We’ll see you back here next week! Happy Easter and Happy Spring!!!

Here’s our Top Picks for the Weekend of September 15th & 16th! Get your hands dirty with the Great American River Cleanup! Or find a cleanup closer to you. Placer Nature Center’s magical Harvest Tea Party is a sure-fire hit. Kids can enjoy tea with fresh herbs and frolic in the wilderness! Have an old-fashioned flapjack breakfast at Sutter’s Fort. Learn how to start a simple family compost bin with a free 1-hour class. Or take a free family birdwalk with a Naturalist at Effie. And of course it’s Sac Open Studios for one more week… let kids peek into an artist’s real workspaces and learn about their processes. Perfect, sunny highs of 79/81 forecasted for Sat. & Sun. Enjoy the gorgeous weather!

[All listings are provided free by our own independent review of activities. These are not ads.]

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 15TH, 2018

For parents, learn about play at the Sacramento Play Summit. Play is the most important work of childhood, setting the foundation for a child’s physical, emotional and cognitive well-being. Yet there are growing threats and limitations placed on the time, resources and spaces devoted to play. The 6th annual Sacramento Play Summit, presented by Fairytale Town and Sacramento Public Library, aims to highlight the importance of play, the many types of play, ways to incorporate play into daily and school life, and more. Keynote speakers include: Lisa Murphy, founder and CEO of Ooey Gooey, Inc., and Mike Lanza, author of Playborhood: Turn Your Neighborhood into a Place for Play. This event is sponsored by Sutter Health and Friends of the Sacramento Public Library. $50+. Sat. 9am. Tsakopoulos Library Galleria. This is a conference for adults. More info…

The Great American River Cleanup… kids welcome! Join over 1,000 of your neighbors and participate in The Great American River Cleanup, an annual even done in conjunction with the California Coastal Cleanup Day, a statewide movement that mobilizes volunteers throughout California to clean up trash from local beaches, lakes, and waterways. On Saturday, the Sacramento community comes together and removes thousands of pounds of trash and debris from 20+ sites along the American River Parkway in only three hours.Volunteers last year were able to remove over 15,000 pounds of trash! With over 8 million visitors to the parkway yearly, this cleanup effort creates a much more enjoyable experience for tourists and community members alike and greatly benefits the Sacramento area as a whole. Be sure to register your family and friends for this event and Take Pride in the Parkway! Free, registration required. Sat. 9am – 12pm. American River Parkway – William Pond Recreation Area. More info… or Get registered… (note: there are other river cleanups taking place all over the region this weekend. find an event close to you!)

Visit the butterfly garden and take short trail walks through the trees at Placer Nature Center. Highly recommended by Sactown Kids. Saturday is their super-fun Harvest Tea Party (10am-12pm). Tea will be made from their summer plants (lemon, mint, etc.) for kids to enjoy. They will also plant the garden with seeds and plants for fall planting: chard, beets, cabbages and broccoli. You will get to take some home with you too. Free, but a small donation keeps the nature center running. Sat. 10am – 1pm. Placer Nature Center. More info…

Enter a clucking contest at the Fair Oaks Chicken Festival. Join the Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District for the 13th annual Fair Oaks Chicken Festival! Festivities include live music on the main stage, a cluck n’ crow contest, craft brew tasting, 100+ vendors, SactoMoFo food court, pancake breakfast, kids park, kids entertainment, and so much more. Free plus cost of purchases. Sat. 10am – 6pm. Village of Fair Oaks. More info…

Eat a flapjack breakfast at the Hands on History: Frontier Farm-to-Fork Event. Step back in time to the 1840s and learn about the agricultural empire Sutter set out to build at Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park. Kids and families will learn about the produce grown in and around Sutter’s Fort, and the importance of the livestock industry at the time. To kick off the day, Friends of Sutter’s Fort will be hosting a Flapjack Breakfast at the Fort. Tickets to the Flapjack breakfast will also include entry to the Frontier Farm to Fork event. Sutter’s Fort docent volunteers will provide many hands on learning stations appropriate for all ages throughout the Fort. Make a corn husk doll, grind grain, learn to lasso, sample fresh butter and bread baked in out outdoor oven. Admission to this special event at Sutter’s Fort SHP is $7 per adult (18 and older), $5 per youth (ages 6 to 17) and is free for children 5 and under (regular admission pricing is $5 per adult, $3 for youth). Advance tickets for the flapjack breakfast at 8-10am is $10 for adults, $6 for kids, 5 & under free. Includes pancakes, fruit, juice, coffee, fresh churned butter and more. Sat. 10am – 5pm (breakfast served 8-10am only). Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park. More info…

Sacramento Hispanic/Latino Parade. Celebrate Hispanic/Latino culture with music, dancing, and colorful parade floats! The Franklin Boulevard Business District and La Familia Counseling Center, Inc. presents the 13th Annual Sacramento Hispanic/Latino Parade. After the parade, join in a celebration of Mexican Independence Day in the heart of Sacramento’s Latino Blvd hosted by Dprimeramano Magazine! The parade starts on Sutterville and Franklin Blvd. For a map, click here. El Grito and festival will be held at 5383 Franklin Blvd. Free. Sat. 10am – 8pm. Parade is at 10am. Festival is 12pm – 8pm. More info…

Take teens to Medicine in the Old West. The doctors of the Gold Rush Era worked exhaustively to not only take care of their patients, but also to give to the community through their roles in improving public health, education, and maintaining important records. Many needed to find other sources of income, as their patients often were unlucky in finding gold, as were most of the physicians. Some suffered exciting lives, including being on a ship full of gold that sunk off the eastern coast of the United States. A number of the physicians worked together to form the Sacramento Society for Medical Improvement, now the Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society, the oldest such Society in California. Free. Sat. 10am – 11:30am. Sacramento Historic City Cemetery. More info…

It’s Birding for Families time! Bring the family out for this once-a-month birding and nature walk led by a Naturalist and special guest guides from the Sacramento Audubon Society. Birdwatchers of all levels welcomed. Make sure to bring your binoculars or borrow a pair from the visitor’s center. Sactown Kids highly recommends this program. Free, $5 parking. Space is limited, arrive 30mins early. Sat. 10:30am – 12pm. Effie Yeaw Nature Center. More info…

Sensory Storytime. Join in for a special storytime for kids with autism and/or sensory disorders featuring books, music, fidget toys, crafts and more! The presenter is the parent of a young man with autism and there will lots of time for parents to network with others. Noise and/or behaviors are never a problem at the library! Free. Sat. 10:30am. Sylvan Oaks Library. More info…

Artful Tot at Crocker Art Museum. Every month, toddlers explore art-making with different materials and in new ways, from printmaking and color mixing to clay and fabric. Adults learn how to encourage experimentation and self-expression while nurturing their child’s creativity. Families are welcome to arrive any time during the program period. Dress for mess! Designed for kids 19-36 months. $8+. Sun. 10:30am – 12pm. Crocker Art Museum. More info…

Central Coast Carnage Skate Jam. Show off your skateboarding tricks or just watch the exciting action take place.Age groups: 8-11/12-14/15-17/18+. Sign ups at 11:00AM. Starts Sat. 12pm. $10 entry fee. Mather Field Skatepark.

Storytime at Barnes & Noble… featuring Goodnight Goon: A Petrifying Parody. A beloved classic gets a kind-hearted send up in this clever parody that will keep kids laughing. Free. Sat. 11am. Barnes & Noble Arden Fair, Natomas, Roseville, Folsom, and Citrus Heights.

Start a family backyard compost bin with the one-hour Backyard Composting Class. The UCCE Master Gardeners of Sacramento County will teach you how to turn yard waste and vegetable/fruit waste into “gardener’s gold.” This class on the basics of composting will include setting up a compost bin, types of compost bins and tips for success. Geared to adults but kids welcome. Free. Sat. 1pm – 2pm. North-Highlands-Antelope Library. More info…

Take your budding tenor or musical performer to Classic Masters Music Festivals: The Four Phantoms in Concert. This glorious new show celebrates the iconic work of the many composers and artists who have made Broadway an American art form. Four of Broadway’s iconic leading men — Brent Barrett, Ciarán Sheehan, Franc D’Ambrosio, and Marcus Lovett — have received accolades worldwide for their stirring performances as the Phantom, in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Broadway phenomenon The Phantom of the Opera. They have graced stages including London, New York, San Francisco, and Toronto. Recommended for older kids who might be familiar with Phantom of the Opera’s original musical score, although others would enjoy it too. $54+. Sat. 2pm & 7pm. Harris Center for the Arts. More info…

Teen Chess Club. Join in every Saturday in the Teen Lounge for casual games of chess! All experience levels welcome. Free. Sat. 2:30pm – 4:30pm. North Highlands-Antelope Library. More info…

Human Nature Youth Dance Performance (for older kids). Nature is a beautiful thing. When you think of the word “nature” you probably think trees, grass, ocean, mountains, or desert, but when it is paired with the word “human,” the meaning shifts. It becomes introspective, how do we or others think, feel, or act. Human Nature is an exploration of the two actualities inspiring each other. A contemporary dance work showcasing the connections we have to each other as humans and our human response to the beauty of nature. This re-imagining of a crowd favorite will be performed by the Hawkins Contemporary Jazz Company, a pre-professional youth dance company based in Folsom, CA. It will feature 80 dancers, including 25 dancers returning from the 2015 original production. These young artists will inspire you with their passion. Advance $15, Door $15. Sat. 2pm & 7pm. Jill Solberg Performing Arts Center in Folsom.More info…

Thank a firefighter in-person at a Fire Station Open House… this week Sat. Station 43 is open, located at 4201 El Centro Rd. Meet Sparky the Fire Dog, tour a real station, see the apparatus and equipment used to save lives, learn the day-to-day duties of firefighters, and get some emergency planning tips for your own home! Sat. 2pm – 4pm.

Mosaic Art for Kids and Teens. Learn how to make real mosaic artwork with Italian tiles and special tile adhesive. Make your own artistic design on a fiberboard base, then use the tiles to create your artwork. At the end, you will even learn how to grout your finished masterpiece yourself! Limited to the first 20 participants. Recommended for ages 8-16. Free. Sat. 2-3pm. Ella K. McClatchy Library. More info…

Read to a Dog. Looking for a way to boost your child’s reading skills? Children (Age 6-12) are invited to read to Daphne, a friendly trained therapy dog. This is a great program for struggling or reluctant readers. Daphne is a great listener! Children can bring one of their favorite books from home or borrow one from the library. Kids under Age 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Free. Sat. 2pm – 3pm. North Sacramento-Hagginwood Library. More info…

Natomas Pops in the Park. Pops in the Park concert series, sponsored by Council member Harris, continues with the band Latin Touch! Expect the unexpected, because this cast of eleven multi-talented musicians serves up a large helping of Latin tropical flavors like Cumbia, Merengue, and Reggaeton. But it doesn’t stop there. Their musical cuisine also includes “covers” from your favorite ’70s & ’80s funk, and R&B artists. This free, family-friendly concert includes a wine and beer garden, burgers and dogs by Kiwanis, free valet bike parking, a bounce house, and face painting! Free plus cost of purchases. Sat. 5pm – 8pm. South Natomas Community Park. More info…

Play dress up and attend the Buccaneer Ball! The Sacramento Children’s Museum cordially invites moms and their sons (but all are welcome to attend) to the Museum to dance the night away at our annual Buccaneer Ball! Guests will enjoy visiting with pirates and mermaids, face painting by Whimsy, DJ dancing, and Museum play! Pirate dress-up is enthusiastically encouraged! Light refreshments and dessert will be served. $25+. Sat. 6pm – 8pm. Sacramento Children’s Museum. More info…

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 16TH, 2018

Tiptoe around a real artist’s studio and ask them where they get their ideas. Download the guidebook and maps for Sac Open Studios here.

KVIE KidsFest. This immersive educational event for families celebrates the PBS KIDS shows that help children learn literacy, math, and social skills. Meet beloved PBS KIDS characters in person and take pictures. Kids of all ages will also enjoy a stage show sing-along with Mr. Steve, The Music Man, crafts, a photo booth, prize drawings, KVIE Corner, storybook village, book exchange, and more. $15, $10 parking. Sun. 10am – 4pm (also open Sat.) Cal Expo. More info…

Heroes and Rogues Weekend (for older kids) at California Automobile Museum. Celebrate all things comics! This will be a costume filled weekend that will include vendors, panel discussions, costume contests and photo opportunities. Local Marquee cosplay groups like the West Coast Avengers, Sacramento Ghostbusters, and the 501st Legion of Stormtroopers will be in attendance with activities and photo opportunities. Prizes will be given out for the best costumes during our costume contest as well as at the card and videogame tournaments. Sun. 10am – 5pm. $5+. California Automobile Museum. More info…

Kids & Company Gallery Adventure at Crocker Art Museum. Amusing and educational, this tour is the perfect way to introduce art to children ages 5 and older (and the adults who tag along with them) in a fun and playful manner. Free with admission. Sun. 10:30am – 11:30am. Crocker Art Museum. More info…

Expanding Polymers Weekend. Explore how the polymers in water beads can absorb a large amount of liquid. Take some water beads with you to experiment at home and don’t miss the sensory experience of an entire pool full of these squishy spheres. Free with admission. Sun. 12pm – 4pm (also open Sat.) Powerhouse Science Center. More info…

Baby Storytime at Central Library. Bond with your baby and make new friends! Baby Lapsit Storytime is designed to encourage early literacy development through shared reading, songs, games and movement. Recommended for birth through 24 months, but older kids are welcome. In Kids’ Place on the lower level. Free. Sun. 12:10pm – 12:40pm. More info…

For teens who need a little self-love… The Unburdening: Finding Healing Through Writing. Author Kara Richardson, National Recovery Advocate for the Eating Recovery Center, is no stranger to struggle. She had to learn how to unburden herself of the emotional weight that comes with being a person who has had a less than friendly relationship with her body, and the space that it inhabits in a culture that actively encourages us to "take up less space." In her book, Gorge: My Journey Up Kilimanjaro at 300 Pounds, readers journey with Kara as she makes friends with her body as she takes on the monumental task of climbing one of the world’s most challenging mountains. But what about the healing that comes after such an intense experience? Kara credits much of her recovery to the process of unburdening and release that comes when she puts pen to paper. Writing is a powerful tool as it helps us be the author of our own stories and create narratives that help us survive. She will lead participants through a writing exercise to access their own healing through channeling their inner wisdom. Attendees will receive a free signed copy of Kara’s book Gorge: My Journey Up Mt. Kilimanjaro at 300 Pounds or her book The Weight of Being: How I Satisfied My Hunger for Happiness. Geared to adults, but teens welcome. Free, registration required. Sat. 10am – 12pm. J Crawford’s Books. More info…

Sun Seekers. Some have scaly skin, some have slimy skin, some have legs, some don’t. Can you guess what they are? Join Effie Yeaw Nature Center and meet one of these cold blooded critters up close. Free, $5 parking. Space is limited, arrive 30mins early. Sat. 1:30pm – 2:30pm. Effie Yeaw Nature Center. More info…

See the moving play, A Raisin In The Sun for older teens. The Youngers live in a cramped Chicago apartment while they await a life insurance check they hope will change their circumstances, but tensions arise over how to use the money. Vividly rendering Hansberry’s sharp observations on generational conflict and housing discrimination, this play captures the high stakes, shifting currents, and varieties of experience within black life in mid-century America. Lorraine Hansberry’s immortal and deeply resonant tale of dreams deferred, A Raisin in the Sun, was the first play by a black woman to be performed on Broadway. $10+. Benvenuti Performing Arts Center. More info…

Mediterranean Food and Music Festival. Holy Virgin Mary Church in West Sacramento to host it’s annual Mediterranean Food and Music Festival. Enjoy two days of mouth watering food. This year attendees will hear vocalist Rami Kaileh and his band. Food and beverage for purchase include gyros, falafel, garlic chicken sandwich and a roasted lamb plate. General $3, Kids 10 & under free. Sun. 11am – 7pm (also open on Sat.) Holy Virgin Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church. More info…

Try something totally different… like learning the basics of roller derby from the Sacramento Roller Derby Juniors Rec League! This 8-week course is fun and safe and open to kids aged 8-17 of all genders. Kids will learn the basics of roller derby and roller skating which include safety, stops, skating form, endurance, skate maintenance, and rules. Anyone can join these sessions until week three. Bring a mouth guard and water bottle. Skaters are encouraged to bring any gear (helmet, knee pads, wrist guards, elbow pads, and skates), but there is plenty of loaner gear available as well. $10 per week. Sundays 1pm – 3pm, 9/16 – 11/4. On-skates scrimmage 11/4. Sacramento Roller Derby Warehouse. More info…

Need some belly laughs? Go to the all-ages, family-friendly comedy and magic show featuring Justin Rivera at Laughs Unlimited Comedy Club. $5. Sun. 1pm. More info…

Watch Sacramento State’s women’s soccer team battle it out with Saint Mary’s at Sac State Sunday 1pm – 4pm. Go Hornets!

Make a flower lantern and go on a Sunday walk at dusk… Have the kids collect wildflowers that will be easy to flatten. Paint the outside of a washed glass jar with glue or Modge Podge and arrange the petals to the outside of the jar. Set it to dry for an hour, and carefully sponge on another layer of Modge Podge. Let dry. Pop in a tea light candle for a beautiful floral lantern ready for a magical evening walk. If you want a handle, just use crafting wire or pipe cleaners to wrap around the mouth of the jar.

PLAN AHEAD…

Kids love basketball? Reserve free tickets to Sacramento Kings Fan Fest at Golden 1 Center Sunday, Oct. 7th at 1pm… Watch the Kings take the floor as they prepare their 2018-2019 season. Activities include open practice with players and coaches, on-court contests with fans and players, giveaways, and 50% off at local eats stands. If your kids are basketball nuts, consider joining the Sacramento Kings Kids Club for fun events throughout the season. More info…

[All listings are provided free by our own independent review of activities. These are not ads.]

Happy Adventuring!

xo, sabrina : )

For more activity ideas, check out our book, “1,001 Things to Do in Sacramento with Kids (& the Young at Heart)” >>

Here’s our Top Picks for the Weekend of September 8th & 9th! It’s Sac Open Studios season! We love the chance to get kids face-to-face with the artists in our community, and maybe fill our homes with some of their art! Teach kids to support local artists—they beautify our city in so many ways. Alliance Française de Sacramento is having their first-ever Family Picnic and Pétanque Event.Grandparents get in free at Fairytale Town and the Sac Children’s Museum. We also have to give props to the public library this week. We’re so grateful to have such amazing, free programming. Libraries are not just for books… they are also for Slime-Making and Pirate Tea Parties, as our luck would have it! Have a great weekend! Sunny highs of 94/93 forecasted for Sat. & Sun.

[All listings are provided free by our own independent review of activities. These are not ads.]

Just a couple pre-weekend festivities we had to mention…

THURSDAY… It’s Sac Open Studios time! We love this time of year… here’s a heads-up on a kid-friendly event you might want to check out this Thursday. Verge Center for the Arts will be kicking off the 13th Annual Sac Open Studios with a free Launch Party at their studios Thurs. from 6pm to 9 pm with local eats and drinks, kids activities, live art and music. Conscious Creamery will be serving up their unforgettable gelato! Meet participating Sac Open Studios artists and view 150+ artworks installed salon-style in Verge’s classroom. This event will also mark the opening of their fall exhibition, KOKO’S LOVE: The Technicolor Unfairy Tale Ball by Yoshie Sakai. This multimedia, expansive exhibition explores the ongoing saga of one Japanese American family with their overbearing patriarch, Hiroshi, a liquor store owner in South Los Angeles, and his annoying insistence on having a male heir. Thurs. 6pm – 9pm. Free, cost of purchases. Verge Center for the Arts. More info…

FRIDAY… The Plant Foundry is hosting a family-friendly Pop Up Beer Garden at their Oak Park location this Friday, 5pm – 10pm. Bambi’s Vegan Tacos will be on-hand to feed hungry little bellies while you find things to plant!Let kids pick out colorful, leafy greens to put in the ground, and then enjoy your family harvest of sturdy, fresh-picked leaves all winter long. Kids love kale chips and smoothies! They are otherwise open 9am – 6pm Sat./Sun.

and on to things to do this weekend…

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 8TH, 2018

Wakamatsu Fall Bird Walk. Take older kids (8+) to an early-morning birding walk at the Wakamatsu Farm. The program host and bird enthusiast, Parker Flickinger, returns to lead his final bird walk before his term ends. Program host Parker joins in through the AmeriCorps program—he loves the outdoors, and has a B.S. in Environmental Science. This is an easy hike for all quiet bird enthusiasts over the age of 8. Call for meeting location (Placerville/Gold Hill area) and to sign up. Steady rain cancels the event. Suggested donation of $5/person or $10/family. Reserve spots: julie@ARConservancy.org or 530-621-1224. Sat. 8am – 10:30am. Placerville area. More info…

Deadhead 1,200 roses at the all-ages volunteer deadheading event at McKinley Park Rose Garden. The 1.5-acre garden has 1,200 rose varieties and eight perennial beds. This year they started monthly volunteer events open to the public each second Saturday of the month. They will be pruning off anything that “wouldn’t look gorgeous in a bouquet.” Trainers will be on hand to show you how it’s done. They do have some supplies they can loan out on a first-come, first-served basis. If possible, bring your own garden gloves, buckets, hand trowel or bypass clippers, and wear a hat or visor, and closed-toed shoes. Kids need a signed waiver form. There are also opportunities for individual volunteer orientations: Once trained, you can volunteer on your own schedule! For more information or to get the volunteer waiver form for kids, contact friendsofeastsac. Sat. 9am – 12pm. Free. McKinley Park Rose Garden on 33rd St. & H St.

Get basketball tips from a former Harlem Globetrotter! Join in for a youth basketball clinic hosted by Damond Edwards! This onw-day clinic is geared towards boys and girls, ages 5-15. Camp includes: Basketball skills stations, contests, 5-on-5 games, speed, agility & quickness training, camp certificate & swag bag. and lots of fun! Each camper must provide their own lunch and water bottle and have a signed liability waiver. Sat. 9am – 2pm. $53.44. California Family Fitness in Rocklin. More info…

Make Hands-On Art at the Sac Open Studio Tour 2018! Check out the kid-friendly art activities taking place all weekend long at Sierra 2 Center. Sierra 2 Center is proud to participate as an event sponsor in Sac Open Studios organized by Verge Center for the Arts. This 13th annual art event spans 2 weekends in September showcasing over 150 emerging and established artists in their studios across Sacramento County and, new this year, West Sacramento! This event brings together artists who are unable to open their studios to performs arts demos, show their work and talk about their process. They will also offer hands-on arts experiences all day long! What’s simpler and easier than tie dye? Ice dye! Enjoy a hands on ice dye demo at 11am and 2pm both days. Purchase a shirt to dye yourself with guided artist instruction. You’ll need to come back after your ice has melted, pick up your shirt (safely wrapped in a plastic bag), and grab some instructions on how to easily rinse and wash at home. Nikki Thompson of Deconstructed Artichoke Press will demo one-sheet wonders–a book from a single sheet of paper on Saturday. Sat. & Sun. 10am – 5pm. Sierra 2 Center. More info…

Tree City Market. With its abundance of leafy green foliage, Sacramento easily earns its nickname, The City Of Trees. So much so that earlier this year, Facebook featured tree-related businesses in Sacramento as part of its “Keep It Local” advertising campaign. Now, this Saturday, September 8, Facebook presents the Tree City Market, a treehouse market and experience featuring local businesses from throughout Sacramento. The market will be taking place from 11:00 am to 4:00pm in a “tree house”-style space in William Land Park among the trees. Participating vendors include Kulture, Allspicery, Old Gold and interactive events and experiences will be happening throughout the day including face painting, wood carving, live music, and more. Sat. 11am – 4pm. William Land Park. More info…

Celebrate West African folktales of Anansi the spider, with music, drumming, dancing, and a craft activity. Fairytale Town is celebrating the opening of Anansi’s Web, their first brand new playset in 21 years! Anansi’s Web was designed, created, and installed by artist Garr Ugalde and represents the West African folktales of Anansi the spider, the keeper of all stories and wisdom. He’s also a trickster who obtains his goals through various ruses. The new set features three vertical climbing webs between four posts featuring characters from an Anansi tale, including one of Anansi himself. Sat. 10:30am – 12:30pm. Free with paid park admission. Fairytale Town. More info…

Plants with Purpose. Walk with a Naturalist through nature’s garden at Effie Yeaw Nature Center. Learn plant identification and adaptations from an expert. Come with all your questions. Sat. 10:30am. Free, $5 parking. Space is limited, arrive 30mins early.Effie Yeaw Nature Center. More info…

Visit Sacramento Adventure Playground on Community Day! While the Sacramento Adventure Playground’s regular operating hours are designed for ages 7-15, the Playground opens up for children of all ages to come and play on Community Days. Essentially a makers’ laboratory or tinkerers’ workshop, the Adventure Playground puts real tools into the hands of youth so they can build and create things that reflect their own ideas and visions. Noticing that children preferred to play in open spaces with raw materials rather than the designed playgrounds he built, Danish landscape architect Carl Theodore Sorensen organized the first Adventure Playground in Copenhagen in 1943, during the German occupation of World War II. Originally known as junk playgrounds, urban children were able to build their own spaces and structures using real tools, raw materials, and cooperation. Sat. 11am – 4pm. Sacramento Adventure Playground. Free. More info…

Read “Corduroy Takes a Bow” at the Saturday Storytime at Barnes & Noble Bookstores (Natomas, Arden, Roseville, Folsom, and Citrus Heights). Celebrate 50 years of Corduroy the teddy bear with a brand-new, classically illustrated picture book by Academy Award winner Viola Davis. Then get a coupon for the Café for a grilled cheese sandwich with milk or juice for $4. Sat. 11am, Barnes & Noble Bookstores. More info…

Drop-in to Saturday Family Storytime at the beautiful Central Library downtown. Bring your tote bags and let kids choose a big bag of books to borrow for the next couple of weeks. Remember, you can borrow up to 30 books each, so take advantage! If you get out early enough, pick up some fresh fruits & vegetables at the Midtown Farmers Market beforehand on J St. & 20th St., a 20-minute walk away (about 1 mile). The stalls will be open from at 8am to 1pm, and it’s second Saturday, so their craft vendors will be out in full force. The Central Library Storytime is Sat. 11am to 12pm. Free. Recommended for babies and kids 0-5. Central Library on I St. & 8th St.. More info…

Catch Mr. Cooper’s sing-a-long and do some frenetic freeze dancing at Belle Cooledge Library. Sat. 11am to 11:30am. Free. Recommended for toddlers. More info…

Join Alliance Française de Sacramento for their first-ever Family Picnic and Pétanque Event! Enjoy the last bit of summer playing Pétanque and dreaming about the South of France. The Alliance will supply water and boules. Bring a picnic and blankets/chairs. $5, free for kids 12 & under. Must RSVP to the Alliance Française de Sacramento by Fri. Sept. 7th. info, 916-453-1723, and purchase tickets online. Event takes place 11:30am – 1:30pm, East Portal Bocce Club. More info…

Teens can get expert tips on writing their college application essay. Did you know that college applications require several different types of writing? The UC application includes Personal Insight Questions, the Common Application has longer essays, and many applications also have short answers and descriptions of high school activities. In this workshop, you will learn what colleges are looking for in essays and responses, how to choose topics and how to answer each type of prompt. Tips will also be shared on writing strategies and how to be organized and meet those all-important deadlines. Instructor Marilyn van Löben Sels is a certified college counselor with over 20 years of experience helping students and their families with the college application process. Sat. 1pm – 2:30pm. Free, but registration is required for this class as space is limited. Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library. More info…

Learn how to play chess and make new friends who want to learn too. Sat. 2pm to 4pm. Free. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library. More info…

Slime-Making Party. Learn how to follow a basic recipe to make your own slime. All materials provided, just drop on by! All ages welcome. Sat. 2pm – 3pm. Arcade Library on Marconi Ave. (not the Arden-Arcade branch). More info…

Pirate Tea Party. Do you like fancy tea parties? Are you a pirate at heart? Then join in for a pirate tea party! Come dressed in your favorite tea party attire or your best pirate outfit–or both! There will be tea and cookies, and craft materials to make star wants and crowns. They will also make pirate hats, eye patches, maps and telescopes. Don’t miss this swashbuckling—yet refined—tea party. Bring your friends! Sat. 2pm – 3pm. Ella K. McClatchy Library. More info…

Make art from Perler Beads. Fuse plastic beads to create a pixelated art project at this fun drop-in program. Use a template or create one of your own! Recommended for older kids and teens. Sat. 3pm – 4:30pm. Free. North Sacramento Hagginwood Library. More info…

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 9TH, 2018

Continue an art-filled weekend. Download the guidebook and maps for Sac Open Studios here.

Check out the new playground at the Sacramento Zoo. The playground has moved to a larger area next to the Australian Outback and features periscope, binoculars, thatch shade structures, fencing, and new art. Open 9am – 5pm. Free with paid park admission. Sacramento Zoo. More info…

Free Grandparents Week at Fairytale Town. Bring Grandma and Grandpa to Fairytale Town for a fun day of play during Grandparents Week! Grandparents get in free with any child 0-12 from Sept. 9th – 15th. A perfect time to show them the all-new Anansi’s Web! Arrive early in the day for less crowds and cooler weather. Open Sun. 9am – 4pm. More info…

Grandparents get in free at the Sacramento Children’s Museum too! They’re open 12pm – 5pm on Sunday. There will be science experiments throughout the day for Science Sunday. More info…

Travel the cosmos in a planetarium. The Powerhouse Science Center’s weekend planetarium presentations take your family on a thrilling tour of the night sky. Discover constellations, planets, and other celestial objects currently visible from the Central California region. Learn sky watching tips from their educators, and embrace an appreciation for our solar system and what lies beyond! Sun. 1pm & 3pm (also on Sat). Powerhouse Science Center. They also have an activity this weekend on Polymers and Physical Changes. Add water to a mystery substance and observe the physical changes that occur. Afterwards, find out where this substance can be found in our everyday lives and take some home with you! More info…

Sensational Senses. How do humans and animals explore and get information from their environment? Discover the functions of your senses and compare your sensory abilities to local wildlife. Use your senses to investigate animal artifacts and even a live animal! Sat. 1:30pm. Free, $5 parking. Space is limited, arrive 30mins early. Effie Yeaw Nature Center. More info…

Take teens who like classical music to see famed New York pianist Amber Yiu-Hsuan Liao perform pieces by Czech composer Leos Janacek and others at the Crocker Art Museum. Liao is the winner of numerous piano competitions and is noted for her elegant technique. Her last concert at the Crocker was sold out, so be sure to reserve your tickets in advance. Before the concert, enjoy a free docent-led tour of select works from the exhibition Testament of the Spirit: Paintings by Eduardo Carrillo, as well as works by Eastern European artists in the Crocker’s permanent collection, to help put the music in context of the art on view. Sat. 3pm. Crocker Art Museum. $10-20. More info…

Need a change of scenery this weekend? Bolt for cooler weather with a Marin hike… they have more than 500 beautiful trails. Or visit the little town of Tiburon with waterfront pathways with magnificent views of San Francisco. Grab sandwiches, salads, or snacks at the gorgeous grocery store, Woodlands Market. It seems built for picnics. Visit the tiny Railroad & Ferry Depot Museum 1pm – 4pm. It’s right near the water and you can stop while riding the family-friendly Tiburon Bike Path. For more kid-friendly Tiburon ideas, click here…

CONSIDER FOR NEXT WEEK…

Visit the butterfly garden and take short trail walks through the trees at Placer Nature Center. Highly recommended by Sactown Kids. Next Saturday is their super-fun Harvest Tea Party (10am-12pm). Tea will be made from their summer plants (lemon, mint, etc.) for kids to enjoy. They will also plant the garden with seeds and plants for fall planting: chard, beets, cabbages and broccoli. You will get to take some home with you too. Free, but a small donation keeps the nature center running. Sat. 10am – 1pm. Placer Nature Center. More info…

PLAN AHEAD…

Paging all flight propulsion engineers! Take part of a simulated space mission! The Challenger Community Mission is getting ready for a special night of space travel at the Powerhouse Science Center, Sept. 28th, 6pm – 8:30pm. The year is 2061. Comet Halley has entered our solar system and is approaching the Sun. A team of astronauts made up of scientists and engineers navigates through space in search of the comet. YOU could be a part of this team at our Challenger Community Mission! Simulated space missions are for explorers age 9+. $18+. This is a popular program. Get tickets in advance before they sell out. More info…

[All listings are provided free by our own independent review of activities. These are not ads.]

Happy Adventuring!

xo, sabrina : )

For more activity ideas, check out our book, “1,001 Things to Do in Sacramento with Kids (& the Young at Heart)” >>

Here’s our Top Picks for the Weekend of September 1st & 2nd! Now that the kids are back in school, they’ll be much more enthusiastic for weekends. Build on that momentum and do something different! Make a new Labor Day Weekend family tradition—it can be big, like floating on a pretty lake, or small, like pressing some late summer flowers into a book. Have a great weekend! Sunny highs of 90/91 forecasted for Sat. & Sun.

[All listings are provided free by our own independent review of activities. These are not ads.]

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2018

Last weekend: Active duty military families get into museums free. Seven Sacramento area museums will participate in Blue Star Museums, a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the DepartmÅent of Defense and more than 2,000 museums across America to offer free admission to all active duty military personnel Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day. The seven local museums participating in Blue Star Museums include the following: Aerospace Museum of California, California Automobile Museum, California Museum, Crocker Art Museum, Fairytale Town, Powerhouse Science Center and the Sacramento History Museum. More info…

Jump in a lake! Or pack a picnic and go sailing, paddle boating, paddle boarding, or kayaking at Sacramento State Aquatic Center at Lake Natoma. Enjoy the last days of summer on the water. $14 & up. More info…

Show your artwork in a tree-themed art show! No artwork will be turned away. Artists of all ages are invited to enter up to three tree-themed artworks (no size limitations) to the Sacramento Poetry Center fundraiser art show at the Sacramento Poetry Center Art Gallery entitled ‘City of Trees: An Invitational Art Show to Benefit the Sacramento Tree Foundation,’ curated by Bethanie Humphreys and Heather Judy. Submissions are open to the public, new, emerging, and established artists. City of Trees will run September 3, 2018 thru October 5, 2018, with a Second Saturday reception on September 8th. Artwork with completed entry form can be dropped off on Saturday September 1st, 12pm – 2pm at the Sacramento Poetry Center. Artwork must be wired and ready to hang. No commission will be taken, but the artist can choose a percentage to donate to the Sacramento Tree Foundation. More info…

Let the kids pick a bucketful of half-price u-pick flowers. For those who missed our previous mention of Flourish Farm, they are ending their season with a half-price u-pick flower sale. This means sale prices will range from $2.00 for an 8 oz (1 cup) mini-bouquet to $15.00 for a 5 gallon bucket packed full of flowers. Bring your containers of any size, and they will figure out the discounted price. Cash sales only. Lots of beautiful flowers still blooming including zinnias, sunflowers, celosia, snapdragons as well as herbs such as lavender, sages, mint, and lemon balm to mix into bouquets. There is very limited parking on the site, but lots of free parking across 5th Street in the lot behind Brodericks. Check-in for a brief orientation if you have not picked flowers at the farm before. Sat. 9am – 12pm. Flourish Farm, 317 5th St. in West Sacramento.

Family Workshops: Kitchen Chemsitry. Chemical reactions don’t always happen in a laboratory, they can occur in your very own kitchen! In Kitchen Chemistry you will perform a variety of experiments that demonstrate the changes that occur on a molecular level during cooking and baking. For ages 5+. Sat. 9:30am – 10:30am. $15, pre-registration required. Minimum of one adult for every two children participating. Powerhouse Science Center. More info…

Get your reggae on at the One Love One Heart Reggae Festival. Yolo County Fairgrounds in Woodland, CA will turn into International Culture Fest Labor Day Weekend. Gates are at 10am each day and the music goes to 11pm. Two Stages and arts and crafts vendors and a Kidz Zone round out the festival atmosphere. Musicians from Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and more. Sat. 10am – 11pm. $75. Kids 12 & under are free. More info…

Learn about Oak trees. Effie Yeaw Nature Center’s mighty oaks provide food and shelter for many animals and insects. Learn how to identify the three species of oak trees found in the Nature Preserve and discover who may be living in them. Sactown Kids highly recommends this program—kids will love being able to identify the oak trees that are so plentiful in Sacramento. Sat. 10:30am – 12pm. Free, $5 parking. Space is limited, arrive 30mins early. Effie Yeaw Nature Center. More info…

A super-great Sibling Workshop for siblings of special needs kids. Play games and mingle with friends who "get it" about the good (and sometimes not-so-good) parts of having a sibling with special needs. The workshop is a place for kids to have fun. They are facilitated by adult siblings who also "get it", but who are not therapists. There is no cost to participate, but donations are gratefully accepted. Space is limited to 12 children, must pre-register. Open for children age (7-10). They will have more workshops soon for age groups (11-13) and (14-18). Sat. 10:30am – 1:30pm. Free. Elk Grove Library. More info…

The Great Train Robbery (for older kids & teens). Take a ride on the wild side, and live out your own old Western showdown aboard the Sacramento RiverTrain’s Great Train Robbery. Keep a weathered eye on the horizon for greedy outlaws! But don’t fret, the on-board Marshal will keep everyone safe!

This two-and-a-half-hour experience is fun for kids and adults alike, and you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time as you’re entertained with a live Wild West show. Relax in Elkhorn Park and enjoy a barbecue buffet lunch. You don’t need to go far to find an amazing adventure. Sat. 11am – 1:30pm. $45 for Kids 3-12. $55 for Adults. Sacramento RiverTrain. More info…

Tinker Time: Camping Activities. njoy family games, hands-on crafts, campfire songs and stories, learn camping safety tips, take a look back in time at a family road trip, and end the summer with a museum scavenger hunt (and a special prize at the end)! There will also be a themed story read as an optional addition to the activity. Join the California Automobile Museum every month on the first Saturday for special hands-on activities. Activities will range from taking rides in classic cars to hands-on fun with automotive art activities like pinstriping. If you’ve got a little sparkplug, they will love these monthly activities. Sat. 11am. Free with museum admission. California Automobile Museum. More info…

Sound of Music Sing-a-Long. Having started in the UK back in 1999, the Sing-a-Long-a Sound of Music show has now become a worldwide hit, playing to packed houses across the globe with over 10,000 performances in 11 different countries! Sing-a-Long-a Sound of Music is a screening of the classic Julie Andrews film musical in glorious, full-screen technicolor, complete with subtitles so that the whole audience can sing along. Then of course there is the famous fancy-dress competition in which everyone who has come in costume is invited onto the stage to show off their fantastic costumes. So get those vocal chords warmed up, cut up those chintz curtains and hurry down for another dose of the international smash-hit sensation. It’s the perfect night out for hen parties, birthday celebrations, office outings family trips, or anyone who has ever shed a tear during ‘Edelweiss’! Book early because this show sells out. Sat. 2:30pm. $15-20. Crest Theatre. More info…

Brazilian Center Open House. Eat delicious Brazilian food, watch live painting and poetry, dance presentations (Orixas and Belly dance!), drumming, and Capoeira martial arts at the Brazilian Center for Cultural Exchange in Sacramento at CLARA. Sat. 5:30pm – 10:30pm. Free, plus cost of purchases. More info…

Watch a great football game. Support our Hornets this Saturday as they face St. Francis of Illinois. Coming off of a historic 2017 season, Sacramento State opens the season ranked among the top 25 in the Football Championship Subdivision for just the second time in school history. Quarterback Kevin Thomson returns after his record breaking season. Thomson set the school record for yards per play last season as well as quarterback efficiency. Sat. 6pm. $10 for Kids 3-17. $20 Adults. Sacramento State Hornet Stadium. More info…

See some amazing art made by hot wax. Head down to Sparrow Gallery to see ‘Wildfire’ new exhibition of encaustic work by artist Jaya King. Saturday is the last day to see it. Gallery is open 10am – 4pm. More info…

Stay up late and go star-gazing at the Community Observatory in Placerville. If it’s clear just after sunset, you should be able to see Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars low on the horizon. Sat. 8:30pm – 10:30pm. Don’t miss the docent talk while lying down in the bowl at around 9-9:30pm. Free, $2 parking. Donations appreciated. More info…

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 2ND, 2018

Last day to jump in most public pools in the city! Clunie, Southside, and Tahoe are open for their final weekend. Check the pools closest to you…

Get the kids out of the house early for some free Yoga In the Park. Just bring a yoga mat and a water bottle. It’s OK to drop out and just play frisbee in the park at any point! : ) Sun. 9am – 10:15am. Tahoe Park. Free. More info…

Prepare to be stunned by some incredible chalk art at Chalk It Up Sacramento. Each Labor Day Weekend, Chalk It Up turns Fremont Park in downtown Sacramento into an explosion of chalk art masterpieces, live music, public art, and community engagement. The festival also features over 75 arts and craft booths and nearly two-dozen food vendors. Experience an array of locally created art, and all creative wares such as custom jewelry and clothing. Sun. 10am – 6pm. Free, plus cost of purchaes. Fremont Park. More info…

Dress up as your favorite anime character or just people-watch at SacAnime Summer 2018. Even if you don’t pay to get into the event, you can drop by and mill around the lobby, like we’ve done in the past. You’ll be astounded by all the artistry and creativity put into the costumes people wear! Sun. 10am – 6pm (also on Fri. & Sat.) Kids 8 & under Free. Family of Four Pack $30. Sacramento Convention Center. More info…

Learn about beautiful, colorful Koi fish at the Sacramento Koi Show. A great excuse to go to the Old Sugar Mill! This will be an educational and fun event featuring pond builders, fountains, landscape, and other vendors, artists, and beautiful koi to purchase or just to admire. Qualified judges are on hand to explain how koi are judged. There will also be a club raffle featuring many prizes and food trucks. There will also be wine tasting at the Old Sugar Mill’s many tasting rooms. Sun. 11am – 3pm (also on Sat.). Free. Old Sugar Mill. More info…

Sacramento Tejano Festival. The Sacramento Tejano Conjunto Festival is the only Tejano music festival of this scale in California. The day will be full of food, fun, and Tejano music! Little Joe y La Familia will be performing. Sun. 12pm – 7pm. $30. Cesar Chavez Plaza. More info…

Meet the Menagerie. Come meet the critters that live at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center and learn why these animals are not able to return to the wild. Sun. 1:30pm – 2:30pm. Free, $5 parking. More info…

Older kids and teens can feast their eyes on the noteworthy Eduardo Carrillo “Testament of the Spirit” exhibit at Crocker Art Museum, the bilingual and career-spanning exhibition of 60 works by Eduardo Carrillo, an inspirational leader, painter, teacher, and social activist known for advancing Chicano culture in California during the 1960s and 70s. Carrillo’s large-scale oil paintings have been described as mystical, surreal, and visionary, while his intimate watercolors reflect the artist’s daily life in self-portraits, still lifes, and images of people and places he held dear. But on Sunday at 2pm, you can also hear three scholars talk about his work and activism, which is super-helpful while looking at his artwork. $6-$12, must pre-register online. Sun. 2pm. Crocker Art Museum. More info…

Go to an artists’ reception. It’s so fun to meet real, working artists. Even if kids are shy, it’s good for them to see people passionate about art and celebrating art. Sacramento Fine Arts Center is unveiling “In the Style of The Old Masters,” a juried fine art exhibition of work inspired by the Old Masters and open to all artists. Original work is inspired from a relevant artist/movement of 13th-18th century Europe. To top it off, there will be live music by Alison Sharkey, cellist. Sun. 3pm – 5pm. Sacramento Fine Arts Center in Carmichael. More info…

Catch the Sac State’s men’s soccer team battle it out with San Jose State. Wear your green and white! Kids day featuring a team photo and autographs. Sun. 4pm – 7pm. Sacramento State. More info…

Play golf on the Land Park Loop (holes 1, 2, 3) for $5 by booking the last hour at William Land Park (usually 6:15 – 6:50pm). Kids under 17 play free. Little kids can usually only last running a few holes, so this works out great. Or check golf courses nearest to you for similar specials. More info…

Start planting garlic now for a bountiful summer harvest! Garlic takes 10 months to grow, so it’s a great project for teaching kids how to plan and think ahead. Even if they don’t like garlic, teach them of all the yummy things they already eat with garlic in it! Pizza sauce and marinara–check! Best of all, garlic can be grown in containers. There are about 600 varieties out there to choose from. Try some purple garlic! : )

[All listings are provided free by our own independent review of activities. These are not ads.]

Happy Adventuring!

xo, sabrina : )

For more activity ideas, check out our book, “1,001 Things to Do in Sacramento with Kids (& the Young at Heart)” >>

Here’s our Top Picks for the Weekend of August 25th & 26th. Kid fun runs, fishing in the city, free gardening inspiration for the whole family, a fun dinner night at WAL, a photography walk, nachos festival, Jewish food fest, and family comedy show… wow. Plus one of our absolute faves, the Waste-a-Polooza, which teaches kids how we take care of our water and sewer systems. It’s actually really great. The weekend forecast is sunny highs of 89/84 for Sat./Sun. Enjoy the cooler weather and stay outside and play!

[All listings are provided by our own independent review of activities. These are not ads.]

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25TH, 2018

Race for the Arts in Land Park. Entertainment along the racecourse and a free arts festival – what’s not to love? Come out for the race and stay for the arts festival with food, hands-on booths, artists, musicians, and fun.Race for the Arts raises funds and awareness for California nonprofit visual, performing, culinary arts and cultural arts organizations and school programs. They receive 100% of pledges designated to them. Kids Fun Runs are 1/4th of a mile or 1/2 a mile. Sat. 8:10am: Kid’s Fun Runs. 8:35am: 5k Run/Walk. $15 for Kids Fun Run. William Land Park. More info…

xHope’s Caring for Kids Run. xHope’s specific focus is to shine a light on community groups that focus on at-risk youth, foster care and adoptive services within Elk Grove and the Greater Sacramento region. This event is designed to raise monies and awareness for xHope and our network of partner organizations that provide needed resources, programs and support for children throughout our community and abroad. Fun Run starts at 7:45am on Sat. in Elk Grove. $12 & up. More info…

Start your fall family garden! Drop by the Fall Gardening Clinic and Organic Plant Sale at Soil Born Farms. Learn how to grow vibrant, tasty and healthy plants from knowledgeable staff and community educators. Visit the organic plant sale to start your fall garden: vegetable starts, edible perennials, medicinal and culinary herbs, succulents and floral bouquets. Guests can also shop at the Soil Born farmstand, Phoebe’s Tea and Snack Bar and Greenhouse Garden and Gift shop. A lunch fundraiser, Magpie Cafe baked goods and assorted beverages will be available. Free, with cost of purchases. All ages. Sat. 8am – 1pm. Soil Born Farms American River Ranch. More info…

Fishing in the City. Come out to the newly renovated Florin Creek Park and join in this free community event on Saturday, August 25, 2018. We partner with the Department of Fish and Wildlife to bring fishing to the children in the community who may not have a chance to experience catching a fish. The event is for children up to the age of 16 and children do not need a fishing license to participate. The Department of Fish and Wildlife will have fishing poles and bait available for those who need it. We plan on catching a lot of fish in our newly renovated pond at Florin Creek Park. The event will start at 8:15am with a free demonstration from DFW volunteers and staff. We will begin fishing at approximately 8:30am and we will ask for all fishing poles to be out of the water at 11:00am. Each registered child will receive an opportunity to win some great donated items and we will give prizes to the first catch, smallest fish and largest fish caught. Please contact 916-395-0601 for more information. Sat. 8am – 12pm. Free. Florin Creek Recreation Center. More info…

Beginner’s Bird Walk in Coloma. Join in for a morning Summer Beginners’ birding walk designed for people of all ages. Bird enthusiast Parker Flickinger returns to lead the program. The event begins with an introductory presentation on bird watching. Next we will take a bird walk through the Marshall Discovery Park. We will be looking for the resident species, as well the summer migrants. Parker joins us through the AmeriCorps program. He loves the outdoors, and has a BS in Environmental Science. This is an easy hike for everyone. Call for meeting location (Coloma area) and to sign up. Sat. 9am – 11am. Suggested donation: $5/person or $10/family. American River Conservancy. More info…

Travel through time with Time Travelers Bazaar 2018. Featuring vendors from around the globe and throughout time, this event also hosts Fan Groups, Clubs, Performers and Special Guests.

Cosplay, Steampunk, Star Trek, Dr. Who, Pirate, Anime, Renaissance Faire, Costuming, Magical, and Fairy and Fantasy. Kids 0-6 Free. Adults $10. Sat. 10am – 6pm. More info…

Back-To-School Celebration and Teacher Appreciation Event. Families of pre-school or school-aged children, teachers, and homeschoolers can get back into a Back-To-School grove with products, prizes, and all kinds of specials to make this school year memorable. Gifts from the Heart of Elk Grove’s 3rd Annual Back-to-School Celebration and Teacher Appreciation Event will feature: hands on demonstrations of toys and games that make learning fun for everyone, free curriculum ideas and give-aways for teachers and homeschoolers featuring favorite Candlewick book characters Maisy and Judy Moody, special discount for teachers and homeshcoolers (with your I.D.), free back-to-school craft project, Jelly Belly guessing jar, Door Prize Drawings, including Not Bummer Summer books signed by author Megan McDonald, plus Special Order privileges and prices from awesome vendors. Sat. 10am – 5pm. Free, cost of purchases. Gifts From the Heart of Elk Grove. More info…

Barnes & Noble’s Storytime and Activities Featuring We Don’t Eat Our Classmates. It’s the first day of school for Penelope Rex and she can’t wait to meet her classmates. But it’s hard to make human friends when they’re so delicious. That is, until Penelope gets a taste of her own medicine. Join us and get a coupon from our Cafe for a grilled cheese sandwich with milk or juice for $4! Sat. 11am. Free. Barnes & Noble Bookstores (Natomas, Arden, Folsom, Birdcage, and Roseville). More info…

Capital City SDA Community Fair. This all-ages event will feature healthy cooking demonstrations, informational booths, live entertainment, a school supplies give-a-way, medical and dental screenings, CPR/First Aid/AED for infants, children, and adults, and much more. Sat. 12pm – 5pm. Free. Capitol City Seventh-Day Adventist Church. More info…

Sactown Nachos Festival. Pick up some new books at the library and then head over a block to the Sactown Nachos Festival, a massive event focused around the delicious Hispanic dish, nachos! This is a family-friendly event flooded with live music, entertainment, beverages, and an enormous variety of nachos! A large portion of the proceeds will be donated to the non profit Project Optimism that benefits children, homeless, and individuals diagnosed with cancer. Kids 8 & under Free. $10 & up. Sat. 4pm – 8pm. Cesar Chavez Plaza. More info…

Curby the Recycling Robot invites you to join him at Waste-A-Palooza – a family event full of exciting activities. Get flushed down the sewer swim as you discover where backups can occur and help unclog the pipes. Watch out for those sticky wipes – they don’t belong there! Challenge yourself in the game room where you can flip one of the “Three Ps” into a toilet and knock out household hazardous waste. Do FOG (fats, oils, and grease) belong down the drain? Find out in the FOG Buster Relay – it’s as fun as it sounds! Talk to Curby and find out what should and shouldn’t go in your One Big Bin. Curby’s Creation Corner features a build-it activity and a chance to compete for prizes in the trash-talking quiz show! Free. Sat. 10am – 2pm. Roseville Utility Exploration Center. More info…

Let the River Run Clean. Take a hike to the river and learn some ways you can help take care of it and the salmon, egrets, beavers and other wildlife that depend on its clean water. As you learn, you’ll put on some gloves and help clean the river by collecting trash along the banks. Free, $5 parking. Sat. 10:30am – 12pm. Space is limited, arrive 30mins prior. Effie Yeaw Nature Center. More info…

Guided Photography Walk at the Cosumnes River Preserve. Recommended for teens with a parent. With their cameras in hand, Volunteer Naturalists will await your arrival at the Cosumnes River Preserve’s Visitor Center. These guided photo walks give visitors the chance to walk along the Cosumnes River Preserve’s Wetlands Walk, a 1+ mile loop trail that takes you through wetlands and riparian forest. Expert advice from your guide will enable you to take the finest pictures of the flora and fauna that surrounds you. Meet at the Cosumnes River Preserve Visitor Center. Be sure to bring your camera along! Meet at the Visitor Center Deck (Bring a Camera!) Tour departs the Visitor Center on Sat. at 8:00 a.m. More info…

Teens Create. Teens Create is a new club at the Sacramento Fine Arts Center. Teens meet once a month to discuss and create art at the center or around the community. Past projects have included creating banners for the center. The group is currently working on a mural design for the art center building. New members are always welcome. Sat. 1pm – 3:30pm. Free. Sacramento Fine Arts Center in Carmichael. More info…

Fire Station Open House… Tour a real fire station, meet some real-life heroes, and greet Sparky the Fire Dog at Fire Station 13, 1100 43rd Ave, Sacramento. Free. Sat. 2pm – 4pm. More info…

Tales & Ales Fundraiser. Celebrate Fairytale Town’s 59th anniversary at an all-ages fundraiser featuring beer tastings, food trucks, and live music! Local craft breweries will be pouring unlimited tastes of their beers. Enjoy live music by AKAlive on the Mother Goose Stage. Plus, local food trucks will be onsite with food and beverages available for sale. Proceeds from Tales & Ales will support Fairytale Town’s education programs and park improvements. Tickets go on sale July 1. Advance tickets are $30 for adults and $6 for children ages 2-12. Fairytale Town members receive $5 off per adult ticket on advance tickets, and member children are free. VIP Adult tickets are $75. Day-of tickets are $40 for adults and $10 for children ages 2-12. Children 1 and under are free. Tickets are available at fairytaletown.org or (916) 808-7462. Sat. 5pm – 9pm. Fairytale Town in Land Park. More info…

Our Street Night Market. Sacramento’s one and only Night Market returns! Enjoy street food from a vast amount of vendors served by chefs from all different types of backgrounds, drinks, activities, and a great community environment. All ages. Vendors include Ramen Kodaiko, Yolanda’s Tamales, Nash & Proper, Fire Wings, Bambi Vegan Tacos, Journey to the Dumpling, Conscious Creamery, and more. Free, plus cost of purchases. Sat. 7pm – 1am. WAL Public Market. More info…

Rock of Ages: High School Edition. Musical Mayhem Productions Broadway Stars Series featuring talented actors ages 10-19 Rock of Ages: High School Edition Book by Chris DArienzo Arrangements and Orchestrations by Ethan Popp Its the tail end of the big, bad 1980s in Hollywood, and the party has been raging hard. Aqua Net, Lycra, Heavy Metal flow freely at one of the Sunset Strips last legendary venues, a place where legendary rocker Stacee Jaxx takes the stage and groupies line up for their chance at an autograph. Amidst the madness, aspiring rock star (and resident toilet cleaner) Drew longs to take the stage as the next big thing (and longs for small-town girl Sherri, fresh off the bus from Kansas with stars in her eyes). But the rock and roll fairy-tale is about to end when German developers sweep into town with plans to turn the fabled Strip into just another capitalist strip mall. Can Drew, Sherri, and the gang save the stripand themselvesbefore it’s too late? Only the music of hit bands Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake and more hold the answer. Sat. 2pm – 4pm and 7pm – 9pm. $10. Cosumnes Oaks High School Performing Arts Center in Elk Grove. More info…

Sacramento River Cats vs. Las Vegas 51s. Catch a baseball game with $10 lawn tickets. Sat. 7:05pm. Raley Field. More info…

Keyboard Conversations with Jeffery Siegel. Got a piano player? This unique series is perfect for older kids interested in music because prior to performing each work, internationally acclaimed pianist Jeffrey Siegel briefly, and in non-technical language, engagingly speaks about the music. These programs enrich the listening experience for the avid music lover as well as provide an inviting, entertaining, instantly accessible introduction to great music for the novice.. The year 2018 marks the 75th and 100th anniversaries of the deaths of beloved composers Rachmaninoff and Debussy. Program includes the famous “C Sharp Minor Prelude,” “Clair de lune,” and stirring Etudes of both composers. This talk/concert focuses on Rachmaninoff and Debussy. Future Keyboard Conversations concerts feature Chopin and Beethoven. Sat. 7:30pm. Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom. Students with ID and Kids 12 & under $6.50. Adults $13 & up. 2 1/2 hours long with a post-Q&A. More info…

SUNDAY, AUGUST 26TH, 2018

Head out of town for a farmers market you’ve never been to… El Dorado Hills Town Center hosts a Sunday Farmers Market 8am – 1pm. Explore the area or go on a walk in a nearby park. Free. More info…

Our Lady of Guadalupe Church Festival 60th Anniversary. Enjoy delicious, authentic Mexican dishes and live entertainment. There will be everything from tacos, pupusas, tortas, mole oaxaqueno, tamales, and much more! There will be live musical entertainment throughout the day, ballet folkloric dancers, bingo, and many fun activities for the kids and family. Todos estan invitados! Sun. 8am – 7pm. Free, cost of purchases. National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe on T St. More info…

Sacramento Jewish Food Faire. Now in its 41st year, the Faire features traditional and modern Jewish cuisine, live entertainment, arts & crafts vendors, activities for all ages, and an opportunity for the entire community to come together for a delicious and unique cultural experience. Feast on traditional and modern favorites such as corned beef, pastrami and brisket sandwiches, lox & bagels, Jewish breakfast combos, blintzes, latkes, falafel, chopped liver, stuffed cabbage rolls, noodle kugel, chicken matzo ball and vegetarian mushroom barley soups, falafel, hummus, Israeli pickled vegetables, expanded vegetarian and gluten-free choices, hard to find specialty foods and lots of noshes. Breakfast and lunch items are served all day and the expanded chilled & frozen food section offers pickled vegetables, chopped liver, blintzes, pickles and corned beef & pastrami packs to take home. Sun. 9am – 3pm. Free, cost of purchases. Congregation Beth Shalom, Sacramento. More info…

Curtis Fest Artisan Fair. The 12th Annual Curtis Fest will feature over 60 local artisans under the beautiful canopy of trees at Curtis Park. Art and craft work including paintings, sculpture, decor, textile arts, jewelry, ceramics, soaps, lotions, homey, ice cream, and Kombucha. Live music, food trucks, a petting zoo, children’s fairy and a pet refreshment station makes this a great way to finish out the summer. Sun. 10am – 4pm. Free, cost of purchases. William Curtis Park. More info…

Sketch It at Crocker Art Museum. Visitors ages 5 and older can sketch at their own pace while receiving drawing instruction. This drop-in program meets in a different gallery each month. No experience is necessary, and all supplies are provided. Sun. 10:30am – 12:30pm (drop-in). Free, with admission. Crocker Art Museum. More info…

Gold Fever Tours by the Sacramento History Museum, for older kids. Guests to Old Sacramento can experience what it was like to catch gold fever while getting actively involved in the intriguing “Gold Fever!” guided tours available every weekend this summer through the end of the year. Tour guests take on personas of characters in history — or “real-life rascals” — who scratched and clawed their way to make this area the center of the Gold Rush. “Gold Fever!” tours relive Sacramento’s early days when gold fever ruled amid horrible disasters that threatened fates and fortunes. To spice things up even more, elements of chance are introduced that could change the fate of tour guests. Through the course of the lively tours that meander through Old Sacramento, visitors discover if they successfully escaped the many floods, if they managed to keep their gold dust (or lose it all at the gambling tables), and if they survived the fires, disease, and occasional steamboat explosion! Sun. 11am (also on Sat.). $6 for Kids 6-17 (not recommended for under 6, although they get in free). $10 Adults. Sacramento Visitors Center. More info…

Super Science Bubbles. Explore the molecular makeup of a classic outdoor summer activity. After you learn what makes up a bubble try your hand at bubble art and experiment with different bubble blowing techniques using our super strong science bubbles. What makes them so strong? You will have to show up to find out! Sun. 11am – 4pm (drop-in). Avail. on Sat. too. Free with admission. Powerhouse Science Center. More info…

It’s Science Sunday at Sacramento Children’s Museum. Drop in to do hands-on science experiments! 12pm – 5pm (drop-in). Free with admission. More info…

Cheer on the SacState Hornets Women’s Soccer team as they battle it out against UC Davis! Sun. 1pm – 4pm at Sacramento State. Free. More info…

Owl Be Seeing You. When are owls most active? Can they turn their heads all the way around? Discover how you can find out exactly what they have eaten. Meet a resident owl of the Nature Center and learn the answers to these questions and more. Free, $5 parking. Sat. 1:30pm – 2:30pm. Space is limited, arrive 30mins prior. Effie Yeaw Nature Center. More info…

Off Track: All Ages Comedy in Rocklin. Off Track is the laugh-a-minute family show. This improv and music extravaganza is completely made up on the spot every week based on your suggestion. No two shows are alike. Best of all, children who want to participate have opportunities to be on stage and take part in the fun! Catch some of Placer’s most talented improvisers along with the wonderful teachers from the Blacktop Kids and Teens program perform a completely improvised show right before your eyes. The Family Show is best for children ages 4-12. Sun. 2pm – 3:30pm. $5. Blacktop Comedy in Rocklin. More info…

Music in the Park. Held the last Sunday of June, July and August, Music in the Park is a free summer concert series hosted by SCNA in William Curtis Park. This is a great way to relax with your family, friends and neighbors. With a blanket and picnic basket you can enjoy the music in a wonderful outdoor venue. The August 26th concert will conclude the 2018 Music in the Park series with a performance by On Air. The band’s powerfully popular horn section and energetic choreography will follow a day of art and food at Curtis Fest. On Air is known for its pulsating renditions of the classics from Tower of Power, Chicago, The Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan. Local children’s favorite, Mr. Cooper, will get the evening started and entertain the young at heart in between sets. Sun. 6pm – 8pm. Free. Sierra 2 Center. More info…

Listen to some classic, big band jazz music by the John Skinner Band while frolicking in Carmichael Park, for the last Carmichael Concert in the Park this summer. Bring your family, friends, blankets and lawn chairs and join in for free music at the Daniel Bishop Memorial Pavilion at Carmichael Park. Food will be available for purchase from local food trucks. Sun. 6:30pm – 8:30pm. Free, cost of purchases. There will also be a concert by a different band, the Dave Russell band, on Sat. night. Carmichael Park. More info…

[All listings are provided by our own independent review of activities. These are not ads.]

Happy Adventuring!

xo, sabrina : )

For more activity ideas, check out our book, “1,001 Things to Do in Sacramento with Kids (& the Young at Heart)” >>

Here’s our Top Picks for the Weekend of August 18th & 19th! Local tomato season is peaking and it’s all for you! Find some colorful, kid-friendly sunny yellow or green zebra striped ones at your farmers market. There’s a canning party & campout in Dixon that sounds fantastic! See some super-rare baseball artifacts at a special exhibit at the California Museum. Plus a NY Times bestselling author gives story writing tips in Elk Grove—take all teen writers! It’s sunny high’s of 99/97-degree forecast for Sat./Sun. Stay cool and hydrated with water-rich fruits!

[All listings are provided by our own independent review of activities. These are not ads.]

SATURDAY, AUGUST 18TH, 2018

Start planning your fall garden, even if it’s just a one-pot deal! You can start growing some broccoli, cucumbers, eggplant, okra, peas, or a giant pumpkin now! Let kids watch food grow…

Historic Folsom Farmers Market Tomato Taste Off. Come learn and taste the many varieties of heirloom tomatoes grown here in California! You’ll taste and vote on your favorite tomatoes in four categories; Most Beautiful, Juiciest, Sweetest and Best Tasting. Chef demos will include tomato inspired recipes for you to taste and learn about. Win prizes and bragging rights and enter the best tasting salsa contest. Fun games and crafts for the kids and a scavenger hunt for a chance to win the farmers market gift basket. Sat. 8am – 1pm. Free. Historic Folsom Farmers Market, 915 Sutter St., Folsom. More info…

Go on a hunt for weird tomatoes! Get some fun, mini yellow or green zebra tomatoes at your nearest farmers market. Find all the farmers markets in Sacramento here… OR here

Bird Walk (for older kids). Experience a variety of resident birds along with winter, migrant, or summer birds depending on the season. Instructor Cliff Hawley will point out other critters and plant life along the way. This walk is ideal for beginner to intermediate birdwatchers. Bring binoculars! Sat. 8am – 10am. $8. Soil Born Farms American River Ranch. More info…

Tomato Sauce Canning Party (and Campout!). Let’s get canning! Tomato season is in full swing on the farm, and the plants are bursting with ripe and juicy tomatoes ready for picking. Join Eatwell Farm in Dixon as they harvest the bounty of the farm, toss it in a pot, and create delicious tomato sauce to savor the rest of the year. The produce is free, so bring as many jars as you can process over the 2-day event! The ticket price covers the cost of hosting the event and paying staff. Don’t worry if you don’t know how to make tomato sauce. There will be plenty of experts on the farm with tips and tricks to help you out. $40. Sleepover is not mandatory if you’d just like a day out on the farm. Families welcome. For full details and schedule of events…

U-Pick Flowers in West Sac. Pick your own bouquet at a a West Sacramento urban flower farm. Zinnias, sunflowers, snapdragons, asters, celosia, statice, yarrow, and more. Wander around the flowers and a dragonfly might follow you. Cost range: $4 for a mini-bouquet to $30 for a 5 gallon bucket. Bring your own containers. Cash sales only. Sat. 9am – 12pm. Flourish Farm, 317 5th St. West Sacramento. More info…

Wanna get serious about family birdwatching in your backyard? Kids over 12, and adults, can become valuable citizen scientists and learn how to document birds around them and contributing to the Cornell University database, e-Bird. Sat. 9:30am – 12:30pm. Effie Yeaw Nature Center. More info…

Hand on History: S.T.E.A.M. at the Fort. Visit Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park and enjoy a very special Hands on History event featuring STEAM, science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics! Fort visitors will have the opportunity to step back in time to the 1840s and learn about the many ways in which those who lived, worked and visited Sutter’s Fort utilized science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. Docent volunteers will provide many hands on learning stations appropriate for all ages throughout the Fort. These are just some of the questions visitors will find answers to during STEAM at the Fort: What role did the cattle industry in California play in technology of the times? How did Pioneers migrating from the United State to California know how fast they were traveling? What tools were available at the time? How was Sutter’s Fort constructed in the 1830s? How does a cannon fire? Sat. 10am – 5pm. $7 per adult (18 and older), $5 per youth (ages 6 to 17). Free for children 5 and under. Sutter’s Fort. More info…

Free Autism-Friendly Family Movie: “Early Man.” Join in for a special family movie event for kids with autism and/or sensory disorders. This month: "Early Man" (PG, 2018). "Typical" toddlers and preschoolers are welcome too! They’ll have healthy snacks, the lights will be slightly up, the sound will be slightly down, and kids don’t need to remain seated while enjoying the movie. There will also be lots of fidget toys. Sat. 10am – 11am. Free. Arden-Dimick Library. More info…

Garden Family Storytime. Storytime is followed by 30 minutes of exploration and play in the Colonial Heights Library’s garden. Expect to get messy. This storytime is designed for ages 3-5, siblings are invited to attend. Sat. 10am – 11am. Free. Colonial Heights Library. More info…

Railroad Museum Celebrates Toy Train Month. California State Parks and the California State Railroad Museum & Foundation are proud to recognize August 2018 as Toy Train Month, an annual exhibit that spotlights the popular Thomas W. Sefton Gallery and “Small Wonders: The Magic of Toy Trains” exhibit. Coinciding with Toy Train Month, the Railroad Museum will debut a newly-acquired collection of pre-war toy trains and accessories manufactured by the German company Märklin that will be available for public viewing. Kids 0-5 Free, Youths 6-17 $6, Adults $12. Open 10am – 5pm on weekends. More info…

Take aspiring teen writers to meet Allison Brennan, New York Times and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of three dozen thrillers and numerous short stories. Allison will discuss her writing process and how she gets her ideas. Questions are encouraged! Sat. 10am – 11am. Elk Grove Library. Free. More info…

Those Wacky Woodpeckers. Woodpeckers are instantly recognizable by their unique behavior of pecking vertically on trees and poles, but how much do you really know about these outstanding birds? The Effie Yeaw Nature Center will clue you in. Sat. 10:30am – 11:30am. Arrive 30mins before start time. Free, $5 parking. Effie Yeaw Nature Center. More info…

Japanese Taiko Drumming & Free Ice Cream Social. Celebrate the end of summer with an Ice Cream Social and learn about the Japanese art of Taiko with Kristy Oshiro! Feel the thunderous sounds of the drums vibrating through your body as language, culture, and history combine into an exciting educational experience. You will even get a chance to play the drums yourself! Free for All Ages. This is a Free program, hosted in partnership with the Franklin Community Library and the City of Elk Grove’s Multicultural Festival. Sat. 11am – 1pm. More info…

The Dinosaur Expert, storytime at Barnes & Noble bookstores. During a field trip to the museum, Kimmy loves to share what she knows about dinosaurs, but when someone asks if girls can be paleontologists, Kimmy loses her voice. Will she find it again? Join in for storytime and get a coupon from the Cafe for a grilled cheese sandwich with milk or juice for $4. Sat. 11am. Free. Barnes & Noble Bookstores (Natomas, Arden, Birdcage/Citrus Heights, and Folsom). More info…

Colossal Summer Science: Tremendous Gravity at the Powerhouse Science Center. Explore one of the most amazing forces in the universe! In Design Lab you will be challenged to design and build a protective vehicle for some very precious cargo: a raw egg. Test your vehicle by tossing it off our back stairs! Don’t miss the ultimate display of gravity when they toss a watermelon off the Powerhouse roof at 12:00pm and 2:00pm. Open Sat. 11am – 4pm (Sun. also). Free with admission. Powerhouse Science Center. More info…

Capital Dance Project Sensory-Friendly Dance Performances. Everyone is welcome to join in on the inclusive, sensory-friendly dance performance by Capital Dance Project. This performance is designed to make everyone, particularly individuals on the autism spectrum, feel comfortable, safe and accepted in a theater environment. Traditional theater rules will be relaxed and audience members are welcome to enter and exit, play with toys, dance and talk during this live dance performance. Food and drink are not allowed in the Auditorium, but an outdoor picnic area is available and a quiet space will be provided. Sat. 11:30am & 2pm. $5. Crocker Art Museum. More info…

Sacramento RiverFest Seafood Festival. Enjoy a full day of music, Seafood, Barbecue and exhibitors at the Annual Sacramento RiverFest & Seafood & Barbecue Festival at beautiful Miller Park located right on the Sacramento River. Listen to over 20 different bands and entertainers while eating Seafood and barbecue from some of the best chefs, food trucks and caterers in the country. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy a big day of family fun. Fishing lessons for the kids, frog jumping, blues, country western, jazz, and concerts all day. Just $10 per person in advance and $15 at the gate. Sat. 12pm – 6pm. $10+ advance. Miller Regional Park. More info…

Meet “How to Feed Your Parents” author Ryan Miller. Join Orangevale Library for the next installment in their 3rd Saturday author visit series featuring local author and Orangevale resident, Ryan Miller, as he discusses his recently released children’s book, How to Feed Your Parents. How to Feed Your Parents is Ryan’s first published book and features Matilda Macaroni, a young girl who is excited to try new foods. Since her parents plan to eat nothing but pizza and chicken nuggets for the rest of their lives, Matilda has to take the kitchen into her own hands. Matilda learns how to prepare delicious meals from around the world and discovers a way to bring her own family closer together while encouraging more adventuresome eating. Book sales will follow the program. Sat. 1pm – 2:30pm. Free. More info…

Watch Sacramento Republic FC take on the LA Galaxy II at Papa Murphy’s Park! Sat. 8pm. $16+. More info…

SUNDAY, AUGUST 19TH, 2018

Sunday Drives. Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to cruise through Old Sacramento in a Model A back in 1931? Well, the California Automobile Museum doesn’t have a time machine so they can’t take you back to Sacramento when it was 1931, but they do have a 1931 Model A and can drive you through modern-day Sacramento! Join them every third Sunday for classic drives by landmarks around Sacramento. Drives are weather contingent and times are subject to change. Sun. 10am – 2pm. Free for Kids 0-4, $5 Kids 5-17, Students $9, Adults $10. California Automobile Museum. More info…

Kids & Company Gallery Adventure. Amusing and educational, this tour is the perfect way to introduce art to children ages 5 and older (and the adults who tag along with them) in a fun and playful manner. Sun. 10:30am – 11:30am. Free with admission. Crocker Art Museum. More info…

ExplorABILITY. ExplorABILITY is a free bi-monthly, play-based program offering children on the autism spectrum, ages 3 to 7, an opportunity to play in a safe setting, explore novel sensory equipment and materials, and work on social skills and building friendships, facilitated by a rotation of Sacramento area therapists from a variety of modalities. Registration required. Sun. 10am – 12pm. Attendance is capped at a maximum of 25 kids to keep it sensory friendly. Sacramento Children’s Museum. More info…

Sakura-mento: Japanese-Americans in the River City. (Recommended for teens interested in cultural issues.)By 1910, Sacramento had become the 4th-most Japanese-populated city in California and had a thriving Japantown. That all changed with World War II. Hear the amazing story of Japanese-American immigrants’ battle to overcome discrimination. The Old City Cemetery Committee will tell you about the farmers, the merchants, and the soldiers from the 100th Battalion and 442nd Infantry Regiment, who fought to free Europe while their relatives were in camps back home. Sun. 1pm – 2:30pm. Free. Sacramento Historic City Cemetery.

Bugs and Beyond. Explore the amazing world of invertebrates! Learn how to find, handle, sketch, and identify various hoppers, crawlers, fliers, swimmers, and slimers of the Preserve. Sun. 1:30am – 2:30pm. Free, $5 parking. Effie Yeaw Nature Center. More info…

The Gondeliers (for older kids), performed by Light Opera Theatre Sacramento, lightly pokes fun at class differences, the monarchy, and is filled with beautiful music and ‘fancy’ dances from the Mediterranean region. It is a classic Gilbert and Sullivan topsy-turvy story, which ends well for all parties at the last possible second. Gondoliers are guides and singers upon the gondolas they steer, attracting adoring girls wherever they travel. Kids 12 & under $15, Adults $20, Students/Seniors $18. Sun. 2pm (also Sat. 2pm & 7:30pm). 24th St. Theatre. More info…

California at Bat: America’s Pastime in the Golden State. The California Museum presents 6-7 short-term exhibits each year, highlighting people, places and stories not commonly known… and this is a noteworthy one for older kids who like baseball and softball. It chronicles the state’s history of baseball from the Gold Rush to the modern era, revealing its legacy of all-stars and the contributions of women, African American, Latino and other players who broke barriers to broaden its enduring appeal. This all-new exhibit features over 200 rarely-seen, Cooperstown-worthy artifacts and photographs. Highlights include uniforms, equipment and ephemera from historic games played by Jackie Robinson, Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, Sandy Koufax, Rickey Henderson, Dusty Baker, Tony Gwynn and others. In addition, objects from Pacific Coast League teams and from Edmonds Field, home of the Sacramento Solons until 1960, recall the years before Major League Baseball arrived in California. Open Sun. 12pm – 5pm (or Sat. 10am – 5pm). Free for Kids 0-5, $6.50 for Youth 6-17. $9 for Adults. California Museum. More info…

Baby Storytime at Central Library. Here’s an excuse to get downtown early and check out new books at the massive children’s section at Central library. Parking is so much easier down there on weekends. Use this as a jumping off point for lunch at a new restaurant (instagram: @downtown_grid) you’ve been wanting to try, or a park you’ve been wanting to plop down at for a picnic. Bond with your baby and make new friends! Baby Lapsit Storytime is designed to encourage early literacy development through shared reading, songs, games and movement. Recommended for birth through 24 months, but older kids are welcome. In Kids’ Place on the lower level. Sun. 12:10pm – 12:40pm. Free. Central Library. More info…

Take older teens to listen to a college professor discuss Thoreau. Join Professor Nancy Sweet for discussion of Henry David Thoreau’s life and works. A leading figure in the counter-cultural Transcendentalist movement of the mid-nineteenth century, Thoreau believed in the spirit and the conscience of the American people—even as he witnessed the nation torn apart over slavery and the economic exploitation of workers. In his writings, he urges us to find a capacity for ethical behavior in Nature, including our own human nature. This is bound to be good. Sun. 3pm – 4:30pm. Free. Central Library. More info…

Got some avid climbers? Try a super-fun Kids Belay class. Sacramento Pipeworks offers them every hour 12pm – 3pm on weekends for kids 6-17. $30. More info… Granite Arch Climbing Center has a Youth Climbing Club that meets once a week 4-6pm for ages 7-12. More info… Rocknasium in Davis offers weekly classes or a First Timer Kid Climb $35/2 hrs, $5 additional for 2 climbers. Advanced reservations required. More info…

Ride the “Squirrelly Whirl”, the first new ride at Funderland in over 20 years! Their weekend deals include 10 rides for $19.95 or Family Value Pack of 30 rides for $44.95. 11am – 5pm. More info… We also like their round-up of eateries close to Funderland here…

Donate a backpack filled with school supplies to help local kids who can’t afford to buy them. Teach the kids about the importance of helping others in the community. Sacramento Children’s Home is accepting backpacks & supplies until Sept. 7th, here’s their need list…

**For next week… Fairytale Town’s Tales & Ales Brewfest Fundraiser is next weekend, on Sat. the 25th, and they still have some advanced tickets left. This is a family event, and kids can enjoy the park! Should be super-fun. More info…**

[All listings are provided by our own independent review of activities. These are not ads.]

Happy Adventuring!

xo, sabrina : )

For more summer activity ideas, check out our book, “1,001 Things to Do in Sacramento with Kids (& the Young at Heart)” >>

Here’s our Top Picks for the Weekend of August 11th – 12th! Wide Open Walls is surrounding us with more beautiful art in the city—get downtown to check out the sites! There’s mapping & treasure-hunting at Koobs Nature Area, and a traditional kid-friendly Pow Wow. Get crafty with bats at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. And don’t forget, stone fruit is in season. Grab a basket and fill it up with your faves! It’s a sunny 94/91-degree forecast for Sat./Sun. the weekend. Happy August!

[All listings are provided by our own independent review of activities. These are not ads.]

SATURDAY, AUGUST 11TH

It’s Wide Open Walls week… when Sacramento gets beautified with more public art for all to enjoy! Download this map and artist reference, and check out all the works in progress with the kids. Bring some ice-cold water or note of thanks for the muralists!

Midtown Garden Tour. Get inspired to garden at the inaugural, first-ever Midtown Garden Tour! The tour includes six backyard gardens and one community garden. Garden the Grid is a collection of midtown gardeners who are passionate about getting dirty and eating clean. Begin your day at the New Era Community Garden (204 26th St.) Guests are encouraged to bike or walk between the gardens. A perfect day to get the bikes out! Proceeds from this tour benefit Alchemist Community Development Corporation. Sat. 9am – 3pm. $10. New Era Community Garden on 26th St. More info…

Mapping and Treasure Hunting. The Koobs Nature Area is open for public open days on the second Saturday of every month through October. August’s theme will be mapping and “treasure” hunting. Come out and explore the Koobs Nature Area and learn to follow maps and recognize directions. There will be activity tables for kids to create and learn about mapping and “treasure” hunting. This wonderful natural treasure in the heart of Carmichael is run and maintained by the Kiwanis Club of Carmichael. Sat. 10am – 2pm. Free. Koobs Nature Area, Carmichael. More info…

Deer Toes and Coyote Paws. Learn to read the tracks of rabbit, deer, coyote, turkey, and the clues that animals leave behind! Sat. 10:30 – 11:30am. Free, $5 parking. Effie Yeaw Nature Center. Space is limited, arrive 30 mins prior to start time. More info…

Artful Tot at Crocker Art Museum. Every month, toddlers explore art-making with different materials and in new ways, from printmaking and color mixing to clay and fabric. Adults learn how to encourage experimentation and self-expression while nurturing their child’s creativity. Families are welcome to arrive any time during the program period. Note: Please dress for mess. For ages 2-3. Sat. 10:30am – 12pm. General $10 (includes one adult with child), Members $7. Crocker Art Museum. More info…

Community Day at the Sacramento Adventure Playground. All ages are invited for a day of play at the Sacramento Adventure Playground! Children get to create their own play structures and spaces by re-purposing everyday items such as cardboard boxes, plus household wares, natural elements and unexpected items. The Playground is a fun and safe environment where children can use their imagination and creativity to direct their own play! The Sacramento Adventure Playground is open rain or shine. Sat. 11am – 4pm. Free. Sacramento Adventure Playground. More info…

Guided Nature Walk at the Cosumnes River Preserve. Explore part of the River Walk Trail and talk about the plants and animals you might see. You’ll also traverse the Wetlands Walk Trail and see the migratory waterfowl and maybe a few Sandhill Cranes. This is a leisurely walk on a trail that is unpaved in sections and paved in others. The route will take approximately three and a half miles, but participants who do not wish to walk that far may turn around at any time. Participants may want to bring binoculars or borrow a set for free from the Preserve (quantity limited). Sat. 12pm or 1pm. Meet at the Visitor Center. Free. Consumnes River Preserve. More info…

Crafts from Around the World. Crafting can take you everywhere! Join the Sacramento Public Library for a crafting session that will take participates to destinations from around the globe. Registration is required to attend. Sat. 1pm – 3pm. Free. Franklin Community Library. There’s also a lego block party at this library 10am – 3pm. More info…

Felted Creatures for Teens. Craft with your friends at the library! Teens will use felt, needles, threads, and stuffing to make a creature that is cute, ugly, or somewhere in between. Sat. 3pm – 4:30pm. Free. North Sacramento-Hagginwood Library. More info…

Take older kids to meet a painter participating in Wide Open Walls mural festival. CapRadio welcomes established painter Stan Padilla to the station for an afternoon of art, music and discussion. A multi-media artist whose disciplines include drawing, painting and silversmithing, Stan Padilla recognizes his ancestors by bringing to life ancient stories, myths, and legends. His large panels of varied blue honor one of the most precious colors in the spectrum. Padilla’s work can be seen across the Sacramento region, most recently as a three-story mural titled “Flight” in the Golden One Area. A participating Wide Open Walls (WOW) muralist, Padilla will live paint in downtown Sacramento August 9-19. Enjoy music from Hey, Listen! host Nick Brunner. Sample C.G. Di Arie Winery’s limited-edition “On Air” (which was created in honor of the station). SacTown Union Brewing will also be pouring from their limited Local Artist Series, proudly showcasing local art on its beer cans, including another 2018 WOW muralist. Come learn what all the hype is about and then head downtown to enjoy the mural festival throughout the week. Sat. 4pm – 6pm. Free, registration required. Capital Public Radio, 7055 Folsom Blvd. More info…

The 11th Annual Fire Spectacular: Walk on the Wild Side. The Fire Spectacular is literally Sacramento’s hottest event of the year! Take a walk on the wild side and enjoy a night of high energy, beautiful, and artistically crafted fire dance performances. Suitable for all ages, this show has performed for thousands of audiences from here to Japan. Flashlights and comfortable shoes for the William A. Carroll Amphitheatre are recommended. Sat. 6pm – 10pm. Doors open at 5pm. Kids 0-8 Free. $10+. Family package, 2 adults/2 kids for $35. William Land Park, William A. Carroll Amphitheatre. More info…

Enjoy a night of baseball with $10 lawn tickets. Watch the Sacramento River Cats take on the El Paso Chihuahuas at Raley Field. Sat. 7:05pm. $10+. Raley Field. More info…

Take older teens to Behind the Barre: Made in Sacramento. Capital Dance Project returns to the Crest Theatre for the fourth-annual production of Behind the Barre: Made in Sacramento. This innovate, multi-disciplined dance and live art performance will feature nine world-premiere works. Capital Dance Project’s resident choreographers will explore movement in conjunction with Sacramento’s most exciting visual artists, musicians, and designers. This year’s collaborators include: visual artists Raphael Delgado, Franceska Gamez, and Melissa and Melinda Arendt; digital media artists Natalie McKeever and Brandon Manning, and musicians Schuyler Petersen aka Makebelief, bassist and singer Casey Lipka, and hip-hop artist The Philharmonik. Sat. 7:30pm. Doors open at 6:30pm. $25 advance. Crest Theatre. [Just FYI, Capital Dance Project will also be doing a Sensory-Friendly Dance Performance at Crocker Art Museum next week, Aug. 18th, 11:30am & 2pm. Tickets $5 from Crocker Art Museum] More info…

Wave your hands and stop your feet at the Sacramento Republic FC vs Rio Grande Valley FC soccer game! It’s fireworks night! Sat. 8pm, $16+. Papa Murphy’s Park. More info…

Take older kids to Outdoor Movie Nights at Sutter’s Fort. The movie Clueless will be projected on the west side wall. Bring blankets, lawn chairs, snacks, and hot cocoa. Sat. 8pm. Free. Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park. More info…

SUNDAY, AUGUST 12TH

It’s stone fruit season! Let the kids wake the house up early and get out for the for best fresh peaches, apricots, and other stone fruit at the Saturday Midtown Farmers Market or the Sunday Farmers Market under the I-80 freeway (8th & W St.). Go home and make a peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream! Or just sit under a shady tree and eat all of your peaches in one go.

Sacramento Banana Festival: Jazz-A-Peel. The 9th Annual Sacramento Banana Festival is an exciting family-friendly, multi-cultural festival celebrating the many countries and cultures that use the banana! Try delicious exotic foods from the Caribbean, Central America, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Africa, the Pacific Rim! Guests will enjoy the rhythmic Latin, Calypso, Caribbean and popular music that accompany high energy ethnic dancers. The two-day festival offers fun for all ages, banana cuisine, live entertainment, multi-cultural exhibits, marketplace, food trucks and more. The Sacramento Banana Festival benefits the National Academic Youth Corps, which provides art and educational programs for over 15,000 youth and adults every year in Sacramento. The event will take place at William Land Park’s Village Green Area. Sun. 10am – 5pm. $6+, Kids 5 under Free. William Land Park. More info…

Get some beads to make a one-of-a-kind bracelet or necklace. Get ready to be overwhelmed by all things sparkly! Gem Faire is coming to the Scottish Rite Masonic Center in Sacramento. This show brings a wide array of quality crystals, gems and more straight from importers, wholesalers and manufacturers, so you can score some amazing deals on gorgeous jewelry, individual stones and beautiful beads to make your own cool wearables or gifts. Sun. 10am – 5pm. $7, get a free pass here. Free for kids 11 & under. Scottish Rite Center. More info…

24th Annual Sacramento Pow Wow. Come celebrate at the 24th Annual Sacramento Pow Wow! This great event features traditional singing and dancing as well as Indian tacos and high-quality arts and crafts. All ages welcome. Sun. 10am. Free. O’Neil Park. More info…

All aboard! Take a nice and easy 45-minute train ride with Excursion Train Rides with the California State Railroad Museum. Trains run every hour on the hour and depart from the Central Pacific Passenger Station in Old Sacramento. Kids 5 & under Free. $6 youths, $12 adults. More info…

Take little ones to do science experiments throughout the day at Science Sundays at the Sacramento Children’s Museum in Rancho Cordova. The museum is open 12pm – 5pm. Free with admission. Sacramento Children’s Museum. More info…

Eureka! Grab a pan and catch gold fever! Learn about some of the local Gold Rush history and get your hands dirty as you lean how to pan for gold in hopes of striking it rich. Sun. 1:30pm – 2:30pm. Free, $5 parking. Space is limited, arrive 30 mins prior to start time. Effie Yeaw Nature Center. More info…

Mama Mia! Catch the last matinee show of this Broadway classic with older teens. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to an island paradise. Featuring over 20 ABBA songs, including the hits “Dancing Queen” and “Take a Chance on Me,” this high-spirited, feel-good international sensation will have you singing and dancing in the aisles. Sun. 3:30pm.

Wide Open Walls 2018 Bike Tours. Take older teens wheeling around to see our newest art murals.Bicycle through a unique art experience as local, national, and international artists converging on Sacramento for the Wide Open Walls mural festival. Guided cycling tours explore Sacramento’s newest street art pieces around Downtown and Midtown Sacramento as artists transform the city. On these guided bike tours, you will learn about each piece and about the artists who created them. Tours are two hours long. Sun. 9am, 12pm, or 3pm. $23. Sacramento Cycling Tours. Meeting place starts downtown. More info…

Invite friends and sing your heart out at karaoke with the kids. Sunday 4pm – 7pm is half-off karaoke rooms at Oishii Sushi and Karaoke on K Street. Sky KTV Lounge on Front Street has half-off rates every day 6pm – 9pm.

Bats and Crafts at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. Join bat experts as they host a special bat event aimed at young children, especially those that are too young to stay up late to watch the bats fly. This fun filled day will include meeting live bats, arts and crafts, games and other bat related activities. Sun. 10am – 12pm. Cost is $7/child. Adult accompanying child is free. More info…

**We love the bat programs with the Yolo Basin Foundation. Nearly all the summer bat walks sell out. However, we saw that the last two in September (20 & 21) that are still open! You can reserve up to 6 spots per family. It’s truly stunning to be there when the bats fly out for the night. The Bat House Building Workshop on Sun. Aug. 26th, 10am is also still open. This will be a good one. Unfortunately, we probably won’t feature it on that week’s top picks because it will be sold out. That’s why we’re featuring it in this week’s top picks! We can’t recommend this program enough.**

[All listings are provided by our own independent review of activities. These are not ads.]

Happy Adventuring!

xo, sabrina : )

For more summer activity ideas, check out our book, “1,001 Things to Do in Sacramento with Kids (& the Young at Heart)” >>

Here’s our Top Picks for the Weekend of August 4th – 5th! The free kite-making workshop in Elk Grove is not to be missed. Older kids will love meeting real-world stylists and fashion experts for tips on thrift-shopping, also free! Sunflowers are in bloom and ready to be picked at u-pick farms, just $6 a bunch. And we have three art gallery suggestions for a lazy, art-filled Sunday. It’s a sunny 92-95-degree forecast for the weekend. Happy August!

[All listings are provided by our own independent review of activities. These are not ads.]

SATURDAY, AUGUST 4TH

Kite-Making at Franklin Community Library in Elk Grove! This is likely to be a popular one, so register early and get your spot! Make your very own free kite, with Anwar Khan of Old City Kites in Sacramento, this Sat. at 1pm – 3pm. Ah, swoon!! Our dream event. : ) For ages 5-11. Registration is required. Click the "registration is required to attend" link on this page here…

LEGO Harry Potter Event at Barnes & Noble Natomas. Calling all Harry Potter fans. Join in for this exciting event and build a mini Hogwarts Express train to take home with you. Free. Sat. 2pm. Space is limited. Call to RSVP, 916-285-0387. More info…

The Great Train Robbery. Take a ride on the wild side, and live out your own old Western showdown aboard the Sacramento RiverTrain’s Great Train Robbery. Keep a weathered eye on the horizon for greedy outlaws! But don’t fret, our on-board Marshal will keep everyone safe! This two-and-a-half hour experience is fun for kids and adults alike, and you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time as you’re entertained with a live Wild West show. Relax in Elkhorn Park and enjoy a barbecue buffet lunch. You don’t need to go far to find an amazing adventure! Each ticket includes a two-and-a-half hour train ride, barbecue buffet lunch and Wild West show. Adults $55, Kids 3-12 $45, Infants 0-2 $15. Sat. 11am. Sacramento RiverTrain. More info…

Fun on the Farm: Pollinators Experience. Kids will explore the Youth Garden and the American River Ranch learning about what pollinators are and how they help us grow food. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in various fun, educational activities, make a farm fresh snack, meet the farm animals and create something to take home. Jenn MacLeod from Soil Born Farms will instruct.
This is event is suggested for Ages 3-9. This is a child-focused farm experience.
Registration is for children only, one adult may accompany each child. $15. Sat. 9:30am – 11:30am. Soil Born Farms American River Rance. More info…

Vegetable Safari with the Food Literacy Center. Learn about what different animals from around the world like to eat with the Food Literacy Center during this Summer Reading event! Kids 5 & up will have the chance to make animal masks and make a salad with fruit and veggies that are favorites of humans and animals. The group will also read But I Don’t Eat Antsby Dan Marvin. Free. Sat. 1pm – 2pm. North Sacramento-Hagginwood Library. More info…

Older kids and teens can meet real, professional fashion stylists, many of whom shop at Goodwill and thrift stores themselves,at Style with a Purpose: Back to School. The goal is to make fashion accessible to everyone, to break down the stigma associated with thrifting, to promote eco-fashion, and to have on-hand style advice for shoppers free of charge. To accomplish this mission, Goodwill has gathered several Sacramento area stylists, artists, and fashionistas to participate in bringing Style With A Purpose to life. Stylists will pre-select clothing for men, women, and children of all sizes. Shoes, accessories, and other items will also be showcased. During the event, guests will be able to browse “style stations” where stylists will be available to offer personalized style advice. This is Goodwill’s second stylist’s event, the first one was held in April and was brought back by popular demand. Similar events have been held in Goodwill stores across the nation, making fashion accessible to everyone. Light bites and beverages will be served. Free! Sat. 1pm – 4pm. Alta Arden Goodwill. More info…

Tinker Time: Pinstriping. Join the California Automobile Museum for Tinker Time where you will learn from professional pinstripers and get hands-on for some pinstriping crafts! At the end of Tinker Time, there will be a reading of If I Built a Car by Chris Van Dusen. Free with admission. Sat. 11am – 12pm. More info…

Baby Signing Workshop at BusyKidz in Folsom. This 60-minute workshop will teach you 20 signs, basic language development, the do and don’ts of signing and provide additional resources. This class is taught by a certified speech-language pathologist and is ideal for parents with babies ages 4-18 months. Sat. 10:30am – 11:30am. $30+ per family. More info…

Wear dark red and get pumped up to cheer on the Sacramento Republic FC as they take on Fresno! $16+. Sat. 8pm at Papa Murphy’s Park. More info…

Sunday Safari. Grab your binoculars to catch a closer glimpse of the animals and plants that make up the unique habitat along the American River. Free, $5 parking. Effie Yeaw Nature Center. Sat. 10:30 – 12pm. Arrive 30 minutes prior to start time. More info…

Brainstorm as a family and take your public art ideas to the River Crossing, a pop-up community art event at the city-owned garage on 5th & C St, hosted by the City of West Sacramento. Show the kids how civic engagement can be fun and rewarding. The event will feature installation of a new, temporary mural that wraps the building, live music and host local food trucks, makers and designers with items for purchase. Discover what the future has in store for placemaking and public art in the up-and-coming Washington District. Help shape the city we love with artistic ideas. Suggest some kid-friendly art structures. Sat. 11am – 4m. More info…

The Story of Mo, presented by the Sacramento’s Children’s Chorus. A story concert set to the music of Mozart’s “Twinkle Twinkle.” Watch and listen as the story of Mo unfolds in a magical setting with music, instrumentalists, and narrator bringing the star Mo to life. This is the story of Mo. Mo was a star just like any other, or so he thought. He sparkled and shined and held his place in the sky night after night. Nothing special, in so far as being a star goes. And that was the trouble. At least, that was the trouble as Mo saw it. He didn’t want to be plain and ordinary. He wanted to be special. So Mo decided he was going to do whatever it took to be something other than just plain old Mo. Free, suggested donation $5-10. Sat. 10:30am – 11:15am. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. More info…

Manetti Shrem Museum Artist-Led Workshop for older teens. For the first time, older teens (16 & up) and adults can work with master-artists to experiment with new techniques inspired by exhibits in the Manetti Shrem Museum.Artist: This Saturday, learn from artist Angela Willetts (UC Davis MFA 2016). Try a new take on plein-air painting! Begin with a visit to Susan Swartz: Breaking Away, 2006 -2018 where you’ll see how this artist abstracts the natural landscape. Then immerse yourself in natural environments as you explore abstract responses to nature in the Arboretum. You’ll experiment with paint application and intuitive mark-making: dripping, wiping, glazing, spilling and layering to capture the infinite energy and texture of the natural world. Sat. 10am – 1pm. $40. Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art in Davis. More info…

Carmichael Concerts in the Park: Todd Morgan and the Emblems. Join the Carmichael Recreation and Park District for its annual summer Concerts in the Park series! Bring the kids, blankets and lawn chairs and join in for free music all summer long at the Daniel Bishop Memorial Pavilion at Carmichael Park. Food will be available for purchase from local food trucks. Free. 6:30pm – 8:30pm. More info…

The Sacramento Fire Department’s open house continues at Station 19, 1700 Challenge Way. Meet some real-life heroes, and see all the tools and apparatus needed to fight fires and save lives. Sat. 2pm – 4pm. More info…

SUNDAY, AUGUST 5TH

Get the kids up early for free yoga in the park at Tahoe Park. Yoga Moves Us makes yoga available by organizing free vinyasa yoga classes in the Greater Sacramento area and beyond. This free all-levels vinyasa yoga class is accessible to everyone! Do what you can, and take rest when you need to. Bring a yoga mat (or towel) and a water bottle. Wear clothes that allow for comfortable movement. A limited amount of yoga mats will be available for those without a mat. All ages. Free. Sun. 9am – 10:15am. Amy Selix will be leading the class. Meet near the pool. More info…

U-pick sunflowers! Head on down to 24 Carrot Farm in Placerville for a variety of flowers kids can pick on their own. So fun. Sun. 10am – 5pm (Sat. too!). $6 for a 10-stem bouquet. They have sunflowers, zinnias, marigolds, cosmos, bachelors button, snap dragons, celosia and more. 2731 Jacquier Rd. More info…

Participate or watch some old-timey 19th Century "Base Ball." Sacramento history comes alive with Central Valley Vintage Base Ball (CVVBB). Spend the morning learning and playing the 1864 rules of baseball and celebrating both the history of the game and the Sacramento region. All are welcome to join regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, or skill level. The organization channels the long history of the game in the region. The first organized club in Sacramento was formed in November 1859 and the first recorded game took place a year later between Sacramento and the San Francisco Eagle Club. Rules of 1864 baseball differs from the modern game in a few key ways. Instead of gloves, players simply used their hands to catch batted balls, pitchers throw the ball underhand and the umpire stands off to the first base side of home plate instead of behind the catcher. The early game also uses the “bound rule,” which means if a fielder catches a ball after it bounces only once, it still counts as an out, making it easier to catch the ball without a glove. Since its inception in late 2017, the organization has been growing with each successive event. Free. Sun. 9am – 12pm. Doc Oliver Field, 1500 11th Ave. More info…

SacCirque Park Takeover at Southside Park. SacCirque will be taking over Southside Park! Watch circus artists freestyle skill-share jam, do acro-yoga, hand balancing, flow arts, juggling, slacklining and more. This is mainly an event *for* performers, and we don’t know how big or small the event will end up being, but it’s always fun to watch performers to some tricks. Feel free to ask questions! Kids can also have fun at the Southside Park playground. Or bring some racquets and play some tennis. Sun. 1pm – 4pm. More info…

Obsess about peach season at the Carmichael Park Farmers Market Peach Festival! Enjoy a day of all things peaches and taste the many peach inspired products and specialty items prepare by many vendors. This event included free kids crafts, games, and prizes, peach eating contest, a peach walk, best peach dessert contest and more! Live entertainment, chef demos with local chefs with peaches as the main ingredient. Canning demos teach you how to can, pickle and/or sweeten your peaches to eat at a later date. Free. Sun. 9am – 2pm. Carmichael Park.

Kids and Company Gallery Adventure at the Crocker Art Museum.Amusing and educational, this tour is the perfect way to introduce art to children Ages 5 and older (and the adults who tag along with them) in a fun and playful manner. Free with admission. Sun. 10:30am – 11:30am. More info…

Got an older teen interested in war history? Check out World War I Revisited. One of the most devastating weapons of the war is discussed when weapons expert and historian Jacob Graham presents “The Devil’s Paintbrush: Machine Guns and the Great War.” The Nevada-based Graham will provide a bevy of rare images as well as a number of artifacts to power his discussion. Free. Sun. 1pm – 2pm at the Central Library on I St. More info…

Reptile Rapture. Can a turtle climb out of its shell? Do snakes blink? Can you really tell the age of a rattlesnake by the number of buttons on its rattle? Discover all this and more in this program by the Effie Yeaw Nature Center. Free, $5 parking. Sun. 1:30pm – 2:30pm. Arrive 30 mins prior to start time. More info…

A rare kid-friendly movie at the Crest Theatre! Share a classic with the kids… Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. A sweet and innocent princess is jealously cast out of her home by her narcissistic stepmother. She finds solace in the home of seven miners who are in much need of her cleaning capabilities.$8+. Sun. 7pm. Doors open at 6pm. You may want to buy tickets in advance. Arrive early and check out all the new restaurants K Street and DOCO has to offer. More info…

Colossal Summer Science: Incredible Snakes. Get up-close and personal with sleek, slithering reptiles at Colossal Summer Science: Incredible Snakes. Powerhouse Science Center will have live papaya pythons onsite and there will be snake sensory stations where visitors can explore snake’s vision, eating habits, and skin shedding.Free with admission. Sun. 11am – 4pm (also open Sat.). Powerhouse Science Center. More info…

Theater Show: Hansel and Gretel at Fairytale Town. Puppet Art Theater Company presents the classic tale “Hansel and Gretel” in the Children’s Theater. In this version, Gretel overhears her stepmother convince her father to lead she and her brother into the forest and leave them there for good. Hansel’s plan to leave a trail of breadcrumbs to find their way home fails miserably and he and Gretel are left in the forest, where they discover a house made of Gingerbread. Little did they know the house belongs to a Wicked Old Witch. Will Hansel and Gretel escape the Witch and find their way home? $1-2 with admission. Sun. 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm showtimes (also on Sat.) More info…

The Music Man. Stage Right Productions in Fair Oaks, is proud to present Meredith Willsons’ musical classic, The Music Man. Productions of The Music Man have been entertaining audiences since 1957. The play revolves around a traveling band salesman and con-man, Harold Hill who descends on the unsuspecting town of River City, Iowa. While conning the town into buying instruments, uniforms and instruction booklets for a band that will never exist, he falls in love with the local piano teacher. This production is funny, warm, romantic and filled with all the hit songs and dances that has made it an All-American musical classic! Stage Right Productions is celebrating its 10th season providing quality, family friendly theatre in the Fair Oaks area. Established originally as a theatre focusing on young performers, this year marks their first foray into community theatre production. General $15, 17 & under $12, Kids 10 & under $10. Sun. 2pm (also Fri. 7:30pm and Sat. 7:30pm). Faith Lutheran Church. More info…

It’s the last weekend to see… Mary Poppins Jr. at Sutter Street Theatre. Mary Poppins Jr. is a musical based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney Film. The jack-of-all trades, Bert, introduces us to England in 1910 and the troubled Banks family. Young Jane and Michael have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Using a combination of magic and common sense, she must teach the family members how to value each other again. Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures, but Jane and Michael aren’t the only ones upon whom she has a profound effect. Even grown-ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that “anything can happen if you let it.” Adults $18, Kids 12 & under $13, Students $15. Sun. 1pm. (Also Sat. 1pm.) More info… (Hint: Get good seats for their next production "The Boy Who Stole the Stars". This theatre is super-tiny so you can get great first-row seats by booking ahead.)

It’s another final show of Mary Poppins, but this time at the Fair Oaks Theatre Festival at the Fair Oaks Veterans Memorial Amphitheatre. This showing is Sun. at 8pm, and they have shows that time on Fri. & Sat. as well. General $18, Students $15, Kids 0-12 $10. More info…

Be mesmerized by Andrew Chung’s ethereal exhibit, You Broke the Ocean in Half to Be Here. Andrea Chung’s practice finds unexpected intersections between materials, processes, and places that often investigate the histories of Caribbean island nations. “You broke the ocean in half to be here,” organized by the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, includes collages, prints, videos, sculpture, and an installation of cyanotype prints of the non-native predatory lion fish, conjuring up a fantastic underwater world that presents a potent allegory of colonization. Chung’s work is labor intensive and explores the complicated place of labor in postcolonial societies. Recently Chung was featured in KCET’s film, Artist and Mother, a documentary about the timely question of what it means to be a woman, an artist and a mother. Recommended for older kids. Free. Open Sun. 11am – 5pm. Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art. More info…

Take older kids to a surreal, earthly art exhibit about trees at Triumphant Trees: Dressed in Leaves I Reach Into The Sky. Check out some of Northern California’s premier landscape artists, with a focus on the trees that make the region one of the world’s most sought-after locations! Sacramento is after all the “City of Trees” and these works will make you long for nature’s glory. Kennedy Gallery presents “Triumphant Trees” featuring the works of Michael Misha Kennedy, Rita Kaufman, Nathan Feldman, Kevin Trivedi, Carlos Rivera, Lori Lopez and Nancy Ridell. Get gelato at Devine’s Gelataria a block away afterwards. Sun. 12pm – 6pm. Kennedy Gallery Art Center. 20th & L St. More info…

Check out the colorful, whimsical, beach-themed artworks of TJ Lev and Lala Ortiz at the ARTHOUSE on R Gallery & Studios. Free. Open Sun. 10am – 6pm. Pack a picnic to enjoy at nearby Roosevelt Park afterward, or wander down R St. to the ultra-cool Warehouse Artist Lofts, where you can get fresh juice, poke, or shop vintage for kids at Old Gold. More info…

Take older teens to watch college kids perform. Join ACME Theatre Company at UC Davis for the premiere of The Twelve Huntsmen, by Briandaniel Oglesby (Acme Alumn of ’02). The Grimm brothers are lost in the woods when they stumble upon the mysterious Cesario and a band of dangerous huntsmen – each with a story to tell. A magical feast unfolds full of poetry, romance, fart-jokes, magic, secrets, and betrayal… but will this night of stories be enough to heal Cesario’s broken heart? General $12, students $10. Sun. 7pm (Sat. also). UC Davis Wyatt Pavilion Theatre. More info…

[All listings are provided by our own independent review of activities. These are not ads.]

Happy Adventuring!

xo, sabrina : )

For more summer activity ideas, order our book, “1,001 Things to Do in Sacramento with Kids (& the Young at Heart)” >>

Here’s our Top Picks for the Weekend of July 28th & 29th! So many dance events to celebrate Dance Day–what better way to beat the heat than be indoors celebrating the world of dance, and maybe taking a couple free pop-up dance classes for some spontaneous fun. Of course, the Courtland Pear Fair is here on Sunday. Go early to beat the heat. It’s also the last weekend to catch the festivities at the Cal State Fair. Just stay cool and partially in water all weekend!

[All listings are provided by our own independent review of activities. These are not ads.]

SATURDAY, JULY 28TH

California’s National Day of Dance at Community Center Theater. This star-studded dance concert will take place at the Sacramento Community Center Theater. Doors open at 6:00PM for tons of pre-show activity. Theater doors open at 6:30PM. The concert starts at 7:00 PM and will feature performances from the top 16 performing arts organizations and artists from all over California. Recommended for older kids, especially those interested in dance. $15. Sat. 7pm, Community Center Theater. More info…

Catch free pop-up dance classes all around town, in association with California’s National Day of Dance on Saturday. Here’s a growing list of pop-ups…

California’s National Day of Dance at Fairytale Town. Fairytale Town is one of the Pop-Up Dance Studios for California’s National Day of Dance! Take advantage of a wide array of dance learning opportunities with genres ranging from hip-hop to ballet. This program is for dancers and non-dancers alike. Free with park admission. Sat. 12pm – 2pm. More info…

Owl Release and Picnic at Heringer Estates Vineyards & Winery. Rehabilitated owls will be released in a special family-friendly event hosted by the Wildlife Care Association of Sacramento and Heringer Vineyards! This owl release and picnic offers an opportunity to experience wildlife education, demonstrations, food trucks, fine wines for purchase, and, of course, the release of owls saved by the volunteers at Wildlife Care. Proceeds will benefit the Wildlife Care Association of Sacramento, a non-profit organization saving wildlife injured, orphaned or displaced across the region to be released for a second chance at life. Adults $8, Kids $2. Sat. 5pm – 8pm. Heringer Estates Vineyard. More info…

California’s National Day of Dance at the Sacramento Children’s Museum. Celebrate National Dance Day at Sacramento Children’s Museum! The purpose of National Dance Day is to bring dance lovers of all ages in celebration. Activities include dance classes, special performances, and the filming of a choreographed group dance routine with our mascot, Leo! Check the schedule online for all the special events. Free. Admission required for indoor Museum play. More info…

Fenix Drum and Dance: A Royal Tea Party. Superheroes, princes, and princesses gather for music, games, and afternoon tea. Come in costume or dress in one of ours. This event is for kids of all ages. Sat. 1pm – 2pm. Free. North Sacramento-Hagginwood Library. More info…

Visit the Sacramento Fire Department’s Station 18 (746 North Market Blvd.) for some open house fun Sat. 2pm – 4pm.

‘Beat the Heat’ nature walk. Take time to appreciate trees for all the shade they provide by enjoying a leisurely morning walk on the Preserve trails at Effie Yeaw Nature Center. Join a Naturalist as you watch for deer, hawks, woodpeckers and much more before the afternoon heats up. Free, $5 parking. Sat. 10:30am – 12pm. Space is limited, arrive 30mins early. More info…

Autism-Friendly Family Movie: Paddington 2. Join the Sylvan Oaks Library for a special family movie event for kids with autism and/or sensory disorders. “Typical” toddlers and preschoolers are welcome too. We’ll have healthy snacks, the lights will be slightly up, the sound will be slightly down, and kids don’t need to remain seated while enjoying the movie. There will also be lots of fidget toys. Paddington is back in this popular sequel! Paddington Bear tries to buy an antique book for his aunt’s 100th birthday, but his quest brings him into conflict with an unscrupulous actor who also wants the tome. Starring Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, and Hugh Grant. Sat. 10am – 11:45am. Free. More info…

Take older teens to see the award-winning musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, presented by the Roseville Theatre Arts Academy. An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime! While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter and only one speller leaves victorious! At least the losers get a juice box! Note: This play is “PG-13” for language and mature content. Recommended for older teens only. $13. Roseville Theatre. Sat. 2pm and 7:30pm. (Also show on Fri. 7:30pm). More info…

It’s the last chance to see ARC Theatre’s Children Traveling Show: Peter Pan. Be prepared to be graced by the magic of the tale of three children’s journey to Neverland. This land where they meet all sorts of characters, including the mischievous Peter Pan! Learning about themselves, and family, the children go on a wild ride. $5. Fair Oaks Community Clubhouse. Sat. 11am. More info…

Got a kayak or SUP? Take a leisurely guided paddle up the Cosumnes River and its peaceful sloughs. With this winter’s abundant rains, everything will be budding and beautiful! You’ll likely see forest birds, perhaps an egret or heron, and maybe even a beaver and/or otter. This a great paddle tour for those who have not paddled on the Preserve in the past or are looking to learn about the flora and fauna found in this riparian corridor. Bring your own boat (canoe, kayak, SUP), paddle, and PFD. No experience necessary. Meet at the Cosumnes River Preserve Visitor Center Parking lot at 8:30 a.m. They will depart from the boat dock promptly at 9:00 a.m. and be back at the parking lot around noon. Prior registration required. More info…

Go along on a real Bird Survey at The Tall Forest (ages 10 and older). The Tall Forest is a substantial block of valley oak-dominated woodland strongly resembling the pre-Anglo Central Valley riparian forests, a habitat now almost obliterated from California. The big trees overtop a varied, dense understory, and California grape and poison oak climb into the canopy in many places. The complex vegetative structure permits a rich variety of birds to reside permanently or seasonally there. Come join John Trochet, leader of this survey for more than two decades now, as we follow the birdlife of the preserve’s plum parcel through the seasons and across the years. This is a real birding survey. Consumes River Preserve. Departs Sat. at 5:30am from the Farm Center gate at the corner of Bruceville Road and Desmond Road. Check website for all clothing requirements. More info…

Nature Explorers at Sacramento Zoo. Join the zoo and the Sacramento Library in an open play environment, the last Saturday of the month anytime between 10 am to 2 pm. They will be reading stories, playing, and exploring the wonders of the natural world with a new topic each month. This month is Fur, Feathers, and Scales. Storytimes are at 10:30am and 12:30pm. Free with park admission. Near the playground. More info…

SUNDAY, JULY 29TH

Cool off at a nearby lake and do some family-friendly floating, paddling, or kayaking. Jenkinson Lake, Rollins Lake, Lake Natoma are favorites. Happy Valley on the Consumnes River is always exciting for kids (near Placerville). A short half-mile hike in and you’re greeted with nice, shallow areas to splash around. Always bring life jackets for kids in open waters.

West Sacramento Urban Farm Bike Tour. Meet the farmers and visit the urban farm sites in West Sacramento by bike! This will be a fun, family friendly bike tour. At each stop you will get to meet the farmers and see their farms and learn more about their experience growing food, herbs and flowers that supply the SoLocal! Weekly Veggie Box, the Riverfront Farm Stand at the Barn and local restaurants. The last farm stop on the ride will feature a farm stand, refreshments and farm activities for the entire family. All the while, participate in a photo contest that will have a prize for best picture. Free, suggested donation $10. Sun. 9am – 12:30pm. Lake Washington Urban Farm. More info…

See the Biggest Pear Awards at the Courtland Pear Fair. The Pear Fair is a celebration of the annual Bartlett pear harvest in the picturesque, Sacramento River Delta region of California. Nestled along the Sacramento River, the town of Courtland is located 20 miles south of Sacramento on scenic Highway 160. Organized and run by a committee of local volunteers, it has become a long-standing summer tradition in the Delta that reflects the character and lifestyle of rural life, family fun, and is a wonderful day of entertainment, festivities, food and drink shared by all who attend each year. Free, parking $10. Town of Courtland. Sun. 9am – 6:15pm. See full schedule of events here…

Watch the Sacramento River Cats take on the Iowa Cubs at Raley Field. $10+. Sun. 1:05pm. More info…

Whoooo’s There: Owls. Meet an owl and take an eye-opening look at these amazing hunters at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center. Free, $5 parking. Sun. 1:30pm – 2:30pm.

EmBark 2018. Join 4 R Friends for an evening of food, libations, art, and puppies! Help 4 R Friends set forth on a great adventure to raise the funds to equip a new mobile surgery trailer. This event will feature an auction and raffle, the unveiling of the new mobile medical trailer, and live music. A vegetarian and vegan tasting menu will be provided by Grange and Cafeteria 15L, a photography exhibit by Ken Raif will be present, and mini pet portrait sessions will be available on-site with Tina Swain. Kids 0-12 Free, Adults $30. Registration required. Brickhouse Gallery. Sun. 6:30pm – 9:30pm. More info…

Colossal Summer Science: Wonderful Water. This summer at Powerhouse they are celebrating Colossal Summer Science. Each weekend will have a different theme and fun science activities! Join them for Wonderful Water to learn about the impressive power of water and how it moves objects, tap into your inner scientist with a pond water observation activity, and participate in exciting water challenges (be prepared to get wet). Free with museum admission. Sat. and Sun. 11am. Powerhouse Science Center. More info…

Transport to Austria with the Strauss Festival of Elk Grove. Enchanting, magical, and romantic are just a few adjectives commonly used to describe the evening performances, which each year feature a different choreographed storyline set to music by the family of Austrian composer Johann Strauss, played by a live orchestra. Strauss Festival dancers will visit the countries of France, Italy, Russia, England, USA, Germany and Austria in beautiful music, traditional dances and gorgeous costumes! Free, parking $10. Sat. and Sun. 8:15pm. Promenade of Dancers 7:30pm. Elk Grove Regional Park. More info…

The Fairytale Town Troupers Present Anansi. The Fairytale Town Troupers present a wonderful new play designed to celebrate a wonderful new playset set to open at the park in 2018. Anansi the spider is the hero of hundreds of folktales from Africa and the Caribbean. Visitors can watch as Anansi matches wits with Leopard, Python, and the Hornets in his quest to gather all the world’s stories and keep them safe. $1-2 in addition to park admission. Sun. 11am, 12pm, 1pm. (Shows on Sat. also). Fairytale Town. More info…

Check out some science exhibits and then take a spin on a few rides at the California State Fair. UB40 headlines the Golden1 Main Stage on the last and final day, Sun. 8pm – 10pm, if you want to stay up late and reggae dance with the kids.

See the night sky with special telescopes and expert guides to point out stars for you with cool red laser pointers at the Community Observatory in Placerville. Public viewing starts at 8:30pm. The informal talk usually begins around 9:00/9:30pm in the outdoor sky viewing bowl. Free. Weather-permitting. Cancellations are made up to 60mins before viewing. Check their calendar for updates before you go. (Also available on Sat.) More info…

[All listings are provided by our own independent review of activities. These are not ads.]

Happy Adventuring!

xo, sabrina : )

For more summer activity ideas, order our book, “1,001 Things to Do in Sacramento with Kids (& the Young at Heart)” >>

Sorry for the inconvenience, but there will be no top weekend picks this week. Please check back next week Wednesday for our next weekend picks! Thank you.