As someone who spends a huge part of every summer in Penticton with two little girls (currently 4 & 7), I get asked all the time where families should actually go when visiting the South Okanagan.
Not just the “kid attractions.” The real spots. The places where parents can still have a great meal or drink good coffee while the kids are genuinely happy too.
So here it is. My personal family guide to Penticton.
Note: I am not a blogger or photographer, just a mom running a business in Penticton will a full camera roll to pull from.
The Best Playground + Beach Combo:
Skaha Lake Park
If you only do one beach day with young kids in Penticton, make it Skaha.
This place is parenting gold. A great playground, splash park, sandy beach, Tickleberry’s ice cream stand, and even a little slide right into the lake for younger kids.
There is also an amazing paved path along the waterfront which is perfect for kids learning to ride bikes or scooters in the early morning. And if you have a baby or toddler? Excellent stroller nap territory.
When everyone inevitably gets hungry, Dragon Boat Pub is right there and makes for a super easy lunch stop with a great patio overlooking the water.
Honestly, you could spend the entire day here without hearing “I’m bored” once.
Trendy Breakfast + Coffee:
Wayne & Freda
Hands down one of the busiest spots in Penticton for a reason.
Wayne & Freda somehow manages to feel cool and relaxed at the same time. The coffee is excellent, the smoothies (“moolies” according to my children) are delicious, and the breakfast menu works equally well for adults and kids.
My girls usually get smoothies, eggs on the side or the yoghurt bowl, and some sort of baked good while we sit on the patio pretending we are relaxed vacation people.
One warning: your children are absolutely going to want to shop in the little store attached to the café. Honestly though… you are going to want to go in there too.
They have beautifully curated home goods, local products, books, gifts, and random things you suddenly decide you cannot live without. Last time I went in for coffee and left with a stunning photography print and a deck of charades cards for the kids (which turned out to be elite winery patio entertainment later that afternoon).
A Fun Family Morning Before Winery Visits:
LocoLanding Adventure Park
LocoLanding is our kids most requested stop and my favourite parenting hack.
If you want your children to happily hang at wineries later in the afternoon, let them absolutely exhaust themselves here first.
There are bumper boats (prepare to get sprayed), go-karts (bigger kids), mini golf, climbing walls, giant bouncy areas, harness bouncy things and a high ropes course for older kids.
Our girls LOVE it here.
And after a morning at LocoLanding, they are usually far more willing to sit with a juice box and a colouring page while we enjoy a tasting somewhere afterward. Everyone wins.
Casual Beer + Pizza Night:
Abandoned Rail Brewing
This is one of our favourite casual lunch/dinner spots.
Refreshing beer. Excellent pizza. Tons of outdoor space. Tree shaded tables. Lawn games. A little slide. Kids running around everywhere while parents get to sit for more than 14 seconds.
The vibe is relaxed in the absolute best way.
Also, if your kids suddenly become aggressively starving despite refusing snacks 20 minutes earlier, order the pretzel immediately.
IYKYK.
A Nice Dinner That Still Works with Kids:
Kin & Folk
Kin & Folk is one of the best meals in Penticton. Full stop.
And somehow they still make families feel genuinely welcome.
The kids menu is excellent, the patio and interior are both beautiful, and the food for adults is SO good.
Do not skip the scallops and prawns or the sweet & sticky ribs.
Honestly, this is one of those places where you leave already planning what you are ordering next time.
Family-Friendly Place to Stay:
Summerland Waterfront Resort
If you are travelling as a family, separate bedrooms and a kitchen suddenly feel very luxurious.
Summerland Waterfront Resort is such a good option if you want condo-style accommodations with space to spread out, a pool, and easy access to Penticton without staying right downtown. It is only about a 5-minute drive into downtown Penticton.
The onsite restaurant, Shaughnessy’s Cove, deserves its own little shoutout because they absolutely nailed the kid experience without sacrificing good food for adults.
Ask Megan for the “tea party.” The kids’ juice comes out in a tiny teapot they get to pour themselves, complete with a cookie on the side. My girls were DELIGHTED. Like talking-about-it-for-days delighted.
The Essential South Okanagan Ice Cream Stop:
Tickleberry’s
No family guide to Penticton is complete without Tickleberry’s.
The classic location is in OK Falls and absolutely worth the little drive, especially paired with a visit to the winery. There is also a downtown Penticton location now, but the original OK Falls spot just feels like summer in the South Okanagan.
There are what feels like 100 ice cream flavours, a lineup that wraps through the store, and approximately a 98% chance your child chooses something called Unicorn Farts.
And somehow while waiting in line, you will also leave with candy, fudge, or some random souvenir you absolutely did not plan on buying.
Ok…I Have to Mention Painted Rock
My kids’ favourite place to hang out is honestly the tasting room at Painted Rock.
We have the friendliest team working there, eye-spy colouring pages, Connect 4 games, and juice boxes… they are completely sold.
They happily steal the cheese and fruit off our charcuterie plates, then spend time playing on the grass and roaming around the gardens looking for beautifully painted rocks by one of our wine club members, Hilde.
Honestly, as a parent, that balance is what makes a summer wine country visit actually enjoyable. Beautiful wineries, great food, happy kids, and enough space to slow down a little together.
A Few More Food Spots Worth Mentioning…
Neighbourhood Brewing – Excellent Mexican food, great casual atmosphere, and very family-friendly.
Tratto – Insanely delicious pizza and permanently busy for good reason. If you want takeout, place your order EARLY. Like before 4pm early. They max out all the time.
Gusto Ferrari – Also insanely delicious pizza, but a completely different vibe. While Tratto is your dinner pizza spot, Gusto Ferrari closes at 5pm which makes it perfect for grabbing pizzas to take to the beach or for a picnic.
Brodo – If you are planning a beach picnic, winery lunch, or easy family dinner, stop here first. Soups, salads, sandwiches, baked goods… everything is delicious. Thank me later.
Penticton Farmers Market – It is on Saturday mornings. It gets crazy busy during the summer but the mini galettes from Grist Micro Bakery are not to be missed, nor are the perogies. Bonus, you can also spend $20 getting your kids face painted.
Happy travels!
Lauren Skinner Buksevics
2nd generation of Painted Rock and Mom to the 3rd generation
