Summer is officially in full swing! Kids are all out of school, the 4th of July has come and gone, and you may be running out of ideas of what to do with all of the free time. The great thing is, there are so many fun things to do during your child’s summer break. Many of which are free! We wanted to share some things to do with you.
Go to the Beach
We live where people save up all year to come and vacation. There are so many great beaches throughout San Diego County which provides a great place to take the kids to play in the sand and swim in the ocean. Whether you live in Oceanside or in La Jolla, you can find a beach near you. You’ll find that during the week it’s easier to park and might not be as crowded, but you can enjoy them all summer. Just grab your bathing suits, sunscreen, and some sand toys to have a great time.
Visit Balboa Park
Balboa Park covers more than 1,200 acres near downtown San Diego and is home to more than 17 museums, multiple performing arts venues, gardens and hiking trails. Parking around the park is free, and while most of the museums have a ticket fee, there are many things to do in the park that doesn’t cost anything. My favorites are the numerous hiking trails, sculpture garden by the San Diego Museum of Art and the Worldbeat Cultural Center. If you’re interested in checking out a museum with the kids the San Diego Model Railroad Museum, Japanese Friendship Garden, San Diego Air and Space Museum or of course the zoo are great choices. On Tuesdays, certain museums offer free admission for residents.
Take a Hike
San Diego is home to thousands of different trails, many of which are kid and dog-friendly. Mission Trails Regional Park has a number of different trails for all levels of difficulty, including some paved trails. While the kids might not love the idea of hiking (I know I didn’t when I was a kid) there is a lot to explore on the different trails and getting outside for fresh air is always a good idea.
Visit the Seals in La Jolla
In La Jolla one of the best free things to do is to visit the Children’s Pool seals. They’re cute, and noisy and can provide endless amounts of entertainment for kids of all ages. Once there you can also walk the paths along the coast and grab something to eat at one of the many nearby restaurants.
by: Amanda Singer
