50 things to do with kids in the inland empire
There is no shortage of things to do with kids in Southern California—but when you are standing in your kitchen at 8:00 on a Saturday morning while someone repeatedly asks, “What are we doing today?” it can certainly feel that way.
That is why we created this list.
These are 50 family-friendly things to do throughout Yucaipa, Redlands, Oak Glen and the surrounding Inland Empire. Some are free. Some are perfect for toddlers. Some can fill an entire afternoon. Others are simple ways to get everyone out of the house without turning it into a major production.
Save this list for the next time your family needs somewhere to go, something to explore or simply a reason to put down the screens and get outside together.
Outdoor Adventures and Nature Play
1. Spend a morning at GardenWorks for Kids
GardenWorks for Kids is a nonprofit children’s learning garden in Yucaipa where families can experience hands-on nature play, seasonal activities, creative projects and plenty of room for children to explore.
Our events change throughout the year, so check our [Upcoming Events page] before visiting.
2. Pack a picnic for Yucaipa Regional Park
With wide-open views, walking areas, fishing lakes, playgrounds and seasonal water activities, Yucaipa Regional Park is an easy place to spend several hours outdoors.
Bring lunch, a blanket and an extra set of clothes if your children have a talent for finding water.
3. Walk the paths at Oak Glen Preserve
Explore the trails, watch for wildlife and slow down enough to let your children notice the little things—birds overhead, leaves underfoot and whatever fascinating stick they insist must come home with you.
4. Visit Oak Glen during apple season
Pick apples, drink cider, explore the farms and let your children experience one of the Inland Empire’s most beloved fall traditions.
Weekdays and early mornings are generally easier for families hoping to avoid the largest crowds.
5. Explore Prospect Park in Redlands
Prospect Park is a beautiful place for a family walk, a picnic or a few quiet minutes beneath the trees. It is especially lovely when you want to get outside without planning an elaborate day trip.
6. Look for ducks at Ford Park
Walk around the pond, visit the playground and let your children watch the ducks and other birds. Bring binoculars and turn it into a simple nature observation activity.
7. Take a family walk through the San Timoteo Nature Sanctuary
Choose a manageable trail, bring plenty of water and let younger children set the pace. The goal does not have to be finishing a hike. Sometimes the goal is simply noticing what grows and lives nearby.
8. Visit a local splash pad
On the hottest Inland Empire days, a splash pad can feel like an act of survival.
Check the current operating schedule for your city before leaving home, since hours and seasonal availability can change.
9. Go on a neighborhood nature scavenger hunt
Look for:
A yellow flower
A smooth rock
Three different leaves
A bird’s nest
Something that smells good
An insect
A cloud shaped like something familiar
You do not need a special destination to make an ordinary walk feel like an adventure.
10. Watch the sunset from Wildwood Canyon State Park
Choose a short, family-appropriate route or simply find a safe place to enjoy the view. Bring snacks, jackets and flashlights if you will be walking back near dusk.
Animals, Gardens and Growing Things
11. Feed the goats at a GardenWorks event
Many GardenWorks experiences include opportunities for children to meet or feed our goats while learning how to interact gently with animals.
Check the individual event description to see what is included.
12. Visit a local farm
Seasonal farms throughout Yucaipa, Oak Glen and surrounding communities often offer opportunities to see animals, pick produce or learn where food comes from.
13. Plant a container garden
Let your child choose one herb, flower or vegetable to grow in a pot at home.
Basil, mint, nasturtiums and cherry tomatoes can be especially exciting because children can smell, touch or taste the results.
14. Visit a local nursery
Give each child a small budget and let them choose a flower, herb or packet of seeds.
A nursery visit can be surprisingly entertaining when children are allowed to make a real decision.
15. Go on a butterfly hunt
Visit a garden or park and look for butterflies, caterpillars and pollinator-friendly flowers.
Take pictures rather than collecting anything, then look up what you found when you get home.
16. Make a bug hotel
Use sticks, bark, pinecones, hollow stems and other natural materials to create a small shelter for beneficial insects.
17. Start a windowsill herb garden
No backyard is necessary. Try growing basil, parsley, chives or mint somewhere your child can help water and harvest it.
18. Pick seasonal fruit
Depending on the season, look for local opportunities to pick apples, berries, pumpkins or other produce.
Always confirm availability before driving out, since picking conditions can change quickly.
19. Visit a pumpkin patch
The Inland Empire has several seasonal pumpkin experiences, ranging from simple farm stands to larger attractions.
Choose one based on your child’s age and your family’s tolerance for crowds, lines and very enthusiastic fall décor.
20. Create a mud kitchen
Add old bowls, spoons, muffin tins and measuring cups to an outdoor area and let the children create.
It will be messy. That is the point.
Museums, History and Local Learning
21. Visit the San Bernardino County Museum
The museum in Redlands introduces children to the natural and cultural history of the Inland Empire through regional exhibits and collections.
It is a particularly good option for mixed-age families or very hot afternoons.
22. Explore the A.K. Smiley Public Library
Visit the children’s section, attend a scheduled program or choose books about something your child recently discovered outside.
23. Visit the Lincoln Memorial Shrine
Older children can learn about Abraham Lincoln, the Civil War and American history at this Redlands landmark.
24. Take a self-guided history walk in downtown Redlands
Look at the architecture, find historic buildings and stop for a snack along the way.
For younger children, turn it into a search for arches, towers, dates and decorative details.
25. Visit a small local museum
Smaller museums can be wonderful for children because they are often less crowded and easier to explore at a slower pace.
Search for historical societies and specialty museums near your city.
26. Tour a fire station
Some local fire stations may offer scheduled tours for schools, Scout groups or community organizations.
Contact the department directly rather than arriving without an appointment.
27. Attend a community cultural event
Look for local festivals, heritage celebrations, art walks and educational community events happening throughout the year.
28. Visit a historic garden or home
Older homes and public gardens can help children understand how people lived, worked and grew food in earlier generations.
Indoor Activities for Hot or Rainy Days
29. Attend storytime at your local library
Library storytimes are often free and can be especially helpful for toddlers and preschoolers who need a low-pressure social activity.
30. Try an indoor climbing gym
Choose a facility with youth programs or age-appropriate climbing areas and review its requirements before arriving.
31. Visit an indoor play space
An indoor playground can be a lifesaver on days when it is too hot, cold or smoky to spend much time outside.
32. Take a children’s art class
Look for painting, pottery, drawing or mixed-media classes at local studios, recreation departments and community centers.
33. Attend a family movie at a local theater
Look for discounted morning screenings, sensory-friendly showings or summer movie programs.
34. Visit a bookstore and choose one new book
Let your child browse without rushing. Pair the outing with a drink or snack and make reading the main event.
35. Try a children’s cooking class
Cooking helps children practice measuring, following directions, patience and—occasionally—eating something they previously declared unacceptable.
36. Go bowling
Use bumpers for younger children and focus more on having fun than keeping score.
37. Visit a trampoline or movement center
Check age restrictions and designated toddler hours before visiting.
38. Take a parent-and-child class
Music, dance, movement, art and sensory classes can give younger children something structured to do while still keeping their trusted adult close.
Free and Nearly Free Family Activities
39. Visit a new playground
Choose a park your family has never visited before. To a young child, a different slide can qualify as a vacation.
40. Pack breakfast and eat it outside
A muffin and some fruit feel completely different when eaten on a blanket beneath a tree.
41. Attend a free community event
Follow local libraries, recreation departments, cities and family organizations for concerts, festivals, storytimes and seasonal celebrations.
42. Explore a farmers market
Let each child choose one fruit or vegetable they have never tried.
43. Make nature art
Collect fallen leaves, twigs and petals, then arrange them into faces, animals, patterns or temporary sculptures.
44. Go cloud watching
Bring a blanket, lie down and decide what each cloud resembles.
There is no educational objective required. Rest and imagination count too.
45. Create a family photo scavenger hunt
Photograph:
Something tiny
Something older than you
Something red
Something growing
Something that makes you laugh
Something you have never noticed before
46. Visit a Little Free Library
Take a book, leave a book and search for another Little Free Library nearby.
47. Have a yes-hour at the park
For one hour, let your child choose what to do—as long as it is safe, respectful and possible.
Follow the path they choose. Push the swing again. Investigate the same patch of dirt for twelve minutes.
48. Paint with water
Give toddlers paintbrushes and cups of water and let them “paint” a fence, sidewalk, rock or outdoor wall.
It dries. They begin again. It is delightfully simple.
49. Make a seasonal bucket list
Ask every family member to choose one thing they would like to do before the season ends. Put the list somewhere visible and slowly work through it together.
50. Let the children lead
Visit a safe outdoor space and resist the urge to organize every minute.
Let them dig, build, collect, imagine and decide what happens next.
Sometimes the most memorable childhood experiences begin when an adult stops trying to manufacture one.
Looking for More Things to Do with Kids Near Yucaipa?
GardenWorks for Kids has been welcoming local families and students into the garden for 16 years.
Through field trips, seasonal events, open-play experiences and hands-on garden activities, we create opportunities for children to step away from screens, connect with nature and experience the kind of childhood moments that cannot be downloaded.
Explore our [upcoming family events], learn about [field trips], or join our email list to receive new local family guides and GardenWorks announcements.
Because childhood does not need to be busier.
Sometimes it simply needs more room to grow.