Springtime in Cowichan ushers in activities to intrigue and delight the whole family, including special Easter and Spring Break events. It’s a time to see the cherry blossoms, meet baby animals, and soak up the bustling community atmosphere of our markets as they fill with fresh produce after a mid-winter lull. Take in the sights of serene pastoral fields, the forest, and the coast on trails dotted with spring buds and from destinations with panoramic views.
Whether your family is excited by historic discoveries or is eager for a hands-on farm experience you can’t get in the city, our local business owners are waiting to warmly welcome you. These are the best family-friendly spring activities in the Cowichan region for 2025.
Family-friendly spring activities in Cowichan
For the history buff or train lover, head to the BC Forest Discovery Centre, which reopens on April 19 with its Easter Eggspress event until April 21. There is also a celebratory Mother’s Day event on May 11. Take a train ride through the 100-acre museum park and explore 100-year-old locomotives. You can also take guided tours to go deeper into Indigenous stone artefacts and what life at camp might have been like.
As you relax along the winding country roads through Cowichan, keep an eye out for spring babies—from cows to ducklings—in our rolling farmland. Better yet, the interactive barnyard at Yellow Point Farms’ Petting Farm, which opens for spring on March 15, 2025, invites you to stroke and scratch their friendly dwarf goats, babydoll sheep, and mini donkeys. They also host kids’ camps, goat yoga, private farm tours, and have everything from wool products to goat milk soap in their farm store for a reminder of your trip.
An entirely different animal can be encountered at the Raptors Centre, where birds of prey soar in front of your eyes during free-flying demonstrations. Few places provide such an up-close encounter, rooted in respect for and preservation of these incredible birds.
A top attraction in Cowichan, the Malahat Skywalk is FREE for kids and teens to visit from March 15-30th (1 free ticket per paying adult). Open year-round, the awe-worthy panoramic views from the top of the stroller-accessible Spiral Tower are unbeatable. And for those daring family members, the option of a 20-metre spiral slide to the bottom provides an extra thrill.
Where can I visit a Spring market in Cowichan?
You can feel the thrum of enthusiasm at Cowichan’s spring markets, as growers, makers, and patrons delight in the first harvest of the year and captivating bunches of flowers. The Duncan Farmers’ Market is a popular stop to cast your eye over a vast spread of local farmers’ produce in the City of Totems. In Mill Bay, the Sweet Meadows Market is a beautiful barn-style building packed with local vegetables and culinary products (it also has an ice cream counter!).
Later in the spring, two markets open in May: the Chemainus Wednesday Market and The Honeymoon Bay Outdoor Market, which opens on Saturdays. Both spotlight locals who “make it, bake it, or grow it.” Several spring craft events are also a great stop to meet our makers and purchase locally-made artworks. The Cowichan Artisans host their Spring Show and Studio Tour on April 26-27, the Cowichan Valley Fine Arts Show takes place at the Cowichan Valley Arts Council gallery space in Duncan from early May into June, and Saturday, May 24 is the annual Spring Cleaning Arts Fair in historic Ladysmith.
Wildlife and Birdwatching on Cowichan’s Trails
Once you’ve had your fill of arts and locally-sourced culinary goods, few experiences immerse visitors in the uplifting feeling of spring more fully than time spent outside. The first signs of spring are found everywhere if you take the time to slow down and look. Waterfalls flow with April showers, foliage becomes lush and green, and the first buds of wild spring blooms emerge.
Better yet, the best of Cowichan’s hiking and biking trails tend to be quieter in spring before the summer sparks its rush of visitors. Make time to quietly wander along the water, in Cowichan River Provincial Park or along the Cowichan Estuary Trail, both fantastic birdwatching locations. The multi-use, mostly gravel Cowichan Valley Trail provides laid-back walking and biking for the whole family through our communities. For those looking to increase their tempo after winter’s hibernation, mountain biking and more strenuous hiking trails exist around Maple Mountain, Mount Prevost, Cobble Hill Mountain, Old Baldy Mountain, and Mount Tzouhalem.
