Squamish’s best doughnut experiences often show up in very ordinary moments. It’s that late morning wander after everyone’s been up too early. The plan was a walk, or maybe just somewhere warm to duck into, and suddenly you’re standing in front of a bakery window negotiating flavours like it’s a peace treaty. Squamish has a way of turning these small pauses into highlights, especially for families. Doughnuts become the punctuation mark in the day. Not the main event, but the part everyone remembers later. If you’re spending time here with kids, whether it’s a quick getaway or a full Squamish vacation, knowing where those doughnuts are hiding makes everything feel easier.
When you’re out exploring Squamish as a family, the bakeries here have a way of reshaping the day without announcing themselves. Not in a big, planned sense, but right when things start to wobble. Maybe the walk went longer than expected. Someone’s gloves are damp, or the kids have reached that point where every small thing feels like too much. Then a bakery door opens, warmth spills out, and the pace shifts.
Inside, everyone finds their footing again. Kids lean in close to the display case, suddenly focused and calm, weighing choices like it really matters. Parents get a coffee and a chair, even if it’s just for a few minutes. It’s the kind of pause that resets the whole group. That’s why a good Squamish bakery fits so naturally into family days here. It doesn’t interrupt the adventure. It smooths it out.
These stops become the in-between moments families remember later. Sticky fingers, crumbs on jackets, conversations that slow down because there’s nowhere else to be. They’re small scenes, but they tend to anchor the day in a way nothing else quite does.
Sunflower Bakery in Squamish feels like the place families stumble into once and then keep coming back to. It’s relaxed, familiar, and easy with kids. The doughnuts lean classic, which honestly works in their favour, not because they’re boring, but because they’re dependable in the best way. Their Homer doughnut is a perfect example. Pink glazed, sprinkly, and always a good choice. It’s the one kids spot first and the one that somehow never disappoints.
Sunflower Bakery also plays with flavours in a way that still feels approachable. The cookies and cream doughnut is a local favourite, with a centre of cream, a bit of whipped cream on top, and an Oreo to finish it off. Then there’s the Chief, which feels like an apple fritter reimagined. Think caramel chunks and that same satisfying heft, but without the apple. And the Long Johns are pure nostalgia. Every time I see one, it takes me straight back to childhood in the best possible way.
The space itself adds to the appeal. Sitting right at the intersection of Cleveland and Winnipeg, you genuinely feel like you’re in the centre of downtown Squamish. In the summer, the patio spills out into the road, thoughtfully blocked off to create a large, open seating area. It’s much more than a narrow sidewalk setup. There’s room for families to spread out, strollers to park, and kids to move a bit while parents relax in the sun. The whole space has an easy, welcoming vibe that makes it hard to rush away.
Fox and Oak brings a playful, modern energy to the Squamish doughnut scene, and it’s a hit with families who like to try something new. Their brioche doughnuts are soft, rich, and just a little indulgent. Some favourites include the Bob, a naturally leavened brioche filled with white chocolate cheesecake, cream cheese drizzle, and a fruit component that changes seasonally, sometimes raspberry, sometimes rhubarb, or other rotating fruits. The crème brûlée, a vegan yeast doughnut with pastry cream and a crunchy sugar top, is another popular choice. Other hits include the Apple Pie Berliner, Mango Passion Fruit, and Old Fashioned.
The space itself is small but polished, with a modern, high-end feel that sets it apart. There are a few small tables inside, a counter, and a patio outside with an overhang that’s perfect for rainy days. Just across the street is an open green space, which is a great spot to enjoy your doughnut if the shop is full or if kids need a little room to stretch. Just a heads up—Fox and Oak tends to have a long lineup at peak times, but the doughnuts are worth the wait. Kids love scanning the display case to pick their favourite, and parents can enjoy a slightly elevated, yet approachable treat that feels a little fancy without being intimidating.
This is where most local parents smile and refuse to choose. The best Squamish doughnuts depend on the day. Some mornings call for the comfort of Sunflower Bakery. Other days feel right for Fox and Oak’s creative flavours. The win here is that both exist, and both are easy to work into a family day.
Pure Bread is a favourite stop that always makes me feel a little nostalgic. The assortment is wide and thoughtfully presented, with baskets of bread, trays of tarts, and cakes on elegant stands. The display goes beyond the typical doughnut case, with varying levels and textures that make everything feel unique, refined, and elevated. My personal favourite is the cherry cheesecake tart, which feels like a proper treat after a busy day. Pure Bread can also be a great stop to fuel up if you are heading north to Whistler or before a biking adventure in the Diamond Head area, thanks to its convenient location at the north end of town.
Tall Tree Bakery deserves a mention, especially for families heading to Airhouse. Their cinnamon buns are legendary and pair well with kids who have burned off energy and need refuelling.
If your Squamish vacation happens in February, it’s worth making an effort to check out what local bakeries are doing for the Hot Chocolate Festival. Many bakeries, including favourites like Sunflower Bakery and Fox and Oak, feature special hot chocolate creations that are often quite epic and fun for families. Pairing hot chocolate stops with bakery visits turns colder afternoons into something everyone looks forward to.
One of our favourite ways to explore Squamish with kids is heading up to Elfin Lake in the winter, nestled in Garibaldi Park. Our kids strap on snowshoes and trek up to the Red Heather Hut, taking in the winter scenery and burning off energy along the way. On the way down, we make a ritual stop in town for hot chocolate and doughnuts. That little pause transforms the whole day, making the hike feel even more rewarding for everyone.
If you’re visiting, you can check out our MSR kids snow shoes rentals so your little ones can enjoy the trails without the hassle of packing gear. To smooth out the rest of your Squamish vacation, it’s also worth browsing other baby equipment rentals, which make exploring with young kids much easier and more flexible.
For families wondering what to do in squamish with kids, bakeries become natural gathering points throughout the day. They offer warmth, familiarity, and a reason to pause. The best Squamish doughnuts aren’t just about flavour. They’re about slowing down, warming up, and enjoying Squamish the way locals do.
Sunflower Bakery, located at Cleveland and Winnipeg, and Fox and Oak, at Cleveland and Main Street, are both local favourites offering classic and creative doughnuts that appeal to all ages. Sunflower has the added convenience of a large parking lot right across the street, whereas Fox and Oak relies mostly on street parking.
Sunflower Bakery in Squamish is often the easiest and most relaxed choice for families with kids. It has a slightly larger space and a laid-back vibe, which makes it easy to settle in with children. The menu leans toward more familiar, home-style offerings, so it usually resonates well with kids unless you have particularly adventurous eaters.
Yes, Fox and Oak is well known for excellent variety of Vegan doughnuts in Squamish. Sunflower Bakery also offers vegan doughnuts, just less selection.
Absolutely. All bakeries in Squamish welcome families with kids, including Sunflower Bakery, Fox and Oak, Pure Bread, and Tall Tree Bakery.
Sunflower Bakery is probably the best choice, especially in the summer, because its large patio makes it easy to relax and spread out with children. Pure Bread, located in the Garibaldi Shopping Village, has table seating and offers nearby areas to explore before or after your visit. Fox and Oak, in downtown Squamish, is next to some green space, making it another good option for families.
Tall Tree Bakery, while delicious, is in the industrial park and does not have seating or space to explore, so it works better for a quick pick-up.
It usually runs in February and features several local cafés and bakeries.
