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8/29/26 Free Teacher Supply Event (San Diego, CA)!

Abby H.Leave a comment

If you are a San Diego, CA area teacher, check out this awesome free event!

Date: August 29, 2026

Time: TBD

Address: 1069 Graves Ave. Suite 100, El Cajon, CA 92021
Stock up for the new school year — for free! ECS Federal Credit Union is hosting a Teacher Supply Drive exclusively for ECS member educators. Gather supplies for your classroom, enjoy some bites, WIN AMAZING RAFFLE PRIZES, and explore resources from vendors and partners!
All supplies are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Selection may vary.

7/17/2026 All-Inclusive Day of Play & Resource Fair!

Abby H.

It’s back! If you have special needs kids in your life, you need to check out this FREE community event with interactive booths, games, resources, crafts, prizes, and shopping for families of all ages and abilities!

 

What: All Inclusive Day of Play & Resource Fair

When: Friday, July 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Miramar Hourglass Recreation Center, 10440 Black Mountain Road, San Diego, 92126.

This free community event is an amazing day for families to have fun, connect, and explore helpful resources together, brought to you by the Special Needs Resource Foundation.

What’s planned for the day:

  • Family resources for every stage, from infancy through adulthood
  • Activity stations
  • Prizes
  • Crafts
  • Character meet and greets
  • Networking
  • Shopping
  • Games
  • Free parking
  • And More!

Activity stations include favorites: Mini Golf Course, Padres Pitching Challenge, Super Hero City Speedway, Elmo’s Sensory Station, a Wicked Photo Op, Minecraft Fort, and more!

Character meet and greets: Say hello to Princess Elsa, Buddy the Elf, and other beloved characters at this fun-filled event.

Family resources and networking: Resource and service providers will be on-site to answer questions and share helpful information with all parents and caregivers. Visit our new Transition to Adulthood area to connect with organizations that support teens, young adults, adults, and their families. Be sure to pick up a copy of Flourishing Families at the Special Needs Resource Foundation booth.

ShopAble Bazaar: Stop by to browse and buy amazing products and valuable services from business owners with disabilities, which is located in the Transition to Adulthood area.

Sensory Time: From 11 to 11:30 a.m., families who need a quieter environment can enjoy the event with just one opening announcement and no music to create a calm atmosphere.

Taylor Research Sleep Habits Study- $125

Abby H.

Taylor Research is a research company based in the San Diego, CA area. I have been involved in their studies for over 15 years.

Frequently, they will send out emails requesting referrals for studies that are hard to fill. This is one of those cases.

  • Study Topic: Sleep Habits
  • Study Type: Individual Interviews
  • Study Location: Online (Nationwide)
  • Target Audience: Adults 18+
  • Available Date(s): April 20th – 30th, 2026
  • Session Duration: 1 hour
  • Reward Amount: $125

To sign up, please complete the form here. In the referral box, enter my name Abby Hewes. If you are selected and participate, I may earn a referral bonus!

Please feel free to share this.

Be My Neighbor Day 4/18/2026

Abby H.

Join KPBS for San Diego’s fourth annual Be My Neighbor Day on Saturday, April 18, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at KPBS on the San Diego State University campus, 5200 Campanile Dr., San Diego, 92182.

Be My Neighbor Day is a free outdoor event for young children and families.

Celebrate what it means to be a community helper, just like Daniel Tiger! Join us to learn how even a small act of service can bring immense joy and make a significant difference.

Celebrate National Volunteer Month and Month of the Military Child with our community neighbors who lead efforts to serve others each and every day. Pay it forward, one small act of kindness at a time. Hands-on activities and crafts for the whole family!

For the second year, there will be the GI Film Festival San Diego Military Family Pavilion. The Pavilion will include fun and engaging activities to build a sense of community and belonging for local military families, resource booths hosted by local military family support organizations, and serve as an inviting space that will encourage all attendees to interact and learn about each other as San Diego neighbors.

  • Enjoy story times, live music, and entertainment
  • And of course, visit with PBS KIDS’ beloved friends, Daniel Tiger and Katerina Kittycat!
  • All attendees will receive a KPBS KIDS giveaway, as well as resources on how to continue to serve as a community helper and caring neighbor!

There will be water stations. Driving, parking, and pedestrian directions will be provided in confirmation emails sent prior to the event.

Upcoming 2025 Upcoming Clothing Swaps

Abby H.

I love clothing swaps- If you have read my blog, you know it’s one of my favorite ways to refresh the kid’s wardrobes (and my own).

And as always, if you are looking for more information about clothing swaps, check out my post (with other San Diego, CA area resources)  here.

AUGUST 2025

 Thread Bumpin’ Clothing Swap

Saturday, August 2, 2025 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM La Mesita Park 8855 Dallas St · La Mesa, CA

Only the following will be accepted:

  • Clean adult clothes
  • Jewelry
  • Makeup/perfume/beauty goods, accessories
  • Small personal items/decor

All leftover items are distributed to people in need through an NPO.

Crave Community is hosting a clothing swap on August 3rd, from 11am-1pm at San Diego Made Factory 2031 Commercial Street, San Diego, California 92213.

Bring your gently-loved clothes, swap for something new-to-you, and enjoy a welcoming space filled with good vibes and even better company.

More information can be found on their Instagram page here.

Chingona Cambio is hosting their first-ever clothing swap at Chula Vista Bayside Park

999 Bayside Parkway Chula Vista, CA 91910

on August 30th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

More information can be found here.

Tickets may not be available, but according to social media posts by the coordinator of this event, everyone is welcome, regardless of ticketing status.

On 8/16/2025, The Flower Pot is hosting a clothing swap, entry fee is $10. More information here.

 

SEPTEMBER AND BEYOND

In partnership with I Love a Clean San Diego, the San Diego County library branch in La Mesa is hosting a Sustainable Saturday: Clothing Swap on the following dates:

  • Saturday, December 6, 2025 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM La Mesa Branch Library 8074 Allison Avenue La Mesa CA 91942
  • Saturday, September 6, 2025 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM La Mesa Branch Library 8074 Allison Avenue La Mesa CA 91942

Bring one bag of unwanted clothes and accessories (for all ages!) to the library and leave with a fresh, new-to-you wardrobe! Items must be in good condition; no rips, tears, or stains.

I find clothing swaps by joining local area clothing swap groups, both through Facebook and Meetup.

Green Kids Crafts: 25% Off Select Boxes- Perfect for Summer!

Abby H.

Science & Craft Subscription Boxes for Kids ages 3-10+Summer is coming, and the choruses of “I’m bored” will ring out across the country. I received an email from Green Kids Crafts this morning, and I had to share!

Green Kids Crafts is perfect for keeping boredom at bay! per their website, “4-6 educator-designed STEAM projects in every box. Millions choose us for our award-winning hands-on activities.”

Right now, Green Kids Crafts is offering 25% off their favorite boxes!

Use code FAVORITE25 at checkout and save 25% off their select favorite monthly boxes through the end of the month.

I know that both kids will love the Volcano kit. They’ve both been watching videos of Kīlauea’s eruptions in Hawaii.   The Volcanoes Discovery Box contains FOUR award-winning Creativity and STEAM Science Kits! Your pint-sized volcanologists will have a blast (literally!) with these fun learning kits, including Break Your Own Geode Kit, Volcano Splatter Art Kit, Exploding DIY Volcano, Crystal Making Kit, and more.

And as a bonus- Green Kids Crafts is a woman-owned business right here in San Diego!

 

April 2025 Upcoming Clothing Swaps

Abby H.

I love clothing swaps- If you have read my blog, you know it’s one of my favorite ways to refresh the kid’s wardrobes (and my own).

And as always, if you are looking for more information about clothing swaps, check out my post (with other San Diego, CA area resources)  here.

April means Earth Day is coming up! And that means clothing swaps!

Clothing Swap at La Mesa’s Earth Day Fair!
Join I Love A Clean San Diego for a free clothing and accessories swap during the City of La Mesa’s Earth Day Fair on Saturday, April 19th, at the La Mesa Community Garden! Swap your gently used clothes, shoes, and accessories and find your next favorite outfit while helping keep textiles out of the landfill.

La Mesa Community Garden – 5080 Memorial Dr.
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
No registration is needed – walk-ins are welcome!

Women’s Clothing Swap
Location: The Chapel at Grossmont
5651 Water St, La Mesa, CA
Saturday, April 26, 2025
10 am-2 pm
How it works:
Bring your gently used* WOMEN’S CLOTHING, accessories, shoes, etc. and trade them for items you want to take home. No selling, no buying, just swapping. You simply drop off your items on the front table and you can start shopping for items you want to take home – free! Come and drop off all the items you want to swap and leave with items that will bring value to you.
Items can include:
-Gently used* or semi-new clothing pieces
-Gently used* or semi-new shoes
-Jewelry pieces
-Accessories: scarfs, hats, purses, belts
*Items should be freshly laundered and either on hangers or laid flat in a box (not in bags, please)

Reminders:
– SWAP FOR YOU. NO LUGGAGE PLEASE. NOT FOR RESALE.
– Bring a bag to take home all your finds.
– Wear tights and a fitted blouse to easily try on clothes.

4/13/2025 All-Inclusive Day of Play: Starry Night Cinema & Resource Fair!

Abby H.

This event is back and will be an amazing time! The  2nd Annual All-Inclusive Day of Play: Starry Cinema & Resource Fair on Sunday, April 13 from 10 AM to 1 PM at the Salvation Army Kroc Center Corner Zone – 6845 University Ave., San Diego, 92115.

  • Activity Stations
  • Movie Screening Area
  • Giveaways & Crafts
  •  Family Resources
  • Networking
  • Shopping,
  • Games & more!

And as the sun sets, an outdoor screening of a family movie (title to be determined) will be shown on a large outdoor screen! Bring your chairs and blankets!

For tickets and to learn more, visit their website. 

2025 San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering is Coming 3/1/25!

Abby H.


It’s back! This event is super fun, and FREE! We’ve gone in the past and my kids have loved it!
The annual San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering’s signature event returns to Petco Park and will be held on Saturday, March 1, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Festival will be a full day of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) fun provided by hundreds of San Diego area businesses, schools, libraries, and museums. Admission is free and open to the public, no registration is required. A clear bag policy will also be in effect.

This year’s event is presented by Illumina Corporate Foundation and will feature more than 100 booths. New to the event this year:

  • Construction Corner: From interactive building challenges to demonstrations of cutting-edge technology, this space highlights sustainable building, structural design and the latest construction materials.
  • Cybersecurity Zone: An interactive space to dive into the fundamentals of online safety, ethical hacking, encryption, and cyber defense. Also includes demonstrations on how to protect personal data and digital landscapes.
  • ‘All Hands’: The Navy’s virtual reality experience gives attendees the chance to step aboard an aircraft carrier.
  • Algae Foundation: Explore sustainable solutions for the planet.

“The San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering aims to make learning exciting and accessible for all ages by immersing kids and adults in STEAM education,” says Sara Pagano, Managing Director, San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering. “The event also highlights San Diego’s leadership in the science industry, breaking down even the most complex topics to make them clear and engaging for everyone.”

There will be dozens of returning hands-on learning experiences, interactive activities, and experiments to inspire kids (and kids at heart!) to engage in all things STEAM including:

  • DNA fun and genomics education with Illumina Corporate Foundation
  • The pre-K zone is filled with engaging activities for little learners
  • Virtual reality experiences
  • Ecovivarium, and Parks & Rec
  • Rockets and explosions with General Atomics
  • Make slime, learn about underwater sea life, play with robots and more!
  • Art Pavilion infuses the STEM experience with live artists
  • College and Career Connections allow students to consider career pathway options

All EXPO DAY ‘Know Before You Go’ tips and updates are listed at: lovestemsd.org.

9/29/2024 SANTEE MUSIC ACADEMY Santee Kids Make Music Day (Free!)

Abby H.

September 29th Santee Music Academy is hosting a free Kids Make Music Day!

Santee Music Academy has all sorts of fun times planned!

And you can enter to win a free month of music lessons!

If your kids are interested in attending, RSVP here.