25 Things To Do With Kids
By the View Crew
The ViewCrew reached out to some of our awesome local parents to get some great tips on creative living with kids. From the toddler to the teen, there is something for everyone. If you have other great kids’ ideas, please let us know at info@modestoview.com<mailto:info@modestoview.com> so we can spread the good word. Let’s explore and let’s foster some imagination.
1. Tour downtown with a camera/phone and film a scavenger hunt of subjects. Grab the kids, take a stroll, and find the last horse hitching post at 1104 14th St, or the last gas lamp, or maybe the oldest commercial building on 10th St, maybe the mural alley or in front of the pollinator mural So many interesting places to spend a walk and explore trip.
2. The Great Valley Museum at MJC West can tell you so much about our natural history. The rivers, streams, animals as well as the stars and the planets. There is so much to see over at the MJC West Campus. Look out for new planetarium multi-media events. www.mjc.edu/instruction/sme/gvm/<www.mjc.edu/instruction/sme/gvm/>
3. Buzz on over to the Annual Pollinator Festival
Come learn about pollinators and how you can support them! The festival is April 13 at the La Loma Native Garden (2000 Encina) and runs 10-2. You can find face painting, music, food and so much more. Don’t miss the Children’s Pollinator Costume Parade starting at 10:15!
4. Explore and enjoy the Modesto Children’s Museum
It is a kid friendly world in downtown Modesto now with the addition of “MoChiMu”. Cool explorations, science projects, shopping, scanning, playing, singing, building, shaping, coloring and experiments. Ride a train, move water, channel air and slide down a big slide. Great play and learning times. www.modestochildrensmusem.com<www.modestochildrensmusem.com>
5. Play a game of pickleball in Graceada Park
Maybe you have heard about this new game sweeping the nation? Seriously though, all ages can get their game on, and there are courts at Graceada and Beyer Parks as well as Del Rio with more to come. Futsol (mini soccer) can also be found on these local courts.
6. Take some books or coloring to a local coffee shop like Lucille or Culture Coffee
Lucille, located on H street in Downtown Modesto, launched their new kids menu back in February. Perfect for an after-farmer’s market visit, try the Lil Buddy, a classic breakfast sandwich for the kiddos. Bonus: the cutest coloring page complete with a Lucille-themed crossword! Down McHenry, Culture Coffee bar serves up caffeine for adults, but has unique sweet milks, including every kid’s favorite- chocolate milk- for the little ones. Our fave snack: Almond butter Banana toast. Delicious AND nutritious!
Check them out @gooddaylucille & @culturecoffeebar on Instagram.
7. Spend a day browsing books at one of our Stanislaus County Libraries.
While the library is already a great outing with kids, April is jam-packed with cool events this year. The Modesto Library has LEGO play every Wednesday at 3:30pm. There’s Dia (bilingual storytime) on the 17th @ 4pm in Ceres and the 20th @10am in Modesto. And you won’t want to miss Family Story Time on the 23rd at 6pm in Oakdale (come in your PJs!) Make sure to get your kid a library card!
8. Go see a matinee movie.
Movie theaters are still hands down the best way to relax, snack and enjoy a new, or even old, movie. Kids are delighted to get the opportunity of a special candy or popcorn. Great activity when weather isn’t great and can save a couple bucks if you snag a matinee time. Modesto boasts several options to view your favorite flick: Brenden Theater (downtown), State Theater (downtown), Regal Cinema (N. McHenry), Galaxy Theater (Riverbank)
9. See the baby animals at Dutch Hollow
Perhaps the cutest activity to do with your kids: Baby Animal Days at Dutch Hollow Farm! Baby Animals will be ready for visits April 4-7 and April 11-14 from 10-5. There’s even a petting zoo! Get your tickets at dutchhollowfarms.com
10. Collect flowers and press them in a book to make a special card for mom for Mother’s Day. Children will love to participate and observe the change that happens with Mother Nature’s creations. Start with fresh flowers and a large book like a dictionary. Open the book to the middle. Place flower in between two paper towel sheets. Use more paper towels if your flower contains a lot of moisture. Carefully slam shut and revisit in about a month. The positioning of the petals and stem is how the flower will dry. Dried flower can be glued to a card, put in a frame, the options are endless!
11. Go Play! There are some fun places that kids can really cut loose. Check out FunWorks, Boomers, Sky Zone, Chucky Cheese, John’s Incredible Pizza, Dave & Busters and the locally owned Play Modesto on Sisk Road. These are all nice clean places where your kids can play while you relax. Most of Modesto’s city park are getting new playground equipment with a lot of variety and you can enjoy those for free. Check out the City of Modesto activity guide with many more ideas. www.modestogov.com/483/Activity-Guide<www.modestogov.com/483/Activity-Guide>
12. Ride bikes or scooters on the Virginia Corridor or the Mensinger Trail along Dry Creek. A great way to enjoy spring in the Valley, check out two of our bike (and non-motorized scooter) paths! The 2.9-mile Virginia Corridor Trailway follows the old Tidewater Southern Railway line from Campus way to Woodrow Ave. The Dry Creek Trail starts at Moose Park and runs 4.5 miles all the way to Claus Rd. Both are also dog friendly- just make sure they’re on a leash!
13. Climb up a rock wall! There are so many ways to get up the side of a rock wall. Many of our local parks like East LaLoma, Graceada, or Moran Estates have beginner climbing structures with hand and footholds. Before you decide to head to Yosemite to be the next Royal or Liz Robbins, check out the Alpine Climbing Adventure in Ripon and learn the climbing ways. You can start your climbing journey at 7 years-old. www.Climbatalpine.com<www.Climbatalpine.com>
14. Take a ride to Knights Ferry and walk on the covered bridge
History doesn’t need to be boring, it can be exciting and fun and take you to the great outdoors. Enjoy a trip into the golden hills on the way to the gold country and Railtown in Jamestown and make a stop at Knights Ferry and step into history and see the longest covered bridge west of the Mississippi. Don’t forget to check out the jail. www.knightsferry.com<www.knightsferry.com>
15. Pick a family-friendly project at Love Modesto on April 27.
Get the kiddos exposed to helping others! Love Modesto is a great way to give children a sense of purpose and importance. Let your child choose which activity seems most interesting to them. There are currently 17 “family-friendly” activities. Check out lovemodesto.com/Volunteer to find out more! Event is the morning of Saturday, April 27th.
16. Go find a new book to read at Bookish in Roseburg Square
Have you been looking for the “Shop Around the Corner”? Books of all kinds will open up the world you and your kids and this locally owned bookstore, opened by writers Will and Paula DeBoard. There is a cool kids’ section, coffee for you, and books for everyone, in as great local shopping center you can walk to.
17. Enjoy Earth Day at Graceada Park on April 22
Graceada Park is a place to explore nature with the many varieties of trees, great playgrounds and Earth Day, where you can learn more about protecting our planet, recycling and the many ways you can help keep our plant green.
18. Visit the McHenry Museum
Educate your kiddos about some of the first founding families in Modesto and expose them to what a life might have looked like before ‘screen time’! It’s good that kids learn about the history of the place where they live. The Museum and Mansion are open to everyone but is probably best for children 4 and older.
19. Walk the Modesto Historic Cruise Route tour.
Do you know why Modesto is so cool? There are many famous people that come from Modesto here are just a few. Film stars Jeremy Renner, Tim Olyphant and the late Harve Presnell are loved around the world, Ann Veneman was a US Cabinet member, Royal Robbins pioneered the sport of climbing, Ernest and Julia Gallo revolutionized the wine industry and George Lucas changed modern film making and wrote and directed American Graffiti about Modesto. Learn about the car clubs, our radio stations and our classic culture on the Historic Cruise Route along 10th and 11th St. Start in 10th St Plaza
20. Enjoy fresh local offerings at the Modesto Farmer’s Market
We are in the heart of agriculture- no wonder Modesto’s Farmer’s Market is one to check out. Also, no secret that kids love fruit. Have them be part of the selection process where they can sample different varieties of various fruits. Expert Challenge: try to create an entire meal from only items purchased at the local farmers market! Markets are Thursday afternoons and Saturday mornings on 15th Street next to the library.
21. Take some chalk over to your neighborhood park/playground and beautify the sidewalks. Use chalk to dress up those boring sidewalks in your neighborhood and parks! Draw and color an incredible picture, make a hopscotch that goes as long as you’d like, or create an obstacle course for your neighbors! Best part is all of this creative ‘mess’ is happening outside of the home 🙂
22. Start planting a kids’ garden with their favorite things to eat (now is the time to start planting!) Enjoy time outdoors planting a garden with your kiddos. What are their favorite fruits and veggies? Do they grow in Modesto? How many worms will you find? Sweet cherry tomatoes, mint (keep in a pot as mint will spread fast), basil, and strawberries are fun, flavorful options to start with!
23: Make a delicious picnic menu with your little to enjoy at the park! Can even be as easy as leftover pizza from the fridge. Kids will love the adventure of eating outdoors at a spot they deem worthy. Picnic locations can be in your back or front yard, local park, or a destination you must drive to. Check List for your Picnic: blanket, food, drinks, sunscreen/ bug spray, utensils if needed.
24. Follow drum Love on social media for opportunities to participate in drum circles and learn music and rhythm – great for all ages! Even babies will love pounding on the top of a drum. Kids and teens will be exposed to various beats, how to change pitch and sound- it’s an incredible jam sesh! Check out drum_love_209 on Instagram for upcoming, free, community events!
25. Join the Central Valley Youth Chorus
Central Valley Youth Chorus is an incredible children’s choir experience for kids from first through eighth grade! Your child will gain a solid foundation in music education, and the chance to sing and perform with friends old and new. Make friends, make memories, make music! More info at centralvalleyyouthchorus.org
Please contact us at info@modestoview.com<mailto:info@modestoview.com> or @modestoview on the socials with other ideas and have fun!
Thank you to Madison Leupp, Abigail Power, Julie Scherer, Christina Mize, Chelsea Foy for the great ideas.
