Involving children in fun activities that have an educational angle rather than just entertainment-based distractions is a great way to incorporate learning into your child’s free time. There are plenty of things for kids to do in San Diego that are rooted in artistic creation, methodical thinking, and musical expression. When kids engage in these pursuits, their curiosity is encouraged, as well as their creative thinking skills, leading to character building and intellectual growth. Explore San Diego and discover a community rich with organizations and programs dedicated to your child’s development – here are a few ideas:
The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Community Corps Center
Funded by a generous gift from the late Joan Kroc, this 12.4-acre cultural arts center is a family-oriented setting for recreation and education. The Rock Wall and Skatepark programs help kids develop physical ability while learning important safety protocols. The hockey, soccer, and basketball programs promote athleticism, teamwork, sportsmanship, and self-esteem. It’s an excellent family resource center offering a wide variety of things for kids to do in San Diego that are challenging, fun, and safe.
TakeLessons San Diego
TakeLessons connects kids with the best private teachers in academics, music, performing arts, computer skills, language, sports, and more! Students and families can search TakeLessons.com by subject type and zip code, and then filter results based on proximity, availability, price, students reviews, and more. Then, browse teacher profiles to find the one who best fits your needs, interests, and goals. It’s a great way to introduce your child to music, the arts, or another subject, as the one-on-one guidance they receive from a private instructor can make a huge impact on their progress. Plus, they’ll learn lifelong skills like goal-setting and patience.
San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo is internationally known for its focus on recreational education. The Safari Park in Escondido also offers the Critter Connection program, which teaches kids about conservation and natural history through professional presentations of select species in a safe, controlled environment. Other programs include on-site education through field trips and summer camps, and extended learning takes place through internships and community outreach education. Students also can learn about the animal kingdom through photography courses and art programs.
Maritime Museum of San Diego
Children can learn about nautical history and science at the Maritime Museum along the San Diego harbor. Guided museum tours and instructional workshops teach about a rich maritime heritage and the technology of sailboats and steamboats. Students can relive history through a collection of ships that can be observed at the dock or out on the water during multiple-day excursions. Educational adventures show the dynamics of a life at sea, celestial navigation, and the challenges faced by previous generations as they started new chapters in foreign lands.
San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum
The SDCDM is dedicated to inspiring children to explore, experiment, and imagine. Learning about science and world cultures is encouraged through play sessions with archaeological dig boxes, costumes, and musical instruments. Other programs teach kids about urban gardening, farming, and healthy eating habits. The SDCDM also offers group free-play sessions and field trip opportunities for youth groups, home-school groups, and day camps.
For kids and adults, there are many things to do in San Diego – it’s a place rich with fun activities for them that are guaranteed to be a good time. Have fun!
Photo by coralmoore
Suzy S.