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North County Kids Free October Fun Guide

October 7, 2024

Animal Fun Day Discovery Museum

Looking for fun things to do with the kids in North County? We’ve got you covered with our all-new Kids Free Fun Guide featuring ideas for you including amazing events, new exhibitions and the family favorites in North County participating in Kids Free San Diego. Find our complete Kids Free San Diego Fun Guide guide to all of San Diego County here.

A Month of Family Fun
Kids Free San Diego

October 2024

It’s a kid’s paradise all month long! Kids ages 12 and under receive FREE admission with a paid adult to more than 50 of San Diego County’s favorite museums, historic sites, aquariums, gardens and more. Many are even free for the whole family! See all participating museums and offers here.

Kids also get to eat, stay, and play for free with dozens of deals on hotels, activities, restaurants, and attractions including SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo & Safari Park, LEGOLAND, Sesame Place and Belmont Park. Plan your trip today at SanDiego.org and get ready to explore!

Some restrictions apply and offers vary by participating organization. See offer coupons for specific details on each location before visiting.

From iconic record albums, period surfboards, fashion artifacts, seminal photographic images and memorabilia, visitors will get a clearer sense of why the years from 1958 to 1965 are considered the “golden age” of surfing and the surfing lifestyle.

Oceanside
California Surf Museum

San Diego kids love catching waves while lying on their bellies at this Oceanside favorite! Bring your kids to the California Surf Museum and also catch the eye-opening fun and informative Stars, Cars & Guitars exhibit that explores how surfing elements came to dominate popular culture. Get your Kids Free coupon here.
Old Mission San Luis Rey’s museum collection includes artifacts from Native American, Spanish, Mission, Mexican Secularization and American Military periods.

Oceanside
Mission San Luis Rey

Explore Oceanside’s historic Mission San Luis Rey. Here, kids will learn the story of our nation’s frontier past and the heritage that helped form California. Explore the grounds of this National Historic Landmark and check out the Museum’s displays of original art and artifacts that bring the Mission Era to life. Get your Kids Free coupon here.

 

Carlsbad
LEGOLAND® California Resort

With kid-powered, kid-tastic rides geared for families with children ages 2-12, awesome awaits at LEGOLAND® California Resort! Dive into prehistoric fun in the NEW land, Dino Valley, featuring three ROAR-some rides with dino-packed fun for all ages. Unlock the Ultimate Kids Free San Diego Family Adventure at LEGOLAND® California Resort with a  FREE child LEGOLAND® + SEA LIFE Hopper Ticket when you purchase an adult LEGOLAND® + SEA LIFE Hopper Ticket to LEGOLAND California!  Get your Kids Free coupon here.

 

Carlsbad
Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum

Who loves miniatures more than kids! Visit the Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum in Carlsbad to see all kinds of fun music boxes, toys, engines and miniature homes. The wind-up toy collection is a kid favorite. Admission is always free. Get your Kids Free coupon here.
The Museum of Making of Making Music is open Tuesday – Sunday from 10 a.m – 5 p.m.

Carlsbad
Museum of Making Music

Following last year’s complete renovation, The Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad is even better for music lovers and kids to enjoy! Families will find hundreds of instruments on display from the last 150 years and experience an immersive panoramic multimedia display with multiple hands-on opportunities. Catch a live concert and hear the swinging sounds of banjo with the Cynthia Sayer Trio on Friday Oct. 18. Get your Kids Free coupon here.

Discover a variety of classes for kids and adults taught by accomplished local artists who are excited to share their expertise.

Encinitas
ICA North

There’s always something fun and new at ICA San Diego in Encinitas. Kids will be fascinated by exhibits from local artist Melissa Walter and the New Mexico-based mixed media artist Manuel Alejandro Rodríguez-Delgado featuring experimental animation, drawings, sculpture and collage. Get your Kids Free coupon here.

 

Encinitas
San Diego Botanic Garden

Head up the coast to Encinitas where you’ll find San Diego Botanic Garden with three areas designed just for kids – the Hamilton Children’s Garden (the largest on the West Coast, home to Toni’s Tree House, mountain stream and bird and butterfly garden), Seeds of Wonder (for early learners, with model trains), and the Junior Quail Trail (an immersive area to play and explore). On Wednesdays through Fridays at 10 a.m. to noon, kids can participate in a pumpkin-themed SAPLinGs (Science, Art and Play in Garden Spaces) program. Get your Kids Free coupon here.

 

Beautiful days are never scarce at Deer Park, grab your friends & family for a flight of estate wines and a tour of the auto museum with +100 classic American convertibles.

Escondido
Deer Park Winery & Automotive Museum

See the world’s largest collection of vintage convertibles (more than 100 of them) at the Deer Park Winery & Automotive Museum in Escondido. You’ll also find collections of vintage treasures including a special Barbie room. Head over this Saturday, Oct. 5 for the family friendly Fall Festival and enjoy live music and jam tasting. Get your Kids Free coupon here.

Each show is accompanied by a dedicated Emerging Artist Gallery Wall as a commitment to supporting young artists in the community.

Escondido
California Center for the Arts, Escondido

As part of the Getty’s PST ART event, the museum at California Center for the Arts, Escondido presents Helen and Newton Harrison: California Work. During the month, you can also check out a live artist demonstration on Myth and Monsters on Oct. 10 and then stop by on Oct 12 at 11 a.m. for the free Second Saturday workshop (this month exploring and creating paper flowers). Get your Kids Free coupon here.

The San Diego Archaeological Center is open Wednesday – Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Escondido
San Diego Archaeological Center

For the entire month of October at the San Diego Archaeological Center kids under 12 will get free entry, a clay pottery kit to take home, and a poster for completing the newly redone Archaeology Quest. Use your excavation skills to uncover the past. Examine and record your findings in the field lab – just like a real archaeologist!  Get your Kids Free coupon here.

Warner Springs
Warner-Carrillo Ranch House

Take a family road trip to Warner Springs for a visit to the Warner-Carrillo Ranch House. Built in 1857, the property served as the Butterfield Stage Stop and was California’s first regular overland stage connection with St. Louis. With its multilayered history, the adobe ranch house tells the story of the emigrant trail, the overland stage, and the prominent ranching history of the area. Get your Kids Free coupon here.

 

NEW fun guide for the best of Halloween and Día de los Muertos events throughout San Diego.

San Diego County Wide
Halloween Fun Guide

 

It’s officially “Spooky Season” in San Diego and local museums are ready to help you celebrate! There’s plenty to check out for kids, adults and families. Just view our NEW fun guide for the best of Halloween and Día de los Muertos events throughout San Diego. Find the FUN here!
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