All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
Family Fun Morning at Crystal Cove State Park in Laguna Beach
FRIDAYS, AUGUST 5 & 19: Explore Crystal Cove State Park at your own pace. Head out on the Environmental Study Loop Trail or into Moro Canyon with self-guided activities on this Family Fun Morning. Look for animal evidence, smell local plants, and listen for bird songs while learning about the natural resources in the park.
Keeper-for-a-Day Zoo Camp at Wild Wonders in Bonsall
JULY 26 - AUGUST 5: Campers help care for a selection of 100+ exotic animals, play fun games and activities, and interact with unique animals.
Preschool Playdate at BounceU in Orange
AUGUST 5: Bring your little ones for a preschool playdate! Don't forget to bring your socks!
First Fridays Night Market in Huntington Beach
AUGUST 5: Bring your friends and family for yummy food, live music, games, and DIY slime fun!
Movie Night in the City at Pretend City
AUGUST 5: Join Pretend City for a featured movie The Land Before Time in Orange Plaza. Bring your own snacks, blanket and chairs to enjoy a movie celebrating their resident dino friends.
Summer Nights at the Tar Pits
FRIDAY, AUGUST 5: Relax, listen to live music and bring a blanket to picnic at the park. Explore the museum for free and celebrate the mighty predators of the Ice Age, Saber-Tooth Cats, and talk with scientists.
Lakewood Recreation Hosts Parents Night Out, Kids Night In
AUGUST 5: Parents, do you need a date night out? The highly qualified Youth Center staff will supervise your children while parents get a much needed night out! Kids will enjoy a pizza dinner, snacks, games and more! $5 per child. Ages 3+ (must be potty trained.)
Cosmic Glow/Mania Bounce at BounceU in Orange
AUGUST 5: Take your kids for a Friday glow-in-the-dark bounce night! Don't forget to bring your socks!
Beginning Archery Class in Fountain Valley
JUNE 11 - AUGUST 20: Join OC Parks staff and OC Parks volunteers for a beginning archery course for first-time archers.
Family Play Day in Lakewood
AUGUST 6: This free event will offer youngsters an exciting diversion featuring inflatable attractions and face painting. There will also be a food truck on site.
Back to School Chalk Walk at the Main Place Mall in Santa Ana
AUGUST 6: The Back to School Chalk Walk will feature a DJ spinning family-friendly hits and kids will have the opportunity to create their own chalk art!
Be(YOU)tiful Day of Play
AUGUST 6: An event for children of all abilities! Offers arts & crafts, sensory bins & activities, music, dancing, and more!
Back to School Community BBQ in Whittier
AUGUST 6: A Back to School BBQ featuring free backpacks, free school suppies, free hot dogs, meet and greets and more!
Under The Sea Sensory Fair in Pomona
AUGUST 6: Summer Sensory Fair filled with water activities, arts & crafts, movies, soft play area for the little ones, and more!
Long Beach Filipino Festival
AUGUST 6: Long Beach is back with their annual Filipino Festival! Bring your family and friends for some delicious Filipino food and watch fascinating performers throughout the entire day!
Mirabel is Having a Party at Play & Parties
AUGUST 6: Join Mirabel and Bruno for singing, dancing, games, crafts and snacks.
See the Sea at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
AUGUST 7: Come and join aboard a marine vessel where you will have the opportunity to see some nearshore animals up close. Reservations required.
Caribbean Summer Festival at the Bowers Museum
AUGUST 7: Enjoy live performances, art making, face painting and more at the Bowers Museum
Night in the Museum at Pretend City
AUGUST 11: Spend time after hours exploring the seven dinosaurs in their newest exhibit and collect Dino Trading Cards. Bring a flashlight, binoculars, and dress up to go on a hunt for dinos at night.
Circus Nonsense at The Muck in Fullerton
AUGUST 11: Join award-winning Circus Nonsense as they create a new realm where they can find the magic in everyday objects and the ordinary becomes extraordinary.
Family Nights at Mayfair Pool in Lakewood
FRIDAYS THROUGH AUGUST 26: Enjoy an evening splash with the family at Mayfair Pool, 6:30-8 p.m.
Archery Instruction at El Dorado Park in Long Beach
SATURDAYS: Get pointers to improve skills, and consistent shooting technique. Equipment provided. Saturday classes include, advanced, 9 a.m. and beginner 10:30 a.m. Safety class required.
Parent & Me Art Class at Sherman Garden
AUGUST 13: Join local artist Erna Van Dyk as she teaches you how to create a picture of a Peacock Orchid! Working together, you will use step-by-step watercolor techniques to create your own illustration of a vase and model magic clay to create the flowers. This fun, relaxed class takes place in our outdoor classroom before the garden is open.
Parent & Me Art Class: Peacock Orchid at Sherman Library & Gardens in Corona Del Mar
AUGUST 13: Work together with your little one to create a watercolor picture of a Peacock Orchid at the Sherman Library & Gardens right before they open!
Thomas Family Day at San Diego Model Railroad Museum
AUGUST 13: Bring your family to scout for pieces of Thomas' world around the museum in a scavenger hunt, enjoy arts & crafts, and watch Thomas trains make their way around our model railroad exhibits!
2nd Annual Downey Pride Family Picnic
AUGUST 13: Take your family to Downey's Pride Family Picnic with lots of children's activities, live entetainment, photo booths, raffles, and free tacos!
Creative Babe Market in Long Beach
AUGUST 13: Enjoy the beginning of the weekend by joining this family-friendly event with over 40+ curated local vendors, food trucks, face painting, and more!
Echo Theater Company’s Theater Truck at Elysian Park
AUGUST 13 & 27: The Echo Theater Company's Theater Truck will be at Elysian Park with a family-friendly performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Bring a basket and a blanket and enjoy the 40-minute version of Shakespeare's delightful rom-com
Symphony in the Cities and Prelude in the Park in Mission Viejo
AUGUST 13: With an "Extreme Summer Fun" theme, guests will enjoy the park filled with vibrant decor and extreme activities. Grab food from food trucks, enjoy live symphony music, play games, and visit community booths.
Chat and Snack with a Ranger at Crystal Cove State Park in Laguna Beach
AUGUST 13: State Parks, Campgrounds and S’mores are a summertime tradition. Come down to the Berns Amphitheater at Crystal Cove State Park to Chat and Snack with a Ranger and learn about some of the nocturnal animals that live in the park. Bring your S’more fixings and we’ll have the fire pit lit.
West Coast Customs presents Cruis’n the Park Car Show at Six Flags
FRIDAYS - SUNDAYS, FEBRUARY 26 - MARCH 14: Cruise through the park from the comfort and safety of your own car for a drive-thru auto show experience where you will see more than 100 of the world’s best automotive displays, presented by world-famous West Coast Customs.
Snow White in Santa Monica Playhouse
EVERY SATURDAY & SUNDAY: Santa Monica Playhouse is featuring Snow White and is taking their audience on a magical adventure as everyone’s most beloved young heroine journeys to find herself, her mother, and her true destiny.
Youth Art Classes at Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach
FRIDAYS - SUNDAYS, JULY 8 - AUGUST 21: Kids will enjoy art classes taught by professional artists in mixed-media, ceramics, sculpture and more. Meanwhile, parents will have free time to view the artwork on display throughout the Festival grounds.
Matilda The Musical at South Coast Repertory
AUGUST 6-14: The genius of Roald Dahl comes to life in an inspiring musical about an extraordinary girl who dreams of a better life. An exhilarating tale of empowerment filled with high-energy music and dancing from the talented young actors of SCR’s Summer Players.
Shakespeare in the Park For Families in Culver City
AUGUST 6-28: Ideal for all ages, Free Shakespeare in the Park for Families is a high-energy theatrical performance designed for children to experience reimagined Shakespeare classics by weaving modern, cultural, iconic references into classic texts.
Hangout for Hendrix Family Music Festival in Santa Ana
AUGUST 14: Join BraveOnes Foundation at the historic Heritage Museum of Orange County for a fun-filled day of good vibes, live music, food trucks, adult beverages, cornhole tournament, family fun, kids activities, and more!
Nova Vita Foundation at Tanaka Farms in Irvine
AUGUST 14: Come join Nova Vita's festivities as they usher in a new season of bounty, prosperity, and health in traditional Japanese custom. This event includes delicious food options and ample entertainment.
Summer Evening Strolls at The Huntington Library
JUNE 11-SEPTEMBER 2: Enjoy a stroll in the gardens at twilight. Meet your friends, enjoy dinner or a light snack and a cocktail at 1919 Cafe, stroll the breathtaking gardens at sunset, and take home a memento of your visit from the Huntington Store.
Weekly Junior Ranger Program at Crystal Cove State Park in Laguna Beach
TUESDAYS, AUGUST 2 & 16: Join a Park Ranger for a fun introduction to the animals and plants of Crystal Cove State Park in our weekly Junior Ranger programs. This children’s nature program is a favorite in State Parks and allows kids to earn a badge, stamps, a poster, or a patch.
Summer Stroll through the Fullerton Arboretum
TUESDAYS: Enjoy your summer night and join for a relaxing stroll through the plant collections in the Fullerton Arboretum with live music and complimentary refreshments.
Family Nature Hike at Crystal Cove State Park in Laguna Beach
WEDNESDAYS, AUGUST 10 & 17: Summer is an exciting time to learn about our local nature. Join a park naturalist on a one-mile Family Nature Hike at Crystal Cove State Park to learn about the plants and animals living in the park.
Summertime Explorers Kids Club at 2nd & PCH in Long Beach
WEDNESDAYS, AUGUST 3-31: Bring your little ones to 2nd & PCH for a FREE weekly exploring! Each week offers a different theme with fun activities, games & prizes, crafts, and more!
OC Sheriff’s Department Meet and Greet in Mission Viejo
AUGUST 17: Come meet some of your local deputies who serve the City of Mission Viejo. Ask them questions, check out their vehicles and equipment, and say thank you for keeping us safe. Win FREE pizza, and visit The Village Center for desserts!
Summer Stampede Car Show in Lakewood
SEPTEMBER 18: Come out and enjoy this family-friendly event featuring vendors, live entertainment, and music.
State Fair at Santa Anita Park
JULY 21 - AUGUST 20: Enjoy fair rides and games, live entertainment, pig races, dog shows, stunt shows, fair food, and more.
Dinos in the City at Pretend City
NOW - SEPTEMBER 5: Learn how paleontologists unearth dinosaur bones, dig in the dinosaur pit, and get a chance to collect several dinosaur trading cards.
Free Summer Fun Days at Long Beach Parks
JUNE 20 - AUGUST 26: Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine has great free and affordable programs for youth and teens planned during the summer at 21 local parks. Kids can come out for games, crafts, sports, field trips and more Monday-Friday from noon to 5 p.m.
Be SAFE Programs (Summer Activities in a Friendly Environment) in Long Beach
JUNE 20- AUGUST 26: Free classes, sports, fitness crafts and more will be offered from 5-8 p.m.at 11 city parks.
El Dorado Nature Center Family Nightlife Walks
THURSDAYS, JUNE 23 - SEPTEMBER 29: Join a guided after-hours walk to see all the nocturnal creatures that call the Nature Center home. Pre-registration required and fills up fast!
Outside SCR: Million Dollar Quartet at Mission San Juan Capistrano
JULY 30-AUGUST 21: Bring your family back in time to enjoy a Broadway Musical inspired by a true story.
Disclaimer: The Kidsguide team does their best to keep event details accurate at the time of posting, but information can change without notice! Be sure to double-check with the event organizer before heading out. Kidsguide is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or changes on our calendar—we’re just here to help you find the fun!
