Family events in Poway, CA

Kathryn the Grape hosts a lively dance party at North County Mall in the Center Court on level one. Kids can move to live music, meet new friends, and burn off extra energy. Admission is free and the event is open to all ages.

Master builders of all kinds are welcome for a creative LEGO session. Each gathering offers an optional challenge to try, or participants can design their own builds, collaborating with others or working independently. Open to children and families of all ages. No registration is required.

The Sunshine Club grand finale features complimentary hollyhock seeds that complete a four-part collection. Hollyhocks grow to about 3 to 8 feet tall, with each stalk bearing many flowers. They have a classic, dramatic look and are considered easy to cultivate. For best results, place two or three seeds together with two to three feet between each group, sowing in early spring or about two months before the first frost. Cover lightly, keep the soil consistently moist, and fertilize twice during the season. Plant near a fence or other support to help the tall stems stay upright. This final packet follows sweet peas for winter, marigolds for spring, and gaillardia for summer, and participants who bring all four seed packets can receive a prize for completing the collection.

Karaoke night brings an all-ages singalong to Novo Lane. Enjoy food trucks on site and a variety of beverages to take the edge off before performing, then share a song or cheer from the crowd. Reservations are available.

Farming Fridays offers community farming workshops where participants can get their hands in the soil, connect with the farm and its farmers, and learn basic regenerative farming skills. Activities change from week to week and may include seeding, transplanting, weeding, preparing beds for planting, harvesting, watering, and caring for animals. When possible, there may also be a chance to taste vegetables that were just harvested. Children younger than 13 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Participants ages 13 to 18 need a parent or guardian to sign a liability waiver at drop-off. Closed-toe shoes are required. Wear comfortable clothing that can get dirty with good sun coverage, and bring water, sunscreen, a hat, and an optional snack.

First Fridays at San Diego Craft Collective feature a free, family friendly craft activity alongside an open studio. Each month introduces a new themed project that supports STEAM learning through fine motor skills, hand eye coordination, spatial awareness, and early math planning, while nurturing patience, focus, and creativity. Projects are suitable for kids of all ages, and younger children may need assistance from an accompanying adult. Expect studio tours and a peek at the organic garden, and enjoy the lively Arts District at Liberty Station with food, drinks, shopping, waterfront walks, and community fun. RSVP is requested so there are enough supplies for everyone, and a waitlist is available if capacity is reached.

At Fox Point Farms in Encinitas, Sunset Sessions brings live music to the Lawn at golden hour, creating an easygoing setting with plenty of space to relax with friends, family, or on your own. Settle onto the grass with your own chairs and blankets and enjoy a changing roster of local musicians as the sun dips behind the farm. Farm-fresh food and drinks are available across the property, including Huerta Taco Stand, Fox Point Pizza, Harvest Market Café bites, and Haven Farm + Table. Outside food and beverages are not permitted. Harvest Market and the Farm Bar offer specials such as $10 margaritas and $5 rotating Fox Point Brewing Co. beer. Make it a full outing with playful tractor-train rides around the farm that include stops to meet and feed some of the animals. Giant Jenga and cornhole add to the laid-back fun, and the atmosphere welcomes all ages. Dogs are welcome on the Lawn on a leash but are not permitted in the Farm or Garden areas.

Enjoy two hours of student-led vocal jazz performed by the choir. Tickets are available through GoFan. General admission is $10 plus a $1 GoFan fee, and student admission is $5 plus a $1 GoFan fee.

The San Diego Donut Dash 5K & Donut Mile returns to Kit Carson Park in Escondido with a flavorful mix of fitness and fun. Runners and walkers can take on a stroller friendly 5K loop that follows scenic park trails, rolls past open views, and passes eye catching art sculptures. The Donut Mile adds a playful twist with four laps and a donut each lap for a finish that is as sweet as it is spirited. Every finisher receives a custom donut themed medal and an official event shirt. After the race, the festival area features a complimentary donut bar offering more than a thousand treats from local San Diego bakeries, including classics like glazed, jelly filled, and bear claws. Young participants can shine in the Kids Dash, a quarter mile loop around the festival area. Early bird pricing is available.

ASL Saturdays at SeaWorld San Diego provide live interpreters using American Sign Language for Deaf and Hard of Hearing visitors. Taking place on each month's first Saturday, the program places professional interpreters at popular animal presentations so guests can fully engage with the shows. Offered in partnership with American Sign Language Services, an interpretation provider with more than ten years of experience, this initiative supports an inclusive experience for everyone in the park.

A ranger-led introduction to fishing at Santee Lakes, ideal for beginners and anyone looking for a refresher on how to reel in a catch. The session takes place just outside the General Store and covers basic techniques to get started. Please bring a rod, a fishing permit, and bait. Permits and bait are available in the General Store. The class is for ages 5 and up, and children under 8 need an adult with them. Class size is limited to 10 participants. Sign up is available.

A community-focused pet adoption and donation drive is happening at Petco in Santee. Visitors can meet adoptable dogs, connect with Mikki, the Senior Dog Ambassador, and chat with team members including Operations Manager Jessica Garcia and Kennel Assistant Cameron Bjornsson. Highlights include chances to win gift baskets, opportunities to donate items like pet food and enrichment chews, and a fundraiser supporting Baguette’s medical care. Information about the rescue and its adoptable dogs will be available, and current adoptable pets are listed on Adopt-A-Pet. Specific canine attendees will be announced closer to the event, and the lineup may change.

Tours include a ride on the tractor train and are led by a farm ambassador who explains what is growing and the regenerative methods behind it. Visitors meet the farm animals and help reduce food waste by offering them overripe produce. The experience highlights how food is grown and introduces the people and animals that sustain Fox Point Farms and its interconnected businesses, spanning growing and brewing, coffee roasting, cooking and baking, herbalism, and live music and community events. There is no need to book ahead, and tickets are sold on site.

An autumn celebration at Mellano Farm Stand brings six weekends of seasonal color, flowers, and family activities. Guests can wander fields of golden marigolds and pick a bouquet to take home. The farm grown pumpkin patch offers a wide selection for purchase and plenty of photo opportunities. A sprawling corn maze invites exploration, and tractor-drawn rides offer a relaxed look at the farm. Live music sets the soundtrack while local vendors and food trucks serve fresh bites. Seasonal sips and treats include refreshing lemonades, festive spooky mocktails, and apple nachos. Children can enjoy a dedicated area with bounce houses and gem sluicing. Complimentary learning sessions highlight home composting with DIY worm bins, the importance of bees and other pollinators with tastes of farm honey, and the craft and tradition of marigold garlands. Free kids crafts feature projects like bee baths and jack o' lantern fans. A pumpkin pie eating contest adds an extra dash of friendly rivalry. Past and present military members and their families receive buy one, get one tickets for tractor rides and the corn maze with a military ID. Parking is $5.

Explore a vast world of miniature railroading at Del Mar Fairgrounds, where operating layouts in multiple sizes and scales bring the hobby to life. Families and kids can watch trains in action and take in thousands of detailed models on display. The marketplace features more than 300 tables hosted by dealers from around the country, offering engines, rolling stock, track, scenery, tools, books, magazines, maps, DVDs, apparel such as hats, T-shirts and jackets, toys, memorabilia, DCC equipment, and items from brands like Lionel and Thomas. Shoppers will find options that are new, pre-owned, and collectible. Hands-on highlights include complimentary workshops and live demonstrations, a rideable train for children, and a free test track where personal trains can be run. There is more to discover throughout the show.

Designed for children ages 4 to 6, this in-person preschool storytime is lively, active, and full of humor. Instead of simply reading, Mr. Luan performs the books and adds sing-alongs and engaging fingerplay activities. Each session lasts about 30 to 45 minutes.

Meet adoptable dogs at a friendly adoption event at Petco in Encinitas. Visitors can adopt a new companion, foster to help a pup move more quickly toward a permanent home, or simply stop by to give the dogs some affection and playtime. Volunteers are also welcome to lend a hand. Bring friends and family for a relaxed visit and help these dogs take the next step toward a loving home.

An adoption event featuring The Labrador Rescuers at KAHOOTS Poway offers a chance to meet adoptable dogs, enjoy a few doggy kisses, and show support for the pups and the rescuers.

Kahoots Feed and Pet in Solana Beach hosts a pet adoption event that brings prospective adopters together with animals looking for a home. Meet potential companions in a welcoming setting and take a simple step toward finding the right match.

Animal lovers in San Diego can get a hands-on introduction to veterinary medicine at this camp. Participants practice suturing on a banana, listen to the heartbeat of a mini horse, examine bacteria under a microscope, and learn foundational skills such as drawing blood and vaccination techniques. Designed for ages 9 to 16, the experience blends real-world skill building with time alongside animals and the tools used in the field. Space is limited. Pricing and additional details are available during booking. Half day and full day options are offered.

Set beneath a large white tent, this celebration features pugs available for adoption, barbecue, a boutique, and a selection of vendors. Beer will be sold for $8 each, or four for $26 when purchased in a single transaction. A Halloween costume contest is also planned.

Tire Rack Street Survival is a real world, hands-on driving program for teens that focuses on vehicle control, smart decision-making, and quicker reactions. Students use their own car to understand its handling limits and to build awareness that helps them anticipate the behavior of other drivers. The day blends classroom learning with in-car coaching and runs as a full program from start to finish. In the classroom, students spend roughly two hours across three sessions covering proper seating and hand position, mirror setup, the tire contact patch, weight transfer, looking far down the road, and overall situational awareness. The discussion also addresses common distractions such as music, phones, and carrying multiple passengers. Lunch is provided for students, parents, and volunteers, and educational demonstrations may be part of that midday break. On the driving course, each student practices with a coach in their own vehicle through real world exercises. Activities include managing skids on a wet surface, rapid lane changes for hazard avoidance, threshold braking with ABS, and a slalom that highlights weight transfer. When possible, additional drills cover recovering after two wheels leave the pavement and maintaining safe following distances. Some locations may set up a semi truck with parked cars to illustrate blind spots from the driver’s seat, and there may be a live airbag deployment to reinforce proper hand placement on the steering wheel. Parents are welcome to spend the day with their student and may sit in on classroom segments. Instructors are available throughout the program to answer questions about what participants are experiencing. The course fee is $175.

An outdoor, family-friendly dance gathering unfolds beneath the tree canopy at San Dieguito County Park, Site 7. The experience begins with an opening circle, moves into a two hour music journey in a silent disco format guided by local and international DJs, often includes the resonant tones of a didgeridoo, and concludes with a closing circle. Fifty wireless headsets are available on a first come, first served basis and are included with a donation, and participants may also stream the set to a phone and use their own earbuds. In warm, dry weather, picnicking often follows. The dance takes place on a spacious, grassy field with room to spread out and shade from surrounding trees. Children are welcome and play for free. A park entry fee is required. A donation of $15 to $20 is requested to support the gathering, payable by cash, Venmo, or PayPal. This community meets in the park on the first, third, and fifth Sundays, and in the studio on the second and fourth Sundays.

A free kids live music performance featuring Kathryn the Grape offers an upbeat, interactive experience for children and their families at North County Mall. Located at Center Court on Level 1, it provides a fun setting to make memories together.

At Petco in San Marcos, meet adoptable rescue dogs eager to find their forever families. Walk-ins are welcome, and you can also arrange an appointment if you would like to meet a specific pup. Each dog is adopted with health records and comprehensive care that includes vaccinations, de-worming, flea and tick treatment, a microchip, and spay or neuter surgery. Adoption fees vary by dog and start at $250, and they are partially tax-deductible as they support the charity's work caring for more than 500 dogs. For questions, call or text 888.508.8943.

A baby-wearing fitness and yoga class offers a supportive setting where parents can move, bond with their baby, and connect with fellow parents while rebuilding strength and energy after childbirth. The workout emphasizes postnatal recovery with full-body strengthening, gentle cardio, and mindful movement. Exercises are designed for the postpartum body, and modifications are available so everyone can work at a pace that feels right. Babies stay in carriers during the session to encourage closeness while moving. The routine may include TRX, barre-inspired work, resistance bands, and dumbbells to keep things varied and effective. Participants are encouraged to bring a baby carrier, a diaper bag, water, and a yoga mat, and a stroller is welcome if that is more convenient. The atmosphere is welcoming and judgment free, creating space for parents and babies to move, connect, and recharge.

Ascension Lutheran Church in Allied Gardens hosts a drive-thru food pantry where individuals and families experiencing food insecurity can receive groceries. The distribution supports neighbors in the Allied Gardens community.

At Fox Point Farms in Encinitas, work alongside herbalists to practice hands-on gardening while getting to know medicinal plants. Each session emphasizes regenerative methods and may include tasks such as starting seeds, transplanting, weeding, preparing beds, harvesting, watering, or mulching, depending on the week. Participation is limited to 10 people. Children 8 and older are welcome with a parent or guardian, and participants ages 13 to 18 must have a parent or guardian sign a liability waiver at drop-off. Closed-toe shoes are required. Wear comfortable farm-friendly clothing with good sun coverage, and consider bringing water, sunscreen, a hat, and an optional snack. Plan to arrive a little early so activities can begin on time, and note that late arrivals cannot be accommodated for safety and logistical reasons. Meet in the radial herb garden at the picnic table seating area. Reserve a spot to secure a place.

Kathryn the Grape brings a spirited community dance event to The Shoppes at Carlsbad in Carlsbad, CA, featuring interactive, educational music and movement for young children. Admission is free, and the event is sponsored by The Shoppes at Carlsbad to support family friendly entertainment.

Kids can explore their creativity and uncover their inner artist with a hands on crafting activity. This program offers clear, step by step guidance to make a project they can take home. All supplies are provided, so participants only need to bring their imagination. Suitable for children ages 4 to 11.