What to Do in Tofino with Kids

Located on the west coast of Vancouver Island, Tofino is one of the most visited destinations in the Pacific Northwest. It’s known for surfing, incredible food, wildlife, and outdoor activities such as hiking.

Tofino is also an AWESOME place to be a kid. It’s filled with kid-friendly and family travel activities to keep the littles busy! We brought Rowan for the first time, and it was such a great experience.

There’s just so much fun to be had while exploring in and around Tofino! You can also check out my Essential Guide to Tofino or my Tofino section on the blog for more!

Why Visit Tofino with Kids?

Tofino is the perfect place I recommend to anyone who travels to Vancouver to experience the wild and rugged Pacific Coast of Canada. You can visit the sandy beaches, great surf, old forests, fantastic hiking trails, wildlife sightings, and enjoy great dining.

Rowan loved the sandy beaches (we had to pull her away), the giant tidal pools, watching the waves, and exploring the tranquil forests. Then after a long day exploring the beach, you can follow up with a delicious feast in one of the great restaurants in town.

Check out this list of our favorite things to do with the young explorers on your next Tofino family vacation:

• • Walk along one of the broad public beaches.
  • Build sandcastles on Long Beach in Pacific Rim National Park.
  • Enjoy a hike on Radar Hill.
  • Visit Tuff City Skatepark.
  • Take a bear-watching tour.
  • Take a tour of the displays at the Wicknannish Interpretive Centre
  • Look for critters in the tidal pool at Chesterman Beach or Mackenzie Beach. You need to go for low-tide.
  • Sign the kids up for surfing lessons.
  • Play in the playground at the Village Green in town.
  • Roast marshmallows over a fire while camping or at a resort.
  • Visit the Whale Center Museum in town.
  • Go whale watching or take a fishing boat charter.
  • Walk or bike along the new Parks Canada accessible, multi-use pathway through Pacific Rim National Park.
  • Visit Ucluelet Aquarium in nearby Ucluelet, south of Tofino. Did I mention there are touch tanks?
  • Rent boogie boards and wetsuits to hit the waves
  • Visit the Tofino Botanical Gardens, and explore the Children’s Garden, and art installations that make a statement.
    

    

    

Where to Stay in Tofino

There are many great family-friendly accommodations in Tofino. The first resort that always comes to mind for families is Long Beach Lodge Resort. Like many of the hotels and resorts here, they have options for rooms, and cottages, depending on the size of your family and length of stay. We loved staying in a cottage with Rowan, which included a hot tub and kitchenette, so handy!

Long Beach Lodge also provides surfing rentals and lessons on-site! We have done this in the past and it’s so convenient and a popular beach to surf at. The Great Room restaurant has amazing views, along in the summer months a beach hut providing drinks with fire pits beachside. We’ve always enjoyed our stay here.

Pacific Sands Resort and Mackenzie Beach are two other great picks, right on the water with apartments or cottages to choose from. The newly built Hotel Zed is a new family-friendly hotel, yet not located on a beach. But does offer lots of other amenities such as a mini disco, psychic’s den, a hidden 1980’s arcade, and pet-friendly room, with a great restaurant on site.

Best Tofino Family Restaurants

Tofino has amazing restaurants, I would say the majority of restaurants in Tofino are kid-friendly, here are our favorites:

The Great Room

Located inside the luxurious Long Beach Lodge Resort, The Great Room is one of the finest restaurants in Tofino that takes its commitment to farm-fresh ingredients and fresh-caught seafood seriously. This spot orders from local fisheries each day to get the best picks, and the cozy fireplace, stunning wooden beams, and plush décor make the atmosphere welcoming. Additionally, the incredible views of the Pacific Oceans and Vancouver Island coastline are nothing to scoff at.

Shed Tofino

Shed Tofino is one of those perfect places to go when you want to grab a burger and a beer, although their entire menu is fantastic. This family-friendly spot has a year-round outdoor patio for some amazing people-watching.

Wolf in the Fog

Did you really visit Tofino if you didn’t dine at Wolf in the Fog? This famous restaurant has been praised for its abundance of delicious fresh seafood and its quality cocktail program (highly recommend sitting at the bar).

Wildside Grill

Head to Wildside Grill for fantastic fish and chips. It’s located in the Live to Surf parking lot, which offers take-out or outdoor seating. We’ve always enjoyed a casual meal to go from here.

Tacofino Tofino Truck

No list of the best restaurants in Tofino would be complete without Tacofino. This humble taco truck incorporates flavors of the West Coast with traditional Mexican cuisine, serving everything from simple bowls of Chips and Guacamole to buttery chicken wings and chipotle mayo-covered Pacific Cod.

Roar Tofino

Roar is the newest restaurant on the Tofino scene. Located in the Hotel Zed, this large, cozy family-friendly restaurant with an extensive patio features food cooked over a live fire. Don’t skip on ordering one of their fantastic cocktails!

Soul Tofino

Offering pizza, to fried chicken to po boys, there’s something for everyone! Takeout only, located up Industrial Way.

Lil’ Ronnie’s BBQ

Are you searching for traditional woodfired BBQ delights? If so, be sure to check out Lil’ Ronnie’s Beachside BBQ for the best burgers and ribs in town. And they host live music which is such a treat!

Not restaurants but places to stop at: Rhino’s Coffee House for great coffee and donuts, and Picnic Charcuterie for some of the best-cured meats and cheese! They also have a small sandwich menu, great for grabbing for a beach day or hike.

Getting to Tofino

Getting to Tofino takes a little time but well worth it. This coastal gem is located about half-way up the west side of Vancouver Island. Fly in from the mainland via seaplane or conventional airplane.

If you are coming by car from Vancouver (5 hrs) or Seattle (8 hrs), you must first take a ferry from the mainland to Vancouver Island, followed by a scenic drive of several hours. There are small towns to stop in to grab a bite or stretch your legs.

Please see Tourism Tofino getting to Tofino page for driving instructions and for current flight options.

Have you visited Tofino? What was your favorite thing to do in this beautiful oceanside village?