Family fun doesn’t have to break the bank! Check out this list of local Southern California museums, gardens, and attractions that offer free admission days. Plus, keep scrolling for a list of places that are always free.
Kidsguide is doing what we do best: giving you information on hundreds of activities to make this summer memorable plus, combining it with the weird, wacky, and gross stuff we know your kids will love!
Make every day Earth Day! Here’s 16 simple ways kids can help make the Earth happy.
If you’re looking for somewhere to go for the long weekend, Kidsguide’s got you covered! Here’s a list of ideas to get you started. Long weekend, here we come!
Feeling a bit nostalgic? Have a taste of yesteryear with a sweet treat from one of these old-fashioned confectionary shoppes in Southern California.
Is your child having a hard time focusing on schoolwork at home? Try one of these strategies! Hint: It includes video games (kinda).
Unique holiday fun in Southern California! See Mr. Rex in his Santa suit, a special holiday rendition of Wizard of Oz, movie screenings with tours of Victorian homes, and lots more!
We’ve dug deep into learning about your favorite kid-friendly attractions, scoured the corners of the web, and chatted with parents who’ve been there, done that – to bring you an issue full of insider tips!
Looking for non-Halloween family fun? No worries, Kidsguide has you covered! There’s lots of events happening this month including new exhibits, live shows based off your favorite children’s books, fairs, festivals, and even free aircraft flights for kids!
End of Summer Movies Anaheim Pearson Park Amphitheatre Symphony & Cinema, seating starts at 6pm Thursday, September 1: A Star is Born (1954) Fountain Valley Fountain Valley Sports… View Article
The best mini golf courses in LA and Orange County. Looking for a little competitive family fun? Try mini golf! Great for kids of all ages (yes, even teens), and it’s a great way for entertain everybody for the day.
Win a family 4-pack of tickets to one of the most entertaining, swashbuckling dinner shows around!
Enjoy concerts in the garden, celebrate cultural festivals, launch a rocket, go on a family night hike, chow down on some BBQ, and lots more!
Check out all the fun things to do before summer ends! There’s only a few weeks left for these limited-time exhibits and events.
Does your family love learning about our universe? Visit these awesome space centers, planetariums, and observatories for an out-of-this-world learning experience.
Ahoy, Kidsguiders! You’ve found it, an entire treasure trove of pirate adventures in Southern California. Everything from spectacular events to piratey places that aarrgh sure to be a great time!
There’s lots of fun things planned for every day with activities ranging from getting up close and personal with animals to checking out exhibits, shopping, and enjoying live performances.
With everything going up in price this summer, going out to dinner with the whole family might just blow that budget right out the water! We rounded up a list of local Southern California restaurants offering free meals and deals for kids!
This is a tough one, bear with me. Working closely with families and children over the years, I’ve come to learn a few things. I’ve met some amazing moms and… View Article
Check out the coolest new exhibits coming to your favorite SoCal children’s museums. Dig for dinosaur fossils, explore emotions, get immersed in our Solar System, and become a Rainforest Ranger!
The California Poppy Festival is the City of Lancaster’s annual celebration of California’s state flower. This 3-day event honors the beauty of the poppy with live entertainment, amusement park rides, displays, festival food, live animal exhibits, and countless activities for all ages.
The new Wildlife Explorers Basecamp is divided into four innovative nature play areas, each designed around unique habitats. Kids (and grown-ups!) get to feel what it’s like to be wild!
Check out these fun performances coming up around LA & Orange County for families and kids. From basketball trick shots and princesses to high-flying bugs and circus science — there’s something out there for every family!
Free admission days at Descanso Gardens, The Huntington, South Coast Botanic Garden, and more. Plus, a list of gardens and nature centers that are always free!
Here’s everything you need to know about Sesame Place San Diego including the rides, water attractions, ticket pricing, and other fun things to do. It’s opening in March 26th and we can’t wait!
Calling football fans of all ages! Experience the glory of the NFL through interactive games, autograph sessions, and awesome attractions.
Parenting doesn’t come with a manual, but it does come with a community. If you’re looking to grow your village, we’ve rounded up a list of mom clubs, new parent classes and workshops, LGBTQ+ groups, illness and bereavement support, and more.
Teaching healthy habits and proper hygiene is always super important – so let’s make it fun! Teach the kiddos how to cough like a vampire, blow things away, and avoid the T-Zone!
Take the family on a unique outing by learning what goes on behind the scenes of some of your favorite places in Southern California!
These Christmas tree farms have been working hard all year long to grow the best trees. Gather the family for the timeless tradition of cutting down your own Christmas tree and enjoy a fun, outdoor, Christmas outing.
There’s something about being in the audience of a live performance that makes the holiday season extra special. Here’s a round up of holiday shows, musicals, and plays showing all around Southern California. We’re also including all-time favorites, A Christmas Carol and The Nutcracker.
Southern California loves to celebrate the holidays with one the best ways we know how — on the water! See hundreds of festively decorated boats and ships and they light up the harbors of LA & Orange County.
Sometimes, kids (and grown ups) forget all the amazing things and people we have in our lives. Here’s a list of conversation starters to get little minds thinking about all they have to be thankful for.
Turkey and feasting are go-to Thanksgiving traditions, but why not try something new or even non-traditional this year? Go on a Turkey Egg Hunt, play a family game, or watch old family videos. Here’s some ideas to get you started!
Fall back, spring forward, get an hour, lose an hour — no matter what time of the year it is, a Daylight Saving Time Sunday is bound to feel “off.” Here’s some tips to help ease the transition and avoid sleep-deprived meltdowns (from kids or parents), long school days, and routine changes.
This issue contains the top goodies we’ve found that make parenting easier, kids (and parents) happier, life better. Plus, we’re backing it up with 161 fun outing ideas to have in your pocket, along with a list of people and organizations that can help when you need it.
If you’ve never been in a teacher supply store… you’re in for a real shopping treat!
What’s there to do this Labor Day weekend? Besides firing up the grill, you could join the circus, taste food from around the world, go sunflower picking, or watch a super cool plane take to the skies!
Free admission to participating museums across the nation on Smithsonian Museum Day. Find out which Southern California museums are free.
Looking for ways to keep your kids engaged after school? We’ve got you covered! And we’re not just talkin sports—here’s a whole list of ideas you can do at home or within your neighborhood.
To celebrate National Aviation Day, we’ve rounded up a list of Southern California aviation-themed places you could take off to with your kids!
Check out all the fun things to do before summer ends and school starts!
Looking for a great after school activity? Start with theatre arts!
Does your child love to sing? Have them try singing in a choir or chorus! Stan DeWitt, Executive Director of the Long Beach Youth Chorus, talks to us about the positive impact choral singing has on kids and teens. He also answers your most frequently asked questions.
Art, music, and nature highlight this month’s most exciting events for kids and families in LA & Orange County.
If your kids are inspired to try out a new Olympic sport, we’ve got you covered! Here’s how to find a team/league in your area, plus a few of our favorite local organizations.
Summer is here and school is out! Camps are booked for the older kids, but wait…what am I going to do with my little ones that are not old enough to attend summer camp? Good news is, there are plenty of easy and fun things you can do to give your toddlers and preschoolers a summer camp-like experience at home. Here are 3 of our top summer activities that will encourage your child to play, learn, and get messy!
CLUE! Live – A Walking Experience Westfield Century City in Los Angeles Now – August 8 www.cluewalkingexperience.com In this all-new immersive experience, guests become detectives to solve the mystery of… View Article
Now that 4th of July festivities are done, here’s a list of events we’re excited about happening the rest of the summer! Live theatre performances, county and state fairs, festivals and more—summer fun is in full swing!
Cardboard City is a 10,000 square foot pop-up art center with free exhibitions of cardboard sculptures and architectural models, free family crafting activities, a schedule of classes, and a shop selling tools and materials so families can make cardboard art at home. Free and open to all visitors!
Enjoy firework displays, parades, festivals, and more! Fourth of July is sure to be a blast this year!
Reading is one of the most important things kids can do during the summer. We rounded up some of the coolest summer reading programs from Barnes & Noble, LA Dodgers, Chuck E. Cheese, and your public library! They’re giving away awesome things to motivate your kids to read—did we mention free pizza?
Avengers Campus at Disneyland California Adventure Team up with the Avengers and explore a campus created for the next generation of super heroes! Help wrangle Spider-Bots in the new ride… View Article
Does your family love being around animals? Here’s four unique experiences your family’s gotta try at least once!
South Coast Botanic Garden soars to new heights with an all-new immersive butterfly experience.
May 2021 TASTE: Strawberry at The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS, NOW – MAY 23: This is designed for families to enjoy an immersive experience of… View Article
Looking for a unique summer camp? We’ve got you covered! From rockstar camp to rock climbing camp to STEM camp aboard a real battleship—there’s something awesome out there for every kid.
Join Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation virtually for the 23rd Annual Reaching for the Cure event! Voted #1 in Orange County, this “must-do” event will feature new ways to engage outside the limits of an in-person experience through a mobile application, movement challenges, and more.
Looking for something to do with the family? Here’s 101 ideas to get you started! Most ideas are even free.
Don’t just walk around like everybody else—ride around in style on a surrey bike or pedal along the waterfront in an iconic swan boat. Here’s a list of 22 locations that offer rentals.
See (and often times pet and feed) farm animals, such as pigs, goats, ponies, mini-cows, sheep, bunnies and lots more.
The Junior Lifeguard program is a treasured summer tradition for many who live near the coast. Year after year, this popular program teaches valuable life lessons and skills to thousands of Southern California kids and teens.
Leprechauns, shamrocks, rainbows, and a pot of gold–what’s not to love about St. Patrick’s Day? Here’s a gold mine of sneaky leprechaun mischief that’ll have your whole family chasing rainbows!
Drive-in theaters may be a thing of the past, but they’re the modern-day solution to help us maintain social distancing while still enjoying a night out to the movies! Here’s out top 10 tips you need to know before visiting a drive-in.
Original artwork and poem written by 12-year-old Swasti Dhagat, a student from Sounds of Color Studio in Orange County.
North San Diego’s world-renowned spring experience for the past 40 years is blooming once again! From March 1 – May 9, immerse within 50 acres of giant, colorful ranunculus flowers.
Looking to get outside in this beautiful SoCal weather? Here’s a list of local botanical gardens that are blooming this spring! Most of these places are open with advance reservations and safety guidelines. Be sure to check each location’s website or social media for updated information.
The movie theaters may still be closed, but that doesn’t mean your family still can’t have an amazing movie night! Keep reading for seating ideas, popcorn recipes, and a movie ticket printable!
We love STEM activities! Learn how to make a heart out of PVC pipes, make a coding project with the binary alphabet, grow interlocking heart crystals and more!
Need a laugh today? These parents don’t hold back when it comes to parenting—and we’re here for it!
Why do children need poetry? Lots of reasons! We’ll tell you about great resources to find children’s poetry, activities, and podcasts that’ll inspire your kids to love and even write their own poetry—all for free!
You’re invited to The White House! Explore the ornate rooms and decor of The State Floor, The Ground Floor, and the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
Has your child asked about riding horses? Horseback riding offers many benefits to help your child develop valuable life skills.
Tis’ the season to be freezin’ and during this time of the year… there’s snow place like home. Bring the snow and icy fun indoors with these brrr-illiant activities!
The mission of Children’s Home Society of California (CHS) is to reach out to children and families at risk with a range of services to ensure that every child has the opportunity to develop within a safe, healthy, and secure environment.
Candy buybacks, recipes, and even math and science activities with candy!
Like many other things, trick-or-treating won’t be the same this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t carve out a fun Halloween! Here’s a list of so many things you can do besides trick-or-treating!
These fire-themed activities are great for teaching fire safety, pretend play, and learning how firefighters help our community.
We asked Kidsguide readers about their all-time favorite children’s books and here’s what they love! Plus, many of these books are part of a series, so your kids will love picking up the next book.
Try these creative ways to use all kinds of print materials to incorporate reading at any time of the day. Great for reluctant readers!
Looking for ways to motivate your kids to read more? You could try using the traditional flashlight under the covers, but take it up a notch and use finger lights or a head lamp! Start a family book club, or have the kids record their own audiobook. Lots of ideas here!
Encouraging words can really help young kids and teens thrive in school and life! Positive words ignite inspiration and motivation… and we could all use a little more of that!
A beach bonfire is a ritual California families have enjoyed for years. Check out this list of beaches in LA and Orange County that allow bonfires.
Celebrate one of the coolest ocean predators with shark-themed activities, crafts, and snacks! Sink your teeth into Shark Week with these fun activities for the kids!
Go for a round of mini golf, take a spin on the go-kart, travel back in time at a retro arcade, or duck and dive at a paintball park! These fun centers are open for your family to (safely) enjoy!
Looking to get outside? A trail ride on horseback is a great, outdoor outing for families. Of course, there’s plenty of social distancing happening (the horses will take care of that for you)!
Whale watching is one of those things every Southern California family should do at least once. Here’s our reasons why we think every kid should go and what parents need to know before going!
Is your home overflowing with books your kids have outgrown? Start a free children’s library to share with neighbors! Make a library from a newspaper stand, bunny hutch, wash tub, dollhouse, old TVs and lots more. Check out these ideas to get you started.
Foxes, camels, ostriches, cheetahs, oh my! Check out this list of animal sanctuaries, ranches, and zoos that are outdoors and open. Many offer private tours for an extra special way to connect with animals you don’t get to see everyday.
With just a little bit of time and a roll of tape, your kids could be entertained for hours! We’ve all got some tape lying around the house, so grab what you’ve got and let’s play!
Visiting a botanical garden while social distancing is a great way to get outside. Many gardens have reopened and are following all necessary precautions.
Drive-in theaters may be a thing of the past, but they’re the modern-day solution to help us maintain social distancing. Here’s a list of SoCal drive-in theaters and 10 tips for an awesome moviegoing experience!
Seems like the summer heat is here to stay, so let’s cool off with ice cream themed activities! Make ice cream in a bag, edible ice cream playdough, bake yummy ice cream cone cupcakes and more!
Fresh air, fresh produce, and tractor-drawn wagons… it’s the perfect summer outing!
Local libraries are launching their Summer Reading Programs to help motivate kids and teens to read during the summer! See if your local library is participating.
Promote meaningful conversations with your kids about showing kindness and compassion towards others. Use these printable cards as a starting point to teach and explain why our world needs kindness, especially right now.
Bubbles are simple, inexpensive, and they never fail to entertain. Here’s 15 ways to have a blast with bubbles!
Helpful tips, ways to incorporate reading, math, and science into cooking, and some easy recipes for kids. Let’s get cookin!
All aboard the Kidsguide Express! We’re taking your train-lovin’ family on an adventure across SoCal, chugging along to must-see train stops. Let’s go!
Ring ring! Calling all long-distance family and friends! Fire up the smartphone, tablet, computer and call up the kids for a funtastic time!
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