January 26 to February 1, 2026 is Family Literacy Week where various organizations facilitate various kiddo-friendly events to celebrate.

This year, the theme is:

“Make mealtime family learning time.”

Mealtime can be a valuable learning time when families include shared activities, conversations and mindful eating practices. Cooking together can be a fun and engaging activity that strengthens family bonds and builds literacy skills. This backgrounder includes information about the benefits of family meals, as well as ideas for mealtime activities to do together.

For ideas on what you can do with your baby our child at home to advance mealtime learning, please check out the Decoda Literacy Solutions learning page.

Activities on Southern Vancouver Island

Be sure to join the fun!

For information about what is happening on Southern Vancouver Island, check out the following free events:

The Big Buddy Read and Write 2026, Southern Vancouver Island – Thurs., January 29

The Great Big Buddy Read returns on Thursday, January 29, 2026, as part of Family Literacy Week. This province wide celebration encourages children in kindergarten through grade five to read with a buddy and experience the joy of sharing stories together. Buddies can include older students, classmates, teachers, librarians, family members, or any caring adult. This event is organized by Saanich Peninsula Literacy and Victoria Literacy Outreach through Story Studio. To learn more and to register, please go to the Saanich Peninsula Literacy page.

StoryWalk at Pineridge Park, Sooke – Thurs., January 29

Vancouver Island Regional Library Sooke is hosting a StoryWalk in the community with Friends of Sooke Parks. It will be held on Thursday, January 29^th from 9am-12pm at Pineridge Park.

Story Walk at the Central Branch (GVPL) – Thurs., January 29

In the courtyard for the GVPL Central branch on Thursday January 29, 10:30am -12:30pm

Family Literacy Celebration with Lucky Budd at the Sidney Library (VIRL) – Sat., January 31

You’re invited to CELEBRATE literacy, learning and having fun together. There will be coffee for the adults and breakfast snacks for the kids (thanks to Saanich Peninsula Literacy). There will be books for kids to take home and keep (thanks to the Peninsula 1000 x 5 Book Recycling Society) and some fabulous door prizes. Our very special guest author Lucky Budd and Librarian Virginia entertain from 10:45 – 11:30 am. This event is especially for kids but anyone who enjoys stories, making music together and spreading positivity is WELCOME. Free. No registration required. For more information, visit the Sidney Library webpage.

Superheroes Story Time at the Victoria Central Library – Sat., January 31

Superheroes of Victoria are reading to the kiddos in costume at the Central Library in the community room. There will be two sessions, where there will be time to pose for pictures with the caped avengers. Get in the spirit and come in your own superhero costume!

Books from the Little Free Library will be given away as well.

Session 1

11:00am – 11:30am – story time

11:30am – 12:00pm – pose for pics with superheroes

Session 2

12:00pm – 12:30pm –  story time

12:30pm – 1:00pm – pose for pics with superheroes

Story Walk at the Juan de Fuca library (GVPL) – Sat., January 31

A story walk to be facilitated at the Garry Oak Loop, behind the library on
Saturday, January 31, 11:00 am-1:00pm. There will also be a craft table.

Other activities throughout the week:

The organization 1000×5 will be giving books away during the week to Bruce Hutchinson and Central Saanich branches to distribute to kids.

Library assistants at all Greater Victoria Public Library (GVPL) branches have also been given a “recipe” scavenger hunt, with various ingredients hidden around the library.  This is done to coincide with the FLW’s theme this year “Make Mealtime Family Learning Time.”

GVPL is also relaunching the “100 Books To Read Before Kindergarten” initiative, which has been updated to include a more diverse range of titles and to keep current with trends in children’s literature.

The return Baby Time and Family Story Time at GVPL, with this expanding into a few more branches.