3 Super Easy Hikes To Do with a Toddler in Kelowna, BC 

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Do you want to go for a hike but you don’t want anything too long or secluded with your toddler? Here are three easy hikes you can do with a toddler in Kelowna, BC! 

  1. Dilworth Mountain Park

Dilworth Mountain Park is a very easy trail to do with a toddler. It’s very central in Kelowna, paths are wide, it is frequented by other people (helps you feel safe going for a hike there), it’s fairly short and at the end of your loop there is a small park that your kiddo’s can run around and burn some more energy on. 

It’s also a gorgeous area to stop and have a picnic on one of the benches or take some photos. We took some beautiful grandparent and grandchild portraits here in the summer. 

I find you can take a stroller or hiking carrier with this trail. 

P.s. There is a porta-potty but if you’re little one isn’t in diapers anymore I would offer the washroom before you go because I don’t know how often it’s sanitized.

2. Mill Creek Regional Park

Mill Creek is another easy hike but depending on where you live or are staying in Kelowna it can be out of the way. Mill Creek is behind the airport (between Kelowna and Lake Country) so it can be a farther drive for what it is. I love the variety at Mill Creek for a short hike - you have majority flat areas with some light stairs, bridges, boardwalk and a waterfall at the end. 

Some things to keep in mind with this trail is parking (it can be tricky at this location), there is no washroom and no park to accompany it.

You can do a stroller with this trail but you won’t be able to do the loop, you’ll have to stick to the flat areas (keeping right on the trail). 

3. Mission Creek Greenway or the Okanagan Rail Trail

I wouldn’t classify these as “hiking trails” but they’re great if you want to get out for a walk in nature. 

Mission Creek Greenway is a long trail with many access points. A common one is the entrance near Orchard Park Mall off Springfield. If you park near the Education Centre and cross the bridge and follow the path left you’ll have a nice loop along the creek. If you go for a walk mid-September to October you might even catch the spawning season for salmon. 

There is also the Okanagan Rail Trail which is similar in that it is a long trail that runs across the Okanagan with many access points. Our favourite entrance is near Beasley Park in Lake Country but there are many entrances you can choose from. 

There are plenty of other trails in the Okanagan to choose from - Pauls Tomb or Apex Trail on Knox Mountain, Spion Kop in Lake Country, Bear Creek in West Kelowna to name a few. If I had someone to carry my daughter in the hiking carrier I could probably manage these trails but at 18-weeks pregnant (at the time I’m writing this article) carrying her is a little more taxing and uncomfortable. 

With the weather cooling down for autumn I’m so excited to get out there on some trails before the snow hits! If you’re a local mama that loves to go for hikes send me a message! I’d love to connect with you! :)

We're Pregnant with Baby #2!

On the day of Victoria’s first birthday party I was feeling a little off - I had some heart palpitations which I hadn’t felt since I was pregnant with Victoria and that night I had terrible SI joint pain that I couldn’t move at all (which again I hadn’t felt since I was pregnant with Victoria). The next day I took a pregnancy test…it was positive!

We are absolutely so excited that our family is growing. We both have large families so it’s so exciting to us that we’re going to have another new member of the family to run after.

V's First Birthday! | A Weekend of Celebration

My little baby girl that one year ago was 6 pounds and 13 oz has turned one years old. I still can’t believe she’s a toddler, she’s a one year old. It was absolutely incredible watching her grow and develop every month into the little girl she is today - from watching her learn how to roll, to sit, to stand, crawl and walk! V has been the best part of our lives, I love her to bits, she makes our days and our lives so much sunnier and I’m so excited for the next years of adventures I get to share with her!

Birthday Morning

We started V’s birthday with one of our favourite’s a walk around our neighbourhood. But it wasn’t the usual walking style we do. We bought V a little pink car to go for walks in.

Update! It’s been a month since we bought her this little car and we still go for daily morning walks in it.

Picnic + Cake Smash

After Victoria had her first nap of the day we went to the beach so she could have some fun in the sand and do her cake smash! I made her a pancake cake and she got a taste of real whipped cream!

The Past Year

In V’s last wake window we spent some time looking at her baby book of photos from her first year and her milestone notes. While I was in labour with V I also took some videos throughout the day so we got to rewatch those videos and reminisce.

V’s Birthday Party

Cramming too much into one day would be very stimulating so V’s birthday celebrations continued into the next day with a party at one of our favourite parks with all her friends and family! Our theme was “One Wildflower” cause our little V is a cute and adorable but wild one. My amazing mom made the flower desserts for everyone, kcandcocrafts on Instagram made her adorable cake topper, and my brothers girlfriend was my photographer so I could be present with V and my family.

Victoria’s birthday weekend was super busy but a lot of fun and was such a core memory!

xoxo

Mothers Day Gift Guide

Mothers Day is right around the corner and I’m on a mission to make this Mothers Day extra special for mama’s out there so here is a little gift guide for Mothers Day!

Before we get into the gift guide, try to remember that the ‘mental load’ of motherhood is often invisible and a lot to handle. If you’re going to plan a special dinner, do a fun outing, etc., take care of the whole task from concept to execution. That means planning what you’ll do, getting whatever you need, packing whatever you need, taking care of things when you get there.

Lastly, I highly encourage you to treat this article as a way to get ideas on what to get/do for that mama in your life. Spend some time really thinking about what will make that mama feel loved and appreciated?

  • *Custom book on why you love her so much: You can do a DIY project with your kids or if you’re not so crafty you can order a personalized book. Wonderbly had some cute Mothers Day books that are perfect for bedtime stories.

  • *Cute mug with all of her favourites: If you want to make this idea extra special, paint the mug personally! Work of Art Pottery in Kelowna, BC is a great place to do this. You can pick out a mug, choose your colors and how you want to paint it.

  • *Make her a handmade gift: Sometimes it’s the little presents that mean everything such as a handmade card or bouquet of flowers, t-shirt, etc., If you’re at a loss for ideas checkout “handmade mothers day gift ideas” on Pinterest. Pinterest is my go-to place whenever I’m looking to do anything creative.

  • *Meaningful jewellery: I have a charm necklace from Miranda Frye that has our daughters constellation on it and I absolutely love wearing it (and she loves it too).

  • *Organize a family photoshoot: If you want a special and timeless gift for that mama, registration is still open for the 2023 Limited Edition Motherhood portrait session! They’re 20 minute sessions for mama and her babies for $75. Treating her to a portrait session combined with printing the photos for your home to treasure forever will be a timeless gift she’ll love forever!

Kelowna Family Photographer

I’m a Kelowna Family Photographer. My mission to you is to document your motherhood and create treasurable memories for yourself and your kids. To get in touch about all things motherhood and family photography head to my contact page!