21 Things to Do with Kids This Summer in the Sacramento Area

We’re midway through summer, and chances are, the kids are already getting squirmy. With no routine and no schedule to keep them in check, it’s likely they’ve got some pent-up energy. Sure, the first few weeks of summer are great — no wake-up time, no homework, and for some kids, no bedtime. But the novelty soon wears off and many families are left wondering how to keep the kids occupied until school starts up again.

Luckily, you don’t have to plop the kids in front of a screen for the rest of summer. There are plenty of things to do in Sacramento, Davis, El Dorado Hills, Roseville, and beyond. Following are our 21 things to do with kids this summer in the greater Sacramento area. 

1. See a Republic FC Match. With the World Cup taking over headlines, it’s been the summer of soccer! If you haven’t seen Sacramento’s own team, the Republic FC, now’s the time to snag tickets and watch a live soccer match.

   
   

2. See an A’s Game. Sacramento also has its own MLB team — well, temporarily that is. The former Oakland A’s are playing at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento until moving to their permanent home in Las Vegas. 
3. Cool Off at a Waterpark. Nothing says summer like a waterslide, and kids of all ages will have a blast rushing down the slides at Golfland Sunsplash in Roseville. Adventurous kids can also head to Wake Island Waterpark in Pleasant Grove or Velocity Island Waterpark in Woodland for cable wakeboarding and epic obstacle courses.

   After the waterpark, swing by these open houses in the neighborhood! 

   

4. Catch a Movie. There’s nothing like cooling off in a dark movie theater when the temperatures soar over 100. This summer, you can catch blockbusters like Toy Story 5, Minions and Monsters, Moana, and Supergirl. For a unique experience, take the kids to the drive-ins or Studio Movie Grill in Rocklin.
5. Take a Hike. Every kid needs to touch grass at some point during summer. Take your kiddos on a mellow hike on one of the many trails in and around the greater Sacramento area. For an easy nature walk, head to Effie Yeaw Nature Center in Carmichael or head to the Auburn State Recreation Area for riverside trails at varying levels.
6. Visit a Museum. No matter what your kids are interested in, there’s a museum that suits their tastes. The Crocker Art Museum is ideal for art lovers. The California State Railroad Museum is for train buffs. The Aerospace Museum is for airplane fans. And the SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity is perfect for science and technology-loving kids.

   
   

7. Go Rafting. If your kids have an adventurous streak, spend a day with them floating down the American River. American River Raft Rentals in Rancho Cordova is the starting point for a mellow float down the water, with a shuttle bringing you back to the starting point. Or, for older kids, head to the Coloma/Lotus area for whitewater adventures. 
8. Take an Art Class. Nurture your kids’ artistic nature by enrolling them in an art class this summer. The Crocker Art Museum has classes for kids of all ages, as does the Verge Center for the Arts and the Davis Arts Center.
9. Go Mini Golfing. Miniature golfing is a fun pastime for kids and adults alike. There are a few spots worth checking out, including Scandia Family Fun Center, Golfland Sunsplash in Roseville, Underground Mini Golf in Old Sacramento, and Sactown Family Fun in Rancho Cordova, which has glow-in-the-dark indoor mini golf. For older kids, Top Golf in Roseville is always a blast.
10. Visit the Library. Libraries offer more than just books. Some locations also have programs for kids, including baby and toddler playgroups, storytime, arts and crafts sessions, and LEGO building events.

    Explore the homes currently available just minutes from the library and discover everything the area has to offer.

11. Enjoy Live Music. The greater Sacramento area loves its live music, and many of the outdoor concerts are family friendly. West Sacramento, Auburn, Folsom, Roseville, Davis, and Sacramento all host live music nights that are free to the public. 
12. Go Skydiving. Admittedly, skydiving sounds like a parent’s worst nightmare, not a pleasant summer activity. But at iFly Indoor Skydiving in Roseville, kids can experience the thrill of freefall without the actual freefall. Rather, kids are suited up, helmets and all, and rise up in a controlled wind tunnel chamber. 
13. Discover Gold. Gold Country is just minutes away from Sacramento, and it’s fun to step back in time to see what life was like during the Gold Rush. One place to do so is Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in Coloma, where you can explore the old buildings and even pan for gold. Other options worth exploring are Gold Bug Park in Placerville, Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park in Nevada City, and Empire Mine State Historic Park in Grass Valley.
14. Hit the Rails. With the Gold Rush came the railroads, and you can take excursion train rides via the River Fox Train in West Sacramento. They have special family fun days scheduled throughout the summer with stops at their riverside park, complete with games like cornhole and bocce ball. Or, you can take a ride on a pedal-powered rail bike through the Yolo countryside.
15. Burn Off Some Energy. If your kids have been cooped up all summer, chances are, they need to get the wiggles out. There are indoor bounce and trampoline spots throughout the greater Sacramento area, including Sky Zone Trampoline Park and Rebounderz.

    
    

16. Race Go Karts. For older kids, nothing is more exhilarating than racing a go kart! K-1 Speed near Rancho Cordova has indoor tracks, as does The Apex at Red Hawk Casino in Placerville. There’s also an outdoor track at Prairie City Kart Track that offers rentals and safety equipment.
17. Take a Bike Ride. The greater Sacramento area has no shortage of scenic bike routes to take advantage of this summer. Whether your kids are veteran riders or new learners, there are plenty of trails and paths to choose from. The American River Bike Trail is a good one to consider, as it stretches from Old Sacramento to Folsom with many access points along the way.

    
    

18. Go Rock Climbing. Whether you’re an experienced climber or just curious about the sport, there are several spots in the Sacramento region where you can take the kids rock climbing. As far as indoor climbing gyms, Pipeworks in Downtown Sacramento has classes for kids, or they can boulder sans harness. Other spots to consider include Rocknasium in Davis and The Boulder Field near Granite Regional Park in Sacramento. 
19. Visit with Animals. If you’ve got an animal lover in the family, you may want to consider an animal-centric activity. The Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary is home to rescued bears, big cats, and monkeys. At Impossible Acres in Davis, you can visit with the ponies, bunnies, goats, and sheep and even pick your own fruit. West Coast Falconry in Marysville offers falconry lessons to kids over 7 as well as a raptor meet & greet. And at Shadow Glen Riding Stables in Fair Oaks, you can take the kids on a trail ride — no experience needed.

    
    

20. Go Bowling. Spending the afternoon in an air conditioned bowling alley is another way to beat the heat this summer. Capitol Bowl in West Sacramento, Lucky Strike in Rocklin, and FLB Bowling are all great family-friendly choices. Many have arcades and snack bars too.
21. Cool Off at a Splash Pad. It’s no secret that the greater Sacramento region gets hot in summer. If you’ve got young children, one of the best ways to cool off is by visiting a park with a splash pad. These colorful “spraygrounds” are found at the following parks:

• Swanston Park, Sacramento
• North Natomas Regional Park, Sacramento
• Derr-Okamoto Community Park, Elk Grove
• Heron Landing Community Park, Rancho Cordova
• Crabb Park, Roseville
• Johnson-Springview Park, Rocklin
• Lion’s Children’s Park, Colfax
• Fosket Regional Park, Lincoln
• John Slaven Park, Woodland
• Bridgeway Lakes Park, West Sacramento
• Natalie’s Corner/Central Park, Davis
• Promontory Community Park, El Dorado Hills

Keep the Kids Busy this Summer in Sacramento

As many parents can attest, after the initial excitement of summer wears off, the boredom sets in. Luckily, there are plenty of things to do in Sacramento with kids. Whether your child is a sports fanatic, an adrenaline seeker, a budding artist, or an animal lover, there’s bound to be something in the Sacramento area to pique their interest. So, get out there and explore your community while spending some quality family time together.