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San Francisco Bay Area family weekend planner

Things to do with kids in Santa Cruz

Family-friendly things to do in Santa Cruz in 2026: 167 kid-friendly events plus 18 parks, museums and venues. Next up: Monday, October 26, 2026. Plan a weekend with FamHop.

18 places 24 events mostly Culture Plan a day with FamHop

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  1. Santa Cruz Mission State Historic ParkOutdoors · Free
  2. The Diversity CenterCulture · $$
  3. Santa Cruz Museum of Natural HistoryCulture · $$
  4. Seymour Marine Discovery CenterCulture · $$
  5. Santa Cruz Surfing MuseumCulture · $$
  6. Santa Cruz CinemaCulture · $$
  7. CurvesWellness · $
  8. Santa Cruz Athletic ClubWellness · $
  9. Te Hau Nui School of Hula and Tahitian DanceWellness · $
  10. Pacific EdgeWellness · $
  11. Patagonia OutletShopping · 58.8 mi
  12. Bookshop Santa CruzShopping · 59.3 mi
  13. Down WorksShopping · 59 mi
  14. REIShopping · 59.5 mi
  15. Santa Cruz Gear ExchangeShopping · 59.4 mi
  16. Santa Cruz Running CompanyShopping · 59.4 mi
  17. Streetlight RecordsShopping · 59.6 mi
  18. Sylvan MusicShopping · 59.6 mi
  19. Infant/Toddler Storytime at CapitolaMonday, October 26, 2026 · Capitola Branch - Ow Family Community Room
  20. Storytime and Stay & Play at DowntownMonday, October 26, 2026 · Downtown Branch - Community Room
  21. Encompass Outreach Worker Office HoursMonday, October 26, 2026 · Downtown Branch - Life Literacies Center
  22. Ballots & BooksMonday, October 26, 2026 · Live Oak Branch
  23. Tales to Tails at Garfield ParkMonday, October 26, 2026 · Garfield Park Branch
  24. Baby Time and Stay & PlayTuesday, October 27, 2026 · Branciforte Branch
  25. Dancing TalesTuesday, October 27, 2026 · Downtown Branch - Community Room
  26. Toddler Time @ Live OakTuesday, October 27, 2026 · Live Oak Branch
  27. R.E.A.D.: Reach Every Amazing Detail @ Live oakTuesday, October 27, 2026 · Live Oak Branch
  28. R.E.A.D.: Reach Every Amazing Detail @Garfield ParkTuesday, October 27, 2026 · Garfield Park Branch
  29. Batty for Bats: Bat talk, crafts and refreshmentsTuesday, October 27, 2026 · Downtown Branch - Community Room
  30. Tales to Tails at CapitolaTuesday, October 27, 2026 · Capitola Branch - Bob White Children's Study Room B
  31. Preschool Storytime @ the Garfield Park Branch LibraryWednesday, October 28, 2026 · Garfield Park Branch
  32. Preschool Storytime and Stay & Play @ CapitolaWednesday, October 28, 2026 · Capitola Branch - Ow Family Community Room
  33. Cinema and Snacks @ BranciforteWednesday, October 28, 2026 · Branciforte Branch - Community Room
  34. Make & Explore @ Garfield ParkWednesday, October 28, 2026 · Garfield Park Branch
  35. R.E.A.D.: Reach Every Amazing Detail @ BranciforteWednesday, October 28, 2026 · Branciforte Branch
  36. R.E.A.D.: Reach Every Amazing Detail @ CapitolaWednesday, October 28, 2026 · Capitola Branch - Bob White Children's Study Room B
  37. Lego Challenge @ DowntownWednesday, October 28, 2026 · Downtown Branch - Community Room
  38. Tales to Tails at DowntownWednesday, October 28, 2026 · Downtown Branch
  39. Storytime and Stay & Play @ DowntownThursday, October 29, 2026 · Downtown Branch
  40. Wings Birth Certificate & Notary ServicesThursday, October 29, 2026 · Downtown Branch - Life Literacies Center
  41. Preschool Story Time @ Live OakThursday, October 29, 2026 · Live Oak Branch
  42. Housing Matters Drop in Hours & Miracle MessagesThursday, October 29, 2026 · Downtown Branch - Life Literacies Center

Family-friendly spots in Santa Cruz

Place photos via Wikimedia Commons, Unsplash, and venue sources.

Upcoming family events in Santa Cruz

MonOct 26
  1. 10:30 AMInfant/Toddler Storytime at CapitolaCapitola Branch - Ow Family Community Room · Library · Ages 1–5Storytime Stay and Play Come for the songs, stay for the play!
  2. 10:30 AMStorytime and Stay & Play at DowntownDowntown Branch - Community Room · Library · Ages 1–12Join us for Storytime for ages 0-5 featuring songs, rhymes, lap bounces, and stories.
  3. 1 PMEncompass Outreach Worker Office HoursDowntown Branch - Life Literacies Center · Library · Ages 3–12Connecting people to social services, county mental health and more.Free
  4. 1:30 PMBallots & BooksLive Oak Branch · Library · Ages 3–12 · $Voter services and family activities at local libraries The Santa Cruz County Clerk/Elections Office is bringing voter services to local…
  5. 3:30 PMTales to Tails at Garfield ParkGarfield Park Branch · Library · Ages 5–13Practice reading to a certified therapy dog!
TueOct 27
  1. 10:30 AMBaby Time and Stay & PlayBranciforte Branch · Library · Ages 1–5Baby Story Time is a sweet introduction to stories, songs, rhymes, and lap play, thoughtfully designed to nurture early literacy and bonding.
  2. 10:30 AMDancing TalesDowntown Branch - Community Room · Library · Ages 5–12A fun and interactive dance program for children ages 2-5.
  3. 11 AMToddler Time @ Live OakLive Oak Branch · Library · Ages 1–12Puppets, Songs and toys, Oh My! Come join Librarian Julia for stories, songs lots of fun for little ones and their caregivers. Playtime is…Free
  4. 3 PMR.E.A.D.: Reach Every Amazing Detail @ Live oakLive Oak Branch · Library · Ages 5–13 · $Bilingual Instruction/Enseñanza de la lectura bilingüe R.E.A.D. is one-on-one reading comprehension instruction for grades 1-12.
  5. 3 PMR.E.A.D.: Reach Every Amazing Detail @Garfield ParkGarfield Park Branch · Library · Ages 5–13 · $Reading Instruction R.E.A.D. is one-on-one reading comprehension instruction for grades 1-12.
  6. 3:30 PMBatty for Bats: Bat talk, crafts and refreshmentsDowntown Branch - Community Room · Library · Ages 3–13No live bats will be at this event! Come learn about bats from a local expert. Refreshments will be served during the talk and then we will…
  7. 4 PMTales to Tails at CapitolaCapitola Branch - Bob White Children's Study Room B · Library · Ages 5–13Practice reading to a trained therapy dog!
WedOct 28
  1. 10:30 AMPreschool Storytime @ the Garfield Park Branch LibraryGarfield Park Branch · Library · Ages 5–12Join us at the Garfield Park Branch Library for Storytime!Free
  2. 11 AMPreschool Storytime and Stay & Play @ CapitolaCapitola Branch - Ow Family Community Room · Library · Ages 5–12Join us for Storytime featuring songs, rhymes, and books designed to help preschoolers develop early literacy skills.
  3. 3 PMCinema and Snacks @ BranciforteBranciforte Branch - Community Room · Library · Ages 3–12Grab a seat, enjoy a snack, and settle in for a movie at the Branciforte Branch Library!
  4. 3 PMMake & Explore @ Garfield ParkGarfield Park Branch · Library · Ages 5–12Every week we will have a new project idea for you to build or explore.Free
  5. 3 PMR.E.A.D.: Reach Every Amazing Detail @ BranciforteBranciforte Branch · Library · Ages 5–13 · $Bilingual Instruction/Enseñanza de la lectura bilingüe R.E.A.D. is one-on-one reading comprehension instruction for grades 1-12.
  6. 3 PMR.E.A.D.: Reach Every Amazing Detail @ CapitolaCapitola Branch - Bob White Children's Study Room B · Library · Ages 5–13 · $Reading Instruction R.E.A.D. is one-on-one reading comprehension instruction for grades 1-12.
  7. 4 PMLego Challenge @ DowntownDowntown Branch - Community Room · Library · Ages 5–13Lego Fun for Kids Are you looking for a fun and competitive challenge?
  8. 4 PMTales to Tails at DowntownDowntown Branch · Library · Ages 5–13Practice reading to a trained therapy dog!
ThuOct 29
  1. 10:30 AMStorytime and Stay & Play @ DowntownDowntown Branch · Library · Ages 5–12For ages 0-5 Join us for Storytime featuring songs, rhymes, and stories designed to help preschoolers, toddlers and babies develop early literacy skills.
  2. 10:30 AMWings Birth Certificate & Notary ServicesDowntown Branch - Life Literacies Center · Library · Ages 3–12Wings provides free birth certificates and notary services for people experiencing homelessness.Free
  3. 11 AMPreschool Story Time @ Live OakLive Oak Branch · Library · Ages 5–12Songs and Stories Come join Librarian Julie for stories, songs. egg shakers and a craft for preschoolers and their caregivers.Free
  4. 1 PMHousing Matters Drop in Hours & Miracle MessagesDowntown Branch - Life Literacies Center · Library · Ages 3–12Housing resources and other services for those experiencing homelessness.