Summer means ice cream, splashing in the pool, experiencing new outdoor adventures, and doing all the carefree things we don’t have time (or the weather for) the rest of the year.
I have a feeling that you all are as excited as my family is to start making some awesome new summer memories!
This guide is one enormous roundup of places to play in the water, fairs and festivals, movies in the park, where to get creative, free things to do, and so much more! I hope it comes in handy as you’re trying to keep the kids busy, getting together with friends, and planning quality family time.
Summer Fun Guide 2016 includes:
Cool Off, Be Entertained, Go to a Festival or Fair
Play Indoors, Be Creative, Explore Nature
Visit a Museum, Meet Animals, Enjoy Storytime
Get a Cold Treat, Go to an Amusement Park, Special Events
BIG THANKS to our fabulous Gold Sponsors:
When the kids want to play outside but the temperature is high, here are the best places to cool off in the water!
Free & Cheap Water Play
Big Water Parks
Water Rides, Splash Pads, and Dolphin Shows
Indoor Surfing
Water Sports
Time to relax and be entertained? Dollar Movies, Concerts in the Park, Movies in the Park, and Theatre are available all summer long!
Dollar Movies
FREE Concerts in the Park
- Friday Night Concerts in the Park – Downtown
- Pops in the Park – East Sacramento
- Summer Concerts in the Park – El Dorado Hills
- Concerts in the Park – Fair Oaks
- Palladio Summer Concert Series – Folsom
- Hot Summer Nights Concert Series – Elk Grove
- Friday Night Concerts – Rancho Cordova
FREE Movies in the Park
- Movies in the Park – Fair Oaks
- Screen on the Green – Sacramento
- Moonlight Movies – Rancho Cordova
- Movies in the Park – Roseville
- Friday Evenings in the Park – Rocklin
- Natomas at Nite – Natomas
Theatre
- A Wrinkle in Time June 25 – July 17
- Disney’s The Little Mermaid July 16 – July 24
- Seussical the Musical July 12 – 17
- Shrek The Musical August 26 – September 18
These are the don’t-miss festivals and fairs going on around town this summer.
- Safetyville’s Family Health & Safety Expo June 11th
- El Dorado County Fair June 16th – 19th
- Placer County Fair June 23rd – 26th
- Folsom Pro Rodeo July 2nd – 4th
- California State Fair July 8th – 24th
- Multicultural Festival August 27th
- Gold Rush Days Festival September 2nd – 5th
- Chalk It Up! Festival September 3rd – 5th
When the kids need exercise but it’s much too hot to play outside, indoor play areas are your best bet!
TRAMPOLINES
- Sky High Sports – Rancho Cordova
- Sky Zone – Rocklin
- Rockin’ Jump – Elk Grove
- Surf Xtreme Trampolines – Elk Grove
BOUNCE HOUSES
- BounceU – Rancho Cordova
- BounceU – Roseville
- The Bounce Spot – West Sacramento
- Laguna’s Awesome Party Palace – Elk Grove
- Party Place – Roseville
INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS
- Wacky Tacky – Roseville
- Climbaroo – Natomas
IMAGINATION
- Busy Kidz – Folsom
MALL TOT PLAYGROUNDS
ROLLER SKATING
- Roller King – Roseville
- King’s Skate Country – Elk Grove
- Foothill Skate Inn – Sacramento
- Sunrise Rollerland – Citrus Heights
- The Rink – Sacramento
ICE SKATING
- Skatetown – Roseville
LAZER TAG
- Laser Tag of Carmichael
- Laser X at Country Club Lanes
- Laser Tag of Golfland Sunsplash
- Xtreme Craze in Rocklin
ROCK CLIMBING
- Rocknasium – Davis
- Pipeworks – Sacramento
- Granite Arch Climbing Center – Rancho Cordova
Arts & crafts are such a wonderful way to keep busy during the summer!
- Alpha Fired Arts – Sacramento
- ArtBeast – Midtown
- Blue Line Arts – Roseville
- Color Me Mine – Elk Grove, Folsom & Roseville
- Firefly Art – Natomas
- Home Depot Kids Workshops – all locations
- Kids Studio of Fine Arts – Roseville
- Lakeshore Learning – Roseville
- Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinics – all locations
- Michaels Arts & Crafts Kids Club – all locations
Many of the best adventures are the ones that happen when exploring nature together!
- Black Chasm Cavern & Indian Grinding Rock Park
- Cosumnes River Preserve
- UC Davis Arboretum
- Effie Yeaw Nature Center
- Hidden Falls Regional Park Hike
- Placer Nature Center
- Soil Born Farms
- Stone Lakes Refuge
- WPA Rock Garden
We have SO many fabulous museums in the greater Sacramento area with educational and fun activities for kids!
- Aerospace Museum of California
- Bohart Museum of Entomology
- California Agriculture Museum
- California Automobile Museum
- California State Railroad Museum
- California Raptor Center
- Capitol Museum
- Children’s Museum of Stockton
- Crocker Art Museum
- Discovery Science and Space Museum
- Explorit Science Center
- Folsom History Museum
- Leland Stanford Mansion
- Maidu Indian Museum
- Sacramento Children’s Museum
- State Indian Museum
- Sutter’s Fort
- The California Museum
- WOW Science Museum
I have a feeling we all would agree that visiting animals is entertaining and heartwarming!
- Sacramento Zoo
- Folsom Zoo
- Serpentarium
- Powerhouse Science Center’s Nature Discovery Room
Storytime is always relaxing and also a great way to stay in out of the heat!
- Sacramento Public Library
- Folsom Public Library
- Roseville Public Library
- Aerospace Museum of California
- Barnes & Noble
- California State Railroad Museum
- Sacramento Children’s Museum
- Storytime at the Barn
So grateful for free library events!
- Sacramento Public Library Events Calendar
- Folsom Library Events Calendar
- Roseville Library Events Calendar
Reward yourselves on a hot summer day with a fun treat!
- Baskin Robbins
- Big Spoon Yogurt
- Cafe Roma
- Coldstone Creamery
- Dairy Queen
- Fosters Freeze
- Farrell’s
- Gunther’s Ice Cream Shop
- Leatherby’s
- Vampire Penguin
- Vic’s Ice cream
Big thrills happen at these three places!
BIG THANKS to another fabulous sponsor:
When: Every Friday
What: In celebration of the Museum’s 5th birthday this year, every Friday in 2016 we are offering $5 admission AND are staying open late until 8 p.m.
Where: Sacramento Children’s Museum
Cost: $5.00 per person
When: Every Thursday & Friday Night, June 16-August 26; 5:30 – 8pm
What: Ride and play throughout the miniature town. Safety Clinic, bike vendors for Q&A, and food court.
Where: Safetyville USA, 3909 Bradshaw Road, Sacramento
Cost: FREE
When: Saturdays, 2-4pm through October 22
What: Meet firefighters, tour the fire station, check out fire trucks up close, and more.
Where: Fire Stations throughout Sacramento – see schedule
Cost: FREE
When: Saturday, June 4; 8:30am
What: The Wag n Walk is a dog walk created for man’s best friend! Walkers and their 4-legged buddies will take the 1.4 mile stroll around Elk Grove Regional Park where they will encounter pawstops along the way like the VCA hydration station, Pet Club bone bar and other dog-related booths. The walk will culminate at the Dog Days of Summer festival hosted by Elk Grove Animal Control that includes booths, demonstrations, food and more.
Where: Elk Grove Regional Park, 9950 Elk Grove-Florin Road, Elk Grove
Cost: Registration $15 and includes t-shirt for you and special gift for Fido
When: Saturday, June 4 – Sunday, June 5; 11am – 3pm
What: Ride a miniature steam train through the trees of Hagan Community Park.
Where: Hagan Community Park behind the Petting Barn.
Cost: FREE; donations appreciated
When: Saturday, June 4th & 11th; 4-8pm
What: Come laugh, splash, and play with your family. The Aqua Café will be open serving up refreshments, snacks, hot food, and more as you enjoy riding Typhoon Tower, a 160-foot long waterslide and playing in Adventure Bay filled with interactive water attractions. For the little ones, enjoy Splash Island, a 1½ foot swimming pool with an
in-water playground.
Where: Wackford Aquatic Complex, Elk Grove
Cost: $6.00 ages 5 and up, $3 ages 2-4
When: Saturday, June 11; 10am – 3pm
What: Over 80 booths with Health, Safety & Recreational Resources for families, live entertainment, safety demonstrations, raffles, free giveaways, and more.
Where: Safetyville USA, 3909 Bradshaw Road, Sacramento
Cost: FREE
When: June 11th, 17th, 25th
What: Camp-out with your family (2 or more people) under the stars just yards away from slumbering lions , and wake to the call of flamingos – and of course a tasty breakfast.
Where: Sacramento Zoo
Cost: $55 per person for members, $65 per person for non-members
When: Friday, June 17 – Saturday, June 18
What: Families set up camp all over Fairytale Town’s 2.5 acres. Tents, sleeping bags, blankets, chairs and picnic dinners. Scavenger hunts, a theater performance, sing-alongs, arts and crafts, bedtime stories and more.
Where: Fairytale Town
Cost: $25 – 30 per person includes all activities and overnight admission
When: Friday, June 17; 7:30-8:30pm
What: Storytelling has been an important part of Native American culture for thousands of years. Sit under the stars at our outdoor amphitheater to enjoy native stories around the campfire. We’ll provide roasting sticks and marshmallows for a sweet program’s end to this fun family event.
Where: Maidu Museum, 1970 Johnson Ranch Drive, Roseville
Cost: $5/person, $16/family of four. Under 2 are free.
When: Friday, June 17
What: Live bands, kid zone, crafts, food court.
Where: Auburn Regional Park
Cost: FREE
A Midsummer Night’s Dream & Crystal Ice Cream Fantasy
When: Saturday, June 25; 5-9pm
What: A magical midsummer’s eve featuring multiple ice cream tasting stations, live entertainment, hands-on activities, an enchanted marketplace and more!
Where: Fairytale Town
Cost: Advance tickets $15.00 Adults and $7.00 Kids
When: Saturday, June 25; 11am-4pm
What: 3rd annual largest family event of the year! There will be many of the most respected local, regional and national companies that provide products and services designed to enrich the lives of our families. Come plan for a day of family fun, shopping, family resource, food and great entertainment
Where: Sacramento Scottish Rite, 6151 H Street, Sacramento
Cost: FREE tickets online, $5.00 at door
Mister Cooper at Music in the Park
When: Sunday, June 26; 6-8pm
What: Our favorite local musician and music educator, Mister Cooper, will be kicking off the 2016 Music in the Park concert series again this year at the beautiful Curtis Park. His sets start at 6pm and 7pm. Held the last Sunday of June, July and August, Music in the Park is a free summer concert series at the north end of Curtis Park. This annual event is the perfect time to relax with your family, friends and neighbors. Bring a blanket and picnic basket and enjoy the music.
Where: Curtis Park
Cost: FREE
When: July 1; Public swim from 7-8:30, Movie at 9:00.
What: Come for an evening dip in the pool, then picnic with your family while watching a fun Summer flick!
Where: Cottage Pool, 3097 Cottage Way
Cost: $2.50 per person for swim, movie FREE
When: Every Friday
What: In celebration of the Museum’s 5th birthday this year, every Friday in 2016 we are offering $5 admission AND are staying open late until 8 p.m.
Where: Sacramento Children’s Museum
Cost: $5.00 per person
When: Every Thursday & Friday Night; 5:30 – 8pm
What: Ride and play throughout the miniature town. Safety Clinic, bike vendors for Q&A, and food court.
Where: Safetyville USA, 3909 Bradshaw Road, Sacramento
Cost: FREE
When: Saturdays, 2-4pm through October 22
What: Meet firefighters, tour the fire station, check out fire trucks up close, and more.
Where: Fire Stations throughout Sacramento – see schedule
Cost: FREE
Family Swim Night
When: Saturday, July 9; 4-8pm
What: Come laugh, splash, and play with your family. The Aqua Café will be open serving up refreshments, snacks, hot food, and more as you enjoy riding Typhoon Tower, a 160-foot long waterslide and playing in Adventure Bay filled with interactive water attractions. For the little ones, enjoy Splash Island, a 1½ foot swimming pool with an
in-water playground.
Where: Wackford Aquatic Complex, Elk Grove
Cost: $6.00 ages 5 and up, $3 ages 2-4
When: Friday, July 15; 7:30-8:30pm
What: Storytelling has been an important part of Native American culture for thousands of years. Sit under the stars at our outdoor amphitheater to enjoy native stories around the campfire. We’ll provide roasting sticks and marshmallows for a sweet program’s end to this fun family event.
Where: Maidu Museum, 1970 Johnson Ranch Drive, Roseville
Cost: $5/person, $16/family of four. Under 2 are free.
Free Fishing & Instructional Clinic
When: Saturday, July 2; 8:30am-12pm
What: FEC and Fishing in the City are excited
about Catfish Season! Offered at the
Howe Park Pond, Fishing in the City is providing FREE loan of
rods, bait, and tackle for up to 50 people and FREE
instructional clinics.
Where: Howe Park, 2201 Cottage Way, Sacramento
Cost: FREE
When: Saturday, July 23 – Sunday, July 24
What: Families set up camp all over Fairytale Town’s 2.5 acres. Tents, sleeping bags, blankets, chairs and picnic dinners. Scavenger hunts, a theater performance, sing-alongs, arts and crafts, bedtime stories and more.
Where: Fairytale Town
Cost: $25 – 30 per person includes all activities and overnight admission
When: July 9th, 15th, 23rd, 30th
What: Camp-out with your family (2 or more people) under the stars just yards away from slumbering lions , and wake to the call of flamingos – and of course a tasty breakfast.
Where: Sacramento Zoo
Cost: $55 per person for members, $65 per person for non-members
Mister Cooper at Music in the Park
When: Sunday, July 31; 6-8pm
What: Our favorite local musician and music educator, Mister Cooper, will be kicking off the 2016 Music in the Park concert series again this year at the beautiful Curtis Park. His sets start at 6pm and 7pm. Held the last Sunday of June, July and August, Music in the Park is a free summer concert series at the north end of Curtis Park. This annual event is the perfect time to relax with your family, friends and neighbors. Bring a blanket and picnic basket and enjoy the music.
Where: Curtis Park
Cost: FREE
When: Saturday, July 30 – Sunday, July 31; 11am – 2:15pm
What: Hey diddle, diddle, the cat and the fiddle are at Fairytale Town this summer! Families will be over the moon listening to rockin’ daytime concerts on the Mother Goose stage. Concerts are free with paid park admission.
Where: Fairytale Town
Cost: $5.75 per person, age 1 and under free
When: Every Friday
What: In celebration of the Museum’s 5th birthday this year, every Friday in 2016 we are offering $5 admission AND are staying open late until 8 p.m.
Where: Sacramento Children’s Museum
Cost: $5.00 per person
When: Every Thursday & Friday Night; 5:30 – 8pm
What: Ride and play throughout the miniature town. Safety Clinic, bike vendors for Q&A, and food court.
Where: Safetyville USA, 3909 Bradshaw Road, Sacramento
Cost: FREE
When: Saturdays, 2-4pm through October 22
What: Meet firefighters, tour the fire station, check out fire trucks up close, and more.
Where: Fire Stations throughout Sacramento – see schedule
Cost: FREE
When: Friday, August 5th
What: Camp-out with your family (2 or more people) under the stars just yards away from slumbering lions , and wake to the call of flamingos – and of course a tasty breakfast.
Where: Sacramento Zoo
Cost: $55 per person for members, $65 per person for non-members
When: Friday, August 12 – Saturday, August 13
What: Families set up camp all over Fairytale Town’s 2.5 acres. Tents, sleeping bags, blankets, chairs and picnic dinners. Scavenger hunts, a theater performance, sing-alongs, arts and crafts, bedtime stories and more.
Where: Fairytale Town
Cost: $25 – 30 per person includes all activities and overnight admission
When: Friday, August 12; Public swim from 7-8:30, Movie at 9:00.
What: Come for an evening dip in the pool, then picnic with your family while watching a fun Summer flick!
Where: Cottage Pool, 3097 Cottage Way
Cost: $2.50 per person for swim, movie FREE
When: Friday, August 19; 7:30-8:30pm
What: Storytelling has been an important part of Native American culture for thousands of years. Sit under the stars at our outdoor amphitheater to enjoy native stories around the campfire. We’ll provide roasting sticks and marshmallows for a sweet program’s end to this fun family event.
Where: Maidu Museum, 1970 Johnson Ranch Drive, Roseville
Cost: $5/person, $16/family of four. Under 2 are free.
When: Saturday, August 27; 10am-5pm
What: Join the City of Elk Grove and the Multicultural Committee as you learn about other cultures through music, art, food, entertainment and much more. FREE admission and parking. Celebrate our diversity and travel the world without leaving Elk Grove!
Where: Elk Grove Regional Park, 9950 Elk Grove-Florin Road, Elk Grove
Cost: FREE
Mister Cooper at Music in the Park
When: Sunday, August 28; 6-8pm
What: Our favorite local musician and music educator, Mister Cooper, will be kicking off the 2016 Music in the Park concert series again this year at the beautiful Curtis Park. His sets start at 6pm and 7pm. Held the last Sunday of June, July and August, Music in the Park is a free summer concert series at the north end of Curtis Park. This annual event is the perfect time to relax with your family, friends and neighbors. Bring a blanket and picnic basket and enjoy the music.
Where: Curtis Park
Cost: FREE
BIG THANKS to our Platinum Sponsor – Dream Enrichment Classes & Camps!
Be sure to check out the three amazing summer camps they are offering throughout Sacramento:
Written by Keilah Woodard
My love for exploring and creating experiences with my three kids led to the founding of SacramentoSidetracks.com in 2009. I realized that Sacramento has so much to offer and I was excited to share my findings with other parents. Besides simply having fun, these are the other positive side effects of taking my kids on outings that I’ve discovered: we have quality time together away from the distractions at home, we cultivate our curiosity, learn new things, conversations are triggered by what we see and do, we connect and bond as a family, and we create new memories. Ready to get sidetracked, too? Let me be your guide!
