longbeachkids

Free Family Activities in Long Beach

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Need some fun family activities that WON’T break the bank? Check out this list of free family activities in Long Beach, complete with both indoor and outdoor activities. If you need something to do on the cheap, this list of free things to do with kids in Long Beach is the best place to start!

Living in Southern California means that we never run out of something to do. Amusement parks, museums, plays and restuarants- there’s fun to be had around every corner.

Unfortunately, most of those super fun activities come with a pretty hefty price tag.

If you need to change it up with some free things to do with kids in Long Beach, you’ve come to the right place!

With our gorgeous weather, fantastic parks, and accessible educational resources, we’ve got you covered when it comes to free family activities in Long Beach and the surrounding areas.

long beach skyline; text: free family fun in long beach

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Things to Do Outside with Kids in Long Beach

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Well, it’s been a loooong three years, and it’s still safer to do things outside with kids! And if you’re like us, family walks and bike rides aren’t doing it for us anymore. If you need ideas for things to do outside with kids in Long Beach, check out this list for ways to get outside with your family!

It’s kind of crazy that we’re saying this AGAIN, but in present times, it’s still safer to spend time outside than indoors.

Whether you are getting stir crazy inside, sick of your local park, or just need an idea for a safer meetup with friends and family, we need fresh ideas.

Luckily, we are EXTREMELY fortunate to live in mild-weather Long Beach. There are tons of ways to play outside in Long Beach, even in the winter.

So if you’re looking for fun things to do outside with kids in Long Beach, consider giving some of these ideas a try.

a family hiking outside; text: things to do outside near long beach

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Visiting the Tidepools at Cabrillo Beach

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Want an easy visit to the Cabrillo Beach tidepools? Located next to Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, the tidepools in San Pedro provide easy parking, outdoor adventure, and lots of fun for little exporers!

During the pandemic, I promised my kids that I would take them to the places that their school would have taken them to on field trips under normal circumstances.

When I found out the second grade trip was a visit to the tidepools, I kinda freaked out. I had been to the tidepools by myself in college, and found the whole thing intimidating.

I was super nervous to take my kids to the tidepool for the first time.

Luckily, I have a friend who works at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. She was able to give me lots of great information about how to best visit the Cabrillo Beach tidepools with kids.

That information made such a HUGE difference for us, that I knew we just had to share it with you!

So if you are thinking of braving the tidepools at Cabrillo Beach for the first time, here is some expert advice to make your first visit a roaring success!

the tidepools at cabrillo beach; text: cabrillo beach tidepools

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Visiting Centennial Farms with Kids

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Looking for a fun farm experience in Southern California? Check out the totally fun, totally free Centennial Farm, located at the OC Fairgrounds!

I was raised in rural northern California. It meant lots of time spent playing at the creek, riding horses, and getting dirty.

Even here in sunny, urban SoCal, I’m determined to give my kids experiences as close to what I had growing up as a kid as possible.

So when I realized my kids thought all pigs were pink and tiny with curly tails…we had a problem.

I looked around for a working farm with large animals that I could show my kids. And we hit the jackpot with Centennial Farms at the OC Fairgrounds!

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Trampoline Parks Near Long Beach

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Looking for some bouncy fun? Check out this list of trampoline parks near Long Beach to help your kids burn that energy!

For a long time, Long Beach was a desert when it came to indoor play places.

And while you still won’t find many in Long Beach proper (we blame the high rent prices!) there are several great indoor play places near Long Beach.

And if you ask our kids? Trampoline parks top their list of their favorite places to play.

If you’re looking for trampoline parks near Long Beach, you’ve come to the right place!

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Best Christmas Lights in Long Beach

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We may not have snow and the full winter experience, but Long Beach has some amazing holiday lights that is sure to get even the biggest Grinch into the holiday spirit. So grab some cocoa and take your kids to one of these amazing spots to check out some of the best Christmas Lights in Long Beach.

As the holiday’s roll around, we have a ton of family traditions. We bake and decorate cookies. We watch Home Alone. And we always go looking at Christmas lights.

Long Beach has so much to offer for Christmas lights. With tons of walkable neighborhoods and houses well worth the drive, there’s something for everyone. You can even see Christmas lights by boat in Long Beach!

If you’ve been sticking to Christmas lights in your immediate neighborhood, you’re missing out! So if you’re asking yourself “where should I go to see Christmas lights in Long Beach?” We’ve got you covered. Here’s a list of our favorite places to look at holiday lights in Long Beach.

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Best Hiking with Kids in Long Beach

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Looking to enjoy the great outdoors? Well lucky for us, while Long Beach has all the amenities of a big city, it has a surprising amount of fun – and accessible – hiking opportunities for families! Whether you’re a family that loves the great outdoors or is just dipping your toe in hiking, there’s something for you in Long Beach. Check out these best family hiking spots in Long Beach and try one with your family soon!

I’ve never been super outdoorsy. Then I married an Eagle Scout. So when we had kids he was so excited to get them outside.

Over the past 8 years we’ve loaded our kids up in strollers, double strollers, wagons, and Ergo’s and explored all over Long Beach (and beyond!)

Here are some of our favorite spots we’ve visited.

Did we miss one of your favorite spots? Drop it in the comments so we can check it out and add it to our list!

best kid friendly hikes in long beach, from Long beach Kids

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Storytimes in Long Beach

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Looking for a storytime for kids in Long Beach? Your best bet is the public library, but with eight branches, keeping track can be confusing! Here’s a comprehensive list of the storytimes in Long Beach fo rkiddos.

When my kids were little, I didn’t put them in preschool. They had lots of playdates, and attended Del Valle’s Tot Lot program, but I worried they wouldn’t learn to “sit and listen” before school.

Yes, you can pay for classes for kids. But if funds are short, you’re probably looking for a way to sneak in fun, learning, and structure.

And there’s no better way to kill those three birds with one stone than visiting some of the many storytimes in Long Beach!

Storytimes in Long Beach are offered through the public library, and are often short, sweet, and FUN. Add in a couple of cute crafts and LOTS of fun songs and stories, and it’s the perfect introduction to structured learning.

So where are these storytimes near Long Beach at? Read on for the full list!

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Halloween Events in Long Beach 2022

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Looking for some Halloween weekend fun? Check out this list of fun Halloween events for kids in Long Beach in 2022!

You’ve got the candies, you’ve got the pumpkins, and you’ve got costumes that seem WAY too expesive to only wear once.

And if you’re like us, you’ve got kids that are driving you CRAZY with endless “how many days until Halloween?” questions.

If you’re looking for Halloween events for kids in Long Beach, we’ve got a full list of fun things to do this weekend. The only thing left to decide? Which one to go to!

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