- Science meets Broadway. Head to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and get more out of your membership or ticket with free summer theatrical programs to enjoy from through September 4th. There’s also member pricing for several fun summer activities, including $12 guided tours. Go behind-the-scenes, feed the fish, or get a more in-depth understanding of sharks, otters, or jellyfish.www.montereybayaquarium.org/members/shorelines/shorelines-summer-2017/summer-at-the-aquarium
- All the books. Take advantage of Monterey County libraries’ vast activities schedule. Their kids’ calendar has plans for music, science, reading, language, cooking, and more for children age 0-5th grade. See the calendar of events for some of our local libraries below: Monterey: www.monterey.org/library/Kids Pacific Grove: www.pacificgrovelibrary.org/kids Carmel: https://ci.carmel.ca.us/library/calendar
- Feast of Lanterns. This century-old festival celebrates the history of Pacific Grove with culture and creativity from July 4th through July 27th. See the full calendar of events here: www.feast-of-lanterns.org
- The Farm. The Farm in Salinas is more than your typical growing of fresh, organic produce. Check out their schedule for free monthly story times, puppet shows, hayrides and $5 cow train rides. http://thefarm-salinasvalley.com/events/
- Library Fun. All of the libraries in Monterey and Santa Cruz have an abundance of free events scheduled throughout the summer. From reading clubs to magic shows, the entertainment and learning is almost endless. For more information, check the MontereyBayParent.com calendar or contact your local branch library directly.
- Pool time. Learning to swim is essential when your child is growing up near the ocean. You can find affordable swim lessons at The Monterey Sports Center for just $54 for eight lessons and several package offering to meet your schedule. www.monterey.org/sportscenter/Aquatics
- Summer Berry Picking. One of our favorite fun, practical and affordable activities to do with kids of all ages is berry-picking. Seeing where food comes from and taking part in selecting and bathing the fruit imprints a positive image of healthy food onto your child’s brain. And of course, spending time together making sweet memories under the sun is good for everyone. We have a list of the top U-pick farms in near Monterey here: www.montereybayparent.com/directories/u-pick-farms-in-monterey-and-santa-cruz-counties/#page=1
- My Museum $2 Tuesdays. Every first Tuesday of the month is just a $2 entrance fee and kids under 24 months are free as usual. Be there at 11 am to take part in an hour-long, guided crafting session during the weekly Make-N-Take. A great deal for an afternoon packed with cognitive, motor, language, and social-emotional development through art-making.
Summertime is an excellent opportunity to expose your kids to all kinds of learning. Create your list of activities and let your child tell you what sparks their interest—something they aren’t always able to do in the school year. Remember to let Monterey’s best free resource have a place in your family’s summer schedule. We live in a temperate, beautiful climate year-round and it’s free to enjoy! Include the school of nature in your summer plans and take your kids on hikes through the hills or along the coast, let them get creative in the sand or be active on the water. Learning is more than just one thing, and our beautiful bay area offers a wealth of inexpensive options for educational fun.
Leave a Reply