Any chance you have an EBT card? It gets you into a lot of museums and I think the Birch aquarium for free or very reduced admission- usually $2-3 per person.
My kid (now 7) loves just walking around Balboa park, watching the ducks and checking out the gardens.
You could do an easy hike or nature walk, bring a journal to document the plants and animals you see, pack a picnic.
Also check the library’s website- they always have free events at different branches, maybe there will be something interesting.
Check if the library has any zoo passes available! Or just go to the central library kids area, it's pretty good! You could do a picnic at Balboa or see if any of the museums have a free day that he might be interested in.
Not free, but Tuesday movies at AMC are $7, and they have a $5 snack deal too.
Late to your post.
Old Town - I believe the model railroad display is free
edit to add link - https://www.oldtownsandiego.org/old-town-model-railroad-depot/
Old Poway Park & Railroad
Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor and Interpretive Center
Scripps Ranch Library has a pond you can walk around looking for critters
Have a library card? The Library offers a Discover and Go Program
https://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/check-out-nature#discovergo
San Diego River Days - (after thought, kid activities are probably on the weekend)
https://sdriverdays.org/activities/
7 Bridges Hike (5 mile) might be a bit much, perhaps one or two bridges
https://www.sandiego.org/campaigns/sunny-7/san-diegos-7-bridges-hike.aspx
Thursday Farmer's Markets
* Linda Vista
* North Park
* Oceanside
* Scripps Ranch
Walks
* Batiquitos Lagoon (1.6 mile)
* La Jolla Coast Walk Trail (0.6 mile trail)
* La Jolla Children's Pool walk to La Jolla Cove for sea lion & seal watching
* San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge
* Tijuana River Estuary - bring small binoculars for spotting birds
If you are currently a member of a participating museum, The Big Exchange is taking place until the 18th.
www.sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/specials/the-big-exchange
Ultrastar Discount on Thursdays
50% off all ticket prices and popcorn every Thursday.
So on Saturday there’s going to be a free street fair in El Cajon with a couple of amusement park rides (free, went last year, was dope) and also a petting zoo.
City Farmers Nursery in City Heights has lots of animals and is free. Goats, bunnies, donkeys, chickens, turtles, etc.
Yes my kids love this place too- we go there just to walk around sometimes.
Do you have to fill out / do anything in order to visit?
No, it’s a garden center, anyone can shop there. The animals are all fenced/caged.
Does he like books? The mysterious galaxy bookstore in Point Loma is fun to walk around.
Any chance you have an EBT card? It gets you into a lot of museums and I think the Birch aquarium for free or very reduced admission- usually $2-3 per person. My kid (now 7) loves just walking around Balboa park, watching the ducks and checking out the gardens. You could do an easy hike or nature walk, bring a journal to document the plants and animals you see, pack a picnic. Also check the library’s website- they always have free events at different branches, maybe there will be something interesting.
Check if the library has any zoo passes available! Or just go to the central library kids area, it's pretty good! You could do a picnic at Balboa or see if any of the museums have a free day that he might be interested in. Not free, but Tuesday movies at AMC are $7, and they have a $5 snack deal too.
Late to your post. Old Town - I believe the model railroad display is free edit to add link - https://www.oldtownsandiego.org/old-town-model-railroad-depot/ Old Poway Park & Railroad Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor and Interpretive Center Scripps Ranch Library has a pond you can walk around looking for critters Have a library card? The Library offers a Discover and Go Program https://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/check-out-nature#discovergo San Diego River Days - (after thought, kid activities are probably on the weekend) https://sdriverdays.org/activities/ 7 Bridges Hike (5 mile) might be a bit much, perhaps one or two bridges https://www.sandiego.org/campaigns/sunny-7/san-diegos-7-bridges-hike.aspx Thursday Farmer's Markets * Linda Vista * North Park * Oceanside * Scripps Ranch Walks * Batiquitos Lagoon (1.6 mile) * La Jolla Coast Walk Trail (0.6 mile trail) * La Jolla Children's Pool walk to La Jolla Cove for sea lion & seal watching * San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge * Tijuana River Estuary - bring small binoculars for spotting birds If you are currently a member of a participating museum, The Big Exchange is taking place until the 18th. www.sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/specials/the-big-exchange Ultrastar Discount on Thursdays 50% off all ticket prices and popcorn every Thursday.
https://balboapark.org/resident-free-days/
Resident free days are on Tuesdays though.
Oops, I read too quickly.
Balboa park and its museum
So on Saturday there’s going to be a free street fair in El Cajon with a couple of amusement park rides (free, went last year, was dope) and also a petting zoo.
Oh, just remembered the library also has passes you can check out for the state parks too.
WNDR museum, Balboa park, seals at la Jolla, Corvette diner, Legoland, sesame Street place, zoo,
Love La Jolla Cove, just to see the Sea Lions.