SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular plus Kids Free in October

Whoever said Halloween is only a night of fright hasn’t celebrated this boootiful holiday at SeaWorld San Diego®! SeaWorld announces its Halloween Spooktacular®, San Diego’s premiere not-too- spooky family-fun extravaganza (geared for kids 12 years and under). This must-see fangtastic experience kicks off Sept. 24–25 and runs every weekend in October.

And how’s this for the ultimate treat without a trick: SeaWorld is offering one child, aged 3 to 9, free admission with one full-paid adult admission through October, making this fun-filled day at the park an even greater value! Thanks to SeaWorld for inviting my family out to check out the festivities and take part in the fun this year! 

New this year for Spooktacular will be a family-friendly celebration of the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos. Large, beautifully dressed Catrina statues will welcome guests as they discover ofrendas (offerings) of mementos and flowers honoring loved ones who have left us.

Children 12 and under are encouraged to dress up in their finest Halloween costumes for a howling good time at this year’s festivities that includes free candy at 12 underwater-themed trick-or- treating stations. Guests can also creep over to the Clyde & Seamore’s Big Halloween Bash performance at the park’s Sea Lion and Otter Stadium, where those prank-loving sea lions, Clyde® and Seamore® , and the always-mischievous O.P. Otter® get their Halloween on. 

Plus, Mission Bay Theater will be the ghostly home for Sesame Street’s Who Said Boo?, starring Elmo and his friends as they sing, dance and romp their way through Count’s Castle. Monsters of all sizes can do the mash at the Spooktacular dance party! DJ Cotton Candy will spin sweet beats that will set the bewitching vibe for the ghoulishly fun costume party! On the dance floor, guests can mingle with candy-inspired characters such as Colonel Candy Corn, Lolly Pop N’ Lockit, and Goody Gumdrop, the King of Candy, plus new this year, Tabitha Taffy and Timothy Toffee.

Youngsters can also let their creative Halloween juices run wild while decorating cookies, painting pumpkins, and, at the kinetic sand bar, building sandy masterpieces.

In addition to taking advantage of SeaWorld’s free single-day child ticket with one full-paid adult admission, dads and mummies can unwrap the same offer at Dine With Shamu ® where each child dines free with the purchase of a full-paid adult, all at poolside tables near SeaWorld’s family of killer whales. Plus, a child age 10 to 12 can participate for free in SeaWorld’s Dolphin Interaction Program or Beluga Interaction Program with one full-priced adult participant per interaction (children must be at least 4 feet tall to participate).

What are your kids dressing up as for Halloween?

Visit www.SeaWorldSanDiego.com or call (800) 257-4268 for hours and information.

What To Ride At Legoland California: A Height Based List

I am a Legoland California ambassador. I receive a 4 pack of tickets yearly as an ambassador however all opinions are my own.

What To Ride At Legoland California - A Height Based List

My kids absolutely LOVE spending time at Legoland California. It’s such a fun place for kids and there’s something for everyone there. But there are some attractions with limitations and if you don’t plan ahead before going, your kids might be disappointed to find out they can’t go on a ride they were looking forward to. 

We’ve been going to Legoland since my son was 4 so we’ve been able to scope out all of the rides and figure out what rides were best for the heights of our children at the time of our visit. So we’ve put together a list of what to ride at Legoland California based on height. Hopefully it’ll save you from a melt down mid-line when your child realizes they can’t go on something. But if that does happen, a fresh churro con chocolat might make things better. 

Quick Tip: Take a photo of your kids at this height check at the front of the park (by the maps) as a quick way to remember how tall they are throughout the day AND as a great memento of your time at Legoland California. We now always take a photo here to have progression shots of our kids throughout the year. 

What To Ride At Legoland - 48 inches and over

What to Ride With Toddlers/Preschoolers

No Height Restrictions

  • Dig Those Dinos
  • Fairytail Brook
  • Playtown Theater
  • Heartlake Fountain
  • Friends Forever Stage 
  • Heartlake Stables
  • Village Theater
  • Legoland Express
  • Duplo Playtown
  • Fun Town Stage
  • Lego Club House
  • Factory Tour
  • Soak n Sail
  • Hideaways
  • Pharoah’s Revenge
  • Lego Showplace 4D Theater
  • Duplo Play
  • Coast Cruises
  • Miniland
  • Model Shop
  • Block of Fame
  • Jay’s Lightning Drill
  • Zane’s Temple Build
  • Kai’s Spinners
  • Cole’s Rock Climb

34 inches

  • Safari Trek
  • Sky Patrol
  • Fun Town Police and Fire Academy 
  • Flight Squadron
  • Skipper School
  • Captain Cranky’s Challenge
  • Lost Kingdom Adventure

36 inches

  • Coastersaurus
  • Crug’s Run
  • Cragger’s Splash
  • Cragor Reef

Legoland Heartlake City - mia's riding camp

What to Ride With Big Kids

40 inches

  • Kid Power Towes
  • The Dragon
  • Knights Tournament
  • Aquazone Wave Racers
  • Crooler’s Twist

42 inches

  • Mia’s Riding Camp
  • Lego Technic Coaster
  • Bionicle Blaster
  • Orange Rush
  • Splash Out
  • Twin Chasers
  • Build a Raft River
  • Lion Temple Wave Pool

48 inches

  • Lego Ninjago The Ride

Age Restrictions

  • Junior Driving School (3-5 years)
  • Driving School (6-13 years)
  • Cargo Ace
  • Lego Mindstorms

Things to do at Legoland California - ride the sky cruiser

Before you go, print out this height restriction guide so you have all of this info handy! And be prepared to have a LOT of fun! 

When is your next trip to Legoland California planned? 

5 Reasons to Check Out The LEGO® Batman™ Movie Days at Legoland California

The bat-signal is out – will LEGO® Batman™ save the weekend? On Friday, tundreds of children and LEGO® Batman fans raised placards creating a human bat-signal at LEGOLAND® California Resort officially kicking off The LEGO® Batman™ Movie Days on February 18-19 and 25-26. The signal was a success as LEGO Batman made an appearance surprising guests in attendance.

Our family was invited to check out the festivities and boy did we have fun! With guest appearances from their favorite movie characters, to fun activities and more, checking out the LEGO Batman Movie Days at Legoland California was the highlight of our weekend. 

5 Reasons to Check Out LEGO® BATMAN™ Movie Days at Legoland California

During The LEGO Batman Movie Days, guests will get a chance to: 

  1. Meet LEGO Batman
  2. Search for villains during a scavenger hunt in Miniland U.S.A.
  3. Build their own batmobile to race against other guests
  4. Test their inner model builder skills by helping create a life-size LEGO Batman and LEGO Robin 
  5. Help build a special mystery mosaic mural inspired by the film

The LEGO Batman Movie Days activities are included in the price of admission to LEGOLAND California Resort on the weekends of February 18-19 & 25-26.

Legoland Batman stunt at Legoland California on Friday, February 17, 2017.(Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Legoland

Who’s your favorite LEGO Batman Movie character?

Free Preschool Pass SeaWorld San Diego

Sea World Preschool pass

Free Preschool Pass SeaWorld San Diego

Yes, that’s right! Sign up for a free preschool pass for SeaWorld San Diego and your preschooler can enjoy Sea World through the end of the year.

SeaWorld San Diego is delighted to offer a 2017 SeaWorld Preschool Fun Card to the first 10,000 registered preschoolers, a $10 Fun Card will be available after that. This FREE Fun Card grants kids ages 5 and younger complimentary admission to SeaWorld San Diego through Dec. 30, 2017*.

Here’s what you do:

  1. Sign your child(ren) up for their free pass by clicking on the link below. Make sure to go through the whole checkout process. Registration ends March 17th, 2017.
  2. Redeem your FREE preschool pass by March 31st, 2017: Simply go to any Sea World ticket window with your printed e-ticket, a valid photo ID, passport, or certified copy of their birth certificate. This is required for verification of age and preschool pass redemption – no exceptions.

To sign up your preschooler for their free Sea World San Diego Preschool Pass head here and fill out the form.

*San Diego and Orange County CA residents only. Valid only at SeaWorld San Diego only for children 5 years old and younger at time of redemption. Unlimited admission through 12/30/2017. Does not include free parking, separately ticketed events or other discounts. Bring Preschool Fun Card Voucher and valid form of ID (a copy of a certified birth certificate or travel passport) to Tickets and Reservations at SeaWorld San Diego. School IDs or children’s security IDs will not be accepted. The SeaWorld Preschool Fun Card offer is not available at the park; advance online registration required.

Offer valid for limited time and subject to change and/or cancellation without notice. Blockout dates apply.

Extraordinary Ideas from Ordinary People: A History of Citizen Science at theNAT

Extraordinary Ideas from Ordinary People exhibit Dragons Lair Couch

Last Saturday marked the grand opening of Extraordinary Ideas from Ordinary People: A History of Citizen Science, a brand-new, permanent exhibition at theNAT. The kids and I were invited to check it out a bit early though so we headed over to the museum last Friday to take a peek. As soon as we walked in one kid went one while while the other headed the other way. And boy were they excited to find that not only were there cool items on display, there was also a little book nook upstairs just for them in the Dragon’s Den. 

Located in the new Eleanor and Jerome Navarra Special Collections Gallery, Extraordinary Ideas was developed from the ground up by the Museum’s exhibits staff. The exhibition features approximately 70 rare books, works of art, and photographs from the Research Library’s 56,000-volume collection that demonstrate how everyone can participate in science. Exhibits will also include plant and animal specimens, touchscreen interactives, and touchable models (perfect for little hands).

Extraordinary Ideas from Ordinary People touch and see for kids

A Little History (of course)

TheNAT was founded in 1874 as the San Diego Society of Natural History by a small group of citizen scientists who had a passion for the natural world. They dedicated countless hours to documenting their observations of the flora and fauna in San Diego County. Extraordinary Ideas helps tell their stories by featuring exhibits that showcase works that resulted from their devotion to the natural world.

For example, Laurence Klauber, who is featured in the exhibition, is a locally known amateur naturalist who was the chairman and CEO of SDG&E, and in his off time focused on studying reptiles. In the field of herpetology, he left his mark as the world’s leading authority on rattlesnakes. Klauber donated 36,000 reptile and amphibian specimens to theNAT, including the most comprehensive collection of rattlesnakes in the world.

More To See

In addition to the main exhibition, there is an upper mezzanine featuring two smaller galleries. The first gallery showcases exquisite original watercolors of California wildflowers by renowned artist A.R. Valentien. The A.R. Valentien gallery will display approximately 10 paintings at one time from the 1,094 pieces the Museum has in its collection. The second gallery is named the Dragon’s Den and houses a fantasy book nook designed specifically for children with comfortable seating and antiquarian books depicting dragons and other mythical creatures.

“Very few people have seen the objects that are featured in Extraordinary Ideas and its accompanying galleries,” said Margaret “Margi” Dykens, curator of Extraordinary Ideas and longtime director of the Research Library at the San Diego Natural History Museum. “The objects and rare books on display, some dating back to the 1500s, convey the impact citizen science has had not only on our organization, but the world at large. It’s a great honor to be able to share these items with the public for the first time.”

A Stunning View

The exhibition is on Level 3 of the Museum, and the entryway is clearly marked by a dramatic pediment featuring a griffin, a mythical beast whose image is found in many early natural history encyclopedias. As visitors approach, they will notice larger-than-life natural history books, replicas of 10 books in the Museum’s collection. Once visitors enter the space, they are greeted by wallpaper murals of marbled end papers, a design detail included in many of the Museum’s rare books. To preserve the condition of the featured objects, each gallery is climate- and light-controlled.

Other exhibition highlights include:

  • An extremely rare copy of the gigantic Double Elephant Folio of John James Audubon’s Birds of America. The folio, one of only a few intact copies in existence, depicts life-size renditions of a wide variety of North America’s birds.
  • Gorgeous, oversized murals featuring illustrations from rare books, including a Reddish Egret from the aforementioned Birds of America as well as a stunning mural fromHistoria Naturalis Ranarum, a book from 1758 about the natural history of frogs.
  • Exhibits on naturalists—both past and present—featuring rare books alongside specimens from the Museum’s research collections, touchable objects, and multimedia experiences that allow deeper access to the works on display.
  • The top of the Foucault pendulum, which was installed in the 1950s and has been restored and adorned with a new, modern casing.
  • Exposed skylights and other stunning architectural elements from the original 1930s building.

Finding Inspiration 

“Early citizen scientists helped develop our understanding of the natural world, and today they broaden and amplify the work of professional scientists,” said Judy Gradwohl, president and CEO at the San Diego Natural History Museum. “Extraordinary Ideas allows us to show how amateur naturalists began our beloved institution and how they continue to provide vital support for our research projects. Our hope is that visitors will walk away knowing that their observations help make a difference in the world of science and, more specifically, the natural history of our region.”

Extraordinary Ideas will show visitors how they can contribute to the Museum’s research efforts by submitting information on various digital platforms, one such platform being theAmphibian and Reptile Atlas of Peninsular California, a binational effort to understand the biodiversity of amphibians and reptiles from southern California and Baja California.

The Research Library’s resources that are not on view in the exhibition continue to remain available for research purposes. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit theNAT’s website or call 877.946.7797.

Extraordinary Ideas from Ordinary People exhibit A.R. Valentin Mural

When was your last visit to theNAT? 

The Museum is located at 1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 in Balboa Park. For more information, call 877.946.7797 or visit sdnat.org. Follow theNAT on Twitter and Instagram and join the discussion on Facebook.

Mother’s Day Brunch at The Westgate Hotel

Mother's Day Brunch at The Westgate Hotel

I have a confession to make. I love brunch. Like absolutely love it. From the amazing food to the day drinking to the ambiance, brunch was made for me. And I may or may not have shared that love with my five year old daughter. Sans the day drinking, of course! So when I was invited to come out to The Westgate Hotel and indulge a little in an amazing meal I couldn’t say no! And what better time than right before Mother’s Day?

I don’t know about you, but the only thing I ask for on Mother’s Day is for my family to take me out to brunch and to have a clean house that day. Simple things. But this brunch? Wow. I invited my mother-in-law and my daughter (of course) and it knocked our socks off. I would truly feel honored if my family took me here to treat me on Mother’s Day.

Mother's Day Brunch at the Westgate Hotel - cold cuts

As soon as you walk into the hotel you’re greeted by smiling faces helping you find exactly where you need to go. And once the elevator doors open into the beautiful Fontainebleau and Versailles Salons and you walk into the gorgeous setting where they host brunch, you’re immediately relaxed and ready for a wonderful meal.

We were seated at our table and immediately greeted by our amazing server, Juan. He took care of us the whole morning and made sure that my mimosa glass was full and my mother-in-law and daughter had everything they needed. I knew we were in for a great time when he told my daughter that she was definitely old enough for a glass to drink her orange juice out of. Her little chest puffed up and she drank her OJ like a pro.

Mother's Day Brunch at the Westgate Hotel - crepe station

The Food

Now I’ve been to many brunches in my 32 years however none have stacked up to the selection that The Westgate Hotel has. The choices you’ll have to make when you first walk through can be quite hard.

We had to take a lap around to view the selection first and then my daughter stopped at the crepe and waffle station. We watched with amazement as they made a delicious crepe for me and then flambeed some berries to nestle inside the crepe. Then they made my daughter a delicious belgian waffle with warm syrup.

Mother's Day Brunch at the Westgate Hotel - house made crepes

We then enjoyed some delicious seafood and meats from their vast array of choices. One of my favorites? The shrimp empanandas and crab cakes. Wow! The oysters rockafeller were also outstanding. And while we didn’t make it over to the sushi bar this time, I cannot wait to try it out when we visit next!

Mother's Day Brunch at the Westgate Hotel - shellfishMother's Day Brunch at the Westgate Hotel - seafoodMother's Day Brunch at the Westgate Hotel - sushi bar

As soon as my daughter walked to the desserts, her eyes got real big and she turned to me as if asking if she could really try whatever she chose. That childish joy that she experienced was exactly what I felt as an adult walking up to the dessert selection. From an amazing lavender panna cotta, to a chocolate hazelnut pyramid cake to many more scrumptious selections, our sweet tooth was fully satisfied.

Mother's Day Brunch at the Westgate Hotel - desserts

The Details

The Westgate will be offering a Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch on Sunday, May 8! Served in the hotel’s beautiful Fontainebleau and Versailles Salons, brunch will feature made to-order-omelets, fresh seafood, gourmet plates, carving and crepe stations, baked breads, pastries and a variety of gourmet desserts.

In addition to the delightful unlimited feast, the Imperial Bar will serve freshly squeezed juices and endless champagne, mimosas, Bloody Marys and margaritas. The price is $79 for adults and $39.50 for children under 12 (plus tax and gratuity).

Tickets for Mother & Daughter Teas can be purchased here. Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch reservations can be made by calling 619-557-3655.

Mother's Day Brunch at the Westgate Hotel - chocolate fountain

Looking for a place to stay in San Diego?

The Westgate Hotel is an iconic property in the heart of downtown San Diego designed to rival the mythical palaces of Europe. From its 223 elegantly appointed guest rooms to the contemporary cuisine of the award-winning Westgate Room, guests truly experience a memorable difference while enjoying European décor, attentive service, exquisite cuisine and artistic cocktails.

To reserve an overnight stay at TheWestgate Hotel, visit www.westgatehotel.com or call 800-522-1564.

Mother's Day Brunch at the Westgate Hotel - Molly and Ann

What are your plans for Mother’s Day?

Thank you to the Westgate Hotel for hosting us.

San Diego Winter Break Activities

The whole family is home for two weeks and we’re looking for things to do around town. Not only by ourselves but with our extended family in town for the holidays. And that means hitting up a few of our favorite places to see their holiday lights and entertainment! Below are a few places we love to visit during our winter break that help us celebrate the holiday season up until the day the kids go back to school.

Places To Go In San Diego During Winter Break

Jungle-Bells-San Diego Zoo

San Diego Zoo Jungle Bells

Come out and celebrate with the animals now through Jan. 3!  Twinkling lights, festive foods, and merry performances transform the Zoo into a wild, glowing wonderland. Ride the Twinkle Lights Trolley to tour an array of animal light sculptures, enjoy jingly, jazzy carols, acrobatic trampoline elves, and more. Jungle Bells holds holiday cheer for all!

Jungle Bells activities are included with your admission or membership unless otherwise noted.*

SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration - Pets Rule Christmas show

 

Sea World Christmas Celebration –

Where can you find Shamu®, Santa, and more than one million glimmering lights this holiday season? SeaWorld, of course! It’s all part of SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration®, continuing through Jan. 3, 2016. Festivities are included with park admission. 

Enjoy festive holiday shows and attractions, share a holiday wish with Santa when you visit Santa’s Cottage, plus, bask in over a million glimmering lights and festive decorations filling the park! They’re sure to put everyone into the holiday spirit.

The best way to enjoy SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration is with a Fun Card. Guests who purchase a 2016 SeaWorld Fun Card can enjoy all of SeaWorld’s Christmas festivities in 2015, plus come back again and again in 2016.

San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum

San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum (SDCDM), the only children’s museum in San Diego County focusing on hands-on science, art, and world cultures, announces extended hours from December 20 through January 3.

The Museum will be open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm daily, providing an extra two hours for families to be able to enjoy the Museum over the holidays. Regular Museum hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. The Museum will also be closed on December 24, 25 and January 1 in observance of the Christmas and New Year holidays.

In addition to providing extra hours for the community to visit the Museum, San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum is also offering Free Admission for all Active-Duty Military, Veterans, and their Families this holiday season from November 21, 2015 – January 31, 2016 thanks to the sponsorship support from The Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians.

SDCDM is also running a “You Buy One, We Give One” promotion where SDCDM will be donating a Membership to a family in need through one of their donation programs for every Membership that is purchased through January 10.

Legoland CA Holiday Snow Days - sledding

Legoland Holiday Snow Days

Come to LEGOLAND® California Resort to experience Holiday Snow Days with more snow play than ever, prior to the Park opening to the public! The winter fun runs until January 3rd, 2016 and includes festive treats, holiday entertainment, cheerful decorations, family fun activities and nightly fireworks from December 26th through December 31st, 2015.

The Park’s Fun Town transforms into a winter wonderland with two snow play areas for families to throw snowballs at LEGO themed targets, do a little sledding, build snowmen using LEGO accessories, and join in the Holiday Village Build at the LEGO Clubhouse. Plus guests can enjoy a holiday show from the LEGO Friends, Jingle Jammers, and the Holiday Character Dance Party featuring the LEGOLAND elves, Jingle Joe, and Tinsel Toe. 

But that’s not it! There’s more fun to be had! Read all about it here in our post

How are you enjoying time with the kids during winter break?

Fire and Fettucini San Diego: The Perfect Pairing

Stone & Glass Storefront

A few weeks ago I took a few hours to spend with my oldest. He hasn’t gotten much one on one with me since the baby was born and we were due for a mommy and son date. We were invited to Stone & Glass to preview their new Fire and Fettucini classes. Perfect for just about any coupling you could think of – mother son, father daughter, significant others, girlfriends, “bros” … hahaha – Stone & Glass has paired with Charlie’s Classic Cooking to bring together a glass making class and a cooking class.

One person learns how to make something with glass while the other learns how to cook a meal. So while I was learning how to make a beautiful glass heart, my son was learning how to make pasta by hand. Talk about a hands on experience! And afterwards we all were able to eat together and enjoy the meal he made.

Making Pasta at Charlie's Cooking Class

During the glass blowing session the Stone & Glass team will explain safety tools and basic skills, you will learn how to shape and control the glass and apply color to create your masterpiece.  Every student will design and create handmade artwork in glass and gain a strong understanding of how glass art is made. My other two classmates made sea stars with different colors and designs. 

Stone & Glass making a heart

Stone & Glass glassmaking

Stone & Glass making starfish

In the cooking session Chef Charles of Charlie’s Classic Cooking will lead you through making your pasta and sauce from scratch, perhaps adding a few surprises, preparing a side dish and dessert. And once you’ve had handmade pasta, you won’t want to go back to the boxed stuff! Oh my word is it good. 

Can you tell he had fun?

The best part? It’s only $125.00 per pair! This class is offered the last Saturday of each month and available for private parties.

And while my son was too young for the glassmaking portion, he was the perfect age for cooking. Children 9 years and older can partake in the glassmaking and children 5 years and older can participate in the cooking. You can find more info on the Stone & Glass website.

Charlie's Classic Cooking making pasta doughCharlie's Classic Cooking eating pasta

Looking for a great opportunity for the kids?

Speaking of kids,  Stone & Glass is offering a One Day Glass Camp for children ages 9 to 13 on Thursdays in August from 9am to 3pm. In the morning session the kids will be working with cold class; creating glass tiles following patterns and samples provided or unique masterpieces using various pre-cut glass materials. 

Lunch is another creative opportunity – a nutritious lunch prepared with Chef Charlie of Charlie’s Classic Cooking. They ramp up the excitement in the afternoon with a hot glass demonstration, after which each student will work with our glass blowing team to create solid glass objects.

The glass camp is $120.00 per child per day. All tools and materials are provided. Pieces are ready for pick up in a week. These are small group sessions with a minimum 4 participants and maximum of 6. For more info, visit the Stone & Glass website.

Who will you be taking on a Fire & Fettucini adventure? 

Stone & Glass on FacebookStone & Glass on YouTube | Stone & Glass on Instagram

San Diego Museums For Kids

San Diego Museums For Kids

With summer break in full swing here in San Diego, we wanted to share some ideas for combining fun and education all summer long!

Finding things to do with your children over the summer can be a difficult task, especially when it is so easy to go the beach or park. But why not take a family outing that can be exciting as well as educating for everyone involved. Experience and learn with your children at these unique museums.

Oh, and if you find yourself in Balboa Park a lot, I’d check out their Balboa Park Explorer pass. They have a family pass (2 adults, 4 kids) for only $199.

San Diego Museums For Kids

For the Nature Loving Kids:

theNAT in Balboa Park lets kids get a hands on look at various animals and people through their amazing exhibits. Currently they’re featuring Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed where kids can try their hand at building bridges like the Maya did, practice their balance, and create mosaic artwork. When they’re done exploring the Maya, they can visit the Coast to Cactus exhibit. Using specimens from the Museum’s scientific collections alongside immersive environments, hands-on interactives, live animals, and innovative media, Coast to Cactus will help visitors discover what it means to be a biodiversity hotspot

General Admission: $19 for adults, $14 for children ages 7-17, and $11 for children ages 3-6
Hours: 10:00AM-5:00PM, 7 days per week

www.sdnhm.org

For the Music Loving Kids:

The Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad allows kids to explore and play as adults relive the musical memories they grew up with. The exhibits take visitors through the historic milestones of music as they look at the vintage instruments, listen to the music from different era, and get a glimpse of how music has evolved through time. The interactive area will sure get kids excited as they play the many instruments provided. 

General Admission: $8 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-18
Hours: 10:00AM-5:00PM
Tuesday-Sunday; Closed Mondays

www.museumofmakingmusic.org

For the G.I. Joe loving Kids:

For kids who love aircrafts, ships, tanks and G.I. Joe’s, a visit to the USS Midway Museum on downtown’s Embarcadero is a must. When visitors board the longest serving navy aircraft carrier in the 20th century, they will be taken back through 50 years of history. See how the navy men aboard these ships lived, climb into a cockpit, watch music videos and short films and take a ride in a flight simulator. The Midway will intrigue kids and adults of all ages.

General Admission: $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 6-12

Hours: 10:00AM-5:00PM, 7 days per week

www.midway.org


For the Sports Loving Kids:

 Active kids can journey through sports history at the San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum in Balboa Park. Take in exciting exhibits like the Padres, Chargers and surf history exhibits or get your photo taken in the athlete Hall of Fame. See all the athletic achievements in San Diego as you and your family explore the three levels of this museum.

General Admission: $8 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-17

Hours: 10:00AM-4:30PM, 7 days per week

www.sdhoc.com

For the Mad-Science Loving Kids: 

The Children’s Discovery Museum in Escondido combines experimentation, exploration and of course, imagination. From an outdoor Discovery Garden that captivates children with a wide variety of nature-based science activities, to a full size sailboat playground where kids can let their imaginations travel to new lands, parents and kids of all ages will love interacting at this museum.

General Admission: $6.00 for adults and children

Hours: 9:30AM-4:30PM7 days per week
www.sdcdm.org

Winter Play Dates in San Diego with Gymboree

review affiliate link disclaimer

Winter Play Dates in San Diego with Gymboree 

One thing I’ve come to learn early on as a parent is the importance of play dates. And play dates in San Diego can be quite fun and exciting year round. From our great weather, to our amazing kid-friendly places all around town, San Diego is the place to be when you’re a kid.

Our favorite spot to be lately has been the San Diego Zoo. Not only is it a great place to explore, it’s also a fun and educational way to teach our kids about the many species of animals on this planet of ours.

Plus the fact that the zoo is right next to Balboa Park means we can enjoy a fun morning at the zoo then make our way to the museums (after snagging a bite to eat) in the afternoon! [Read more…]



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