Family events in Carlsbad, CA

● Listings verifiedMonday, September 21 · every listing checked against its source by our Carlsbad editors

Family events this week

16 picks that work with kids in tow. All events →

Monday, September 21 1 event
  • 6pm

    Pokémon Tournament - Standard

    Knowhere Games & Comics, 125 Vallecitos de Oro, San Marcos
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    A weekly Standard-format Pokemon tournament features Constructed decks and a $6 entry fee. Prize support is casual, with store credit added to the prize pool per participant and awarded to the top players. The tournament is run by a Pokemon Professor. These Standard tournaments take place every Monday with prize support.

    Event website ↗
Tuesday, September 22 2 events
  • 9am

    Farming Tuesday

    Fox Point Farms, Encinitas
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    Roll up your sleeves at Fox Point Farms for a hands-on session with herbalists that blends practical gardening skills with a deeper connection to medicinal plants. Activities vary by week and can include starting seeds, transplanting, weeding, preparing and mulching garden beds, watering, and harvesting, all centered on regenerative methods. Each session is capped at 10 participants. Children 8 and older may attend with a parent or guardian present, and participants ages 13 to 18 need a parent or guardian to sign a liability waiver at drop-off. Wear closed-toe footwear, which is required for safety, and choose comfortable farm-ready clothing with good sun coverage. Bringing water, sunscreen, a hat, and an optional snack is recommended. Plan to arrive a little early and meet in the radial herb garden at the picnic table area, as late arrivals are not accommodated. Registration is available through Eventbrite.

    Event website ↗
  • 11am

    Kathryn the Grape Dance Party

    The Shoppes at Carlsbad, Carlsbad · verified Sep 18
    Free

    Kathryn the Grape leads a free community dance party at The Shoppes at Carlsbad, featuring interactive songs and movement that blend fun with learning for young children. Sponsored by The Shoppes at Carlsbad in support of family-friendly entertainment, this lively program encourages little ones to sing, dance, and take part in upbeat activities.

    Event website ↗
Wednesday, September 23 2 events
  • 10:30am

    Kathryn the Grape Dance Party

    North County Mall, Escondido · verified Sep 18
    Free

    Little ones can sing, dance, and move along with Kathryn the Grape at a free community dance party designed for young children. The program pairs music with interactive movement activities that support learning and play. Presented with support from Mershops North County and held at North County Mall, it offers family-friendly entertainment for the community.

    Event website ↗
  • 6pm

    North County Blood on the Clocktower

    The Tavern at Barley & Sword Brewing Company, 800 W Grand Ave, Escondido
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    Experience Blood on the Clocktower with a storyteller guiding the action as players take on hidden roles and try to determine who is aligned with good and who is working for evil. The evil team thrives on confusion and misdirection to pave the way for a demon’s triumph. The good team collaborates, shares clues, and pieces together the truth to stop the demon first. No prior experience is required, and newcomers can jump right in. Suitable for all ages. Food will be available from Ned’s Poke.

    Event website ↗
Thursday, September 24 1 event
  • 9am

    Dog Dental Cleaning

    Dog in Suds, Encinitas · verified Sep 18
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    Anesthesia free dental cleanings for dogs and cats are offered in sessions that take under an hour, helping promote fresh breath and clean teeth. A veterinary screening or exam is required prior to treatment. This is a one day service with a limited number of appointment slots. For details, see Get Tickets.

    Event website ↗
Saturday, September 26 6 events
  • 9am

    You Can Be A Veterinarian Camp

    Education at Helen Woodward Animal Center, 6447 Helen Woodward Way, Rancho Santa Fe
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    Young animal enthusiasts in San Diego can experience a hands-on introduction to veterinary medicine at Education at Helen Woodward Animal Center. Designed for ages 9 to 16, this camp invites participants to try real-world skills, including basic suturing on a banana, listening to a mini horse's heartbeat, and examining bacteria under a microscope. Attendees also learn fundamentals such as drawing blood, vaccination techniques, and how to use common tools of the trade while connecting with animals in a learning-focused environment. Space is limited. Pricing and further details are available during booking.

    Event website ↗
  • 10am

    Weekend Farm Tours

    Fox Point Farms, Encinitas
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    Explore Fox Point Farms on a guided weekend tour led by farm ambassadors. Ride the tractor train around the property, spend time with the animals, and see how regenerative methods bring food from seed to harvest. Hear about what is growing now and the care that goes into each crop, then help cut down on waste by offering overripe vegetables to the animals. Along the way, discover the many hands and hooves behind the farm’s micro-economy, including growing, brewing, coffee roasting and making, cooking and baking, herbalism, and community events with live music. The experience mirrors weekday tours, with the addition of the tractor ride, and runs throughout the day on Saturdays and Sundays. No advance booking is needed, and tickets are sold on site.

    Event website ↗
  • 11am

    Adoption Event

    Petco (Encinitas), 455 Encinitas Blvd, Encinitas · verified Sep 18
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    Meet adoptable dogs at Petco in Encinitas and help match them with loving homes. The event highlights several ways to support: adopt to provide a forever home, foster to help a dog get adopted faster, stop by to give the pups attention, or lend a hand as a volunteer. Friends and families are welcome, and every bit of support helps these dogs on their way to a brighter future.

    Event website ↗
  • 11am

    OCEANSIDE Adoption Event

    Petco, 2130 Vista Way, Oceanside
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    At Petco in Oceanside, adoptable rescue dogs and puppies will be available for meet and greets. Guests can spend time with the animals, offer them attention, and get to know their personalities while exploring adoption. There are other ways to help as well, including fostering to provide short term care that speeds a dog’s path to a permanent home, or volunteering at the events to support the adoption effort. Friends and families are welcome to come along and help more dogs find the loving homes they deserve.

    Event website ↗
  • 1pm

    Rancho Vallecitos’s Craft Fair

    Rancho Vallecitos Mobile Estates, 3535 Linda Vista Dr, San Marcos
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    The annual craft fair at Rancho Vallecitos Mobile Estates features 33 vendors showcasing handmade goods. Browse the Main Clubhouse for distinctive finds suited to everyday needs and holiday gifting. Payments are accepted by cash, check, and Venmo.

    Event website ↗
  • 7pm

    Continental Cup

    Frontwave Arena , 3475 Hero Drive, Oceanside
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    Men's indoor soccer brings USA vs Mexico to Frontwave Arena for the Continental Cup. This event is open to all ages.

    Event website ↗
Sunday, September 27 4 events
  • 9am

    Zookeeper Camp

    Education at Helen Woodward Animal Center, 6447 Helen Woodward Way, Rancho Santa Fe
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    Animal-loving kids can go behind the scenes of zookeeping in an immersive camp filled with practical, interactive experiences. Participants engage with mammals, reptiles, and birds, explore creative activities and learning materials, and try key keeper tasks like meal preparation and creating enrichment. Designed for ages 9 to 16, the program offers opportunities to spend time with animals, get familiar with the tools professionals use, and understand what daily care involves. Space is very limited. Pricing and additional information are provided during registration.

    Event website ↗
  • 10am

    Weekend Farm Tours

    Fox Point Farms, Encinitas
    See details

    Explore Fox Point Farms on a guided tour that highlights its regenerative growing practices and animal care. Meet the animals and see how food is brought to life. Tours include a ride on the tractor train, with a farm guide sharing what is being grown and how it is tended. Guests help reduce food waste by offering overripe vegetables to the animals. The experience also introduces a network of on-site enterprises that includes growing, brewing, coffee roasting and making, cooking and baking, herbalism, and live music and community events. No advance booking is required, and tickets are available for purchase at the farm.

    Event website ↗
  • 11am

    SoCal Terps Crab Feast

    San Dieguito County Park, Del Mar · verified Sep 18
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    Alumni, family, friends, and fans of the University of Maryland come together at San Dieguito County Park for the annual SoCal Terps Crab Feast. Attendees from across Southern California, including Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego, gather to crack crabs, reconnect, and make new Terp connections. The day features a relaxed park setting with tasty food and drinks, family-friendly activities, and plenty of school colors and Maryland flag pride. Whether a seasoned crab picker or trying it for the first time, guests can enjoy a Maryland tradition while celebrating the close of the Southern California summer.

    Event website ↗
  • 11am

    Magical Meet & Greets

    North County Mall, Escondido · verified Sep 18
    Free

    Meet beloved storybook characters during weekly meet and greets filled with photo opportunities and playful games. Each week brings a fresh theme with activities that could range from an upbeat sing along to a fun scavenger hunt. A Royalty Card rewards program lets visitors collect a stamp every Sunday, and filling the card with five stamps provides an entry to win a magical prize. Admission is free and open to the public.

    Event website ↗

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