The lazy days of summer may be over, but fall is when there's FREE stuff for kids to do in San Diego. So, pack up and head to SoCal's favorite tourist destination to take advantage of San Diego Tourism Authority's annual Kids Free promotion.

This citywide campaign kicks off October 1, enticing families to visit San Diego's big-ticket attractions like Legoland, San Diego Zoo, San Diego Wildlife Park, and Seaworld. Kids can eat, stay, and play for free at more than 100 participating hotels, restaurants, museums, and parks until October 31.

We've selected a dozen offers that we think are particularly good deals—put two or three together, and you've definitely got savings worth traveling for. Scroll down for a link to all 100+ free opportunities for kids in October.

Summer Shakespeare is the norm and as summer passes into fall, much of our outdoor theater also fades away. However, that's not the case at Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum in the Forest of Topanga (I know it’s a canyon, but it reminds me of the Forest of Arden!). Here Shakespearean actors tread the boards (and Shakespeare's fairies flit through the trees) into November. The annual production of A Midsummer Night's Dream is perfect for even young kids—there were kids as young as two in the audience when we saw it—running a tight 80 minutes, with plenty of singing, slapstick, and even animals. Read on to discover why everyone from tots to teens delights in this production filled with mistaken identities, naughty fairies, unrequited love, and an Amazon queen.

Located in the expansive Exposition Park just south of DTLA (right between the beloved California Science Center and the soon-to-open Lucas Museum—or the Star Wars Museum, as we call it at my house!), the Los Angeles County's Natural History Museum is one of the best museums in the city, especially for kiddos. From the soaring dinosaur fossil exhibits at the Dino Hall to hands-on activities in the Nature Lab, this museum has plenty to see and explore but is also manageable—families can definitely see the highlights in one day. Here's an exhibit-by-exhibit guide to hitting all the kid-friendly faves, plus the secrets of where to eat, park, and play.

Before the pandemic, homeschooling was already gaining popularity, especially in cities like Los Angeles, which has deeply rooted homeschool communities, organizations, and an almost overwhelming amount of learning opportunities for homeschoolers. Now there is even more demand for homeschooling support, as many districts have limited their online options this fall (and those few programs are very overwhelmed). Parents are looking for options—options for supporting their child's learning and options for getting a little break from their at-home learners! Enter the homeschool learning center. But where do you start? What's right for your kids? And what is a learning center, anyway? We've got those answers, and more.

For more expert tips about Homeschooling, check out our Homeschool & Learning Resources Guide for Families. And if you're looking for virtual classes to supplement your schooling, you can book classes and more activities directly from the Mommy Poppins calendar. Find events with the "book it" button or filter for classes for simple registration in just a few clicks. Here are some of our picks for great virtual classes available now.

A brand new spot for glamping near Los Angeles has just opened, and it's a piece of heaven right here in the SoCal mountains: it provides a haven for both hardcore camping enthusiasts as well as camping-hesitant newbies. Embrace the peace of camping in the outdoors at Huttopia Paradise Springs with giant pines, a babbling fresh spring running through the grounds, exquisite tents with all the amenities, and a grand pool in the middle of it all. Sleep in fresh mountain air without having to tote all the gear, pitch a tent, and then spend days unpacking and cleaning when you get home. Huttopia Paradise Springs has so much to offer to every kind of camper—and it's just waiting for your family to discover it!

Looking for more ideas for local camping and glamping? Check our Hiking and Camping Guide for Los Angeles Families. We've got loads of suggestions for family camping trips and other Weekend Getaways and Day Trips from Los Angeles.

If your little one adores technology, peel them away from their Playstation and get them into a coding class! Coding is the wave of the future, and that beloved screen time can lead to a career when kids learn valuable coding skills at a young age. These coding classes for kids near Los Angeles allow beginner through advanced coders to use their creativity and problem-solving skills to build apps, video games, and more. Popular games like Minecraft and Roblox are often integrated into these coding classes.

While we've found a handful of in-person coding classes in Los Angeles, many great online coding classes for kids are available for kids to take at home. You can also check out these free coding programs for kids. And for kids who want to get physical with sports classes or dance classes, check out our guide to all the Best Kids' Classes and Activities in Los Angeles.

It’s time to brush up your Shakespeare! Shakespeare is set free in Griffith Park this summer once again, as the Independent Shakespeare Company’s production of The Tempest is now playing. Think Shakespeare is too high falutin for your wee one? Fear not! ISCLA goes back to Shakespeare’s roots as entertainment for the common folk, which translates to lots of slapstick humor and music. While the show is still fabulous and free, many things have changed for this summer’s production. Read on for a quick overview of the show and what’s new (for brevity is the soul of wit).

Visiting Joshua Tree National Park is an otherworldly experience: groves of twisted trees and giant boulders create enchanting settings so unique, you might think you have stepped into a fairy tale—or landed on an alien planet. Approximately a two-hour drive from Los Angeles and a stone's throw from Palm Springs, this park is great for a family camping adventure or just a day hike because it captures everyone’s imagination. Stroller-friendly trails make it a great option for little trekkers, as do several walks easy enough for young kids (or tired grown-ups) to maneuver. But teens and tweens who never tire won't run out of rocks and boulders to climb over.

Read on to get the latest information on what's open, what to see, and how to explore this spectacular local national park. Spending the night? Check out our 10 Favorite Joshua Tree Airbnbs, Hotels, and Campgrounds for Families.