Parent + Child Activities

Baby And Me

Certified Doula and Birth Coach Serena Oliviera guides and facilitates discussions to support new mothers on pregnancy, childbirth and post-partum. Reflect, share, laugh and gain confidence to navigate the wonderful, and sometimes overwhelming, world of motherhood. After the discussion, we encourage you to stay and play with your little one. Bring a reusable mug for tea.

Suitable for babies birth to 2 years with caregiver.

Baby Time At Vancouver Island Regional Library

Babies start learning from birth. Led by a librarian, Baby Time is a program for parents and their pre-walking babies. Learn rhymes, tickles, songs, and lap bounces. Encourage your baby’s brain development and also enjoy the opportunity to meet other local parents.

Baby Time currently runs in pre-registered sessions at all three local VIRL branches.

Dove Creek Play Group

The Dove Creek Playgroup provides an informal, welcoming environment for families and childcare providers with children from the age of 0-6.

The groups take place at the Dove Creek Hall. Families do not need to register nor is there a cost to attend.

Some of the activities and resources offered throughout the month are:

• simple art activities

• books and story time

• circle time activities such as songs, rhymes and basic movements

• information on community resources

• information on child development and behaviour issues

Special guests are invited to share their knowledge and resources with parents and children while offering a fun and engaging place to make new friends, big and small.

Comox Valley Toy Library Society

The toy library is a place where families and caregivers can borrow toys. Our openings are the first and third Saturday of each month from 10-11:30am and the second Wednesday evening from 7:45-8:30 at St. George's United Church.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS TO BORROWING TOYS?

• It saves money!

• It’s a good way to see if your child likes a toy before buying it.

• It helps cut down on clutter and storage issues.

• It’s good for the environment.

• It’s a chance to try different types of toys as your child grows.

• It’s an excellent rainy day strategy (bringing out something “new” to play with!)

DOES IT COST ANYTHING TO JOIN THE TOY LIBRARY?

Memberships to the Comox Library Toy Library Society are $20/year. That fee can be waived, though, if your income is low. You can ask about this when you register. (You may be asked to produce your most recent Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment to verify eligibility or if your family has PLAY booklets from the Comox Valley Regional District Sports and Aquatic Centres, you can show these, instead.)

Family Circle

Family Circle is presented weekly on Fridays from 10:00am - 12:00pm and incorporates local Aboriginal culture. Interactive programming includes drumming, singing story-telling, and traditional teachings.

Friday's Child

The program supports parents and families who face challenges with daily tasks as a result of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and other cognitive or behavioural difficulties. The program provides a safe environment for Aboriginal children and their families who face extraordinary challenges in ordinary situations.

Families participate in confidential talking circles and find support with our highly-trained staff and a supportive community. Transportation and a healthy lunch is provided. The program is free.

Hummingbirds Play Group

Hummingbirds operates Monday mornings 10:00am - 12:00pm and provides a healthy breakfast and culturally-based programming for parents and children age 0 to 6. It is a great opportunity to enjoy child-centered play through planned activities and free play with cultural components. Parents can also find out more about parenting and family supports in the Comox Valley.

Family Storytime At Vancouver Island Regional Library

Drop-in for children of all ages accompanied by a caregiver. Songs, stories, rhymes and other fun!

The Little Village Program

The Little Village Program provides support and networking for families. The program is designed to fill a gap for families to provide support and socialization, while incorporating traditional teachings and current parenting techniques. Suitable for children 0-4+ accompanied by their parents or other family/caregiver members who are an important part of the child’s life.

This group operates as a drop-in playgroup on Mondays and Thursdays from 10:00am - 12:00pm.

Gym Bugs

A free drop-in program for little ones and their parents or caregivers. Come play, climb, run and have fun with your child on Sunday mornings. There are plasma cars, balls, climbing toys and more. Parent supervision is required.

Suitable for children that are crawling, up to 5 years old.

KidSport Comox Valley

KidSport is a community-based sport funding program that provides grants for children under the age of 18 to participate in a sport season of their choice.

Grants are up to a maximum of $300. To print off an application, please visit the KidSport Comox Valley website. The completed application can be dropped off at Courtenay City Hall.

New Discoveries

The goal of this program is to strengthen families in our community by offering programs that meet the practical, emotional, and spiritual needs of parents and their children. Suited for children age 0-5.

Activities including crafting, cooking, summer camps, and learning skills like boundaries.

All of the programs are free, however, space is sometimes limited.

Mamacentric

For mothers and babies, this group focuses on self-care, postpartum adjustment and life after baby.

Our goals:

• to increase knowledge of parenting issues

• to provide opportunities for socialization and community building in Cumberland

• to reduce distress, isolation and depression

• to increase the mental and social wellbeing of the whole family

We are an ages 0-5 program, and siblings of any age are welcome! Tea and snack provided. Program offered by Cumberland Community Schools Society

Parents + Tots

This weekly drop-in group is a chance to bring your children 0-5 years of age for crafts, play and a variety of early learning activities.

It is also an opportunity for you to meet with other parents for support and to learn about community resources.

Mini-franco Fun Group - Currently on Hold

Drop-in program for Francophone families for the growing french-speaking community here in the valley!

L'activité Mini-Franco-Fun est un groupe de jeux spécialement conçu pour les familles francophones qui ont un enfant âgé entre 1 mois et 5 ans. Les rencontres ont lieu deux (2) vendredis par mois dans la bibliothèque de l'école Au-coeur-de-l'île de 9h à 10h30.

Pour vous inscrire, merci d'envoyer un message à Vanessa à projet@afcr.bc.ca

Parent + Peanut

This drop-in group is for parents with children from 0 – 5 years of age.

This is drop-in program for parents and little ones. It is an opportunity for children to meet new friends in a fun and playful environment that encourages growth and learning. Activities may include crafts, games, play stations, songs and stories at the Black Creek Community Centre.

Parent + Tots Go Wild

An opportunity for active free play and social interaction with others. Guided activities include parachute games, plasma cars, music and movement games. An adult must participate and is responsible for the supervision of their children.

StrongStart (School District #71)

This is a drop-in early learning program for children from newborn – 5 years of age, accompanied by their parent or caregiver.

Children, families and caregivers attending StrongStart centres can expect a play-based environment which includes circle time, art, snack and gym.

Please bring your child's birth certificate or passport when you come to your first Strong Start.

StrongStart centres are located in 7 Comox Valley elementary schools:

Parent + Tot Gym

This drop-in at Cumberland Recreation Centre is an opportunity to come play (there are riding toys, balls, climbers and more), socialize and let your young ones burn off some energy in a warm, dry space.

South Comox Valley Early Years Playgroup

This is a drop-in program for families with children 0-5 years old at the Fanny Bay Community Hall. Bring your little ones for a free and friendly morning of play and connecting with other families while enjoying a coffee or tea.

Toddler Time

This interactive parent-child support group is for families with children 1 – 2 years of age. It is an opportunity for parents to:

• connect with other parents and caregivers in a supportive, learning environment

• learn more about children’s health, safety, nutrition, growth and development

• access clothing sharing shelves & emergency food hampers

• talk with community guest speakers while the children enjoy crafts, play and a variety of early learning activities

Transportation is available and a healthy lunch is always provided.

If you are attending this group for the first time, please contact the Healthy Families program to pre-register.

Parent + Tot Gym

This Family Literacy Outreach program is for parents with children between 0 to 5 years of age.

The longer sessions (12:30 – 2:30) involve the preparation and eating of a healthy lunch. This is followed by small group learning circles for parents while the children do Early Learning activities with qualified Early Childhood Educators.

The group wraps up with parent and child activities and circle time.