San Diego Parades, Festivals and Outdoor Family Fun: March 15-17
The Butterfly Jungle takes place March 16 through April 7 at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Image ©2010 ZSSD
Brought to you by SoCal Kids San Diego.Check out these family-friendly events and activities happening this weekend in San Diego! To find more kid-friendly fun, head on over to SoCal Kids San Diego, a website dedicated to keeping parents in-the-know about family-friendly events and activities in San Diego. You can also subscribe to a free e-newsletter that highlights local people, places, and events.Balboa Park-Wide Science Family Day on Saturday, March 16, 2013 is the kick-off event for the week-long San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering 2013. Over 15 museums are ready to show kids that learning science can be fun! The Paper Airplane Festival and the first-ever Fly Your Ride! competition finals will be taking place at the San Diego Air and Space Museum. During the festival, visitors of all ages can engage and learn to fold many different types of paper airplanes; enter into competitions which include farthest flight distance, longest air time and flight accuracy; and participate in a mass launch at the end of the festival. The Museum is also offering adults an admission discount coupon for Saturday. As one of the sponsors of the San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering, the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center is offering an array of hands-on activities.
At Rocky Landing, visitors can attempt to design and create their own parachute and container that will safely land cargo on the rocky terrain target (kids 6+ & adults, Tinkering Studio).
At Space Rock Detective, the youngest aspiring astronauts and geologists will have the opportunity to use their sleuthing skills and simple tools of magnets, scales and magnifying glasses to see if they can discover if the rocks they uncover are ordinary Earth rocks or meteorites from outer space (kids 5 and under, Little Learners Lab in Kid City). You’ll find additional activities being offering by the Japanese Friendship Garden, San Diego Model Railroad Museum, Museum of Photographic Arts, San Diego History Center, and more!
If your family is looking to go back in time. Say, 150 years ago to the western frontier! Then head to Vallecito County Park for Vallecito Days taking place March 16 and 17, 2013. This free festival will give visitors a glimpse of life on the frontier – complete with infantry, mountain men, horseback riders, weavers, and more. You can take a tour of the Stage Station as well as watch various demonstrations such as archery, soap-making, and open hearth cooking. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.
FRIDAY, MARCH 15
The Magic Well: Two sisters find the opposite rewards after falling down the well into Mother Holly’s magic land. Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theatre. 10 and 11:30 a.m. Price: $4/$5.
Mac’s Kids Corner: For children interested in listening to train stories, playing games, and creating various railroad crafts. San Diego Model Railroad Museum. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Price: $4-$8; Children 14 and under are free when accompanied by an adult.
KinderNights: Enjoy animal-themed fun with your youngster (ages 3 to 6)! San Diego Zoo. 6-7:30 p.m. $12/$15.
SATURDAY, MARCH 16
Butterfly Jungle: Guests are completely immersed by thousands of butterflies as they walk through the Hidden Jungle aviary. San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Price: Included with membership or admission.
Sailor’s Days: Kids will enjoy various activities such as what it is like to make rope for sailing, raise and lower huge sails, tie sailor’s knots, climb through a steam engine and more. Maritime Museum of San Diego. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Price: $8/$16.
Image c/o stock.xchng
St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival: Parade features marching bands, floats, clowns while the festival flourishes with Irish culture. Children can enjoy a play area with rides and activities. Balboa Park. 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Price: Free admission.
North County St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival: There will be games, contests, entertainment and a parade with Grand Marshal Celia Lawly. Downtown Vista. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Price: Free admission.
Philippine Faire 2013: Featuring Philippine music and dance performances, cuisine, arts and crafts, and vendors. Robert Egger, Sr. South Bay Recreation Center. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Price: Free admission.
7th Annual Vallecito Days: Celebrate life on the frontier with demonstrations, exhibits, displays, and tours. Vallecito Stage Station. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Price: Free.
San Dieguito County Park Easter Extravaganza: This family friendly Easter Egg Hunt is for children 0-12 years of age. There will be games, face painting, and arts and crafts. San Dieguito County Park. 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Price: $3 parking fee.
Riverview International Fair: Travel around the world and learn about other cultures, watch traditional country dances, play carnival games and taste exotic foods without leaving San Diego County. Riverview Elementary School. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Price: Free admission. READ MORE…
Science Family Day: Over two dozen Balboa Park institutions will demonstrate how much fun learning science can be! Balboa Park. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Children 12 and under will be admitted free with a paid adult admission at participating museums (some restrictions apply). READ MORE…
Peace Begins With Me!: Enjoy live entertainment, interactive booths for the whole family and community resources. Grape Day Park. 1-4 p.m. Price: Free.
SUNDAY, MARCH 17
The Flower Fields: Enjoy fifty acres of colorful flowers plus activities for the kids. The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch® 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Price: $6-$11.
The Mama Doni Band: Celebrate Jewish culture with an interactive family rock concert. Carlsbad Village Theatre. 10:30 a.m. Price: $12-$14; Children 8 and younger are free.
A butterfly craft at the San Diego Natural History Museum. Photo c/o San Diego Natural History Museum.
Six-Legged Sundays: Featuring a day of insect discovery with games, coloring station, the Bug-o-Saurus, and Ms. Frizzle performances. San Diego Natural History Museum. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Price: $11-$17.
Family Sunday: Children and families can explore their colorful exhibitions of folk art, craft and design, and win a prize for completing the Treasure Hunt! Mingei International Museum. 12-4 p.m. Price: $5/family; $3/individual.
Organ Concert: Head to Balboa Park for an organ concert on one of the world’s largest outdoor pipe organs. Spreckels Organ Pavilion. 2-3 p.m. Price: Free.
*It’s always a good idea to check with the venue before heading out as cancellations, postponements, and date/time changes do occur on occasion.
About SoCal Kids San Diego
SoCal Kids San Diego was founded by Kathie Zaccaria, an East County mom dedicated to providing families all over San Diego with events and activities that are kid-friendly. From science to festivals, concerts to crafts – SoCal Kids San Diego aims to be your one-stop-shop for family fun!
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There is so much going on this weekend. Definitely can’t miss the parade at Balboa Park.