The summer holidays are long, and the first round of "I'm bored" tends to arrive sooner than any parent plans for. The good news is that Chilliwack is a fun place to be a kid in July and August. Below is a practical roundup of ways to keep children busy this summer: free outdoor play, a few low-cost options, and day camps for when you need a whole day covered. I've also added a simple weekly rhythm that keeps the break from sliding into screen time.
Get outside while the weather's good
Fraser Valley summers are short, so it's worth getting out while it lasts. Chilliwack and the area around it are full of low- and no-cost ways to wear kids out in the fresh air.
- Lakes and rivers for hot days. Cultus Lake is the obvious local choice, and families spend a lot of time along the Vedder River too.
- Parks and spray parks dotted around town, good for younger children who just need somewhere to run and cool off.
- Trails and bike paths like the Vedder Rotary Trail, for walking, scootering and easy family rides.
- Berry picking and farm visits around the valley, a Chilliwack summer habit that doubles as a morning out.
None of it has to be elaborate. A water bottle, some sunscreen, and a couple of hours outside most days will do more for a kid than any screen.
Low-cost and indoor options for rainy days
Not every day cooperates, and even in summer you'll want a backup. A few reliable ones:
- The library. Chilliwack's libraries run summer reading programs and activities for kids. It's free, air-conditioned, and good for a wet afternoon.
- Community and rec centres with drop-in swims and gyms when the weather turns.
- Crafts at home for the youngest ones. Cheap, simple, and better at filling an afternoon than you'd expect.
Day camps: the easiest way to shape a week
For working parents especially, a day camp is often what holds the summer together. Chilliwack has options across sports, arts, nature and martial arts, and one good week of camp can reset a child's mood for the rest of the holidays. When you compare camps, look at who is actually running them, whether children are grouped by age, and how the staff keep everyone safe and busy.
The summers that go well usually aren't the busiest ones. They're the ones with a simple rhythm: a lot of free play, plus one thing each week the kids genuinely look forward to.
A martial arts summer camp option
Since people ask, here's ours, kept short and honest. We run Beyond the Belt Summer Camp in Chilliwack for ages 6 and up. It mixes taekwondo with crafts, outdoor play and water days, every day is led by Black-Belt instructors, and children don't need any martial arts experience to join. Complete beginners are as welcome as our current students. It tends to suit an energetic child who needs somewhere to put that energy, and spots are limited, so it's worth booking early. Dates and details are on our summer camp page.
Keeping active kids busy past August
One thing worth thinking about now: summer ends, but the need to keep kids moving doesn't. A lot of families use the holidays to test an activity that can carry on through the school year. A weekly martial arts class is one of the more practical picks. It burns energy, builds focus, and gives a child something that's entirely their own. If you want to weigh that up, we wrote a separate guide on summer camp vs weekly classes.
A simple summer plan that works
- Most days: free outdoor play. A park, a lake, a trail.
- One or two days a week: a camp or activity the kids look forward to.
- A rainy-day backup: the library, a rec centre, or crafts at home.
- One thing that lasts: a sport or class that carries on into fall.
Frequently asked questions
What can kids do over the summer in Chilliwack?
There's a lot within reach: lakes and rivers for swimming, parks and spray parks, trails for biking and walking, library reading programs, and day camps that run from sports to martial arts. A mix of free outdoor play and one structured activity each week usually works best.
Are there day camps for kids in Chilliwack in 2026?
Yes. Chilliwack has many summer day camps covering sports, arts and martial arts. Unity Taekwondo runs Beyond the Belt Summer Camp for ages 6 and up, led by Black-Belt instructors, and no experience is required. Spots are limited, so it helps to reserve early.
How do I keep my child active during summer break?
Build a simple weekly rhythm. Free outdoor play most days, plus one or two structured activities that give the week some shape. A day camp, a sport, or a martial arts class keeps kids moving and around other children even after the novelty of the holidays wears off.
What's a good summer activity for an energetic child?
Active kids do well with something that turns energy into focus, like martial arts. A summer camp or weekly taekwondo class burns that energy off and builds confidence and self-control, which many parents notice carries over into a calmer home.