Family Activities

Monterey Museum of Art - Free Admission with Your SNAP EBT Card

The Monterey Museum of Art is proud to announce our participation in Museums for All , a national initiative to expand access to museums. At Monterey Museum of Art, individuals and families who present a CalFresh / Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card will receive free admission for up to four people! We invite you to visit us at 559 Pacific Street.

Kids' Summer Reading Program Kick-Off with Monterey Public Library

 
6/4/22
 
free
 
Colton Hall Lawn

Own Saturday, June 4, 11am-1pm, on Colton Hall Lawn, Monterey Public Library invites you to bring a blanket and a snack and join us for our free Summer Reading "Camp-Out" to kick-off our Summer Reading Program. Details for the event remain mysterious, but we know it'll involve family fun, music, and...tents!

Used Book Sale at Monterey Public Library

 
6/11/22
 
 
Monterey Public Library

Monterey Public Library Friends and Foundation is holding a Used Book Sale on Saturday, June 11, 10am-3pm, on the patio of Monterey Public Library. All funds raised will be used to support the library. Expect to find great deals and great prices!

Monterey County Pops! Free Memorial Day Concert

 
5/30/22
 
free
 
Colton Hall Lawn

After a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic, Monterey County Pops! has announced the triumphant return of the annual Monterey County Pops! Memorial Day Concert on the lawn in front of Colton Hall and Monterey City Hall.

On Monday,...

July 4th Living History Day 2022 - Monterey State Historic Park

 
7/4/22
 
free
 
Memory Garden at Pacific House

Monterey State Historic Park Association presents July 4th Living History Day in the Memory Garden, located behind Pacific House Museum at Custom House Plaza. The whole family can enjoy historic demonstrations and participate in 19th century games, rope-making, leather craft, and cooking, 11am-3pm.

Candle and Bath Bomb Party for Kids at Locally Lit

 
5/14/22
 
$48
 
Locally Lit Candle Bar

Locally Lit Candle Bar presents a Candle and Bath Bomb Party for Kids ages 7 and up. Fee is $48 per child, which includes all supplies. Please register on our website.

In this workshop, we'll each create a custom candle with Johnny Wicks Candle Company and then we'll each make a bath bomb with Eclipse Creations.

Dinosaur Day at MY Museum

 
5/8/22
 
 
Monterey County Youth Museum

Monterey County Youth Museum invites you to join us for some dinosaur fun on Saturday, May 8, during our 10am-12pm or 1pm-3pm play sessions! Author Anne Ylvisaker will be reading her newly released book, Iamasaurus , and we'll offer special...

Private Parties Return to MY Museum

Private parties for kids are back at MY Museum! Enjoy the museum all to yourself with 2 hours of exclusive playtime for up to 50 guests (including adults). Each party includes a staff-led scavenger hunt, photo opportunity, and a goody bag for each child in attendance under age 12.

Available Thu, Fri, Sat, and Sun, 3:30pm-5:30pm. $395 for MY Museum members, $435 for all others.

Red Engine Rides at MY Museum

 
4/30/22
 
$25
 
Monterey County Youth Museum

MY Museum invites you and your children ages 3+ to join us on Saturday, April 30, as we partner with Red Engine Rides for a cruise around town. We're offering 15 minute rides an open-air fire engine for $25 per person. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. Rides depart every half hour, 10am-12:30pm. Advance reservations required.

Red Engine Rides at MY Museum

 
4/9/22
 
$20
 
Monterey County Youth Museum

MY Museum invites you and your children ages 3+ to join us on Saturday, April 9, as we partner with Red Engine Rides for a cruise around town. We're offering 15 minute rides an open-air fire engine for $20 per person. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. Rides depart every half hour, 10:30am-12:30pm. Advance reservations required.

Monterey Church Free Family Movie: Disney's Encanto

 
3/20/22
 
free
 
Golden State Theatre

Monterey Church invites you to join us for a free screening of Disney's Encanto at Golden State Theatre on March 20 at 4pm. No registration required. Doors open at 3:30pm. Encanto is rated PG.

Paint & Create Party for Kids at Locally Lit

 
3/12/22
 
$45
 
Locally Lit Candle Bar

Locally Lit Candle Bar presents a Paint and Create Party for Kids ages 7 and up. Fee is $45 per child, which includes all supplies. Please register on our website.

In this workshop, we'll each create a custom candle with Johnny Wicks Candle Company and then Jess from Progress Not Perfection Paint Parties will walk us through making an acrylic painting.

Whalefest Monterey 2022

 
3/19/22
 
free
 
Custom House Plaza

Whalefest is an educational and entertaining family-friendly event held at and around Custom House Plaza and Old Fisherman's Wharf on March 19 and 20, 11am-5pm. It includes fun activities for all ages, live music, boat displays, and dozens of fascinating marine-related interactive exhibits by numerous local organizations.

Monterey Ocean Arts Festival at Monterey Museum of Art

 
4/9/22
 
free
 
Monterey Museum of Art

SpectorDance is partnering with the Monterey Museum of Art to present the Monterey Ocean Arts Festival on Saturday, April 9, 1pm-4pm. Admission is free.

Enjoy this family-friendly event and learn about ocean science through art. See ocean-themed visual and performing art created by selected Monterey County artists, ages 10-25 years old, learn about outstanding local ocean science organizations, and participate in ocean-themed art activities for all ages.

Monterey Parks Cutting Day and Horticultural Fair 2022

 
3/19/22
 
free
 
Colton Hall Lawn

Monterey Parks Division presents the 65th Annual Cutting Day and Horticultural Fair on the lawn in front of Colton Hall, held rain or shine. In addition to a bounty of cuttings, exhibits this year will include information on native plants, drought resistant plants, propagation, drip irrigation, and more. Free tree seedlings will be given away!

Kid's Outdoor Hero Run and Obstacle Course

 
2/26/22
 
$25
 
Colton Hall Lawn

The Monterey Firefighters Community Foundation presents a Kid’s Hero Run and Obstacle Course for ages 17 and under, 8:30am-11:30am in front of Colton Hall. Grouped by age, kids will run through a city block lined with an inflatable obstacle course!

Fee is $25 per child - register online here . Proceeds will support youth organizations throughout Monterey County.

MY Museum Covid Vaccination Clinic

 
1/24/22
 
free
 
Monterey County Youth Museum

MY Museum is teaming up with Central Avenue Pharmacy to support families in the fight against COVID-19. Please join us for a free vaccination clinic for anyone age 5 and up on Monday, January 24, 4pm-6pm. The museum will be...

Kids' Gingerbread House Extravaganza 2021 at MY Museum

 
12/12/21
 
$35/$40
 
Monterey County Youth Museum

MY Museum invites children to get festive and join us in decorating your own gingerbread houses today. There will be lots of icing and candy canes, swirly twirly gum drops, and tons more candy to make your house look truly extraordinary. Reservations are required - register online here .

Take a Hike in Downtown Old Monterey with Blue Zones Project

 
11/17/21
 
free
 
Blue Zones Project Monterey County

Join Blue Zones Project Monterey County on National Take A Hike Day, Wednesday, November 17, 12pm-12:30pm, and take a walk with us in beautiful Downtown Old Monterey. Get some fresh air and meet new friends.

We'll meet at the...

Volunteer for Del Monte Beach Cleanup

 
11/20/21
 
free
 
Monterey Bay Park

Join Blue Zones Project Monterey County as we help clean and beautify one of our most popular beaches in Monterey. All ages are welcome! Please register online.

At 10am you'll find us at the Del Monte Beach Parking Lot with buckets and trash pickers. Bring your enthusiasm - we'll provide everything else.

Ice Skating by the Bay 2021

 
11/19/21
 
$15/$13
 
Custom House Plaza

Celebrate the holidays at Ice Skating by the Bay's seasonal ice skating rink, open daily November 19 - January 2 . At Custom House Plaza, located behind Portola Hotel & Spa in Old Monterey, skaters can spend the day in a winter wonderland by the Bay.

Admission is $15 for adults, $13 for children 12 & under. Skate rental fee is $5.

Tours of Stevenson House and Larkin House Now Available

Monterey State Historic Park is excited to announce that our guided tours of Larkin House and Stevenson House have returned! House tours, lasting 45-60 minutes, are now offered on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Stevenson House tours are offered at 10am; Larkin House tours are offered at 2pm.

Tickets are $10 for adults, free for children 17 and under, and can be purchased on location starting 15 minutes before the tour. Group size is limited to 8 people per tour. For more information, please visit our website .

Monterey Tree of Hearts Exhibit at Alvarado Gallery

Alvarado Gallery at Monterey Conference Center has a new art exhibit - the community "Tree of Hearts" are now on display to enjoy. You're invited to browse the collages made up of hundreds of paper hearts, each featuring a special...

Traditional Tree Lighting on Colton Hall Lawn 2021

 
12/3/21
 
Free
 
Colton Hall Lawn

All are cordially invited to the Historic Downtown Monterey Traditional Tree Lighting Celebration, featuring carols, music by Mike Marotta Family & Friends, and good cheer on Friday, December 3, 4:30pm-5:30pm.

Join us on the lawn in front of Colton Hall to share in this much-loved holiday celebration. Face masks are encouraged.

Movie in the Park: "Monsters, Inc."

 
10/23/21
 
Free
 
Colton Hall Lawn

Monterey firefighters present a screening of the film Monsters, Inc. on the lawn of Colton Hall. Pre-show festivities include fire engines, MY Museum crafts, a taco truck, Trader Joe's snacks, and popcorn and cotton candy.

Halloween costumes are encouraged - we will have a few trick-or-treat stations set up for the kids. Make sure to bring chairs or a blanket to sit on and wear lots of warm layers.

Halloween Cookies, Crafting & Stories at MY Museum

 
10/23/21
 
$25
 
Monterey County Youth Museum

My Museum invites you and your children to dress in your favorite Halloween pajamas and join us for an afternoon of Halloween sugar cookie decorating, crafts, and stories on Sat, 3:30pm-5pm.

Reservations and face masks required. One adult per child required. Fee is $25 per child (accompanying adult free). Tickets now available on our website .

Fire Safety Friday at MY Museum 2021

 
10/8/21
 
 
Monterey County Youth Museum

Monterey County Youth Museum celebrates Fire Safety Friday, hosting our favorite firefighters from the Monterey Fire Department for an hour of fire safety demonstrations, activities, and a tour of a real fire engine. Admission is free for MY Museum Members; $10 for all others. Please reserve a spot on our website.

Revival Ice Cream's 5th Birthday Celebration

 
10/9/21
 
 
Revival Ice Cream

Revival Ice Cream is celebrating our 5th birthday! Please join us on Saturday, 12pm-10pm. Every customer will receive a free mini scoop of our Revival Birthday Cake ice cream and, only for today, we're bringing back a favorite seasonal flavor: Matcha Coconut.

Bring the whole family! Today, 3pm-6pm, we'll have an outdoor kids' space with music, balloons, and a limited edition coloring book.

Garden Pop-up Sale at Cooper Molera Adobe

 
10/2/21
 
free
 
Cooper Molera Adobe - A Historic Site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation

The Cooper Molera Adobe and the Historic Garden League invite you to attend a Garden Pop-up Sale on Saturday, Oct. 2, 9:30am-12:30pm which will include a plant sale, garden tours, and a salvia propagation workshop.

Varieties of plants for sale will include scented geraniums, sages, roses, and other propagated plants from the Cooper Molera Gardens.