To coin a phrase, you can lead your family to fun, but you can’t make them enjoy it. In Kelowna you don’t have to – family fun comes naturally and there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Here’s a list of 10 family fun things to do in Kelowna
 

1. Hit the beach

Kelowna and West Kelowna offer more than 30 beaches perfect for a family swim and picnic. The water is clear enough that goggles, masks and snorkels will reveal a whole new world. Bring along buckets and shovels and create a sandcastle to watch over your afternoon kingdom. Sunscreen and shelter are encouraged.

Boyce-Gyro Beach is a go-to for families in Kelowna’s Mission neighbourhood. It’s got everything you need for a fun day out—an epic playground with a zipline, grassy picnic areas, volleyball courts, washrooms, summer concession, and on-site rentals for paddleboards and more. It’s also wheelchair accessible.

Nearby, Rotary Beach Park is another great pick. With its own playground, swim zones, change rooms, and shady spots. When there is a strong breeze, head down there with the family to watch the kite surfers soar (it's a local favourite).

These are just a couple of the many family-friendly beaches waiting to be explored across the Okanagan Valley.

2. Scale to New Heights

The reward for a climb to the top of Knox Mountain is an incredible vista that includes Okanagan Lake, downtown Kelowna and sky and mountains that seems to go on forever. In spring, you can catch the Arrowleaf balsamroot flowers blooming. During the warmer months, make your way down the Paul's Tomb trail (stroller-friendly!) for a dip in the beautiful swimming spot.

A bonus: the whole route is smartphone friendly—which means the teens can keep their friends in on all the fun they’re not having.

3. Cycle the Trails

Kelowna is a bike-friendly community, with more than 300 kilometres of on-street bike lanes and 40 kilometres of separated multi-use paths. Bring your own bikes or rent a set of wheels—it’s an easy way to explore the city. Bonus tip: Google Maps bike routes are available here, making it simple to plan your ride.

Biking downtown is a fun, laid-back activity for families. Cruise along dedicated bike paths and wind through the Historic Abbott Street corridor, where charming heritage homes offer a peek into Kelowna’s past. Keep pedalling and you’ll find yourself heading toward the Kelowna Mission. Stop off for a swim as the bike paths pass by beach access points and some of Kelowna's most popular beaches!

Feeling adventurous? Tackle the historic Myra Canyon Trestles—a scenic, family-friendly ride with gentle grades, sweeping valley views, and awe-inspiring trestle bridges and tunnels. Or venture north to Lake Country and ride the Okanagan Rail Trail along the shores of Wood and Kalamalka lakes. If your crew is up for the challenge, you can cycle all the way from downtown Kelowna to Oyama. Don’t miss a pit stop at Gatzke Orchards for fresh, seasonal fruit and tasty treats.

4. Putt-er About

It’s a given: everyone loves a game of mini-golf – especially the younger kids who can score an ace even as parents struggle with the windmill. In Kelowna, stop at Scandia Golf and Games and add an arcade, bumper cars and a batting cage to the fun. Plus, they have an indoor mini-golf if you're looking to escape the heat.

5. Do Water Indoors

Even though it’s good to escape the sun every once in a while, keeping the water fun going is a necessity. Check out the H20 Adventure and Fitness Centre, which offers a wave pool, water slides, a surf simulator and river run and more than a million gallons of water in several pools.

6. Animal Encounters

The Okanagan Valley is an agricultural paradise, and we’re always happy to share the experience. Kids can get up close with friendly farm animals—miniature horses, goats, pigs, alpacas, bunnies, and more—at local spots like Don-O-Ray Farm Adventure. For something a little more unexpected, head to the Kangaroo Creek Farm where you can pet a kangaroo, feed a capybara, or cuddle a baby joey. They also have a wide variety of other critters including sugargliders, parrots, and more!

And if your crew’s more into whiskers and purrs, pop into Catelowna Cat Café in downtown Kelowna. It’s the purr-fect spot for a cozy break—sip a hot chocolate while enjoying a little feline company.

7. Bees, Please!

If bees are the knees in your home, make sure to include a stop at Arlo’s Honey Farm. Arlo’s offer a pre-reserved educational tour that explores the honey bee's life and an up-close and personal visit with a working hive. Of course, honey is available for sale and you can also pick up soaps, candles, books and skincare products. Or, visit Meadow Vista Honey Wines and take their self-guided bee tour through their beautiful gardens.

8. Challenge the Family Playground

What’s a family playground without a playground? The Okanagan offers plenty of family adventure parks that will challenge mom and dad while the kids shine. Indoors, the Energyplex includes a four-storey jungle gym, Skytrax, laser tag, arcade, and rock wall - they even have a bar for the adults! Outdoors, check out Myra Canyon Adventure Park and Okanagan Adventure Park. Both offer aerial adventures, complete with ropes, obstacles and more fun than a barrel of monkeys.

9. Zip it. Zip it Good.

Let loose a primal scream as you race downhill with just a harness and hook keeping you from utter disaster. Oyama Ziplines north of Kelowna delivers a seven-station zipline course and stunning views from each of the towers. South of Kelowna, the ZipZone Peachland carries you almost 400 feet above Deep Creek Canyon.

10. Rent a Boat

Make the most of your Okanagan adventure by getting out on the crown jewel of the valley – Okanagan Lake. Access to a boat opens up more secluded parts of the lake, including some quiet beaches and scenic spots to just float. Powerboats are available for rent by the hour, day and even by the week at Downtown Marina, Eldorado Marina, Dockside Marina, or many of the various locations around the lake. You can also contract sailboat tours and fishing adventures.