Spring is in the air in San Diego! Flowers are blooming, the days are starting to get a bit longer, and your kids are likely bouncing off the walls. Instead of fighting the bounce, why not join your kids in celebrating the seasons by taking them out to experience art, music, and culture? San Diego county is practically bouncing, too, with ample opportunities for family fun and learning. Here are our 9 top picks for kids’ activities in San Diego for springtime. You can also check out this article for 21 things to do in San Diego.
The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch
Take advantage of the warm spring weather with a trip to The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch. The fields open for the season on March 1st, and there are several special events and festivals all throughout the spring. Kid’s Day, for example, is March 30th, 2014, featuring arts and crafts, face painting, and live music. The Flower Fields provide the perfect opportunity to teach your kids about agriculture, gardening, and the beauty nature provides.
St. Patrick’s Day Festival
Get into the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day with San Diego’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival, presented by the Irish Congress of Southern California. The 34th annual event kicks off on Saturday, March 15 with a flag-raising ceremony in Balboa Park at 9:45 a.m. The parade begins at 10:30 a.m. from Sixth Avenue and Juniper Street. From there it travels north on Fifth Avenue to Upas, then over to Sixth Avenue, heading south and concluding at Juniper Street. This year’s theme, “Celebrating People in Public Service,” offers a good opportunity to teach your children about the value of serving the community.
Lakeside Rodeo
Don your cowboy boots and hats and get a little dusty at the 50th Annual Lakeside Rodeo at the El Capitan Stadium in Lakeside on April 25-27, 2014. Evening performances begin Friday and Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m., with additional afternoon shows at 2 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Your kids will love learning about the different rodeo animals and events while indulging in classic rodeo goodies (did someone say elephant ear?).
Mission Federal Artwalk
The Mission Federal ArtWalk will hold its 30th annual celebration April 26-27, 2014 in San Diego’s Little Italy. Visitors can browse artwork and enjoy street performances by talented musicians and dancers. Kids can get hands-on with the festival’s popular KidsWalk, where local organizations provide materials for kids to create, learn, play music, and more.
San Diego Earth Fair
San Diego EarthWorks presents its 25th annual EarthFair 2014 on Sunday, April 27, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Balboa Park. It’s a free event, produced solely by volunteer efforts. EarthFair 2014 will feature more than 300 exhibitors, special theme areas, a food pavilion, five entertainment venues, a children’s Earth Parade, the eARTh Gallery art show, and the Cleaner Car Concourse. It’s a wonderful event to open up discussions about green living with your kids.
Old Town Fiesta Cinco de Mayo
You can visit Old Town San Diego to take a step back in time and let your children relive history any day of the week – but the Cinco de Mayo on May 3-4, 2014, offers even more to explore. The festival features three live music stages, a special children’s area, retail vendors, and food and drink specials at over ten of Old Town’s restaurants and cantinas.
Air Show San Diego
Formerly known as Wings over Gillespie, AirShow San Diego kicks off June 6-8, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. at Gillespie Field in El Cajon. Get your little ones excited about the ins and outs of flying high on Friday, June 6, 2014, with a free youth education day focusing on aviation-related science, technology, engineering, and math. Jets will be flying in mock battle performances throughout the AirShow weekend.
Farmers Markets
The farmers market is a place rife with opportunity for teaching kids about healthy food choices, agriculture, buying local, and so much more! San Diego county is fortunate to offer many farmers markets throughout the spring and summer, including locations in Hillcrest, Coronado, Carlsbad, Carmel Valley, and Solana Beach. Click here to view the schedule.
Private Music or Arts Lessons
Whether your child loves to sing or is interested in learning how to play the banjo, private lessons are a great opportunity for kids to explore new hobbies! With TakeLessons.com, you can search our roster of San Diego music teachers, arts teachers, and much more. Private lessons ensure a positive experience in learning a new skill, and can be a lot of fun!
These are just a few of the kids’ activities in San Diego that are coming up this Spring. You can use these activities as learning opportunities, and as a way to expose your kids to the wonders of music, arts, and culture. Enjoy!
Photo by novemberwolf
Megan L.