legos

Summer Events for Teens and Tweens at San Diego County Libraries

Abby H.2 Comments

My kids need to get out of the house this summer. Yours might too. I spent a few hours looking up some fun free stuff for teens and tweens at our favorite San Diego County library branches. Both the county of San Diego and the City of San Diego have library branches, but they are not connected.

City of San Diego library events can be found here.

The complete list of County Library events can be found here. 

Here are a few of the events my kids are excited about going to:

 

Lakeside Branch

SLC Teen Afterhours: Laser Tag and Trivia
Saturday, June 14, 2025
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

SLC Teen Afterhours: Art with Miss Wendy
Saturday, July 12, 2025
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Kids SLC: SD Animal Sanctuary and Farm
Thursday, June 26, 2025
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM

Kids SLC: Super Science Super Show
Thursday, July 17, 2025
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM

Kids SLC: Critter Encounters
Thursday, July 3, 2025
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM

Kids SLC: Don’t Try This at Home-Scientific Serenade
Thursday, July 31, 2025
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM

Santee Branch

Animal show with Zovargo
Friday, August 1, 2025
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
At Mast Park

La Mesa Branch

Construction Club (LEGO club) Ages 4+
Monday, June 2, 2025 meets weekly
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Summer at your Library: Mad Hatter Tea Party
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Teen Backyard Bird Experience
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

 

Casa de Oro Branch

Game Night Unplugged
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 (takes place weekly)
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Teen Video Game Hour
Monday, June 16, 2025
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

 

El Cajon Branch

Tween Tuesdays
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Tweens ages 8-13 to explore the RIASEC framework while socializing with other El Cajon tweens. Join us each week for games, music, and a RIASEC-themed activity:

* June 24: Catapult Challenge (Realistic)
* July 1: Make Your Own Slime (Investigative)
* July 8: Mask-Painting (Artistic)
* July 15: Lotería with Prizes (Social)
* July 22: Sharpie Mugs (Enterprising)
* July 29: Bingo with Prizes (Conventional)

 

Rancho San Diego Branch

Tween Craft – Perler Beads
Thursday, July 3, 2025
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Tween Craft – DIY Bags
Thursday, July 17, 2025
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Tween Craft – DIY Shirts
Thursday, July 31, 2025
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

 

As you can see, there are tons of great events going on for free this summer! And if your kiddos are looking for more fun, check out my post about Summer Reading Programs!

Gift Ideas for the Creative Person in Your Life

Abby H.

With the gift-giving holidays coming up, I’m trying something new this year. I’ll be posting several gift guides with different themes. These themes are based on the people I shop for, and you probably have some similar people on your gift-giving list.

I’ve been scouring the web looking for different, fun gifts for the creative people in my life. I’ve found some pretty good deals and gift ideas.

First off is Craftsy. I love Craftsy. They have all sorts of video tutorials for sewing, baking, knitting, painting, drawing- You Name It! They have a great deal where you can have unlimited access to over 1,500 instructional video classes across more than 20 categories, Craftsy has something for everyone to enjoy. Plus, with Craftsy Membership Sharing, you can share your membership with up to three of your closest friends or family members at no additional cost to you or your guests. With this special offer get Craftsy Premium Membership for ONLY $2.49 for your first full year. 

I’m getting my mom a Craftsy membership- She loves watching craft videos on Youtube, and I feel like this takes it up a notch.

Next up are the gifts for the person who loves to draw and color. Bitty Bird loves to color and she loves alcohol markers. She has a small 20-color set she bought with her allowance earlier this year, but she’s been eyeing the marker sets from Ohuhu. I’m not sure which set I’ll buy her yet, but it will be her “big gift” of the year. One thing I love about Ohuhu markers is that they sell ink refills for them!

If you have a little artist in your family, Ooly has a great gift guide for this year.

They have gifts for every little artist on your list:

If you’ve got a more serious artist or creative type on your list, Blick Art Materials is a great go-to. From acrylic paints to tie-dye supplies, Blick has an amazing selection of creative supplies. Currently, there is a coupon code for free shipping too! Free Shipping for orders $49+. Use promo code CFEZ.

Black Friday Big SaleFor the Lego/Brick builder in your life, Let Bricks has some cool MOC’s (MOC stands for My Own Creation) on sale.

Let Bricks has its own Gift Guide with lots of great options for any budget.

I’ve already got a couple sets picked out for the special builders in my life.

**This post may contain affiliate links, for more information about how we use affiliate links, please visit our Disclosure page.**

 

2022 Brick-or-Treat at Legoland California

Abby H.

It’s back!! My kids love Legoland and I’m so excited for Brick or Treat this year!

Park guests received an early Halloween “treat” as LEGO® Monsters began to arrive for LEGOLAND® California Resort’s Halloween celebration, Brick-or-Treat presents Monster Party. Witches, ghouls, and vampires made their way to the entrance of the family theme park to join LEGO® Zombie Cheerleader and Monster Rocker just in time to boogie down as the Park transforms into the ultimate children’s Halloween celebration. Beginning Sept. 17, families are encouraged to grab their festive costumes and join in on the fun!

In addition to the new LEGO® characters, Brick-or-Treat features the debut of the all-new 4D movie “The Great Monster Chase,” a kid-friendly scare trail, elaborate décor, LEGO building activities, new entertainment and treat stations. For even more electrifying excitement, the Park’s signature roller coaster has been transformed into the Disco Dragon Coaster with a groovy soundtrack and festive decorations.

Brick-or-Treat is included in a general admission ticket and select annual passes. The Halloween festivities begin Saturday, Sept. 17, and continue every Saturday through Oct. 29 and Sunday, Oct. 30. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.legoland.com/california.

8/10/22 & 8/11/22 Free 66pc Lego Brick Set!

Abby H.

We love Legos, and we love free stuff. Check out this amazing freebie, available  8/10/22 and 8/11/22 at your local LEGO store. A limited quantity will be available on each day.

Build a LEGO® Red Brick and take it home with you!

Terms and Conditions
LEGO® Red Brick build model will be available on a first come first served basis.
While stocks last.
Suitable for ages 6+
LEGO® Red Brick build model offer valid on 8/10/22 and 8/11/22 only.
Limited to one LEGO® Red Brick build per person.
LEGO® Red Brick build model cannot be purchased.

Dinosaurs Invade Miniland USA at Legoland California!

Abby H.

If your kiddos are like mine, they love dinosaurs and Legoland.

Our friends over at LEGOLAND® California Resort have created more than 30 of the massive creatures that have taken over the Big Apple in Miniland U.S.A. Guests can get up close to Stegosauruses, Brachiosauruses, Triceratopses and the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex, among others, running rampant through the city. The fun scenes all depict what happens when a science convention has gone wrong and now families can join a LEGO® Mad Scientist in his search to find and identify all the creatures.

Each prehistoric reptile took a team of Master Model Builders more than 60 hours to design and construct. Each dinosaur weighs more than 20lbs and is built out of more than 30 thousand LEGO® bricks. Sharp LEGO® teeth, gigantic claws, and tiny T-rex arms are among the many identifiable characteristics of the carnivorous models. The Model Builders also had some fun creating silly and entertaining scenes in Time Square, Central Park, and high above the city skyline for all to enjoy.

LEGO dinosaurs will be roaming around the city that never sleeps now through summer at the Park… catch them fast before they go extinct!

The kids love Legoland, and they make it fun and easy for all families to enjoy their parks. If you are a family with special needs, check out my post about their Assisted Access Pass. And if you are trying to have fun on a budget- Legoland can be enjoyed on the cheap! Tips and tricks can be found here.

This dinosaur experience is included in the price of admission to LEGOLAND® California Resort. For LEGOLAND® California Resort ticket prices, Spring Break special offers, operating schedule, and additional information, visit www.LEGOLAND.com or call 760-918-LEGO (5346).

Legoland California Update! Build and Play and More!

Abby H.

My kids miss Legoland California like whoah. I won’t lie, I miss Grannie’s Apple Fries. I got an email from Legoland California this morning about some upcoming openings in the park and at the hotel.

LEGOLAND® California Resort’s “Build ‘N Play” Days starting March 5, 2021.  This new experience offers guests a chance to explore play structures within the Park such as Kai’s Spinners and Cole’s Rock Climb in LEGO® NINJAGO® World and DUPLO® Playtown, building activities, a scavenger hunt in Miniland U.S.A., live entertainment, character meet and greets, shopping at The Big Shop and more!

With ticket prices starting at $19.99, Build ‘N Play activities include a Miniland dance party where guests can do the LEGO limbo, design their own Minifigure on the roof of the Model Shop, rock out to live musical appearances in Fun Town, and taste crazy food concoctions such as deconstructed S’mores and colorful churros. Two building activities have been designed to stretch children’s imaginations with separate sanitized brick packs and space for children’s creations to stay on display each weekend.

And this is the part that is super exciting to me (and I know the kids will dig it too)…

LEGOLAND® Castle Hotel guests can double their splashing fun by having exclusive access to LEGO® CHIMA™ Water Park! From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on visits between March 12 and May 2, Cragger’s Swamp, Lion Temple Wave Pool, Build-a-Boat, and Wolves’ Den Grill is open exclusively to Hotel guests.

Guests at LEGOLAND Castle Hotel can see movies outdoors at night, enjoy an outdoor play structure, listen to bedtime stories and meet their favorite LEGOLAND costume characters! Reservations for LEGOLAND Castle Hotel can be made online and guests can choose from three different room themes: Knights and Dragons, Royal Princess, or Magic Wizard rooms. Breakfast take out plus lunch and dinner take out and dine-outside options are available plus an in-room treasure hunt for the kids.

I’m going to start saving our pennies and see if we can make this happen over Spring Break! We’ve been to Legoland so many times, but we’ve never been to the water park. Both kids love Legoland, especially Chima and Ninjago-themed activities and rides.

Enjoy Fireworks & Fun at Legoland!

Abby H.

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If you don’t have plans for Thursday, check out the fun at Legoland California!

Don’t miss Fireworks set to a patriotic musical tribute with great viewing in designated locations throughout the Park.

Event activities include:

  • All-American family picnic games: water-balloon tosses, burlap sack races, Family Build Challenge and LEGO Hamburger relay
  • Patriotic costume parade: come dressed in your favorite Red, White and Blue attire
  • Fireworks
  • Character meet and greets
  • Special giveaways
  • Live performances and more!

The celebration lasts from 1:00pm to 9:00pm with fireworks at 8:30pm. All Red, White and BOOM! activities are included in the cost of admission to LEGOLAND California.

And if you are looking for a deal, Groupon has discount admissions here. Or if you stop by a San Diego County area McDonald’s location, you can pick up a coupon for a free child admission when you purchase an adult admission at full price.

If you are looking for more frugal fun at Legoland, check out my post here.  If you have a special needs child, learn more about the Assisted Access pass here.

Rare Deal on Legos This Week at Target…

Abby H.

IMG_1587.JPGYup, you read that right. Legos hardly ever go on sale! So if your family is like ours, you’ll jump at this chance.

Starting today through next Saturday, score a free $10 gift card with $50 purchase of select LEGO toys (both in-store and online).

And wanna make that deal sweeter? Save an extra 5% off this or any purchase when you sign up for and use a Target Red Card.

I’ve had the Target Red Card  for 3 years or so- It saves us big time!

 

We have the Target Red Debit Card, so it’s just like using our Debit Card at checkout. There is also a Target Red Card that is a credit card. If you are a Target shopper with any frequency, it’s worth signing up for a Target Red Card (either debit or credit). 5% off each time really adds up.

Wanna learn the tips for saving the most at Target? Check out this post.

Exploring Legoland:Assisted Access Pass

Abby H.
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“No Mommy, I don’t want to have my picture taken with a shark, I want to pick my nose.” Margaret

Recently, the kids and I got a sneak peak of the Lego City: Deep Sea Adventure ride. It was great fun- it combines a submarine ride, a treasure hunt, and Legos! The kids had a blast. Henry loved getting his picture taken with Lego “Sharky”, and of course the building station to entertain the kids while we waited in line.  I like that the building station has directions and information about real life fish and ocean wildlife that kids can build with the Legos found at the building station.

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Henry loves Legoland, and so does Margaret. I love taking them. In addition to fun rides, there are tons of areas for kids to play, run, build Lego, and splash (in addition to the water park). What I really like is that they offer an Assisted Access Pass.

A lot of readers don’t know this, but Henry is ASD (That’s Autism Spectrum Disorder). So going on rides, waiting in line with a lot of people, loud noises, and weird smells can trigger him and lead to meltdowns, or just shutting down (sensory overload). Thankfully Legoland offers the Assisted Access Pass. For anyone with a disability, pick one up at Guest Services near the entrance. The pass entitles the pass holder, plus up to five additional people in your party to by-pass the regular line, and wait in a shortened line.

After you get into the by-pass line, the Model Citizen (that’s the staff member) will sign your pass and give you the next time that you can utilize the pass again. You can use it all day. We usually use it 3-4 times to go on the rides the kids really want to go on and have a long line. The wait time to use the pass again can be passed at a splash pad, play area, or building station. There is lots to see and do besides rides. There are quiet areas where kids (and adults) can decompress and relax at both First Aid and The Baby Care Center.

469ABCF7-367C-4837-BF98-445D13D1A387.jpgI also like that you can bring your own snacks into Legoland too. I pack our backpack full of snacks and treats, and our reusable Camelback bottles , (which you can refill with ice and water for free at anyone of the Coca-Cola Freestyle machines throughout the park).  But- the kids and I do love the goodies and treats at Legoland. Especially, Granny’s Apple Fries.

If you and your kiddos are ravenous after 5pm in the park, check out this deal:

Screen Shot 2018-07-10 at 8.56.38 PM.pngKIDS EAT FREE AFTER 5 PM THROUGH 8/18/2018 * Fun Town’s Urban Kitchen, Wok ‘N’ Bowl Ramen, Garden Deli & Café, Pizza Pasta Buffet and Smokehouse BBQ only. Offer is available for a limited time, see locations for availability and details. Kids receive one FREE Kids’ Meal with the purchase of one full-price adult entrée. Offer is available after 5pm at Fun Town’s Urban Kitchen, Wok ‘N’ Bowl Ramen, Garden Deli & Café, Pizza Pasta Buffet and Smokehouse BBQ at LEGOLAND® California. Adult entrée purchase equals one FREE Kids’ Meal. Cannot be combined with any other discount or offer. Restrictions apply. The right of final interpretation resides with LEGOLAND California Resort. Prices, times and schedules subject to change without notice.

The kids dig the Pizza and Pasta Buffet.  I dig Kids Eat Free.

And here are photos of Henry pretending to be Arthur- The king, not the aardvark.

 

For our family, Legoland is a great way to spend the day together on our schedule, with little to no stress.  Talk Back: What is your favorite way to spend time with your family that low key and enjoyable?

 

 

Find (Frugal) Family Fun in Your Community

Abby H.1 Comment

xmas eve 013.JPGSummer vacation is on the horizon, and that means that there will be choruses of, “I’m bored!”

Having a kid who has ADHD and ASD, I frequently hear that lament after school (like, before we even pull out of the school parking lot in the afternoon) complete with body slump and flailing of arms.  To combat this, I’ve assembled a list of events that can keep kiddos entertained with little to no cost.

Everyone knows about their local, neighborhood parks for free fun outside, but don’t forget your local libraries and community centers for sources of free fun!

Our local library has events after school (starting at 3pm) for kids grades K-3, including:

  • Read with Grandma Marcia ~ Every Tuesday
  • Kids Exploration Day ~ 2nd Wednesday of the month
  • LEGO Club ~ 3rd Wednesday of the month
  • Creative Play ~ Each Saturday from 10:30-11:30 am. Children learn through play! Meet new friends and have fun while developing early learning skills. Geared for ages 5 and under (but they are not strict with it- as long as the kids behave).

With all of these activities, a responsible adult must be present and participate.

Check out your local library’s website.

San Diego County Libraries

San Diego City Libraries

Screen Shot 2018-04-14 at 6.38.53 PM.pngIf you have a Starwood Mall nearby you (Here in San Diego, Parkway Plaza is a Starwood property), check out their kids club called MallStars. From the Parkway Plaza website, “MallStars Kids Club offers exclusive kid friendly events in a safe, community environment, throughout the year. MallStars Kids Club is a FREE kids club open to kids 10 years of age and younger.

The program features exclusive, kid-friendly events for its members throughout the entire year. MallStars members also receive free giveaways; a quarterly newsletter with upcoming events and special offers; as well as priority registration and exclusive invites to mall events.”

Last Month we got to make pizzas, and learn how to roll out dough with friends at Fuertes NY Pizza!

My kiddos love the beach- I know not everyone has the beach near them, but if you do- take advantage!  Google your favorite beach and Tide Chart and find out when low tide it. Low tide is the perfect time to hunt for shells. If you are in San Diego, or will be visiting this summer, check out Coronado for the SS Monte Carlo. It’s a sunken ship that is visible and explorable at low tide.

If you have a YMCA membership, check out their free programs for members. Our local Y has Open Gym three times a week, plus a mommy and me craft time for little kids, and lots of other fun programs that are included in our monthly dues. If you are interested in checking out the YMCA but are lacking funds, I encourage you to visit your local Y and ask about scholarships or financial aid.

I also find lots of local events and free fun stuff by checking the “Events You May Like” section on Facebook Events.

Talkback: I’d love to hear what kinds of free (or cheap) fun stuff your family does!