What’s New This Year for Kids Free Fun
Every October, San Diego becomes a playground for families thanks to Kids Free San Diego — a monthlong celebration where children 12 and under can explore museums, gardens, zoos, aquariums, historic sites, and theme parks for free with a paying adult. It’s a chance for families to discover the art, history, science, and culture that make our region so vibrant — all while creating unforgettable memories together. Explore the all-new Kids Free Fun Guide Here!
This year, more than 60 museums and cultural attractions are part of the fun, along with major partners like the San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, SeaWorld® San Diego, and LEGOLAND® California Resort. And in 2025, the program shines even brighter with brand-new museums, newly restored landmarks, and inspiring historic sites added to the lineup.
Here’s a closer look at what’s new to Kids Free San Diego in 2025:
🌟 Navy SEAL Museum San Diego – Downtown San Diego
Opening October 4, the Navy SEAL Museum is one of the most exciting debuts of Kids Free 2025. Located just steps from the USS Midway Museum and the Maritime Museum of San Diego, this brand-new attraction offers a fascinating look at the origins and missions of the Navy SEALs. Families will encounter cutting-edge interactive exhibits, a Memorial Wall honoring fallen heroes, and even a 21-foot SEAL Delivery Vehicle floating overhead. It’s both an inspiring tribute and an unforgettable adventure for kids and adults alike.
Visitors can now experience what it’s like to be a Navy SEAL through cutting-edge virtual reality technology at the brand-new Navy SEAL Museum, opening Saturday, October 4 in downtown San Diego.
The 10,000-square-foot museum, located at 1001 Kettner Boulevard in the former Museum of Contemporary Art space, offers an immersive look into the history and operations of Naval Special Warfare. Families can explore interactive exhibits, step into VR missions, and hear firsthand accounts from veteran docents who lived the experience.
One of the most exciting highlights is the chance to pilot a SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) through game-style interactive displays. Overhead, an actual 21-foot SDV is dramatically suspended — carefully delivered through a second-story window during the museum’s construction. This striking feature instantly captures the imagination of kids and adults alike.
The exhibits span eight decades of Naval Special Warfare history, beginning with the frogmen of World War II and tracing the evolution of the SEALs through the Cold War, modern conflicts, and today’s elite missions. It’s a rare opportunity to get up close to the stories, tools, and training that define one of the world’s most respected special forces.
For families, the Navy SEAL Museum offers both thrill and meaning — blending hands-on fun with powerful stories of courage, resilience, and service. Learn more here!
🌿 Balboa Park Botanical Building & Gardens – Balboa Park
One of the most photographed icons in San Diego has come back to life. The Balboa Park Botanical Building has undergone a remarkable restoration and is reopening just in time for Kids Free 2025. Families can stroll through lush gardens, marvel at rare and exotic plants, and take in the sweeping latticework structure that has charmed visitors for over a century. Whether it’s your first visit or a return to an old favorite, the Botanical Building is a reminder of the beauty and history that makes Balboa Park so special.
Disclaimer: October 1–31, 2025, admission is always free at Balboa Park’s Botanical Building & Gardens. Get your Kids Free San Diego coupon (available at the Redeem Offer link). Children must be accompanied by an adult during the visit. Kids Free San Diego offers vary by participating partners. Learn More Here.
🏫 Encinitas Historical Society & the 1883 Schoolhouse – Encinitas
Step inside the oldest schoolhouse in Encinitas and experience life as it was in the late 1800s. The 1883 Schoolhouse, preserved by the Encinitas Historical Society, offers a hands-on look at local history just blocks from the ocean. Kids can see original desks, chalkboards, and photographs that tell the story of this coastal community’s early days. It’s a simple, charming stop that connects today’s students with those who studied here more than 140 years ago.
Disclaimer: October 1–31, 2025, admission is always free for kids and adults at the Encinitas Historical Society. Donations are appreciated to support the preservation of this treasured landmark. Kids Free San Diego offers vary by participating partners. Children must be accompanied by an adult during the visit. Kids Free San Diego offers vary by participating partners. Learn more here!
🏮 Green Dragon Museum – Carlsbad
Step back into the founding days of America at the Green Dragon Tavern & Museum in Carlsbad. This unique cultural spot features authentic Colonial and Revolutionary War–era documents that connect directly to legendary figures like Paul Revere, John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin, and Alexander Hamilton.
Families can explore exhibits that bring early American history to life, from the debates that shaped the nation to the everyday lives of the people who lived it. It’s an inspiring way for kids to see that history isn’t just in textbooks — it’s real, tangible, and still relevant today.
Ilan-Lael Foundation – Julian/Santa Ysabel
Tucked into the mountains of Julian, the Ilan-Lael Foundation is the artistic home of world-renowned artist and architect James Hubbell. Families can tour the whimsical structures, gardens, and studios that blend seamlessly with nature, showcasing Hubbell’s unique vision of harmony between art and the environment. It’s an inspiring setting where kids can see creativity in action and discover how imagination can shape the world around us.
Tours are offered on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday mornings, and advance reservations are required. During October, up to two children (12 and under) receive Free admission with one paid adult. Learn More Here.
🇺🇸 Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial – La Jolla
Perched high above La Jolla with 360-degree views of San Diego, the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial is one of the most unique military tributes in the nation. Unlike traditional memorials, it honors veterans from all branches of service and all eras of U.S. history — both living and deceased. Families visiting during Kids Free month can walk among the plaques, reflect on stories of service and sacrifice, and take in one of the most stunning vistas in Southern California.
Disclaimer: October 1–31, 2025, kids admission is always free at ICA San Diego. Get your Kids Free coupon at the Redeem Offer link. Children must be accompanied by an adult during the visit. Go San Diego passes are not valid for this promotion. Kids Free San Diego offers vary by participating partners.
🤠 Olaf Wieghorst Museum – El Cajon
The Olaf Wieghorst Museum celebrates the art of a man known as the “Dean of Western Art.” Wieghorst’s paintings of cowboys, Native Americans, and the landscapes of the American West capture a rugged spirit that kids and adults alike will find captivating. Located in El Cajon, the museum also tells the story of Wieghorst’s life, from Denmark to the U.S. Cavalry to his celebrated career as an artist. It’s a step into the West — without leaving San Diego County.
Families can explore paintings, drawings, and sculptures that capture the spirit of the American West—complete with cowboys, Native peoples, and majestic horses. The Museum also features a recreated historic home and studio, giving kids a glimpse into the world of a working Western artist.
Kids are always FREE at the Olaf Wieghorst Museum. Open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Private tours and classroom visits available by appointment. Kids Free San Diego offers vary by participating partners and do not include special events. Learn more here!
✡️ RUTH: Remember Us The Holocaust – La Jolla Riford Library
At the La Jolla Riford Library, the RUTH: Remember Us The Holocaust exhibit offers a powerful opportunity for families to learn about history through personal stories. Sixteen life-size cutouts of Holocaust survivors — 14 of whom still live in San Diego — share their resilience and contributions to our community. The exhibit goes beyond Jewish experiences, reminding visitors of the broader human impact of hate and intolerance. Free and deeply moving, it’s an important chance to connect with history in a personal way.
The exhibit also sheds light on all victims of the Holocaust, reminding us of the devastating impact that reached beyond Jewish communities. Admission is always free, making this an important opportunity for older kids, teens, families, and lifelong learners to reflect, learn, and remember together.
🗽 We The People Museum – Carlsbad
We The People Museum is setting a new standard for preserving and honoring the voices and stories of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) beyond narratives of enslavement and trauma. As the world’s first virtual museum dedicated to BIPOC history and culture, it serves as a landmark in digital historic preservation, ensuring that generations to come can explore these rich and diverse histories. Set in the backdrop of Encanto, near Valencia Park/Malcolm X Library in San Diego, the museum is more than just a collection of exhibits—it is a living, evolving space that brings overlooked stories to light.
Founded by Our Genetic Legacy, the museum’s current exhibit, explores the hidden histories of BIPOC communities, with a particular focus on California’s lesser-known role in slavery. Future themes, including “Self-Emancipation: Enslaved Who Freed Themselves,” will continue to challenge and reshape historical narratives. By situating the virtual space within a historically under-resourced San Diego neighborhood, We The People Museum anchors itself in both digital and real-world communities, ensuring that these stories remain seen, heard, and celebrated. Explore the museum now at https://bit.ly/WTPMuseum.
💬 Bob Lehman, Executive Director of the San Diego Museum Council, summed it up best:
“It’s a full month of family fun that doesn’t break the bank. Whether you are a local or visiting San Diego, there is always something new to discover during Kids Free, including new exhibitions or historic sites, gardens, aquariums, state parks and other non-traditional ‘museum’ experiences people may not know about.”
With the addition of these brand-new participants, Kids Free San Diego 2025 is bigger and better than ever. From interactive military missions and restored gardens to historic schoolhouses and revolutionary documents, families have more opportunities than ever to learn, play, and create lasting memories together.
And that’s just the beginning. This October, families can choose from nearly 70 museums and cultural attractions across San Diego County — plus favorite destinations like the San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, SeaWorld®, and LEGOLAND® California Resort. Whether you’re planning a weekend adventure or a full month of discoveries, Kids Free San Diego makes it easy to explore new places without stretching the family budget.
👉 Plan your family adventures today and download your Kids Free Museum Coupons here:sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/kids-free-museum-pass/
