Homeschool & family fun around San Diego, CA

A family festival: kids pick a pumpkin, with music, games and arts and crafts.

Upcoming dates: Fri, Oct 23, 2026

• When: Fri Oct 23, 2026
• Time: 4–7 p.m.
• Price: Not listed on source
• Ages: Families
• Booking: Not listed on source

A family evening at the aquarium. A separate adults-only Halloween night is on Oct 22 (not listed here).

Upcoming dates: Fri, Oct 23, 2026; Sat, Oct 24, 2026

• When: Fri–Sat Oct 23–24, 2026
• Time: 6–8:30 p.m.
• Price: Not listed on source
• Ages: Families
• Booking: Not listed on source

Halloween-themed fun at the San Diego Zoo, included with daily admission. During October, children 11 and younger enter free with an adult who holds valid admission (up to six free children per ticketed adult).

• When: Through Sat Oct 31, 2026
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: Standard admission: $78 adults, $68 children 3–11; kids 11 and under free in October with a paying adult (up to six per adult)
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ The price comes from the zoo's ticket page as quoted in a search summary. Check the page before you buy.

The library's annual carnival with games and a haunted hallway. Costumes encouraged.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 24, 2026

• When: Sat Oct 24, 2026
• Time: 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
• Price: Not listed on source
• Ages: Children 10 and younger
• Booking: Not listed on source

Pumpkin carving, crafts, a bounce house, critter education and a 6 p.m. ranger-led night hike.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 24, 2026

• When: Sat Oct 24, 2026
• Time: 3:30–6 p.m.
• Price: Event listed free; parking $5
• Ages: Families
• Booking: Not listed on source

Family-friendly movies, popcorn and juice boxes all day.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 31, 2026

• When: Sat Oct 31, 2026
• Time: 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
• Price: Not listed on source
• Ages: Families
• Booking: Not listed on source

The last Hawktober bird presentation of the month, with pumpkin painting.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 31, 2026

• When: Sat Oct 31, 2026
• Time: 2–3 p.m.
• Price: Not listed on source
• Ages: Families
• Booking: Not listed on source

A weaving class at the library's Homeschool Resource Center for children and teens.

Upcoming dates: Tue, Nov 17, 2026

• When: Tue Nov 17, 2026
• Time: 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: Ages 8–17
• Booking: Registration required.

⚠️ Not fully confirmed: Details came from a search summary of the library page, which would not load for us. We read this from a search summary of the library page. Confirm the details before you go.

The Fleet is accepting 2026–27 field-trip requests. Homeschool groups can book through the education team, with discounted admission and optional workshops.

• When: School year 2026–27, by request
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: Discounted group rate (see page)
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Submit a field-trip request to the education team.

⚠️ We could not read the price on the page. Ask the Fleet for the group rate.

A dedicated space inside the Mission Valley Library with check-out educational kits, homeschooling books for parents and kids, laptops for in-library use, sample curriculum, a laminator and a binding machine with free supplies. Homeschoolers can reserve the room (up to 18 people) for co-op meetings, get-togethers and programs.

• When: Open whenever the library is open
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: Free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Room reservations: ask the branch.
• Proof of homeschool: Library card for some resources

Museums in Balboa Park offer free general admission on a rotating schedule to City and County of San Diego residents. Bring photo ID with your address. Nov 3 and Dec 1: Fleet Science Center and San Diego Natural History Museum (not valid for films). Nov 10 and Dec 8: Air & Space Museum and Veterans Museum. Nov 17 and Dec 15: San Diego Museum of Art and Mingei (Nov 17 also Japanese Friendship Garden). Nov 24: Automotive Museum and Museum of Us. Special exhibits cost extra and organized groups may be restricted.

Upcoming dates: Tue, Nov 3, 2026; Tue, Nov 10, 2026; Tue, Nov 17, 2026; Tue, Nov 24, 2026; Tue, Dec 1, 2026; Tue, Dec 8, 2026; Tue, Dec 15, 2026

• When: Tuesdays in Nov and Dec 2026 (see the page for each museum's day)
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: Free for San Diego City and County residents with photo ID
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Each museum has its own free day. Check the museum list on the Balboa Park page.

Holiday festivities and lights at the Safari Park, open until 8 p.m. on event days.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Nov 28, 2026; Sun, Nov 29, 2026; Fri, Dec 18, 2026; Sat, Dec 19, 2026; Sun, Dec 20, 2026; Mon, Dec 21, 2026; Tue, Dec 22, 2026; Wed, Dec 23, 2026; Sat, Dec 26, 2026; Sun, Dec 27, 2026; Mon, Dec 28, 2026; Tue, Dec 29, 2026; Wed, Dec 30, 2026; Thu, Dec 31, 2026; Fri, Jan 1, 2027; Sat, Jan 2, 2027; Sun, Jan 3, 2027

• When: Nov 28–29, Dec 18–23 and Dec 26, 2026–Jan 3, 2027
• Time: Until 8 p.m.
• Price: Not listed on source (included with park admission)
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

The City's largest free holiday festival, with lights, music, attractions and food. There is a sock drive for PATH San Diego.

Upcoming dates: Fri, Dec 4, 2026; Sat, Dec 5, 2026

• When: Fri–Sat Dec 4–5, 2026
• Time: Fri 4–10 p.m.; Sat noon–10 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

Holiday lights and festivities at the zoo, included with regular admission or a membership (no separate ticket). Evening events run to 8 p.m.; Dec 24 is excluded.

• When: Dec 18, 2026–Jan 3, 2027
• Time: Evenings until 8 p.m.
• Price: Standard admission $78 adults, $68 children 3–11 ($73/$63 value days)
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Prices are as quoted from the zoo's ticket page. Check the page before you buy.