For parents and caregivers of young children, finding connection, support and reliable information can be a lifeline in the early years. In Penticton, a wide range of parent and baby programs offer welcoming spaces to meet others, learn from professionals and build a sense of community.
Penticton mother Katie Ball has experienced these benefits firsthand. With two young daughters, ages three and one, she has taken advantage of many of the programs available throughout the city.
“I think there are so many opportunities for connection and community in the early years. There are lots of programs to get involved in,” says Ball.
Ball moved to Penticton in 2017 from Northern B.C. to be closer to family and quickly found it was the place she wanted to raise her children.
“In the winter, there is always something to do with your baby, and in the summer we have amazing beaches and parks. I can’t get enough of the views, the lakes, and the weather.”
She says the local parenting community has been welcoming and inclusive.
“It’s really important to build a community of people who are going through the same stage of life as you. The moms have all been amazing.”
Heather Holzhaus also participates in local programs with her daughter, Emily, and values both the connection and the learning opportunities.
“It’s good for us to have that one-on-one time, not just for the babies and the moms,” she says. “The conversations around breastfeeding, sleep, and when to introduce solids provide a lot of support.”
Originally from Summerland, Holzhaus is also raising a teenager alongside her infant and appreciates the variety of resources available.
“Raising a young family in Penticton is a lot of fun. There are so many programs out there.”
More young families are moving to Penticton. According to data collected by the city, the largest group of new arrivals in 2024 were children up to the age of 18, or 29 per cent of new arrivals.
Below is a selection of parent and baby programs, along with activities and fitness opportunities for families with young children in Penticton!
Penticton YMCA Baby Social
Step into a bright, welcoming space at the Penticton Community Centre, where babies and caregivers can connect, play, and feel supported. Upstairs in Room 1, the YMCA Penticton Early Years program offers caregivers a coffee and snack while their little ones explore and socialize.
Held Monday mornings from 9:30 to 11 a.m., Baby Social is designed for infants aged 0–12 months and their caregivers.
Dana Chapman, Family Navigator with YMCA Penticton Early Years, is often the first friendly face to greet families at the door.
“Baby Social is a space where caregivers can come together with their babies, meet new friends, and feel supported,” says Chapman. “We keep it relaxed and welcoming, with coffee, snacks and opportunities to connect.”
In addition to weekly gatherings, the program offers valuable supports for new families. Interior Health nurses visit monthly, and a diaper exchange helps families swap outgrown sizes for ones that fit.
For those looking for more opportunities to connect, Family Playtime runs Tuesday through Friday from 9:15 to 11:45 a.m., welcoming children aged 0–6.
“Even if you’re new to the community or don’t know anyone yet, you can come here and find people going through similar stages,” Chapman says. “It’s a safe space to be open about the challenges of parenting, from sleep to postpartum experiences.”
The program also connects families with Early Years professionals, including occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists, offering guidance and reassurance when it is needed most. On “Tasty Tuesdays,” families can even take home fresh fruits and vegetables along with a recipe card to try something new.
OneSky Beginnings Pregnancy Support Program
At OneSky Beginnings Pregnancy Support Program, caregivers will find a welcoming, low-barrier space designed to support families through pregnancy and the early years of parenting. Programs are free and drop-in, offering toys, snacks, coffee, and most importantly, connection.
Baby Café, held Tuesdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., provides feeding support in a relaxed and supportive group setting. On Thursdays at the same time, the Parenting Circle offers a drop-in play group. Both programs take place at #130–216 Hastings Avenue.
Program facilitator Stephanie de Graaf says Beginnings is rooted in creating a safe and supportive environment for families from conception until a child reaches age three.
“We provide confidential, non-judgmental support for those navigating pregnancy and postpartum,” says de Graaf. “We are an integral part of the mom community in Penticton and we bring moms and babies together.”
Drop-in programming plays a key role in that connection.
“Drop-in programs are really valuable to new parents because they take the pressure off,” she says. “They break down barriers and help people feel more comfortable showing up as they are.”
In addition to group programs, families can access private one-on-one support, along with essential items such as diapers, wipes, formula, and baby clothing through the program’s free store. Both peer and professional supports are available.
“I am a registered nurse, so I can provide breastfeeding support, sleep guidance, and emotional support to families,” de Graaf adds.
Carrie Reiter, Team Leader for Childcare Resource and Referral and Beginnings at OneSky, says programs like Baby Café help create lasting connections during a critical stage of life.
“These programs help parents build their village,” says Reiter. “Many people are living further away from extended family, so finding others who are going through the same experiences at the same time is incredibly important.”
Reiter notes that these programs, along with the free store, are made possible through community donations.
“We are so grateful to those who support us through donations on the OneSky website,” she says. “That support allows us to continue operating and to look at expanding opportunities, including more educational programming for parents.”
Interior Health Baby Talk
For new parents, reliable health information and connection can make a meaningful difference in the early months. Baby Talk at the Penticton Health Centre offers both in a supportive and welcoming setting.
Held every Thursday from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., the program brings parents, caregivers, and infants together to learn from public health nurses and guest speakers. Each session covers topics that matter to families with young babies.
Leanne Crawford, a Public Health Nurse at the Penticton Health Centre, leads the program and sees firsthand the impact it has on families.
“Baby Talk is a wonderful, fun, and social program for parents and support people with babies 0 to 12 months,” says Crawford.
Sessions cover a wide range of topics, from postpartum recovery and pelvic floor health to introducing solid foods and navigating emotional well-being, including postpartum depression and anxiety. Alongside educational content, the program also incorporates interactive and seasonal activities such as infant massage and themed events.
During one recent session, families gathered for an Easter celebration, complete with photo backdrops prepared by staff. Parents sang songs, introduced themselves, and connected before taking photos with their babies.
“Postpartum can be very isolating,” Crawford says. “Baby Talk gives parents an opportunity to get out of the house, spend time with their children, and meet new people. Many of the parents who come here are looking for that sense of community.”
The Penticton Health Centre supports families at every stage, from pre-conception and sexual health services to prenatal care and breastfeeding support. Baby Talk is one of many ways families can access trusted information while building connections.
“Penticton is a wonderful city for new families,” says Crawford. “There are so many resources available, and we are here to help connect people to the support they need.”
Penticton Library Baby Songs and Rhymes
For parents and caregivers looking to connect with their babies through music and movement, Baby Songs and Rhymes at the Penticton Public Library offers a fun and engaging experience.
Led by Youth Services Librarian Julia Cox, this free drop-in program introduces songs, rhymes, and books in a relaxed and interactive setting designed for pre-walkers. It is a chance for caregivers to spend quality time with their babies while supporting early learning and development.
“It’s a great way for parents to build social connections, grow their network, and have fun with their baby,” says Cox. “At the same time, it supports early language development in a really natural and enjoyable way.”
Beyond the songs and stories, the program creates space for families to meet others in a similar stage of life and feel part of a community.
Baby Songs and Rhymes runs Fridays from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. and is open to infants up to 16 months.
BGC Okanagan Family Programs
Located near the downtown core, BGC Okanagan offers a welcoming and accessible drop-in space for families with young children. The centre provides a range of programs designed to support parents and caregivers while creating opportunities for connection and play.
Weekly programming includes Pregnant and Beyond on Tuesdays, where participants can access connection, information, and nutrition support during pregnancy and early parenthood. Wednesday’s drop-in playtime invites children, parents, and caregivers to socialize in a relaxed environment, with snacks provided. On Thursdays, Coffee Talk offers a casual space for conversation and connection.
Families can also take part in the monthly Community Kitchen, where participants cook together and prepare several healthy, nutritious meals to take home, all at a minimal cost.
Annie Davidson, CAPC Program Coordinator at BGC Okanagan, says connection is at the heart of everything they offer.
“These programs are all about connection. It’s about making sure people feel valued and supported, and that they have a safe space to come together with others and build relationships,” says Davidson.
For Ashley, who moved to Penticton from Saskatchewan nine years ago, the programs have become an important part of her routine with her three-year-old son, Elijah.
“I come here for the sense of safety, to meet other moms in the neighbourhood, and to build connection in the community,” she says. “It’s also a great place for my child to socialize.”
Pre and Post Natal Yoga Classes
For those seeking movement, restoration, and connection during pregnancy and early parenthood, BeHive Yoga in Penticton offers both prenatal and postnatal classes designed to support the whole person.
Prenatal yoga focuses on gentle movement, breathwork, and mindfulness practices that help ease physical discomfort and promote relaxation. The classes include techniques to support labour and birth, along with time for discussion and connection with other expectant parents.
Following birth, the four-week postnatal series offers a supportive space for recovery with baby by your side. These sessions focus on rebuilding strength, restoring balance, and nurturing both physical and emotional well-being through guided movement and breath.
Mom and Baby Exercise Classes
Staying active with a young child can be challenging, but in Penticton, there are a variety of options that make it easier for parents to prioritize their health while keeping their babies close.
Strong as a Mother, offered at CrossFit Penticton, is a functional group fitness program designed for those who are pregnant or parenting young children aged 0 to 4. The classes focus on building strength and confidence in a supportive group environment and run Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. at 105–1641 Dartmouth Road.
At Pond Performance, Mom Strong provides a strength-based workout where parents can bring their children along. The classes are designed to be flexible and accommodating, allowing caregivers to focus on their fitness while their little ones remain nearby. Sessions run Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 to 1 p.m.
For those who prefer independent workouts, the Penticton Community Centre offers childminding , including babies, making it easier to access the upstairs fitness facilities. City Centre Health and Fitness also provides childminding with an Early Childhood Educator on site, Monday through Friday from 9 to 11 a.m.
You can also find a wide range of activities for young children in Penticton, including baby and toddler swim lessons, dance and music classes, and for ages three to five, a variety of sports such as soccer, martial arts, parkour, gymnastics, Sportsball and more.
Penticton offers a strong network of programs and services that support families in the early years, helping parents and caregivers find connection, build confidence and feel part of a welcoming community.
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