Learning Adventures – Fun, educational activities that keep kids engaged

It’s no secret that the best way to stay sharp when kids are out of school is to read (even 20 minutes a day makes a difference), but let’s face it—some children won’t pick up a book unless a teacher insists. So, what’s a parent to do? Find alternative ways to engage a child’s mind and interests! Embark on “field trips” that spark meaningful conversations about interesting topics. Here are 18 experiential learning opportunities. It’s what we consider the best of both education and entertainment in San Diego, featuring adventures in STEM, culture and history, and more.

Adventures in STEM

1Birch Aquarium features 60+ marine life habitats and showcases research by Scripps Oceanography scientists on climate, earth and ocean science. Learn all about their newest tenants, the Little Blue Penguins, see what’s happening in the Giant

Kelp Forest and get close to sea stars, anemones and more at Tidepool Plaza. http://aquarium.ucsd.edu

2Check out the Fleet Science

Center’s interactive exhibit, Snow: Tiny Crystals, Global Impact, which details the vital role snow plays in our climate and for water resources.

Discover fascinating facts about tornados, electricity, microorganisms and outer space, and watch a film under the Giant Dome IMAX Theater. Catch the Sustainable City exhibition before it closes on Sept. 5. www.fleetscience.org

3Bring history (and STEM) to life with an audio tour aboard one of America’s longest-serving aircraft carriers—the USS Midway. Climb into cockpits, test flight simulators, and chat with one of the Midway’s volunteer docents, who love to share personal stories and military knowledge. www.midway.org

4Climb aboard a historic fleet of steam boats, submarines and sailing ships—including the iconic Star of India—at the Maritime Museum. Don’t miss the most recent exhibit (all about sea monsters!) and super cool on-the-water adventures. www.SDmaritime.org

5Enjoy a unique collection of air and spacecrafts and explore interactive flight simulators at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. Ask about the Little Engineers program for ages 2–5. www.sandiegoairandspace.org

6Discover the junction of imagination and engineering at the San Diego Model Railroad Museum. Experience San Diego’s railway history brought to life through fascinating scale model exhibits. New expanded hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 11–4. www.sdmrm.org

7San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve is one of San Diego County’s largest wetlands (979 acres). Discover more than seven miles of trails (some ADAaccessible) that now connect to Annie’s Canyon Trail—a popular quarter-mile loop through sandstone walls that offers epic coastal views from the summit.

8 Programs, designed for kids ages 5 to 12, offered at Cabrillo National Monument, South Carlsbad State Beach, San Elijo State Beach and Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. Old Town San Diego State Historic Park offers a fun, educational scavenger hunt that can be downloaded at www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30262.

9 Parks that offer the TRACK Trail program in partnership with Kids in Parks, whose mission is to encourage kids to get unplugged and spend time outdoors. Hike through participating parks, learn about local birds, animals, trees, plants and go on a nature hide & seek. Kids can win prizes when they track their adventures! Learn more at www.kidsinparks.com. Local parks with TRACK Trail programs:

• Guajome Regional Park (Oceanside)

• San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve (Cardiff)

• San Dieguito County Park (Del Mar)

• Felicita County Park (Escondido)

• Lindo Lake County Park (Lakeside)

• Louis A. Stelzer County Park (Lakeside)

• Lake Morena County Park (Campo)

Adventures in Culture and History

10 Old Town in San Diego's birthplace and a celebrated historic hub. Visit the Mason Street Schoolhouse, San Diego’s first public school built in 1865, or stroll through Old Town San Diego State Historic Park where you’ll find museums, shops and cultural sites. Presidio Park, the original site of Mission San Diego de Alcala, is also worth a visit.

11 Learn about Japanese culture at the Japanese Friendship Garden, which features koi ponds, waterfalls, bonsai, rock gardens and exhibits. Don’t miss the Toro Nagashi (floating lanterns) Festival on August 5 & 6. www.niwa.org

12 Rancho Gua Adobe in Vista offers self-guided and guided tours of the 28-room 1850s adobe hacienda, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday. Find more information at www.sdparks.org.

13 Weekend programs at the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages (Balboa Park) are back. Attendees can learn about Ukraine, Italy, Panama, Chamorros and Hungary in August. Programs may include music, dance, food, traditional attire, arts and crafts. Check the schedule at www.sdhpr.org/lp.html.

14 Take your family along Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade (on Harbor Blvd. downtown), read the plaques featuring MLK Jr.’s quotes and let them be a springboard for interesting, compelling conversations.

15 Be sure to see what's happening at the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park, which often hosts kid-friendly programs and events. www.sandiegohistory.org

16 Nat at Night! After a two-year hiatus, the San Diego Natural History

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