free event

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.

San Diego Area Upcoming Free E-bike Safety Courses!

Abby H.

There are so many kids (and adults) in my area riding e-bikes and scooters as of late and some of them aren’t wearing helmets. It’s scary! As a parent and someone who works with kids, I’ve seen the injuries that can happen from e-bikes and scooters. That’s why when I saw this email in my inbox, I had to share. This is a free series of events all over the county.

The YMCA is partnering with Scripps Health, the San Diego Bicycle Coalition and local leaders to offer free, hands-on e-bike safety courses for youth ages 12–16. The training will be hosted across five YMCA locations and is designed to help young riders build confidence, learn the rules of the road and develop safe riding habits. Every participant will receive a free e-bike-rated helmet provided by Scripps Health. Learn more here.

Choose the day and location that works best for your family:

Saturday, July 11 at 1:00pm | RSVP here
T. Claude and Gladys B. Ryan Family YMCA
4390 Valeta St, San Diego, CA 92107

Saturday, July 25 at 1:00pm | RSVP here
Rancho Family YMCA
9410 Fairgrove Ln, San Diego, CA 92129

Saturday, August 08 at 1:00pm | RSVP here
Dan McKinney Family YMCA
8355 Cliffridge Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037

Saturday, August 22 at 1:00pm | RSVP here
Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA
200 Saxony Rd, Encinitas, CA 92024

Please note that registration is required and limited to one child per family. Spots are limited and are expected to fill quickly, so we encourage families to register early!

Free- Wild Wonder Animal Encounter at San Diego Area Libraries

Abby H.

When my kids were little, they loved these events. Honestly, they probably still would be excited about seeing wild animals up close.

Wild Wonders will be visiting 23 San Diego County libraries this summer with their furry friends.

To learn more about Wild Wonders, visit their website.

And don’t forget- Summer Reading Programs from both the City of San Diego and County of San Diego libraries will start in the beginning of June. I’ll post more information as it becomes available.

Looking for Frugal Fun for Winter Holidays? Check out Neighborhood Light Displays!

Abby H.

This is one of our family traditions, even since Bubs was a baby. My brother and I grew up doing this, too. I’m not sure if winter holiday light displays on residential properties are big in other parts of the country, but here in Southern California, it’s serious business. Some of these houses put the Griswold’s to shame.

Here are our family’s favorite neighborhoods to visit:

East County:

  • Jingle Bell Hill (also known as Pepper Dr. Lights). Solomon Ave./Pegeen Pl. and surrounding area. Off 67 & Bradley. Dec. 8-26, Mon-Th 6-9 pm, Fri-Sun 6-10 pm.
  • 10248 Paseo Palmas Dr., Nicknamed “Tinsel Town”. Dec. 1-25, 5:30-9 pm. Most of the houses on this street are very well decorated with lights and moving displays! They have a Facebook page too!
  •  Starlight Circle, East and West Glendon Circles. Through December 26th, 7-10 pm. This is extremely popular!  Starlight Circle even has a Facebook page! Starlight Circle has gotten so popular in recent years that the neighboring high school has opened its parking lot. You can park your car and walk through.

There are some neighborhoods that we have added to our list this year. Most of them have been around for years, but we have not visited them yet.

  •  Christmas Card Lane in Rancho Penasquitos 9190 Oviedo St, San Diego, CA 92129
  • Christmas Park in Clairemont Jamar Dr & Lana Dr, San Diego, CA 92117
  • Merry-tage Court in Scripps Ranch Merritage Ct & Stonebridge Pkwy, San Diego, CA 92131

And if you are looking for some family fun beyond a car ride and light peeping, Groupon has a few deals on Holiday light events, including Jingle Jets: USS Midway Museum’s Dazzling Holiday Light Display and San Diego Bay Parade of Lights Cruise on Luxury Yacht Peregrine.

Free Summer Mentor Support in Santee!

Abby H.

If your tweens/teens are feeling a little meh this summer and could benefit from support, check out this great free offer from Live Well San Diego, the County of San Diego HHS, and Fred Finch.

Available three times a week at various locations throughout Santee, this program is open to all kids in grades 5-8. No prior registration needed.

If you are looking for mental health resources in California, check out my post here.

7/11/2025 All-Inclusive Day of Play & Resource Fair!

Abby H.

It’s time again for the All Inclusive Day of Play & Resource Fair on Friday, July 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Miramar Hourglass Recreation Center – 10440 Black Mountain Road, San Diego, CA 92126.

All activities and resources are available free of charge and open to the public.

Kids of all abilities will love this event, brought to you by the Special Needs Resource Foundation. Below is just a glimpse of what to expect:

Activity stations

  • Prizes
  • Crafts
  • Character meet and greets
  • Family resources 
  • Networking
  • Shopping
  • Games
  • Free parking 

 

Sign up to join us for this amazing day of inclusivity.

Activity stations for kids include favorites: Olaf Snowball Toss, Pokémon Scavenger Hunt, Super Wheelchair Awareness Course, Super Hero City Speedway, Crown-a-Polooza, and more!

Character meet and greets: Say hello to Princess Ariel and other beloved characters at this fun-filled event that the family will love.

Family resources and networking: Resource and service providers will be on-site to speak with parents and offer helpful information. Be sure to pick up a copy of Flourishing Families at our Special Needs Resource Foundation booth.

ShopAble Bazaar: Stop by to browse and buy amazing products and valuable services from business owners with disabilities.

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.

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. 

San Diego Regional Center’s 2nd Annual Family-Vendor Resource Fair!

Abby H.

If your child is a client of San Diego Regional Center this event is a great opportunity for you to learn about how SDRC can assist your child and family.

On 9/28/2024 at the Town and Country Hotel, SDRC is presenting its second annual Family-Vendor Resource Fait.

For more information, or to sign up, Family-Vendor Resource Fair.

4/13/2024 All-Inclusive Day of Play: Starry Night Cinema & Resource Fair!

Abby H.

We’ve gone to this event in the past, and it’s always a fun time with great resources. This year, the All Inclusive Day of Play & Resource Fair includes a movie under the stars!

Saturday, April 13, 2024 from 5-9 pm at The Salvation Army Kroc Center Field – 6753 University Ave., San Diego, CA  92115

Activity booths include:

  • Light Saber Creation Station
  • Underwater Nemo Sensory Tent
  • Olaf Snowball Toss,
  • Wizarding World Station

Parents can connect with helpful resource services and providers, gaining valuable insights and family support.

And as the sun sets, an outdoor screening of the family favorite film Finding Nemo will be shown on a large outdoor screen! Bring your chairs and blankets!

For tickets and to learn more, visit their website. 

7/14/2023 An All Inclusive Day of Play for Families!

Abby H.

We’ve gone to this event in the past, and it’s always a fun time with great resources. This year, the All Inclusive Day of Play & Resource Fair on Friday, July 14, from 11 am-2 pm Miramar Hourglass Recreation Center, 10440 Black Mountain Rd., 92126

FREE community event with activities, games, crafts, raffles, shopping, and resource booths for families of all abilities.

Activity Stations for kids including favorites:

  •  Light Saber Creation Station
  • Rubber Duckies Literacy Pond
  • Super Mario Wheelchair Awareness Course
  • & many more!

Family Resources & Networking – Resource and service providers will be on-site to speak with parents and offer helpful information. Be sure to pick up a copy of Flourishing Families at the Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego booth.

Stop by our ShopAble Bazaar to peruse and purchase amazing products and valuable services from business owners with disabilities.

All activities and resources are FREE and open to the public!

*Craft projects and giveaways are available while supplies last.

To sign up for free tickets to this event, click here.