Fun For Kids In Encinitas

Your kids will have tons of fun when you move into your new home in Encinitas! The city of Encinitas promises fun times through sports and recreation, school programs, kids' classes of all kinds, and good places to eat. You should never hear, “I'm bored!” again.

The city of Encinitas offers quality sports programs for kids, primarily through the Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA. Beginning in the toddler years, your children will have opportunities to learn and excel in sports and the arts. For toddlers, there are Mom And Me, Creative, and Pre-Primary Ballet and Tap Dance classes, as well as Creative Kids, a dance, music, art, and literature program for children ages 18 months to 5 years old. Pee Wee sports are available for children ages 3-5, where boys and girls have fun and learn teamwork as they play, and everyone receives a t-shirt and trophy! Toddler classes are also offered in Karate and Tae Kwon Do, gymnastics, skating, and swimming. 

For your elementary-aged boy or girl, the Ecke YMCA has classes and activities in a wide range of areas to cater to their interests and abilities. Through the Academy of Performing Arts, your child can participate in jazz, ballet, and hip-hop dance, as well as lessons for a variety of instruments, such as the guitar, piano, flute, clarinet, and trumpet. Fitness and martial arts classes are available, as are skating and swimming classes. Also available are basketball, flag football, and soccer leagues. Day Camps during the school year provide fun and learning for children, consisting of field trips and planned activities at the YMCA on days that the kids are out of school and need something fun and constructive to do.

Another place for active learning and fun is the My Gym Children's Fitness Center. Here, children from three months to nine years of age have fun as they gain strength, balance and skill through music, dancing, relays, gymnastics, and sports. My Gym offers classes that include Mom or Dad, in addition to independent classes.

At Adventure Ski and Snowboard School, kids have fun while learning to ski and snowboard through private instruction in a dry, warm, controlled atmosphere. Kids learn to ski on a revolving, remote-controlled carpet with a personal instructor to help them become accustomed to their boots and equipment in a non-stressful atmosphere. When it's time to hit the slopes, your child already has the basic skills he or she needs to begin skiing right away – no cold noses and backsides as they learn to ski in the cold, wet, snow!

Quail Botanical Gardens is one of the premier destinations for kids' fun within the city of Encinitas. The main attraction for kids at the Gardens is Seeds of Wonder, the West Coast's first interactive children's garden. Kids can have fun rolling down a grassy hill, exploring a baby dinosaur forest, farmyard, or secret garden, as well as try their hand at sculpting or interactive nature-play. Several ongoing programs are offered throughout the year. Every Tuesday, children and their caregivers can participate in stories, songs, and hands-on crafts at Tales and Tunes. On Wednesdays, Garden Arts and Crafts allows children to pot their own plants and participate in arts and crafts activities. Every Thursday is Discovery Day, allowing kids and caregivers to explore the Seeds of Wonder to find the many hidden secrets of nature hidden there. On select Fridays and Saturdays, Seeds of Wonder offers garden-oriented activities, as well as more opportunities to pot plants and experience arts and crafts. Seeds of Wonder also presents several special events throughout the year.

Of course, no list of fun places for kids in San Diego County would be complete without mentioning Legoland and the San Diego Zoo. Located in nearby Carlsbad, Legoland is a whimsical, colorful theme park complete with Lego brick models and more than 50 rides, shows, and attractions. There are rides and activities for all ages, from infants on up. Toddlers will enjoy such actitivities as Dig Those Dinos, 30 cubic yards of sand with “skeletal remains” waiting to be discovered; or Playtown, an interactive playground with farm, hospital, slides, and of course, Legos! One of the newest attractions is Knights' Tournament, a robotic ride featuring twists and turns and fun for everyone. 

The San Diego Zoo, just north of San Diego in Balboa Park, is known worldwide as a leader in conservation and education. The 100-acre zoo is home to 4,000 rare and endangered animals and more than 700,000 exotic plants. The Zoo offers many interesting and fun programs for children. One fun adventure is Kindernights, when kids ages 3-6 can wear their pajamas to the zoo one night a month and go on an animal adventure to learn more about the creatures who share our planet. For preschoolers and kids of all ages, award-winning artist and art teacher Joe Nyiri teaches art classes to teach anyone to draw and paint successfully. Spring Camp is offered to kids in grades K-5 to learn about animals through crafts, drawing, cooking, music, and animal encounters. There are also Kindersafari, Safari Cadets, and Kindersafari, to name a few more programs, and of course, there's the actual Zoo to explore!

Don't forget birthday parties when you're looking for fun! Several of the businesses mentioned above offer birthday party packages with themes suited to each interest. Some feature specific activities such as skating at the YMCA or skiing at Adventure Ski and Snowboard School. My Gym offers two hours packed with songs, games, and gymnastics in addition to refreshments and decorations. Legoland offers The Ultimate Birthday Party, with an all-day adventure including rides, food, birthday cake, and a gift surprise for each child. 

No matter where your child's interests lie, you're sure to find plenty to keep him or her busy as you make your home in Encinitas!