showcase the real personalities of your family members having fun and enjoying your time in Penticton. You only have 18 summers with your kids before they’re adults. Be sure to document them!
LocoLanding
Locolanding is a small but fun amusement park in Penticton. Located close to Okanagan Beach and the Penticton Channel, you can easily spend a whole day here. Activities include a ropes course, mini golf, go-carts, Badlands inflatable playground, bumper boats, ‘Monkey Motion’ (allows kids to jump up to 18′ feet with harnesses), and a climbing wall. A value pack is $42 and gets a turn on each activity. It can be used over multiple days if you don’t want to do it all at once.
Outdoor Pool
There’s something special about an outdoor pool! Keremeos is about a 25 minute drive from Penticton. It has some of the best fruit stands in the South Okanagan- prices are way better than anywhere else, too. Enjoy the outdoor swimming pool with passes starting from just $2!
Float the Channel
It isn’t a summer in Penticton without a float down the Channel. The Channel runs from Okanagan Lake into Skaha Lake and takes from 2-4 hours. Be sure to bring snacks, drinks, and sunscreen. You can bring your own vehicles/ floaties or rent from either Coyote Cruises which includes a bus back from $20/ person or Float Penticton which starts at $15/ person and will actually pick you up/ drop you off from your house. The water level varies; I recommend bringing life jackets for kids so they can jump in the cool off. https://www.coyotecruises.com/
http://www.pentictonriverchannel.ca/
Okanagan Falls KVR Bridge
After visiting Tickleberries, take your icecream to Kenyon Park in Okanagan Falls and go for a walk over the KVR Bridge. You can fish off of the side and there is a jumping platform with a ladder as well (use at your own risk!). There is a small waterfall up the KVR towards Penticton if you want to take 5-10 minute walk as well.
Photo by Parsons Photography
Covert Farms
Covert Farms is the best wine tasting experience to do with kids. Located in Oliver, about 25 minutes from Penticton, adults can have their wine tasting while kids enjoy their own! The kids tour & tasting includes a mini tour to meet the various farm animals including lambs and llamas, snacking on artisinal cheese & crackers, tasting locally made juice, and the oppportunity try edible flowers and eat local produce. The kids tour is $20; the tasting is $10.
1.5 hour tours aboard an ’52 Mercury truck are available for those that would like to explore & learn about the farm. They include a vineyard wine tasting and a tasting on the covered patio that includes a ‘farmers board’ featuring local meats, cheeses, vegetables and edible flowers. The tour is $89/ adult and $20/ child.
If you don’t feel like doing an entire wine tasting, there are picnic and firepit experiences that are super fun and include complimentary bottles of wine. Covert Farms also has live music every Sunday! The yard at Covert Farms is SO much fun for kids too. There is a giant inflatable air pad, a fun hill, and tons of yard games.
Summerland Sweets
Summerland Sweets is a must-visit tourist destination featuring locally made syrups, ice cream, fruit leather, salad dressings, honey, gift baskets, hot sauce, and more; as well as many farm-themed items to purchase. Enjoy your treats will admiring local artwork and pottery.
The Giant Peach
Your kids will love the iconic Giant Peach on Okanagan Lake. This concession offers ice cream, slushies, screamers, milkshakes and more. Have a treat and then let the kids clean up all the stickiness in Okanagan Lake!
Penticton Farmer’s Market
The Penticton Farmer’s Market is a great family activity in Penticton. Open 8:30-1:00 am on Saturday mornings, over 50 vendors make for a very diverse walk in the 100 block in Penticton close to Okanagan Lake. From local vegetables and baked goods to local art & jewelry, there is something for everyone. If you want a true local experience, this is it!
Hoodoo Adventures
Hoodoo Adventures is for the adventurous families that live in or are visiting Penticton. It is also for families that want to dip their toes in adventures in a safe, guided way. The super fun indoor climbing wall is great for kids and adults alike. Get a lesson, or go to drop-in. If you’d like to explore the South Okanagan in a safe but fun way, try one of Hoodoo Adventure’s many tours. Biking, hiking, climbing, kayaking or even showshoeing if you’re here in the winter. There are also rentals and shuttles to make your life easier.
Photo by Parsons Photography
Penticton Community Pool
If you’d like something different from the beach, try visiting the Penticton Community Pool. Featuring hot tubs, lanes, leisure pool, lazy river, water slide, ropes, sauna and steam rooms, the whole family will have fun here.
Visit the SS Sicamous
The SS Sicamous was a luxury transport ship that toured Okanagan Lake starting in 1914. Today, it sits on the shore of Okanagan Lake and serves as a museum and heritage site. Visit from Thursday- Monday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Be sure to check out the KVR Model Railway and the giftshop. Enjoy crepes from the Creperie OoLaLa food truck outside afterwards.
Skaha Lake Park & Playgrounds
Skaha Lake park is one of Canada’s top beaches! The 21-acre park offers a natural wooden playground with musical instruments, a giant modern playground, splashpad, consession stands, beach, marina, ponds, walkway, sand volleyball courts, basketball courts, tennis courts, softball field and fire pits. I recommend bringing bikes for the kids and enjoying a stroll alongside the beach on the walkway.
Rent a Boat in Penticton
Castaways Water Sports
Parasailing is an adventurous activity to try on Okanagan Lake! Visit https://castawayswatersports.com/ to book your time or to rent a boat, take lessons (learn how to wakesurf!), rent a paddle board/ kayak/ stand up paddleboard, or go tubing.
Penticton Boat Rentals
Penticton Boat Rentals has multiple locations in the South Okanagan for boat rentals including on Skaha Lake, Okanagan Lake, and in Summerland. Surf boats, pontoons, seedos, stand up paddle boards, kayaks and more are available for rent from Penticton Boat Rentals.
Pier Sports
Pier Sports is conveniently located close to the Giant Peach on Okanagan Lake. Rent a variety of power boats, pontoon boats, seedos, kayaks (single & double), and paddleboards.
Glow SUP Adventures
Book tours, lessons or rentals with Gow SUP Adventures. How awesome does NIGHT paddleboarding with GLOWING paddleboards sound?! There are kids camps, yoga on the water, and group events available.
Go See A Movie
Sometimes you just feel like relaxing in air conditioning. Why not go see a movie at Penticton Landark Cinemas! For showtimes, visit https://www.landmarkcinemas.com/showtimes/penticton.
Penticton’s Boardgame Cafe
Another air conditioned option is to visit Penticton’s boardgame cafe! There are over 500 boardgames to play including puzzles, escape room games, adventure games, dice games, card games and more. If you’re feeling snackish, enjoy a tasty salad bowl, sandwich, waffle, brownie, or milkshake.
Escape Room
Have you tried an escape room experience yet? Head over to Penticton’s escape room challenge “Exit”. There are usually about 4 different challenges to choose from that are always very unique and interesting. Will you escape?!
Indoor Playground
For those days that are too hot to be outside, enjoy the indoor playground and cafe “Busy Beans”. The wooden playground is just part of the fun. A bouncy castle, tons of toys, yummy and healthy snacks, and coffee for mom & dad will let you spend a whole morning here. This is a great place to go if you just want to sit and relax while your kids entertain themselves in a safe environment.
Photo by Parsons Photography
Splash Pads
Splash pads are a great family activity in Penticton! Stay cool on hot summer afternoons with fun spray guns, buckets that dump water out, and sprinkler fun.
Near Okanagan Lake: https://www.penticton.ca/parks-recreation/parks/find-parks-and-gardens/lakawanna-park
Near Skaha Lake: https://www.penticton.ca/parks-recreation/parks/playgrounds/rotary-playworld-skaha-park
Okanagan Falls: https://www.okfalls.net/parksfacilities/kenyon-park/
Walk or Ride the KVR
The KVR is a decommissioned rail track that is perfect for families to walk along or ride bikes on. It offers scenic views, bridges, and tunnels. Click above for some of the best routes to take!
Hike up Munson Mountain
Did you know that the famous giant “Penticton” sign is bigger than the “Hollywood” sign?! Visit it in person with a short 1km walk up Musnon Mountain that is great for all ages.. This is also a great place to enjoy the sunset!
Lickity Splitz
For an incredible themed milkshake, ice cream or deluxe ice cream sandwich, visit “Lickity Splitz” on Okanagan Lake! You won’t forget these crazy treats! Have a treat and then go for a swim in Okanagan Lake or have fun on the Wibit.
Penticton Bike Rentals
Bike rentals for the whole family- and I mean the whole family! 2, 4 and 6 seater bikes are available for rent at Penticton Bike Rentals as well as e-scooters, e-bikes, paddleboards and kayaks.
Skatepark
Bring your skateboard, scooter or bmx and try out Penticton’s huge skatepark! There’s so many obstacles and challenges, you can spend hours here. Conveniently located near Okanagan Beach, Loco Landing, and the Channel.
Peach Fest
If you’re here the first week of August, you cannot miss Penticton’s Peach Fest! This super fun, action packed festival has something for the whole family. The carnival had tons of rides for kids and adults alike including the famous “Zipper” ride. Parades, races, concerts, food trucks, sand castle competitions, dog shows and more- there’s so much to do and see!
Tour on a Train
For a unique way to enjoy the South Okanagan and it’s gorgeous scenery, take a ride on the Kettle Valley Rail Steam Locomotive! The restored 1912 train takes you for a 90 minute tour. You can also thrill your kids with a train ride that includes a horseback cowboy robbery and is followed by a BBQ!
Photo by Parsons Photography
Japanese Gardens
A small but gorgeous Japanese garden, this is a nice activity to help your kids learn about a variety of plant life and even koi fish! I recommend walking along the Okanagan Lake boardwalk all the way here for a nice family friendly stroll. Check out the Art Gallery in the building beside the Garden for a complete experience.
Penticton Speedway
For something special, check out the event schedule at the Penticton Speedway! Your kids (and husband) will be sure to enjoy a variety of awesome races here.
Famous Second Hand Bookstore
Located on Main Street, The Book Shop is one of Canada’s largest secondhand book stores. Visit with your kids to find some amazing books to read. This place has such a cool feel and vibe to it, you’ll love it! Then head over to one of Penticton’s many parks and enjoy reading together as a family (screen free!).
Naramata Creek Falls
Naramata Creek Falls is a fun, easy family hike in Penticton (15 minute drive to Naramata). Walk alongside the creek over a few fun bridges and let your kids soak in the beauty of the waterfall. Kids will also spend hours playing in the creek in the cool shade. For instructions, visit https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/british-columbia/naramata-creek-falls.
Skaha Bluffs
Skaha Bluffs is considered some of Canada’s best rock climbing! It also offers a variety of family friendly hikes to enjoy with amazing views of Skaha Lake and Penticton. I recommend bring a picnic (and extra water) to have here. If you’d like a guided tour or lessons, check out Hoodoo Adventures.
Things to Do in Penticton with Kids
I hope you found some inspiration from this list! Get out there and have fun with your family in the beautiful Okanagan. Document your incredible family with a Penticton family photography session with Parsons Photography! My stress-free, child-led sessions provide you with timeless art featuring the Okanagan landscape.
If you have an activity to add, please use the inquiry form on my website!
