San Diego’s parks and playgrounds were made with kids in mind and good for us, there are plenty to explore. From digging in the sand to climbing walls, here are the best playgrounds and parks in San Diego county
We’ve searched high and low and came up with the 11 of the coolest playgrounds in San Diego. From an old classic, a few that have undergone million-dollar renovations and others that are entirely brand new, each of these parks has something unique that you won’t find anywhere else. Tell your kids about the turf hill they can slide down on cardboard, the stream they can play in, the Belmont Park-inspired pink tarp slide, the story-book walking trail or the 3-story slide. Plan ahead because a couple of these even have splash pads, a wheels track your kids can bike, scoot or skate around until their legs are tired.
Dubbed locally as the “Pink Park”, it’s named after late community activist Maruta Gardner and designed to model Belmont Park right across the street. You can’t miss the uncanny resemblance of the pink tarp slide in the shape of a roller-coaster, the silly swings circle around like a carousel, and the climbing ropes of the ropes course. The paved pathway lines the beach at Bonita Cove so bring the sand toys and make it a beach day. Walk across the street to Belmont Park for a few rides, eats and treats that will make for one special day!
1100 W Mission Bay Dr.
Mission Bay Online:sandiego.gov
2. Veteran’s Park
The city’s first inclusive net climber at the newly rebuilt Veteran’s Park in Chula Vista allows kids in wheelchairs to access the play structure. GameTime built this playground with surfacing at each side for wheelchair access and a transfer platform for kids to climb up and into the net and slide down the other side. This is part of the recreation center where you’ll also find many community classes, sports, skate area, dog run and picnic tables.
Activity Hill at Olympus Park has all kinds of ways to slide down it. BYO Cardboard for the turf hill or concrete slide system or slide down the whimsical covered tube slide that hugs the hillside. When kids tire of this hill, they’ll find a zip line, tire swing, merry-go-round, a cool climbing cube, botanical garden, skate park and walking trails. There’s so much to do here you might as well pack a lunch and spend the day!
Parking: Residential street parking only. This one is popular on the weekends and some parents have been ticketed when this park initially opened for parking violations. Make sure you’re parked legally nearby and know that you may have to park a few blocks over.
Build dams and float leaf-boats down the manmade creek alongside this open playground. Climb up the giant boulder, play on the play structures, run over bridges and meander the walking paths. This ocean-aired park is just a few blocks from Moonlight Beach and walkable to coffee, ice cream and pizza shops one street down.
When the playground inspector reports “this is one of the most unique playgrounds I’ve seen in over 20 years!”, you know it’s good! With a recent extreme makeover designed for ‘inclusive play’, this playground boasts tons of fun for everyone. Rock climb up to the slide, swing across the orange circle bars, balance over the obstacle wall slides, swing on the platform swing and teeter-totter under the futuristic shade canopy.
Bring your energy and maybe some wheels to spend the day at Pacific Highlands Ranch Community Park. This large newer park has so much to do, but littles can start at the tot lot for baby swings, group swing and monkey bars, and older kiddos will love the unique and challenging climbing walls and domes and a 4-person seesaw. There’s a Discovery Area with a sand lot, musical elements and a (fake) climbing rock. Roll your way over to the skate plaza or the popular bike pump track. Kids of all ages and interests will surely love playing here, whether it’s climbing around the playground, biking, skating or just running free.
5977 Village Center Loop Rd.
San Diego Online:sandiego.gov
7. Waterfront Park
One of the coolest, most unique playgrounds is downtown at the Waterfront Park with all kinds of futuristic yet whimsical play structures. Rock climb over a ribbon of twisted metal, crawl inside an orb of cargo nets or take a spin on the merry-go-round that’s unlike any you’ve ever seen. Most of these seem best suited for older kids, but walk over to the fountain jets where littles and all ages alike will love splashing and running through the wading pools. One of the best things about coming here, besides the city skyline views, is there’s no need to pack up any food because you can grab breakfast or lunch from the reasonably priced on-site snack shop.
Parking: The best place to park is in the paid parking garage that’s directly underneath this park ($10/day). Metered parking is available nearby or take the trolley to the County Center/Little Italy Station two blocks east.
Make it a GRAPE day at this fun playground in Escondido. Slide through this bunch of grapes, climb through the grapevines, or play on the harvest-themed play structures. Afterward, walk past the registered historic homesteads situated at this park and over to the decommissioned locomotive engine docked next to the old train station. Walk across the street to the fun Children’s Discovery Museum to make it a full day of fun and play.
Civita Park in Mission Valley is an urban oasis with all kinds of play features. Two playgrounds have separate age features, a nature themed play area is a nod to the quarry this area was dug out from, miles of trails, a bird house and pollinator parks, chess and ping pong tables (BYO equipment), a grassy amphitheater for concerts and even a splash pad. Plan your visit for a Tuesday evening when they have weekly food trucks and live music.
Parking: The main parking lot is at Civita Blvd. + Russell Pkwy, but you can also park all along Civita Blvd. (bring a stroller because little legs might tire from this long-ish walk).
Curious explorers will love the nature discovery area at Mast Park; which boasts repurposed Mast Park trees, leaves, bark, sticks and rocks to explore. Let little ones use their imagination to build and create with these elements or head to the renovated forest-themed playgrounds with a three-story slide, swings (including 1 ADA) and a Global Motion Spinner. Walk the 1-mile loop trail with the enclosed dog park in the center, but start at the end with the story book trail and read a page from this story as you walk along. This trail will line the disc-golf course and end with the concession stand open on weekends.
Lake views and sunset hues will delight your senses, but kids will love this forest-themed park with new playground equipment. Bring some wheels to scoot, ride or just walk around the ¾ mile flat paved lake trail. Take the side trail down to the dock and watch the ducks (no feeding signs are posted). Head back to the playground’s splash pad to catch one of the posted timed water fountains.
A memorable summer is just a few clicks away when you sign up for one of our favorite Los Angeles summer camps
Los Angeles is a great place to explore a variety of exciting summer camp experiences for kids. And, depending on what your kid is interested in learning more about, there’s bound to be a camp dedicated to nurturing their curiosity—whether it’s about the environment, animals, music, sports, theatre, fashion or robots. Of course, there are also camps that specialize in the simple magic of camp—no phones, no electronics—just good old fashion fun that help remind them (and us) that being a kid is sometimes just about having a good time, getting dirty, making crafts and of course, making new friends. Below you’ll find summer camps for toddlers and 4-year-olds all the way up to 18-year-olds that deliver on these promises. Lucky for us, Los Angeles summer camps are, by far, some of the best in the country. Get ready to make the summer of 2023 the best summer yet.
PS: The prices below are typically based on a full week of camp. Many of the summer camps offer half day camp options as well as discounts for booking multiple weeks.
Since 1954, Tumbleweed has been excelling at the outdoor adventure summer camp game. Tumbleweed offers kids a totally unplugged experience—no screens, no apps, no social media stress. It's tucked away on 100 private acres and gives kids a chance to explore and play in a safe environment. There are at least five activities per day, including swimming, archery, a rock climbing wall, horseback riding, DIY projects and more. Bonus? Transportation is included in summer camp programs.
Ages: PK-2nd grade Tumbleweed South; 3—8th grade Tumbleweed North; High Adventure Backpacking Club is a camping and adventuring program for campers in 9-12 grade Dates: June 19-August 18 Cost: $895/week Location: Los Angeles Online: tumbleweedcamp.com
2023 Update: Tumbleweed Day Camp registration for all summer programs are now open.
2. Fitness by the Sea
Every element of Fitness by the Sea was designed to create a fun and nurturing environment for every child from ages 4 to 14. With over 200 activities, campers can choose what to do, from sports and play-based games to arts and crafts. And of course, surfing, swimming and boogie boarding if they so choose! FSB offers flexible scheduling and additional savings can be had the more weeks you enroll.
Ages: 4-14 Dates: June 12-August 25 Cost: $530/week Where: Santa Monica & Pacific Palisades; Jonathan Club location is for members and sponsored guests Online:fitnessbythesea.com
What's New for 2023: Fitness by the Sea camp registration is now open.
3. Camp Wildfolk
We are wild for this modern twist on traditional day camp that provides the freedom and spirit of a sleep away camp in an affordable, convenient day camp program. Wildfolk effortlessly blends the spirit of traditional camp with a progressive, child-centered and collaborative team projects, where kids team-build, explore, create, and innovate—picture cardboard carnivals or more spirited science fairs.
Ages: Preschool-10th grade Dates: June 20-August 18 Cost: $495/week Location: West Hollywood & Valley Village Online:campwildfolk.com
2023 Update: Camp Wildfok registration is now open.
4. Got Game
This popular and super convenient camp that takes place on various school campuses across Los Angeles, lets kids fully customize their day, based on what interests them the most. The camp offers traditional sports, both art and science projects, water play, special on-site surprises and so much more!
Ages: 4-12 Dates: June 12-August 11 Cost: $395/week Location: Mid-City, West LA, West SF Valley Online:gotgamecamp.com
2023 Update: Field trips are back! Campers ages 8 & up may sign up for field trips each Friday. Got Game summer camp registration is now open.
Beloved Camp Galileo is now so popular it is has over 50 locations across the US. The imaginative curriculum and nurturing environment instill confidence alongside the learning—it’s so much fun, we hear kids beg for an extra week! Each week at Camp Galileo, little ones will have the chance to explore one of four themes that combine art, science, and outdoor activities into a narrative that keeps them engaged. Camp runs from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. daily while pre-k and kindergarten campers have a half-day option at a reduced rate. Extended care is available.
Ages: K-10th grade Dates: June 19-August 4 (depending on location) Cost: $475/week Locations: Various locations througout Los Angeles & Orange County Online:galileo-camps.com
2023 Update: Camp Galileo registration is now open.
6. Star Eco Camp
Take a walk on the wild side and get up close and personal with the world’s most unusual creatures. Kids join the fight to save the planet at this internationally recognized environmental science museum and exotic wildlife rescue center. Party with parrots, live it up with alligators, and get down and dirty with the dragons (that’s right, dragons!), all while discovering new and exciting ways to protect our planet’s delicate ecosystem. You can choose from weeks that focus on mammals, reptiles, winged creatures and more.
Good to Know: Because of the close contact with animals and their foods, this camp is not recommended for kids with severe animal or nut allergies.
Ages: TK-5th grade Dates: June 12-August 25 Cost: $625/week Location: West LA Online:starinc.org
2023 Update: Star Eco Camp registration is now open.
Darling, let loose your inner Coco! Kids start at the very beginning by creating a vision board, then learn fashion sketching, fabric picking, and then they create a real-life collection! At the end of the week, the kids are transformed into fledgling fashion designers and debut their line at a fashion show that friends and families can attend (front row seats, of course). Kids as young as 6 can get in the fashion game, and go back to school wearing their own creations.
Ages: 6-18 Dates: June 5-September 1 (some weeks are almost sold out) Cost: $850/week Location: Hollywood Online:theunincorporatedlife.com
2023 Update: Fashion Design Camp registration is now open.
8. Aloha Beach Camp
If your child loves the beach, Aloha Beach Camp provides the perfect setting for enjoying the sand, surf, and sun. The goal of the program is to help young children feel comfortable and safe in the ocean. Here, campers will take surf lessons and boogie board lessons, participate in group sand games and enjoy many other aquatic activities. Your little beach bunny will be sad when they have to say aloha to this camp when summer comes to a close.
Ages: 4-15 Dates: June 12-August 18 Cost: $172/day Location: Malibu, with free transportation to camp from drop-off locations all over Los Angeles Online:alohabeachcamp.com
2023 Update: Aloha Beach Camp registration is now open.
9. Arboretum Summer Nature Camp
Nature-minded parents love sending their kids to the Arboretum Summer Nature Camp so much so, this camp for explorers from ages 5-10 filled up within 30 minutes of opening registration. For future reference, campers get to dig in the dirt, plant seedlings, test their cooking skills and play plenty of games.
Not all is lost though! Little Sprouts—the camp exclusively for 4 year-olds—still has some spots available. This camp is intended to provide young children with a positive first camp experience, with a focus on discovering the magic of nature in a safe, fun, and nurturing setting.
Ages: 5-10 Dates: June 5-August 4 Cost: $400/week for member; $430/week for non-members Location: Arcadia Online:arboretum.org
2023 Update: They've double the spots available this year—48 as opposed to last year's 24. Arboretum Summer Nature Camp registration is now open for this bound-to-sell-out camp.
10. Kallpachay
Kallpachay means "to inspire" in the ancient Incan language and this summer camp inspires a sense of playfulness and ease while learning a new language. That’s right: This camp is full immersion and taught by all native Spanish speakers. But it’s not just for kids who speak Spanish, the play aspect ensures that kids of all levels of the language (even beginners) have a great time and can understand what’s happening. Kids open their day with a group circle, “ice-breaker” activities, and chants and move onto group activities. Language is learned through arts, crafting, gardening, and even daily cooking classes to introduce Latin flavors—so kids learn through practice that language emerges from culture.
Ages: 2-14 Dates: June 19-August 4 Cost: $492/week Location: Eagle Rock Online:kallpachay.com
2023 Update: Kallpachay summer camp registartion is now open. Kallpachay will also offer virtual Spanish immersion camp for summer 2023. Kids will have the chance to learn the language through guided participatory play, song, brain breaks, and more. They're also offering camp pods for LA families—contact the camp for details.
11. Performing Arts Workshops
This summer, Performing Arts Workshops are continuing their popular art summer camps in Los Angeles. Kids ages 5-to-14 will have the chance to work on their singing, dancing, and acting skills while socializing and having a blast. Workshops include theater games, improv, guitar, and magician skills like the ever-so-tricky sleight of hand.
Ages: 5-14 Dates: June 20-August 11 Cost: $485/week Location: Various locations throughout Los Angeles Online: performingartsworkshops.com
2023 Update: Performing Arts Workshop summer camp registration is now open.
12. Rolling Robots
If you’ve got an engineer, a tinker, a robot-building thinker, these camps are for them. They offer a variety of programs including Bots for Tots to Roblox Game Design & Code—so your kids really can spend the summer playing video games or playing with robots and you won’t object because they’ll be exercising their minds, not wasting them.
2023 Update: Rolling Robots summer camp registration is now open.
13. School of Rock
So you’ve got a little rock superstar? At this rock camp, kids learn music, performance techniques, and bond with their band. Throughout the week kids go from zero to a full set of songs and a performance. The week includes group rehearsal, music trivia, song casting, one-on-one attention from all-star instructors, gear education, and band-related activities all aimed at helping kids learn a set of songs to be totally ready to rock them by the end of the week. Your kiddos can pick from playing drums, singing, shredding guitar, playing bass, or keyboards. They’re all in the band. And you’ll be the biggest groupie.
Ages: 7-18 Dates: June 12-August 25 Cost: $525/week Location: Various locations throughout Los Angeles Online:schoolofrock.com/summercamps
2023 Update: School of Rock summer camp registration is now open.
The great outdoors beckon at Hahamonga Watershed Park, above Devil’s Gate Dam in the Arroyo Seco of Altadena. While Tom Sawyer had the Mississippi River, young campers here have horses to ride (and paint), mud balls to make, and circus tricks to learn, all in a safe and nurturing environment en plein air, with no video game in sight. The four Tom Sawyer summer camps on offer are divided by age groups, starting at 3 years old and going up to 8th grade.
2023 Update: Tom Sawyer summer camp registration is now open.
15. Santa Monica Playhouse Theatre Camp
Santa Monica Playhouse's summer camp focuses on the delights of creativity, self-expression, and imagination, instilling a true love of sharing, caring, and performance. Structured creative activities such as story-telling, crafts, songs, movement, make-up, and costumes culminate in a live performance. The camps stimulate cognitive, language, social, emotional, and physical skills in a fun, comfortable and supportive atmosphere.
Ages: 4-16 Dates: June 19-August 11 Cost: $495/week Location: Santa Monica Online:santamonicaplayhouse.com
2023 Update: Santa Monica Playhouse Theatre Camp summer camp registration is now open.
16. Annenberg PetSpace Kids Camp
If your kiddo’s Paw Patrol or My Little Pony craze was any indication, they’re fast growing up to be animal-obsessed. Whether you need to cover spring break (it’s around the corner!) or are ready to get your summer booked, Annenberg PetSpace Kids Camp has an ideal one-week experience at the ready. Little animal lovers between the ages of 8 and 11 will adore the line-up of daily themes, educational games and activities and, of course, animal encounters.
2023 Update: Information about Annenberg PetSpace Kids Camp summer 2023 has not been release yet. Information above is from summer 2022.
17. Perfect Day Beach & Surf Camp
The name of the game here is "convenient," which as busy parents, we adore. It’s convenient if you’ve got little ones of multiple ages, since they have Beach Camp for the 4-8 crowd, and Surf Camp for big kids (9-17) right at the same drop-off location. It’s convenient because of the flex scheduling, which lets you pick individual days or weeks, and lets you change those dates anytime (up until a week before the day of class). And mostly it’s convenient because you don’t spend any time convincing kids to go—they’re begging to hop out of the car and build sandcastles, body surf, wave jump, and boogie board. Even the 4-year-olds start to learn about the waves and how to catch them, and big kids spend most of their time in the water, but take breaks for volleyball, prisoner, soccer, capture the flag, dodgeball, and ocean safety.
Ages: 4-8 (Beach camp); 9-17 (Surf camp) Dates: June 13-August 26 Cost: $575/week Location: Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, Torrance, & Redondo Online:perfectdaysurfcamp.com
2023 Update: Information about Perfect Day Beach & Surf Camp summer 2023 has not been released yet. The above information is from summer 2022.
18. Tinkering Camps at reDiscover Center
If you’ve ever spent a Sunday at the reDiscover Center and thought, "I never need to leave," then Tinkering Camp is for you (or rather, your kids). Young builders acquire the skills they need to work confidently in wood, plastic, and metal to build robust structures as wild as their imaginations. There’s an adult present to help every four kids and the fully stocked workshop ensures that kids are safe and can construct anything their imaginations can dream up. Each session offers five days of tinkering, and this year, they're introducing Cardboard Camp too, where campers learn how to use Tinkering Tools and build projects big and small out of cardboard and extension materials like skewers, mylar, and Makedo. Each day includes skills-building activities, project prompts like costuming, vehicles, models, and mechanisms, and open build time to let the imagination fly.
An unbelievable summer is just a few clicks away when you sign up for one of our favorite Seattle summer camps
Sure it’s not even mid-winter break yet (hint: we’ve got camp suggestions for that too), but that doesn’t mean Seattle summer camps aren’t filling up faster than your toddler goes from calm to tantrum because their sippy cup color is wrong. In fact, some already have waitlists. But not to worry, you’ve still got summer camp options that’ll keep your kids engaged. Whether they love art, sports, science, or hanging out in nature, we’ve got a Seattle camp they’ll love. Just don’t wait too long.
This article is sponsored by Wilderness Awareness School, an award-winning program connecting children, teens, and adults with nature through adventure. Based in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, about 45 minutes outside of Seattle, WA, Wilderness Awareness School offers summer camps, youth programs, nature instructor training, and much more. Click here to learn more!
The Best Seattle Day Camps
1. KidsQuest Children’s Museum
courtesy KidsQuest
Calling all adventurers and explorers! KidsQuest Children’s Museum camps are one of the Eastside’s best bets for summer fun. It’s a chance for kids to take a deep dive into their favorite pastime, whether it’s art, science, nature, or engineering. Kid Adventurers (ages 4-6) will spend their half-days at themed camps dedicated to engineering, nature, and art, while Explorers (ages 7-10) can Tinker with Tinkerbell, sculpt with BAM, and learn about the science of slime at the museum. And if staying at home works best for your fam, KidsQuest has two virtual (prerecorded options) families can sign up for too ($125).
Good to Know: Registration for these popular camps opens March 13; members get priority registration starting March 6.
Editor’s note: WPZ’s wildly popular summer camps are full for 2023, but you can still join the waitlist or bookmark it for next year.
If your wild one wants to hang out with some animals this summer, the Day Camps at Woodland Park Zoo are the place to be. Campers explore the zoo while learning about conservation, building STEAM skills, and connecting with nature. Whether you’re a Bear Cub (ages 4-6), Black Bear (ages 6-9), or a full grown Grizzly (ages 9-13), you’ll find these camps are as engaging as they are exciting.
Dates: weekly, starting June 2023 Cost: $465/week Ages: 4-13
Get cooking at FrogLegs Culinary camp for kids. It’s a chance for chefs of all ages to put their creative skills to work in the kitchen, pairing things they love (think: Harry Potter, retro ice cream shop, or your kid’s storybook favorites) with food. Camps are available in the morning and afternoon, and kids get the chance to play games and hear stories in between whipping up tantalizing treats we’re sure they’ll willingly share.
Dates: weekly, starting June 2023 Cost: vary, depending on session Ages: 3 & up
Camps held at U Village and in Redmond, Issaquah & Kirkland. Online:froglegskca.com
4. Camp Kindness Counts
Although plans are still in the works for this Eastside camp, it’s one to keep an eye on. With a focus on putting good works out into the universe as a way to build a happy healthier world, you can count on this camp experience to focus on community service. In fact, Art in Community will be the theme this year, planned in partnership with East Shore Unitarian Church.
Good to Know: The free July camp (July 24-28) will run this summer too. Plans are being hammered out now and will be available in April.
Dates: Jun. 26-30, 2023
East Shore Unitarian Church
12700 SE 32nd St
Bellevue, WA Online: campkindnesscounts.org
For kids who love to express themselves, there’s Arts Aloft summer camps, where they immerse kids ages five and up in drawing, painting, sculpting—basically anything that gets them messy and creative. Pair your budding artist with a theme they’ll love (think: Rebel Girls, Super Mario Brothers, Fairies), then drop them at the studio where they’ll find all they need to create and have fun with friends. Pack a snack and expect some play time too.
Good to know: Expect waitlists on some of the more popular themed camps (yep, already), like Harry Potter and Star Wars.
We couldn’t think of a better place for kids to learn about and create art than through Seattle’s very own SAM. Art educators lead kids through a different theme each week, inspired by SAM exhibits and collections. This year kids can explore mixed media, paint paradise, and build with creativity at different week-long sessions. Campers are broken up by age group (grades 1-3 and 3-6) so they can make new friends too.
Good to Know: Registration opens February 15, and spots go quickly. Afternoon extended care is available until 5:30 p.m.
Seattle Asian Art Museum
400 E. Prospect St.
Seattle Online:seattleartmuseum.org
7. Redmond Art Works
If art is what your kid craves over the summer, but you’re not so big on the clean up, sign your budding artist up for a week at Redmond Art Works. They offer weekly summer camp sessions, each with a different theme. Kids can get Lost in Space, explore Enchanted Lands, and even learn about The Art of Magic.
Head to West Seattle to enjoy three-day art camps with West Seattle Art Nest. This year will include seven different sessions that cover intriguing topics like Abstract & Splatter Art, Art in Nature, and Slime, Potions, and Magical Mixtures. Expect lots of artistic expression as kids work with various mediums and techniques to create pieces parents will surely want to put on display.
This summer camp really rocks, and not just because it empowers youth of marginalized genders while fostering leadership and creativity along the way. Campers will make music, develop skills, and get to know each other in a safe and welcoming space that encourages participants to learn about the creative process (and themselves) during the week-long session. Each day is a combo of activities and creativity, accompanied by tons of hands-on fun.
Artists of all ages will enjoy learning about drawing, painting, sculpting, or creating with mixed-media at MUSEO’s summer camps,. Kids focus on specific skills in each camp sesh, building from the basics through to advanced techniques during half- or full-day classes. We love the Friday-only pottery camp ($175) that can stand alone or be tacked on to the end of your Monday through Thursday camp experience to keep the good times roll…err… throwing. Plus, add-ons like early arrival, extended stay, and a lunch hour option help busy families coordinate schedules. What will your kiddo create?
Dates: weekly, starting June 2023 Cost: $275/half-day session Ages: 5-13
160 N.W. Gilman Blvd., Suite 341
Issaquah, WA Online:museoart.com
11. Mode Music and Performing Arts
Add a little music to your summer with Mode Music’s MMPA camps. With both morning and afternoon options, you can pick and choose your way through the summer. Kids can learn about everything from Music Theory to Music in the Movies. They can even try their hand at a Songwriting Workshop or learn to play ukulele. Let’s just say we’re “hear” for it.
Dates: weekly, starting June 2023 Cost: $300/week Ages: 5 & up
Whether your kiddo wants to be on the stage or behind the scenes, SCT has a summer camp to match. One of the best things about this camp is that kids as young as 3.5 can get their drama on all summer long (and we know how much they love to do that). Kids will learn the ins and outs of acting with creative programming like Drama Quest, Tablecloth Theater, Scene Study Showcase, and even the Art of Drag. We can’t wait for the lights, camera, action of this summer camp favorite.
Dates: weekly, starting June 2023 Cost: $125-$540 Ages: 3.5 & up
If all the world’s a stage, Studio East is bringing the world to you this summer with their in-person and virtual performing arts camps. Whether you’ve got a Little Player, Tale Spinner, or a Play Maker, Studio East’s camps put kids in the spotlight. Each session offers kids of different ages and theatrical experience the chance to be drama kings and queens. With exciting themes like Paw Patrol, Encanto and Enola & Sherlock Holmes, there’s something to pique every player’s interest.
Good to Know: Take advantage of an early bird registration discount when you sign up before March 31, 2023.
Dates: weekly, starting June 2023 Cost: starting at $260 Ages: 4-19
Camps are held at six locations on the Eastside. Online:studio-east.org
14. Wedgwood Drama Studio
View Ridge Park is where these outdoor drama camps hosted by Wedgwood Drama Studio are held. Theater in the Park is the name of the game and campers will have the chance to create and bring to life original characters, practice scene work, and explore movement. But that’s not all. They’ll also have time to play, make some art, and bust out a song or two too.
Good to Know: Spots for each session are limited to 15 campers, and a few camps are full already.
Because every wild child needs a place where they can roam free, there’s summer camp programming at Wilderness Awareness School. With day camps for kids ages 6 to 12 and overnights for teens, it’s as easy as picking a week this summer to commit to keeping the kids outside. Camps focus on hands-on nature skills, play, awareness games, and storytelling. And the fact that your kiddo will know all about edible plants, animal droppings, and the natural world around them is the bonus to all this forest exploration.
Dates: weekly, starting June 2023 Times: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Cost: Starting at $565 Ages: 4-12
If your kids love gardening, or if you’re hoping they’ll grow a green thumb (or help you grow yours), Tilth Alliance Camps are your go-to spot. Offering week-long programs for kids as young as 3, these camps offer more than just outdoor fun for kids. Activities are informed by Learning in Places, a program that emphasizes equitable, field-based experiences for kids and families, so every kid has the chance to plant roots this summer. Maybe yours wants to learn to be a Garden Artist, or investigate the World of Invertebrates, or learn about Farm to Table practices over the summer. No matter what camp they choose, we know they’ll dig it.
Good to Know: Camps run each week at both locations.
Dates: weekly, starting June 2023 Ages: 3-15
Good Shepherd Center—Wallingford
4649 Sunnyside Ave. N., Suite 100
Seattle
Rainier Beach Urban Farm & Wetlands
5513 S. Cloverdale St.
Seattle Online:tilthalliance.org
Farm and nature camps on the Eastside fill up fast (just ask parents who missed the Shoofly Farm window), so if you think your kids would love the chance to run wild at camp, you better pick a camp session here while you still can.
34920 S.E. Fall City Snoqualmie Rd
Fall City, WA Online:wildwoodranch.co
The Best STEM & Computer Coding Camps in & near Seattle
18. Pacific Science Center
PacSci is ready to ignite curious minds this summer from Seattle to the Eastside with the return of their science summer camps. Their creative camps include programming on everything from Hydro Heroes and Snack Science for Pre-K kids to Duct Tape Engineering and Robotics for the oldest campers. And to make it easy for everyone, camps take place around the Sound, so no matter where you’re located your kids can get their science on this summer. Sign up for morning, afternoon, or all-day sessions.
Good to know: PacSci offers sensory-friendly and girl-focused sessions in an effort to make everyone’s camp experience a success.
Dates: weekly, starting June 2023 Cost: $182-$635, depending on session and membership Ages: 4 & up
Locations at PacSci, Mercer Slough, St. Thomas School, Kirkland Seventh-Day Adventist School, Explorer West Middle School & Salish Sea Elementary. Online:pacificsciencecenter.org
When you add your kid to the Girls Rock Math equation, the sum of it all is an educational adventure she’ll love. In addition to building her math skills, your kiddo will get plenty of fresh air and the chance to make new friends. Our favorite part is the creative approach this camps takes to making math both fun and accessible for every girl. After all, what curiously-minded camper can resist punny camp sessions like Folotastic Mathematics, Alice in Numberland, and Bead-DazzlingMath. The best part? Girls will boost their confidence and build real-world soft skills like collaboration, persistence, and strategizing that will take them far when they attend these camps.
Dates: weekly, starting June 2023 Cost: $460 Ages: 6-12
The Museum of Flight’s popular Aerospace Camp Experience (ACE) is one that kids look forward to all summer long. Campers ages 7 and up will spend each week-long camp session engaging in hands-on activities and experiences that will ignite their interest in the science of flight at any altitude. The youngest campers (going into Kindergarten) can Blast Off! or learn about the Magic of Science, while big kids (ages 6-8) can build Rockets for Rookies and more. Older campers can attend Junior Flight School, learn about Flight Dynamics, and more. Before and after care is available for all sessions.
Good to Know: Camp registration opens Feb. 27, 2023.
Dates: weekly, starting June 2023 Cost: $450-$525 Ages: 7 & up
If your kids wonder if science is magic, this is the camp for them. Working with scientific principles and adding just the right amount of imagination, kids will take their ideas from realistic to fantastic as they work together to create something special. It’s where science and engineering meet creativity.
Brick builders of all ages are in for a treat with Play-Well’s LEGO summer camps. Held at locations all over Seattle and the Eastside, your LEGO lover won’t have any problem finding a favorite summer camp to sign up for. Classes like Jedi Engineering, Women Innovators in STEM, and Robotics using the LEGO WeDo & EV systems are sure to keep your creative kiddo learning and busy this summer. The best part? 2023 summer camp registration hasn’t opened up yet, so you’ve still got time to plan (and get a spot too!).
Dates: starting June 2023 Ages: 5 & up
Various locations on Seattle & the Eastside. Online:play-well.org
The Best Dance, Circus & Sports Camps for Little Athletes in Seattle
Editor’s Note: SANCA’s summer camps are full, but you can join the waitlist or bookmark these popular camps for next year.
Spend summer under the big top when you register for one of SANCA’s weekly sessions. Tiny tumblers ages 6-8 will get an excellent introduction to the circus arts during Circus Odyssey. It’s all about body awareness, partner skills and advancing basic acrobatic skills in this one. Bigger kiddos, ages 9 and up, will take it to the next level during the Circus Ringmasters sessions. Juggling, tumbling, tightwire and aerial fabric exercises will keep kids engaged and learning new skills every day. Expect a small parent show at the end of the session so your Littles can show off what they’ve learned too.
Dates: weekly, starting June 2023 Times: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Cost: $485 Ages: 6 & up
If your kids are ready to have a blast this summer, Arena Sports can help you out. They’ll keep kids active in half- or full-day sessions with field games, inflatables, arts and crafts, and more. Camps are held both indoor and out, depending on location and weather. We love the parent perks of these camps that allow for early drop off and flexible registration that means you can sign kids up for half days, full days, even single days so your summer plans work out just the way you want them to. Plus, if you’re signed up for the Mill Creek or Issaquah locations campers get to take advantage of the Family Entertainment Complexes.
Dates: weekly, starting June 2023 Ages: 3-12
Camps are held in SODO, Magnuson, Issaquah, Mill Creek & Redmond. Online:arenasports.net
25. Kong Academy
Calling all wiggle worms! Kong Academy’s parkour programming has what it takes to keep kids active and engaged this summer. If getting your kids outside for jumps, leaps, and rolls is what you’re after, sign them up for a week of Parkour Adventure Summer Camp at Carkeek Park (they’re working on a way to connect parents for carpools). Each week of camp is held together with a story theme—this year it’s pirates. So kids can combine their mad movement skills with story elements as they work through stations learning how to vault, climb, jumping, and roll.
No matter what sport your kiddo plays, Skyhawks has a camp for that. From soccer to basketball to volleyball and golf, if it’s played on a field or with a ball, it’s in their wheelhouse. Camps are held around the city and surrounding areas and give kids the chance to improve their skills or just play their favorite sport all summer long via half- or full-day camp sessions.
Whether your creative kiddo is an artist, nature explorer, singer or dancer, the award-winning, multi-arts camps at Creative Dance Center will unleash your Little’s imagination. Camps focus on kids’ joyful self-expression, while at the same time letting campers explore movement and art, develop dance skills, and strengthen the body and brain. Kids will love camps like Ballet Stories, Art in Motion, Musical Theater, and Hip Hop. Parents will appreciate the innovative and holistic teaching methods that create an environment where children communicate, connect, collaborate and create through dance.
Dates: weekly, starting June 2023 Cost: TBD for 2023 Ages: 4-10
Everything you need to know about the best places to eat, play, and stay in the Palm Springs with kids
Palm Springs is an ideal destination for families looking for a fun and relaxing getaway from Los Angeles—whether it’s just for the weekend or during a school break. With its year-round sunshine and its unique desert landscape, outdoor activities and cultural attractions, there’s something for all ages to enjoy in Palm Springs. For outdoor fun, families can explore the many hiking trails and bike paths that line the valley. For a break from the sun, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway offers a scenic ride up to the top of Mount San Jacinto. From there, you can explore miles of hiking trails, picnic areas and panoramic views. If your family prefers a more leisurely pace, there are a variety of kid-friendly pools and water parks throughout the city. Families with younger children will appreciate the numerous attractions and activities for kids in Palm Springs. From the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, and the Palm Springs Air Museum. From glamping destinations and luxury resort hotels, to fun adventures and where to grab the best bbq, here are our favorite places to eat, play, and stay when we head to Palm Springs with kids.
The Best Things to Do in Palm Springs with Kids
1. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Kate Loweth
For an up-close look at some real desert critters, this zoo plus botanical garden focuses on wildlife from North America and Africa. You can tour exhibits like a replica of a Northeast African village and get personal with some Nigerian dwarf goats. The new Rhino Safari is a spot you'll definitely want to visit and it's right near the giraffes (pay $8 for a chance to feed them!).
Catch some knowledgeable animal chats, feed the giraffes, ride the endangered animal carousel, and explore the vast array of trails that loop through the Sonoran Desert (FYI: the trails are closed in the summer). And finally, plan to spend at least 30 minutes checking out one of the best outdoor G-scale model train exhibits we've ever seen.
Good to Know: Arrive early, when it’s still cool out, you’re likely to catch more animals in action (they prefer to lounge around when the sun’s high in the sky) except for nocturnal animals like the big cats, who tend to come out closer to sunset. When it gets hot, head to the air-conditioned Discovery Center.
47900 Portola Ave. Palm Desert, CA Online: livingdesert.org
Related: Animal Encounters near LA for Kids Wild about Animals
This roadside attraction is impossible to miss on your way into Palm Springs, but we recommend reserving this stop for when you are on your way out of town, headed back to Los Angeles. Touted as the world’s biggest dinosaur museum, you can check out giant robotic dinosaurs (don’t worry, they’re more kitschy than terrifying) for a fee. Let the little ones climb into the mouth of a huge model T-Rex (now in themed paint-suits!), ride the animatronic Brontosaurus, and then search through the sand at the Dino Dig to win a prize.
Good to Know: Stop by on a Sat. or Sun. between 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., to score a dinosaur-themed ice cream treat from The Wafflesaurus Truck.
50770 Seminole Dr. Cabazon, CA Online: cabazondinosaurs.com
Related: Dinosaur Bucket List for Kids Who Love These Ancient Beasts
The twisty tree shapes, Cholla cactus forests and blobby boulders in Joshua Tree make wonderful Dr. Suess-style memories for your kids. For a quick day trip, stick to the exhibitions along the main roads. We recommend entering via the south entrance and exiting via the west entrance (or vice versa). This way you can hit up all the hot spots and stop for some hiking along the way. We especially love stopping at the White Tank Campground and hiking to Arch Rock. It is a super easy hike and there were tons of boulders for climbing.
Good to Know: You'll want to make sure you have gassed up your car before you head to the park as gas stations are few and far between near the park entrances. Bring food, water and sunscreen with you, check the weather before you go and do yourself a favor and pay your entrance fee online in advance. You'll save yourself a major headache and avoid the line at the park entrance. If you're looking for the quintessential Joshua Tree photo opp, you'll want to know that most of the official Joshua trees are located near the west entrance (side note: they aren't even trees at all, just a tree-like version of the yucca plant).
Check out their "Current Conditions" page for closures as well as their calendar page where you can catch a "Ranger Chat" for an in-depth expert view of what happens in this national park.
Joshua Tree Visitor Center 6554 Park Blvd. Joshua Tree, CA Online: nps.org
Related: More National Parks to Visit near Los Angeles
4. Footgolf
That's not a typo—footgolf is a thing and almost any age can play making this a must-do for a family-friendly activity in Palm Springs. Rather than swing a club, you kick around a soccer ball and try and make it into the 21"-sized holes. It's golf crossed with soccer if you will. You can rent soccer balls on site (no need to bring your own) as well as a golf cart—which let's face it, is half the fun for the little ones.
38995 Desert Willow Dr. Palm Desert, CA Online: desertwillow.com
You've seen that giant windmill farm in the Coachella Valley, en route to Palm Springs plenty of times, but how much do you really know about the iconic site? For $49 per car (up to five people) you can take a self-guided driving tour and learn how windmills work, why there are so many in the desert, and how much electricity they produce. The tour consists of 10 stops, with two additional (optional) stops off property.
62950 20th Ave. Palm Springs, CA Online: windmilltours.com
6. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Even pool-obsessed kids can sometimes have enough sunny splash time. Try a favorite, midday break with a change of scenery and climate. This tramway, built in the 60s, will take you and yours 2.5 miles above the desert floor into the San Jacinto mountains and the snowy wilderness awaiting at the top. Kids will love the rotating tram, which guarantees spectacular views no matter where you’re seated. There are dining options at the top so don't worry if your brood gets hungry.
If there is snow, you can have a snowball fight, go sledding, snow-shoeing or cross-country skiing before descending back to the balmy poolside oasis of your hotel. (Check out our aerial tram guide for the tricks of a perfect trip). Even when it's not snowy, it's a lot cooler at the top, and fun for kids to explore the hiking and walking trails, and take in the jaw-dropping views.
Altitude sickness can occur so pay attention to your body, drink lots of water and if you or your kids are afraid of heights, this may not be the experience for you. It's not for the faint of heart but totally worth it once you get to the top.
If your kids get tired of the hotel pool or you've rented a place without a spot to splash, head over to the Palm Desert Aquatic Center where non-residents can take advantage of the various pools, multiple slides, diving boards, and a variety of play features on site that are designed to delight water lovers of all ages.
73751 Magnesia Falls Dr. Palm Desert, CA Online: pdpool.com
Expected to Reopen 2023: Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert
While the museum has been forced to close due to the pandemic-related challenges, the plan is to reopen the museum in 2022 through community support and fundraising efforts. Keep your eye on the developments as this is a gem of a spot for kids, especially when it's too hot to stay outside. If you'd like to donate and support this valley institution, visit cdmod.org
Nestled on 45 acres of lush landscape with epic mountain views, splash-loving kids will go gaga over HyTides, the Hyatt Regency’s brand new water park with 30-foot dueling water slides, lazy river and splash pad. For kids that don’t meet the water slide requirement, there’s another water slide just for them! With plenty of dining options, a spa and tennis courts for the parents, this spot has the foundation for an epic weekend (or even longer) stay.
See what a weekend looks like when you stay at the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa.
44600 Indian Wells Lane
Indian Wells, CA Online: hyatt.com
2. JW Marriott in Palm Desert
This sprawling resort is the kind of spot that is perfect for multi-generational stays thanks to fantastic amenities that appeal to everyone in the family. Of course there’s the well-known spa and golf courses, but kids will love the recent addition of California’s largest indoor “Entertainment Zone” full of arcade games and a bowling alley—a must-go option when the heat gets to be a bit much.
Don’t miss feeding the flamingos on the front lawn (look for the babies!) or swing by the free-to-enter aviary where parrots and other tropical birds happily chirp (and sometimes talk). Reserve a gondola ride around the property and then disembark at Mikado—a Japanese steakhouse that serves mouth-watering food along with a side of fun and flying shrimp. At night, you can hang out in the lobby for cocktails and listen to live music. And, do not, we repeat, do not miss out on night swimming. The whole family will love splashing around under the night sky full of stars. There’s so much happening on site, that there’s really no reason to leave the property if you don’t want to—delivering a perfect family vacation whether it’s just for the weekend or for a bit longer.
Insider Tip: Ask for a major suite—you can connect additional rooms which makes it convenient if coming with a larger group.
74-855 Country Club Dr.
Palm Desert, CA Online: marriott.com
Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs
3. Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs
The hotel chain's first west coast location, Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs marries the mid-century Palm Springs aesthetic with Margaritaville’s casual-luxe island feel. There are two pools on the property, two restaurants and it boasts the area's largest resort spa (when you are ready for some kid-free time). It's also located within minutes of downtown, placing you and your family in the middle of the town's action. Read more all about our visit to Margaritaville Resort with kids.
1600 North Indian Canyon Dr. Palm Springs Online: tinybeans.com
Located just south of Indian Wells, this is one of the biggest and most family-friendly resorts around with cabanas, poolside food, and beverage service. Everyone will love the 41 pools and 53 hot spas, as well as the 5 resort golf courses designed by PGA biggies like Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, and Greg Norman. This secluded resort is not only family-friendly but it’s also pet-friendly with activities to enhance your pet’s stay as well. Want to know more?
PS: We’ve got the inside scoop on why kids and adults love La Quinta Resort & Club.
49-499 Eisenhower Dr.
La Quinta, CA Online: laquintaresort.com
With the largest pool in the Palm Springs area, this resort has families in mind. The zero-entry pool and sandy beach is awesome for the little ones while the wide expanse of the rest of the pool means the bigger kids have the freedom to swim until they are exhausted.
Prepare for great eats at Sirocco Pizza Company, making fireside s’mores treats by the outdoor fire pits, lots of ping pong tournaments and of course, comfy and generously-sized accommodations. Plus there’s a kid’s club for some parental downtime. Check out more reasons to stay at this family-friendly resort near Palm Springs.
44-400 Indian Wells Ln.
Indian Wells, CA Online: renhotels.com
7. Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort in Rancho Mirage
One word: Splashtopia. Sounds awesome, right? And it is. This knock-your-socks-off water feature, nearly two acres big, has two 100-foot water slides, a 425-foot lazy river, a jacuzzi with cliff views and a sandy beach. You can spend all day, every day here—just order food from Splash Grill and you’re good to go.
If little eaters would prefer something more familiar, check out the River complex shopping and dining complex across the street that has restaurants like Cheesecake Factory and P.F. Chang’s. Also, there’s a movie theater in case you want to catch a flick after a day of fun in the sun.
Come for the mountain views or the fantastic golf courses, or just to unwind with your family (pets included!). Enjoy three pools, including a 75-foot water slide, play some tennis (they offer kids lessons), rent a bike or de-stress with a relaxing spa treatment.
For an ultra-hip stay, this resort is both boho-chic and kid-friendly, in that artsy, "I woke up like this" sort of way. Bring some marshmallows to roast on the outdoor fireplaces, play with your pooch in the dog park out back, or take the kids for a short bike ride downtown for some vintage clothes shopping and plan to rock your retro finds poolside.
701 E. Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA Online:acehotel.com
Want to avoid hotels? Palm Springs has plenty of short-term rentals and this is home one of favorites. The fully renovated 1960s pad has 4 bedrooms, 5 baths, and room enough for 10 guests. The decor is modern, yet warm with a whimsical bedroom featuring two twin beds for kids. There's also a pool and fire pit for outside fun.
Another Airbnb option, this 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home is a bright and cheery retreat with a large pool, BBQ area and bocce ball court. Added bonus: There's an indoor rec room featuring a ping pong table and gaming console that kids will love.
Go here first thing in the morning for an authentic diner that delivers a fantastic breakfast. The coffee is strong and the pancakes are fluffy (the kid's Cub Cake is too cute!). Go early since lines can form out the door but lollipops are handed out with a smile for all. If you can stand the wait, get the German Pancake. There’s a reason everyone raves about them.
1030 E. Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA Online:eatatelmers.com
2. Sherman’s Deli
Big breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, both kosher (and not) can be found at both Sherman’s Deli locations. Try the hot corned beef (it's famous for a reason). And save room for one of the beautiful desserts in the display case.
401 E Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA Online:shermansdeli.com
3. Cheeky’s
A spot to see and be seen. The mouth-watering, seasonal, made from scratch menu changes weekly as this restaurant strives to use the freshest, locally grown, organic ingredients. FYI: Expect long waits if you get there late (but totally worth it).
622 N. Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA Online:cheekysps.com
A simple burger might be the best bet in the middle or at the end of a long day, so try Tyler’s Burger stand. It’s popular, so go well before your crew gets hangry.
For a uniquely Palm Springs experience, consider a stop at The Shields Date Garden (just look for the larger-than-life knight in shining armor) and The Walk at Shields—where, for $5 a person (kids under 12 are free), you can stroll along a garden path that meanders through a 17-acre date farm. After, hit the gift shop to peruse offerings like locally grown dates, date crystals (like sugar), date granola, and must-try date shakes (we’re sensing a theme). Feeling hungrier thanks to the walk? Grab breakfast or lunch at The Cafe at Shields, open from 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
A sweet treat in downtown Palm Springs, not only is it the best toffee you’ll ever taste—no joke—the whole business was started by two teen friends who wanted to make money for a class trip. Great life lesson for kids, unbelievable toffee for everyone: it’s a win-win. If you want, catch the factory tour in Rancho Mirage.
Good to Know: Craving the toffee treat but not heading to the desert anytime soon? They have a retail location at the Century City Mall.
Check out these amazing ways to celebrate a winter birthday in NYC
Planning a birthday party for a kid is hard enough, but one that takes place in the winter? That’s another story. Never fear: we have ideas. Whether you want to throw an outdoor party that embraces winter activities, ride horses, see a drive-in movie, or play Dungeons & Dragons, we’ve got something for everyone. If you need some decoration help, check out these popular birthday themes from the past year
For a high-energy bash, head to New York Ninja Academy, where party guests train on ninja warrior obstacles (similar to those seen on NBC's American Ninja Warrior) with professional ninja staff. A 90-minute party includes a course run at the end, complete with lights, sound effects, and hitting the buzzer at the end of the course. Parties are $800 for 9 kids or fewer, with it being $100 more for 10-15 kids. There is a $30 charge per child after that, up to 20 children.
Book your own private and heated "glass house" at Watermark's Winter Wonderland and feast on s'mores, fondue, and other goodies. This Winter Wonderland on the pier features a tunnel of lights; forty 15-foot evergreens, and even the occasional "Snow Show" thanks to a snow machine. Don't forget to get a group photo on the Watermark Sleigh with the Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Williamsburg Bridges behind you.
78 South St. Pier 15 Seaport District Online:watermarkny.com
The Skyline Drive-in is an option that often shows family movies—The LEGO Movie, How to Train Your Dragon, and Boss Baby are examples of past screenings here—and it offers a beautiful Manhattan view. Tickets are $55/car.
You can have a horse or pony ride at a kid's birthday party in a variety of ways in NYC.
Rent a pony for an hour from Be Brooklyn Equine (previously known as Kensington Stables). If you can have your party in Prospect Park near the Bridle Path, it's very convienent. Online: prospectpark.org
The Bronx Equestrian Center offers pony rides and a party area for $300 for two hours on-site. The pony is available for one of the two hours. Online:nychorse.com
The Jamaica Bay Riding Academy does parties for kids (minimum 12 guests). Parties are 90 minutes, with 45 minutes for rides. Online:horsebackride.com
Beat the Bomb (the puzzle game experience that covers you with paint if you "lose") is an experience you don't want to miss in DUMBO. Check out the clean, or "no-paint" bomb, the Ballz Bomb (literally soft balls), if your party doesn't want to get messy. Kids must be 8 or older and there must be an adult present.
If you're willing to travel, snow tubing could be a real crowd-pleaser. The closest spot is Campgaw Mountain in Mahwah, New Jersey. Tubers must be 42 inches or taller.
A perennial go-to for winter babies is the ice-skating party. Why fight it, especially when you have so many amazing rinks to choose from. Governors Island Skating Rink is open daily and always has events going on, food options around, and games and attractions too. This is the perfect area to rent for a winter birthday party.
Yes, it's a Bucket List thing, but we just had to include it. There are varying packages beginning at $350 and going as high as $900 (depending on which add-ons you choose). You can choose to include Build-a-Bear kits, goodie bags, ice cream, candy, adult beverages, and so on. You can customize your party to be what you want it to be, but keep in mind, weekdays will be cheaper than weekends and holidays.
Just because it's winter doesn't mean you can't enjoy some active play and sports fun! Book a private session for a small group for an experience completely customized to you. Sessions can be booked for 45-60 minutes and will be held at a place of your choosing. If you have a favorite instructor, you can request them for the soccer party (depending on availability), and you choose the focus and level of instruction.
The Greens is yet another spot offering transparent cabins with views of the Brooklyn Bridge and East River. Expect cozy seating, a virtual fireplace, and classy decor inspired by ski lodges. Each cabin can accommodate 2-10 guests and features touchless mobile ordering from a menu of seasonal dishes.
Take your party indoors with a private party at the Children's Museum of Manhattan. Groups of up to 25 people can rent out the museum for an exclusive hour and 45 minutes. Guests will have full run of two exhibit floors, activity kits for children to use for the duration of their visit, and CMOM educator-led activities that will get kids moving, listening to stories, and doing art.
Give your kids an active birthday party at Chelsea Piers. Groups of up to 10 children ages 5 and up will be led through sports and other movement-centric activities by trained instructors. Party sessions last two hours and there are lots of options for food. Choose a sport or activity for the party to center around from a list that includes basketball, baseball, gymnastics, and ninja parkour.
You can have a party outdoors, indoors, or online. Outdoor parties are held in Prospect Park, indoor parties are held at their location in South Slope, and online parties are held in the comfort of your own home. They have game levels from beginners to experts, so no one has to worry about their skill level. Parents provide any desired decorations, cake, food, and drinks (depending on your party package).
How's this for thinking outside the box? Take a small group to the museum, checking out the Hall of Ocean Life, the Fossil Halls (home to the dinos), and more for the cost of regular admission. Or, spend a few more bucks and see a special exhibit. You must book tickets in advance to visit the museum.
Central Park West & 79th Street Upper West Side Online:amnh.org
14. TWA Hotel
Pool party in the middle of winter!? Why not! The TWA's heated rooftop pool is open to hotel guests this winter, and it's been transformed into an Alpine-themed retreat. Visitors can eat at the restaurant or sit at the bar and sip some hot apple cider as they watch airplanes take off below. Visit the pop-up museum exhibits, created in collaboration with the New York Historical Society, and go back in time through replicas of a 1962 living room and offices of Howard Hughes and Eero Saarinen.
You don't need to travel far to embark on an adventure. Treasure Trunk Theater, which fosters drama and imagination, is available to book for a birthday party of 30 minutes (with additional time on request), where up to 30 kids will enjoy fun activities that'll get their voices, bodies, and imaginations working. The Treasure Trunk Theatre instructor will lead kids on an adventure to magical lands using only common household items. Parents and grandparents are encouraged to join in, as well. Prices start at $300.
In just two hours, kids can weave their own tapestry to bring home, with instruction from Loop of the Loom! Private classes are very small—3-5, depending on the location you visit—and instruction will have kids working on their own looms within minutes.
Spots go quickly at these Seattle mid-winter break camps
Mid-winter break is just around the corner. And if a fun-in-the-sun vacation isn’t in your family’s plans for mid-winter break, we’re here to help. Keep the cabin fever at bay by signing the kids up for an engaging winter break camp in Seattle or on the Eastside. We’ve got camps for all kinds of kids on our list. And guess what? They all have spots open. From sports and engineering to art and cooking, you’ll find an entertaining camp on our list of Seattle camp faves. You work. They play. What more could you ask for if you’re staying close to home?
Who wouldn’t want to play dodgeball, soccer, and capture the flag over mid-winter break? We guarantee the kids will have more fun at Arena Sports than they will if they're stuck at home. Many Arena Sports locations will be running mid-winter break camps, and they fill up fast, so be sure to plan ahead, parents. We love that campers can come for full- or half-days and for a single session or stay the whole week. Flexibility is key these days, isn't it? Camps run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. for full day and in the afternoon from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. for half day. Dates vary based on local school districts' mid-winter break schedules.
Good to Know: If you're signing up your campers (ages 6 and up) for camp at the Mill Creek or Issaquah locations, they can also stay entertained with laser tag, mini golf, and other attractions that are part of the entertainment complex.
Locations in Magnuson, SODO, Issaquah, Remond & Mill Creek
Can you dig it? The Tilth Alliance will have kids Gardening for Pizza over mid-winter break. Hosted at the Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands, this hands-on camp is a full culinary experience—from garden to table. Kids ages 5 and up will spend the week learning what it takes to make pizza—wait for it—from scratch. Starting in the garden and working all the way through kneading the dough and putting on the toppings, kids will develop the skills and knowledge to make and bake their own at home. The fact it ends with a celebratory pizza party on the last day is a total win.
Kick cabin fever to the curb when you sign up the kids (ages 6-9) for this combo outdoor-indoor parkour camp with Kong Academy. They'll get a chance to learn new skills and practice what they already know as they make their way over, around, and sometimes under obstacles at this week-long, half-day camp. It all starts with an engaging warm-up and games before the guided lesson begins. Then it's off to try what you've learned and play a bit too before heading home. And while the parkour skills are what your kids will rave about, they'll also be gaining social skills, and that's hard to beat.
Dates: Feb. 20-24, 2023 Time: 9 a.m.-noon
Phinney Neighborhood Association 6532 Phinney Ave. N. Seattle Online:kongacademy.org
Turns out, kids don't need to run away to join the circus over mid-winter break. They can attend camp at SANCA instead. And since no previous classes are necessary to attend camp, it's a great place to start, if you have a kiddo who is interested in learning circus arts. There are two camps to choose from this session. Younger wannabe performers (ages 6-8) can check out Circus Odyssey where they will develop body awareness through tumbling, balancing, ring passing, and partner acrobatics. Older kiddos (ages 9-12) will become Ringmasters, linking individual skills into sequences and practicing choreography.
If you live in West Seattle, you know what a gift this playspace is for local families. And the folks at Outer Space Seattle will be offering drop-off camp for kids over mid-winter break too. They'll have a chance to play on the enormous structure, do some arts and crafts, and play with friends too. The best part? It's day-by-day so you can sign up for one day or all five, depending on your February break plans. Add in a discount for sibs and you've got your plans made.
Your kids love to play with toys, but at this camp, they'll learn how to build them all by themselves. Budding builders and engineers will enjoy safely wielding woodworking tools (think: hammers, saws, sanders, and more) as they create. Sign up for a morning or afternoon session. Kids will need to bring a snack and wear closed-toes shoes each day. The best part? The project they take home at the end.
Extra! Extra! Read all about it at this year's Stone Soup Theater mid-winter break camp. Newsies is the musical and kids ages 8 and up are invited to join the cast performing the 1982 Disney musical. Not only will kids have the chance to strut their stuff on stage, but they'll also learn about the real-life newsboy strike in NYC in 1899. This show stopper is as empowering as it is fun for kids who love the stage.
Good to Know: After-camp care is available until 5:30 p.m. for an additional $115.
Dates: Feb. 20-24, 2023 Times: 9 .a.m-3 p.m.
Wallingford Presbyterian Church 1414 N. 42nd St. Seattle Online:stonesouptheatre.org
Great things are happening at this Greenwood sewing studio over mid-winter break, where families will have two camps to choose from. If a longer camp is what you're after, try the Animal Onesie Pajama camp (Feb. 22-24). Unicorn horns, kitty ears, and fuzzy tummies are all in the mix. Or stick to a quick two-day P.J. Party camp (Feb. 20-21) where kids will learn sewing basics, make PJ pants and a gum drop floor pillow. Whatever your kiddo's whimsy, they'll get a chance to explore it and make it here. No previous experience is required to sign up. Remember to bring a snack and a mask and dress for outdoor play—it's all part of the day. Psst... if you want to make a full week of it, sign them up for both camps. It's almost too easy.
Good to Know: Both camps are for beginners, ages 7 and up.
LEGO fans love camps at Play-Well TEKnologies. This winter, they'll be offering a Winter Wonderland Engineering camp in Shoreline for kids ages 6-11. More than a chance to just play with LEGOs, kids will engineer snowmobiles, sleds, and other wintry gear. Plus, we hear they might even get to experience the Polar Express. You won't need your mitten for this STEM-themed camp, but your mini figs sure will.
Dates: Feb. 21-24, 2023 Times: 9 a.m.-noon
Spartan Recreation Center 202 N.E. 185th St. Shoreline, WA Online:play-well.org
Bring your budding artists for a week of outdoor art at Neo Art School. Register for just a day or sign your little maker up for the whole week at this Ballard-area day camp. While they're staying cozy under the heated tents, kids will upcycle items and use paint and other mediums to create their masterpieces, and the promise of new projects each camp keeps kids engaged. When they need a break, it's off to the meridian playground to burn off some energy. If you need extended care (from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.), they've got that too.
If you're on the Eastside, and your kids love art, sign them up for one of two mid-winter break camps this year. If you're in the Lake Washington School District, you'll want to take advantage of this quick two-day camp that lines up with the district's break. And if you're in the Bellevue School District, sign your kids up for the four-day camp happening the following week. No matter which camp you choose, little artists will work alongside owner Noga Unger creating art and learning about famous world artists. Bring a lunch, and get ready to create something new (and learn a little bit too).
Good to Know: There's also a one-day camp offered on President's Day (Feb. 20) if you want to pad your week in either direction.
Before the winter break sneaks up on you and the kids have nothing to do, check out these book-worthy winter camps in San Diego that are all about fun
Keeping kids entertained amidst the holiday buzz and extended school break isn’t always easy. Thankfully, winter camps are in full swing throughout San Diego. With options from surfing to junior theater to park ranger activities, these winter camps in San Diego will keep your little one inspired and engaged throughout the break. If you need even more ideas on how to bust boredom all season long, check out our 100 things to do in San Diego guide.
Kick it out! Young athletes can burn energy and improve their soccer skills at this fun and engaging outdoor camp. Your young Ronaldo or Rapinoe will improve his/her technical skills like dribbling, passing and receiving, shooting and finishing, speed, agility, defensive positioning and more. Kids play small and large-sided games to further develop their skills in game situations while learning from expert coaches. Players are encouraged to test the waters, fail, correct, and succeed. So, sign them up for soccer and feel confident that they're learning life skills along with that in-step drive.
Ride the wave this winter! Whether it’s a one-day or three-day camp you are looking for, surf’s up. Teaching kids (5 and older) how to surf is the best way for your little grom to spend the holiday break. Beginners to advanced students are welcome and will learn the basics, etiquette, wave selection and ocean safety. So, sign up and hit the beach.
If you have a teen or pre-teen that loves mangas, comic books, art and storytelling, check out Little Fish Art Camps. The camps are specialized, highly engaging experiences designed to inspire young artists.
A purr-fect camp for animal lovers! Campers age preschool through 6th grade can play with the animals at the Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Winter Critter Camp. Even more, create crafts and get your team spirit on with group activities. With camps offered in Dec. and Jan., there are plenty of times to choose from. Also, discover how animals adapt and survive winter, where they live, and how they move. Then, bonus time, explore the relationships that critters have with humans (you!).
Dates: Dec. 19-Jan. 6 (No camp on Dec. 26 & Jan. 2) Time: Preschool 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; K-6th, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (Extended care is available.) Cost: $75/day for pre-school; $95/day fro K-6
The sparks will fly during the winter camps offered at Camp Fire. Nestled in the paths of Balboa Park, campers enjoy activities ranging from archery, hiking, low ropes challenge courses, park ranger activities, nature crafts and much more. Camp Fire’s goal is to provide kids with the opportunity to find their spark, lift their voice and discover who they are through outdoor games, songs, and self-growth skills. Campers are divided into the following age groups: ages 5-7, ages 8-10, ages 11-13 and 9th-12th grade.
Dates: Dec. 19–22; Dec. 27–30; Jan. 3–6 Time: Times vary Cost: $288-$335 (See website for details)
Camp CaHiTo 3101 Balboa Dr. San Diego Online: campcahito.org
6. Fleet Science Center Camps
Young Einsteins, rejoice! The Fleet Science Center has two weeks of winter camp on offer from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Curious scientists in grades 1-3 will experience an array of educational, hands-on activities like designing, testing and retesting as you build tall towers, bridges and structures or develop mechanical toys and learn basic programming skills to direct a small robot through an obstacle course. Always fun and educational. Also, be sure to check out their year-round camps for younger kids.
Dates: Dec. 19-22 & Dec. 27-30 Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost: $200 for members; $225 for non-members
Calling young thespians! These theater classes are ideal for both students that are used to the spotlight and those new to the stage. Elementary students will enjoy fun-filled days rotating through classes in drama, music, dance and a specialty subject.
Whether you have a budding rock star (ages 4-7) or an intermediate band player (7+) this local Encinitas camp will be singing their tune. Your musical camper will learn to play and appreciate music at a whole new level. During camp, bands will receive coaching from experienced musicians. They'll offer tips and instructions to individual students who want to build their skills. Kids get to truly experience what it's like to be in a rock band.
Dates: Dec. 26-30 Time: 9:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. Cost: Varies, see website for details
Kid-friendly restaurants in LA that serve decent beer are hard to find. These favorite breweries in LA meet all your needs (and your kids) in one, happy place
Keg stands and sake bombs may be a distant memory (and that’s probably a good thing), but being all grown up doesn’t mean you can’t still cut loose and enjoy a pint or two with the kiddos in tow. Fortunately, Los Angeles has plenty of beer gardens and breweries that are fun for the whole family (think board games, kids menus, and more). Find a new favorite place to go the next time you’re craving a craft beer after a day of exploring the best things to do in LA with kids.
1. Golden Road
A haven for busy families who are looking for a bite to eat, a cold beer, and a place where the kids can be themselves (loud and messy) without anyone batting an eye, Golden Road is the spot to try. It's always packed and the clientele ranges from the t-ball crowd to 20-something birthday parties. Try the giant pretzels with pimento dipping sauce or the fried avocado sandwich.
After you eat, head outside to let the kids play corn hole, foosball, and more, while you finish up the last sips of your craft beer. And heads up, trainspotters: This place is right next to the train tracks, so if you have a Thomas-loving little on your hands, they’ll love seeing the train pass by during dinner.
5410 W San Fernando Rd. Los Angeles Online:goldenroad.la
If you haven’t heard of this hot spot yet, you’ve definitely heard of the brewery behind it. The first, local restaurant from the Firestone Brewery, it’s got the hipster cred and craft brews of a gastropub, with a laid-back sports bar vibe complete with booths (which are made from old fermentation vessels) plus big screens to watch the games. The menu offers a wide selection that includes wood-fire pizzas, burgers, and fish and chips, but the kids will especially love the dessert options, like churros and pie, that will give parents plenty of time for a second round.
Insider Tip: Located just a few blocks from the beach, hit all the trappings of Venice first thing in the morning and then head here when everyone is sufficiently sandy and sunned out.
Originating in Pasadena, this chain has rapidly expanded across LA for good reasons: the food is tasty, the beer selection is awesome, and it's the perfect spot to enjoy it all with kids. From classic corn dogs to the exotic bacon-wrapped street dog, Dog Haus has a brat selection that will please every palate—including those who prefer their meat vegan as they serve the Impossible Burger and Beyond Sausage. While the kids slurp down milkshakes with their hot dogs and fries, parents can unwind over a pint from their rotating selection of craft beers on tap.
All of the locations serve up the same delicious options, but the shaded, outdoor patio and fun collection of board games make the original Pasadena Biergarten the best for brews with tots. Speaking of which, did we mention they have amazing cheesy tater tots the whole family will want to share?
See all those kids in soccer uniforms and t-ball jerseys? This is a popular post-game hang for parents. Discover hard-to-find beers on tap—there’s a list of over three dozen draft beers and even more in bottles. Try local favorites like the rotating El Segundo brew or the Eagle Rock Manifesto. Share a pizza or a basket of cooked-to-order wings with the fam. Kid menu and crayons included. Bonus: You can watch games playing on the big screens while the kids run circles around your table or climb the toddler jungle gym and slide. We told you it was kid-friendly!
Atwater Village is known for its laid-back vibe and family-friendly atmosphere and Link n Hops fits right in. There are dozens of beers on tap, and they change regularly based on season and availability so there’s always something new to try. Let the kids help you choose brats or bangers from the meat counter, then watch as your dogs are grilled to order. Add to that tons of high chairs, a kids' menu that pleases everyone, plus a pretty impressive vegan menu—what more could you want?
Beer and video games. Need we say more? This Echo Park hot spot is kid-friendly until 8 p.m. every day of the week where you can button mash dozen of old-school video games and partake in dozens of brews from the tap, bottles, or cans. And leave your bag of quarters at home—a card system allows you to play video games to your heart's content. The card keeps track of everything for you. We love anything from the Japanese fusion menu, especially the fried tofu balls and the five spice apple fritters.
If you're in the mood for some of the juiciest brats, links, and dogs you’ve ever tasted, head to the German-inspired Wurstküche, purveyor of exotic grilled sausages. Be adventurous with a grilled rattlesnake and rabbit link, but get the old-fashioned brats or vegetarian links for the kiddos. With over 24 imported beers on tap, you’ll be able to find something you like, and trying to find that perfect pint is half the fun. The extra-crispy Belgian fries with homemade dipping sauces are sure to please everyone. Family-style tables are great for crowds.
Insider Tip: Ask the bartender for a cup of crayons and the kids can make masterpieces on the brown paper-covered tables while you wait for food or get lucky enough to enjoy a second round.
There’s a reason Bar 326 remains a staple at the Original Farmer’s Market. It’s a low-key destination where you can grab a drink and plop down at one of the many tables and choose from a variety of food from around the world. With options from local food stalls like The Banana Leaf, The French Crepe Company, Charlie’s Coffee Shop, and more, it’s a picky eater's heaven since no one has to eat at the same place as everyone else.
Since the atmosphere is super casual, bring some board games and stay for a while, or show up on an evening during the weekend to soak in some live music. It's also pet-friendly so you can bring your fur babies too as long as they are on a leash.
NoHo's popular Pitfire is not technically a brewery but it's got a good beer vibe just the same. Go early on a Fri. evening and it's mostly families dining at the beer garden-style tables. While you nurse your drink, kids can run around playing ping pong and cornhole in the fully enclosed space.
Inclusivity can be taught from a very young age and these companies are doing their part to make the toy landscape a diverse one. From a doll that looks like your child to one that teaches about their medical condition, diverse toys can make us feel valued as humans and show us that there’s a whole world beyond our front door.
Barbie Inspiring Women Series
Showcasing women who've made the world a better place through determination and fighting for justice and equal opportunity, Barbie's Inspiring Women Series includes change makers like Eleanor Roosevelt, Dr. Maya Angelou, and Hellen Keller. Now the collection has a new doll: civil rights activities and women's suffragette, Ida B. Wells.
Wells co-founded the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) which fight for freedom, justice, and equal opportunity to this day. Not only does the doll pay homage to this history-making woman, but Barbie has also partnered with Girls Write Now, a non-profit organization that removes gender, race, age, and poverty barriers to mentor future writers and leaders.
Teni and Tayo Creations are excited to share a piece of Africa with young children. Omobola Imoisili founded the brand after relocating to L.A. from Nigeria and wanting to give her small daughters something representative of their heritage while they attend school. Brand mascots Feyi Fay, a superhero fairy, and Captain Nosa, a Nigerian scientist, and superhero, encourage kids to do well in school and promote a love of learning in all the brand’s offerings. From STEM toys to books and apparel, there are diverse toys available for everyone.
ISH Dolls creates diverse toys and clothing that celebrate culture and the Hindu faith. Their colorful plush dolls are designed to bring joy to children of all backgrounds and to introduce them to the avatars found in Hindu culture. This mom-owned business launched at the height of the pandemic in May 2020 with its first plush, Baby Krishna, and followed up with his companions Rahda, Durga and Baby Lakshmi.
Everything—and everyone—is awesome! Inspired by the rainbow flag of the LGBTQIA+ community, LEGO's “Everyone is Awesome” 346-piece set features 11 unique monochrome figures with individual colors and hairstyles. Once completed, it’s the perfect size for a desk or window display, to bring a colorful pop to life every day.
Qai Qai is no ordinary doll; since appearing on social media alongside Serena Williams, Alexis Ohanian, and their daughter Olympia, Qai Qai has amassed thousands of followers of her own. According to Serena Williams, "When we first opened @RealQaiQai's account on Instagram two years ago, it was just supposed to be an inside joke, but we've come to realize that Qai Qai could be the beginning of a new kind of toy story, and one that we're excited to help bring to life so our daughter and millions of other children can see and play with more toys that look like them."
Your heart will melt at the cute offerings from Red & Olive. Not only are the knit ethical dolls adorable, but they also help support the artisans who handmake each one. Each fair trade doll is handmade by Peruvian artists, empowering them to provide for themselves and their families. The companion dolls come with either matching beanies or bows.
Celebrate the culture and traditions of India with Modi Toys. This family-owned small business offers plush diverse toys and gift baskets that feature Baby Ganesh, Baby Krishna, and Baby Hanuman along with books that explain their history. You can even personalize the plush toys with a baby's name—the perfect gift for a new arrival.
Diversify your child's bookshelf with the help of The Little Feminist Books Club. When you select the 7-9 age group, you will get two paperbacks or one hardcover book each month, along with a hands-on activity that goes along with the book, a discussion card, and a parent letter explaining why the book was chosen.
The Healthy Roots Doll Zoe is a life-like 18” doll with hair uniquely designed with curl power that allows it to be washed and styled, giving kids the chance to learn more about how to care for their curls by practicing on hers. The inspiration for Zoe came from Yelitsa Jean-Charles, a young woman—who like many others—never had a doll that looked like her growing up.
Kids can use real products and try out countless styles from puffs to box braids! Zoe learned to love her hair after she did the big chop with her mom. Together they learned how to love every single one of her curls. Now she’s here to help other girls learn to love their curls.
Check out these dolls for girls on a mission to change the world. Inspired by their upbringing in Brooklyn, New York, twin sisters Laken and Carlissa King sought to create dolls that spark creativity and celebrate togetherness.
Worldgirls are 18-inch dolls representing girls from around the world who are chosen to attend the top-secret school, Worldgirls Hall. Each Worldgirl is assigned 1 of 5 traits: WARRIOR, HEALER, EXPLORER, REBEL, and SCHOLAR. The company created the traits so children could connect with the dolls' unique passions rather than their looks.
When Dr. Lisa Williams, CEO & Founder of the only Black-owned major doll company, saw the psychological implications of the importance of your toy box no matter your race or ethnicity, she created the Positively Perfect Dolls for younger children. In recent years her company has created The Fresh Dolls featuring black and multicultural fashion dolls and accessories. The Fresh Dolls were intentionally created with fuller hips and thighs, and a more realistic waistline, with trendy fashion pieces. New this year is their Wakanda Forever superhero line!
If you’ve ever had the frustration of finding dolls that look like your family (or friends!), you’ll LOVE this. Multiracial families, same-sex families, single-parent families, and adoptive families can now construct dolls that capture the beautiful reality of their households. MyFamilyBuilders is a unique, educational wooden diverse toy that is stackable and magnetic to create the perfect doll.
Created by single adoptive mom Kayla Lupean, Play Maysie is a portable, customizable world in a case for the pint-sized bunch. Noted as “everything a dollhouse should be,” this diverse toy is a gender-neutral classic childhood favorite that is made for adventures. Play Maysie’s design was inspired by the nostalgia of vintage tin lunchboxes. It folds out on both sides to showcase interchangeable, magnetic rooms with fixed wooden furniture—built for frustration-free play, less mess and no more lost pieces! With an eye on teaching sustainability, each Play Maysie is made of eco-friendly, renewable materials for indoor and outdoor play either at home or on the go.
At the core of the company's mission, for every three Play Maysie cases purchased, they will donate another one to a child who is entering the foster care system. Their hope is, with an integral sense of ownership, foster youth can open their Play Maysie case at any time to create an experience where they feel safe, secure, and in control during a time where nearly everything in their world is unfamiliar.
While you might be used to seeing ribbon wands in rainbow or pastel colors, the Melanin Magic Ribbon Wands are a celebration of melanin. Kids need to see all skin tones all together all on the same toy. Each ribbon deserves a place and the rainbow would look incomplete if it were missing one. These simple toys make a wonderful gross motor skills tool for dancing, twirling, jumping, and shaking. They also make a great conversation starter for kids. Purchasing one of these diverse toys support Brown Babes Rep Too, an organization dedicated to ensuring a diverse environment in small business advertising.
Dolls with Autism, Dwarfism and Hearing Loss from Lottie Dolls
Lottie Dolls introduced a doll inspired by an autistic boy who loves astronomy. The diverse toy comes with an astronaut-in-training jumpsuit, companion dog, noise-reducing headphones, and sunglasses to reduce visual sensory overload.
Lottie Dolls offers dolls that highlight diversity, including the Mia doll, a wildlife photographer with a cochlear implant, and the Sinead doll, the world's first doll with dwarfism.
Crystal Kaye is the artist behind Kay Customz. Not only are Crystal’s custom dolls cute, but they’re also inclusive. She goes beyond creating dolls in a few different skin tones, and makes dolls with freckles (and not just the traditional two or three that are meant to look cute but don’t really represent what a normal person looks like freckles), vitiligo and albinism.
Build-a-Bear & Vermont Teddy Bear Company Amputee Bears
For kids with limb differences, Build-a-Bear and the Vermont Teddy Bear Company are there to create a bear with the same limb difference. Both offer customization that allows this treasured bear to match its owner.
Differently-Abled Dolls from Barbie's Fashionistas Line
The Barbie Fashionistas line, which already includes Barbie dolls with various body types and hairstyles, also offers two differently-abled dolls. The first doll is in a wheelchair and the second is fitted with a prosthetic leg. “As a brand, we can elevate the conversation around physical disabilities by including them into our fashion doll line to further showcase a multi-dimensional view of beauty and fashion,” Mattel said.
To encourage their daughter's interest in African culture, two parents created this doll company with different shades of skin complexions and hair textures available. They even have a buy-one-gift-one program!
Inspired by the letter from a six-year-old girl, the iconic green army men sold by BMC Toys now have an addition—women soldiers. They are available in four different military poses
The idea was inspired by Matthew Shifrin who was born blind and loved to play with LEGO bricks. As a child, he had a friend, Lilya who would painstakingly write down all of the LEGO building steps so that he could upload the written directions into a system that translated them in a Braille reader. For the first time in his life, he was able to build LEGO sets entirely on his own.
When Lilya passed away, Shifrin decided he wanted to share his experience with others like him. A friend from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology introduced him to the Creative Play Lab at LEGO Group and his wonderful idea was developed into the LEGO Audio and Braille instruction. LEGO also has LEGO Braille bricks!
With dozens and dozens of looks to choose from in the Truly Me collection, your child can bring home an American Girl doll who brings out exactly who they are. From singing to soccer to so much more, every child can find outfits and accessories to match their interests.
Kids can even have their dolls fitted with a prosthetic leg by the company A Step Ahead Prosthetics.
Lakeshore Learning's People with Differing Abilities
We all want our kids to be open-minded, but in order to understand other people's differences, it's important that kids see those differences first-hand—and talk about them. Lakeshore Learning's People with Differing Abilities include people with realistic details and adaptive equipment—from a girl in a wheelchair to a boy with leg braces. For younger kiddos, Lakeshore also has a "Soft and Safe" version of these diverse toys that feature children with various disabilities.
If you've got a superhero-loving kid who wants a doll—but not that kind of doll—Wonder Crew dolls are the perfect addition. The collection of boy dolls was designed to have the "adventure of an action figure with the emotional connection of the favorite stuffed animal." They're soft and perfect for cuddles, but they're also superheroes. What's even cooler? Each doll comes with two masks and capes: One for the doll and one for the kid who plays with it. Genius.
By taking care of Jerry's diabetes, children gain hands-on practice with counting carbs, monitoring Jerry's blood sugar and dosing Jerry with insulin. Kids care for Jerry using the virtual diabetes tools and the digital pantry in the product's app.
Follow along with Jerry's journey to train for the All-Stars Games! All 21 interactive storybooks are paired with care tasks to reinforce important diabetes lessons. The curriculum is co-designed with doctors, educators and families to create educational content that kids love.
Do you know what's not empowering? Dolls with body proportions that are impossible to have in real life. That's why the makers of Lammily Dolls decided to make a collection of dolls using proportions akin to the average 19-year-old American woman. That means everything from the hands, arms, and neck to the waist, legs, and feet are realistic. The makers hope that playing with "normal" dolls will help young girls see their own bodies more positively (because sadly, studies show girls start worrying about their looks by age five).
Diversity is the name of the game when it comes to this line of dolls. Maru and Friends dolls are making a statement, and it’s one that’s long overdue. These dolls are more than just pretty playthings. Maru and Friends tell the tale of life as an immigrant. And your child can learn Maru’s story, as well as what it’s like for her friends to grow up in America.
This line of dolls and accessories was created by Cynthia Watkins and Kathryn Burnett, a mother-daughter duo, in 2017. Different skin tones, sizes, and hair types are available and each doll is handmade with painstaking detail given to outfits with the ability to match a specific outfit if desired.
This award-winning game matches faces to countries. Twenty-four pairs of illustrated cards depict the happy faces of children from all over the world and make for a fun and educational memory game. At times challenging, the game helps sharpen recognition and memory skills. The back of the game box shows which country each child is from.
Great for multicultural arts and crafts activities. This set includes 10 sheets of each of these five colors: Manila, Salmon, Light Brown, Brown and Dark Brown.
The cost might have a lot to do with when kids quit sports
A national survey from the Aspen Institute with the Utah State University Families in Sports Lab found that the average kid quits playing sports by age 11. For most kiddos, that’s only three years of athletic activity before “retirement.” Between the focus on competition (over fun) and the high participation cost, children are spending less time in organized athletics.
The Aspen Institute’s survey found that children report experiencing a high level of enjoyment from sports. But even though they’re reportedly having fun, kids also experience moderate levels of stress. According to the parent’s reports (in the survey), the most stress-inducing sports are hockey and lacrosse. Children had the least stress when participating in skiing/snowboarding, track, and field, soccer, and skateboarding.
Then there’s the money factor. When it comes down to finances, hockey is the most expensive—with parents spending an average of $2,583 per year. The least expensive sport was track and field, with a price tag of $191. Of all expenses, the parents reported travel as the biggest cost.
Dr. Travis Dorsch, Utah State associate professor and founding director of the Families in Sport Lab, said in a press statement, “We need to figure out why they discontinue, not just that they do. For kids, two years in a sport may seem like forever, while we as adults think they should continue for much longer. We need to frame it through the interpretive lens of adolescence,” Dorsch added.
So what can you do if your child decides to retire from their sporting career early? First, respect their decision and don’t push something your kid doesn’t seem that interested in. You can also visit the Aspen Institute Project Play site here to find resources and other information on children, sports, and the power of play!
