7 Surprisingly Fun Things to Do in San Diego at Night with Kids

by Nikki WalshJune 25, 2023

Got little night owls at home? Consider taking them to these kid-friendly after-dark activities throughout San Diego

San Diego offers so much family fun during the day (not to mention free family fun!) that parents often sleep on nighttime activities, literally! Instead of sticking to your regularly scheduled bedtime routine, why not treat your little monkeys jumping on the bed to an after-dark adventure! We’ve rounded up a bunch of kid-friendly things to do in San Diego at night with family, from drive-in movies to roller rinks. And if neon lights aren’t enticing enough, many of the best San Diego night activities for kids are outdoors—and under the stars! Read on to plan an evening out on the town with your little night owls.

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1. Lace up and Hit the Roller Rink

Roll it out with the whole family in the evening at Skateworld, a family run business that prides itself on creating an enjoyable, safe space for skaters to move and groove, no matter what age—or what time! With skate sessions for all ages, skate school, and other roller sports, there is something for everyone! And you can’t beat the trip down memory lane: Parents, show your kids your favorite moves from when you were little. You’ll find disco lights, great music, and lots of laughs.

Insider Tip: Be sure not to show up for a late-night skate with the little ones on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays. From 8-11 p.m., those nights are adults only.

Skateworld
6907 Linda Vista Rd.
Online: skateworld.com

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2. Score a Strike at the Bowling Alley

Whether you hit the lanes and enjoy the neon lights or you try a roll at cosmic bowling, the bowling alley at nearby Bowlero in San Marcos is a family favorite for a little kid-friendly competition, all while grabbing a bite to eat. With 40 bowling lanes, you’ll always have a turn—and for kids less interested in knocking over pins, an action-packed arcade is on site.

Bowlero
945 San Marcos Blvd.
San Marcos, CA
Online: amf.com

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3. Go All Out at Belmont Park

All sorts of nighttime adventure awaits at this beachside carnival. Twirl around in the ice cream cone-themed pods on the Tilt a Whirl or defy gravity and take a dive on Zero Gravity, the popular space-themed ride.

Insider Tip: Tag, you’re it! Don’t sleep on laser tag at Belmont Park: Little game players love tagging each other in the foggy darkness lit up with laser lights, and parents can appreciate how the laser vest must fit comfortably to play.

Belmont Park
3146 Mission Blvd.
Online: belmontpark.com

4. Make S’mores on the Beach

No need to pack up the towels and sand toys just because the sun is setting. Instead, break out the marshmallows and skewers for s’mores beachside! Many beaches have fire pits available on a first come, first serve basis, including Coronado Beach and San Elijo State Beach in Cardiff. Fires have to be out by midnight, but the little ones will be fast asleep by then.

Coronado Beach
838 Ocean Blvd.
Coronado, CA
Online: sandiego.org

San Elijo State Beach
2050 S Coast Hwy 101
Cardiff, CA
Online: parks.ca.gov

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5. Buckle Up for a Drive-in Movie

Drive-in movies aren’t just a thing of the past! Places like the Santee Drive-In and South Bay Drive-In offer current releases—several are family-friendly!—from the comfort of your own car. Bring food with you or buy classic movie night snacks from the concession stand. Make sure everyone takes a nap because they often show double features! Prefer to keep it simple? San Diego has plenty of family-friendly movie theaters, car not required.

Santee Drive-In
10990 N. Woodside Ave.
Santee, CA
Online: santeedriveintheatre.com

South Bay Drive-In
2170 Coronado Ave.
Online: southbaydrivein.com

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6. Go Stargazing

What could be more magical than spending the evening gazing at stars with your little astronomers? There are plenty of opportunities for “star parties” with the San Diego Astronomy Association, which has an observation site in East County—although you’ll need your own equipment. Or, go out on your own! Check out these top sites in San Diego that are ideal for stargazing.

Tierra del Sol Observing Site
961 Tierra De Luna Rd.
Boulevard, CA
Online: sdaa.org

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7. Have a Sleepover at the Zoo

Camping next to a rhinoceros? Brushing your teeth with a giraffe? Well, not quite, but the San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park does offer overnight “Roar & Snore” excursions appropriate for all ages. Sleep in one of the park’s tents and enjoy after-hours tours of wildlife, camp activities, and guided walks, complete with dinner and breakfast the following morning. Who knows, you may even get to hear a lion roar, as the event title suggests!

San Diego Zoo Safari Park
15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd.
Escondido, CA
Online: sdzsafaripark.org

Additional reporting by Michelle Franklin & Beth Shea

Grab Your Wand, Hogwarts Is Now Enrolling

by Jennifer SwartvagherApril 2, 2021

Are you still waiting on your letter from Hogwarts? Luckily for all you Potterheads, you now have the chance to enroll without having to go to Platform 9 ¾.

Hogwarts Is Here is offering the opportunity to become a student in seven different online classes, including Potions and Herbology.

Featured photo: Vinícius Vieira Fotografia via Pexels

Unfortunately the sorting hat does not determine your house––you get to determine that for yourself. Head into the common room to meet your fellow Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs or Slytherins.

Purchase your textbooks from Flourish and Blotts and sign up for classes. You can take two approaches to your studies: either enroll in a full Year One course load or peruse the classes at your own pace. If you want to earn points to help your house win the coveted House Cup, then you’ll need to enroll in the courses and complete the assignments for grades.

photo: Renata Kelly via Pexels

You can choose to enroll in Potions, Charms, Transfiguration, Astronomy, History of Magic, Defense Against the Dark Arts and Herbology. Each course includes nine lessons which involves reading, writing essays and taking quizzes and exams. Every professor can nominate two students to take on the role of Head Boy and Head Girl after the course is completed.

Once you’ve completed the Year One courses, you can continue progressing through the rest of the seven years until you’re officially a graduate of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

If you are not interested in academics, you can still get the Hogwarts experience by focusing on the role playing portion of the site. Current role playing groups include games that take place in the Great Hall and on the Quidditch field.

Visit Hogwarts Is Here to learn more about how you can truly become a graduate of Hogwarts.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

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Here’s How to Get an eBook Bundle for $1

by Erica LoopMarch 19, 2021

Treat your little reader to a bundle of books for a good cause. Simon & Schuster’s Adams media is partnering with HumbleBumble to bring families a great deal on a collection of eBooks!

Starting Mar. 18, 2021, you can nab a bundle of up to 36 eBooks for as little as $1. That’s right—one dollar. All you need to do is name your bundle price.

photo: Alex Green via Pexels

For $1 you can choose up to eight eBooks that incclude titles such as 365 Ways to Live Green for Kids, Everything Kids’ Book of Outrageous Facts, Everything Kids’ Nature Book, How to Play Harmonica, Screen-Free Fun and more.

For $10 you can also unlock 11 additional reads, including 3D Origami Fun, Everything Kids’ Astronomy Book, and Project Garden. Increase the price you pay to $18 and unlock all 36 of the books. Along with the other top picks, you can also select from Advanced Roblox Coding Book; Dad’s Book of Awesome Science Experiments, Everything Kids’ Cookbook, Everything Kids’ Dinosaur Book and How to Play Ukulele.

Not only does your book bundle purchase give your child plenty to read, it also helps your fam do some good for others. All purchases raise money for the charity organization Worldreader, which supports underserved and vulnerable communities by providing digital reading solutions.

Visit HumbleBumble’s website here to order your bundle.

—Erica Loop

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Krispy Kreme Has a Limited Edition Mars Doughnut & It’s Out of This World

by Erica LoopFebruary 16, 2021

NASA’s Perseverance Rover is set to land on Mars this Thursday! In celebration of the out-of-this-world event, Krispy Kreme has created a limited edition doughnut that looks like the red planet.

On Feb. 18 Krispy Kreme will unveil its Mars Doughnut. The sweet treat is a chocolate Kreme-filled doughnut that’s dipped in caramel icing. As if that does’t sound delish enough, the creatives at Krispy Kreme are adding a red planet swirl and chocolate cookie crumbs to mimic Mars.

photo: Business Wire/Krispy Kreme

Krispy Kreme Chief Marketing Officer Dave Skena said, in a press release, “The landing of Perseverance on Mars will be an epic and important achievement.” Skena continued, “So, we’re celebrating the best way we know how: with an amazing new doughnut discovery right here on earth.”

Not only can everyone who’s into astronomy or donuts snag this Mars-inspired goody on Feb. 18, but the 11 million people who participated in NASA’s “Send Your Name to Mars” program can get a freebie—with their NASA-issued Mars 2020 Perseverance “boarding pass.”

Feb. 18 is the only day Perseverance will touch down on Mars. That means you only have one day to get your limited edition Krispy Kreme Mars Doughnut, too!

—Erica Loop

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The Year Our Christmas Presents Changed Forever

By Janet Coburn

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

October 14, 2020

Photo: Free-Photos/Pixabay

Our family Christmases were idyllic, if simple. Each year on Christmas Day, we would all open our presents. My sister and I would get doll clothes (this was when you got outfits, not multiple Barbies) and plush animals, Spirograph and paint-by-numbers, and such.

Then we’d get dressed, jump in the car, and drive to Granny’s house, where we’d open more gifts of clothes and stationery and Avon cologne. We’d wreak havoc on a turkey and trimmings, before the adults went off for naps, after dropping us kids off at the movies.

Then came the year when my sister and I had to grow up fast.

My parents had always tried to keep any bad news away from us and carry on as normal, but there was no hiding this bad news. After being accidentally hit by the garage door, my father’s injured neck turned out to be something much worse than a sprain, strain, or contusion. It wasn’t the garage door that caused it. of course, but that was when my father was diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

It’s a horrible form of cancer that attacks the bones all throughout the body and destroys them. I hope the treatments have gotten better in the decades since, but for my father cancer meant radiation, chemotherapy, and an operation to fuse the bones of his neck using bone from his hip. He lived many years longer than the doctors predicted, which I attribute to his stubbornness. He certainly wasn’t a health aficionado.

Naturally, all those cancer treatments and hospitalizations were expensive. My parents had good insurance, but even that was nowhere near covering the costs. And my father’s illness was not something my parents could keep secret from us kids, much as they would have liked to. It affected every part of our lives.

When Christmas came that year, I was 15 and my sister was 16. My mother explained that because of the family’s medical expenses, we wouldn’t be able to have Christmas as usual. No driving from Ohio to Kentucky to see our relatives. And no Christmas presents.

Except one.

My mother said that all we could afford was a magazine subscription for each of us. Our choice of titles. She hoped we weren’t disappointed.

I wasn’t. To me, a magazine subscription was special, something that grown-ups got, and something that kept giving all year long. I chose Analog, a science fiction magazine, and my sister chose Sixteen. It was exciting to watch the mail for each month’s issue. (As kids, we didn’t usually get much mail, except cards on our birthdays.)

For the Christmases after that, my mother would renew our subscriptions, or let us change to a different title. When I started studying astronomy in high school, I switched to Sky and Telescope. When she turned 17, my sister switched to Seventeen.

Now I subscribe to the electronic versions of three magazines –Smithsonian, National Geographic, and Discover. I still get a little thrill each month when the new cover icon appears on my e-reader screen. It reminds me of the first time I ever got an actual, grown-up present – when I started becoming an adult, whether I wanted to or not.

Janet Coburn

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Hi! I'm a freelance writer and editor who writes about education, books, cats and other pets, bipolar disorder, and anything else that interests me. I live in Ohio with my husband and a varying number of cats.

ALDI Is Selling Succulents in Astronomy-Themed Planters

by Jennifer SwartvagherSeptember 4, 2020

If you are looking for a new plant to fill your space, ALDI has you covered. The grocery chain has had our backs every time we need to fulfill a plant fix. This month, ALDI is offering 2-inch succulents in astronomy-themed planters.

There are a few varieties of succulents available, no two are exactly the same. Plus, each plant is dusted with a shimmering sparkle.

The planters come in an assortment of colors — purple, green, black and white.

Each planter features a different star-themed pattern.

Pick up a succulent (or two) this week at ALDI for $3.99. Grab them quick before they’re gone.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of ALDI

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New LEGO Harry Potter Wizarding World Sets Unveiled

by Jennifer SwartvagherApril 30, 2020

Many people have been spending their time at home delving into the world of Harry Potter, whether through the books, movies or playsets. LEGO just revealed that it is expanding its popular Harry Potter product line with six new Wizarding World playsets. The new sets feature Harry, Ron, Hermione as well as other well-known characters, in classic film moment adventures from 4 Privet Drive to even the enchanted nooks and crannies of The Burrow.

LEGO® Harry Potter™ Hogwarts™ Room of Requirement ($19.99) – 193 pieces including 3 minifigures: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Luna Lovegood.

LEGO® Harry Potter™ Hogwarts™ Astronomy Tower ($29.99) – 253 pieces including 3 minifigures: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Dolores Umbridge.

LEGO® Harry Potter™ Hedwig™ ($39.99) – 630 pieces, with a wingspan of over 13” and a beak-to-tail measurement of over 7”

LEGO® Harry Potter™ 4 Privet Drive ($69.99) – 797 pieces including 6 minifigures: Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Dudley Dursley, Vernon Dursley, Petunia Dursley and Dobby.

LEGO® Harry Potter™ Forbidden Forest ($99.99) – 971 pieces including 8 minifigures: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Horace Slughorn, Luna Lovegood, Neville Longbottom, Ron Weasley, Lavender Brown and Draco Malfoy.

LEGO® Harry Potter™ Attack on The Burrow ($99.99) – 1,047 pieces including 8 minifigures: Ron, Ginny, Arthur and Molly Weasley, Nymphadora Tonks, Bellatrix Lestrange, Fenrir Greyback and Harry Potter

Starting Apr. 30, the sets will be available to preorder online at LEGO.com, before launching in the US on Aug. 1.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of LEGO

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Get Ready for a Serious Sky Show as Jupiter Comes into View

by Erica LoopJune 7, 2019

Is your pint-sized astronomer obsessed with anything having to do with outer space? If so, or if you’re just want to take in a super-sized celestial show, look up! According to NASA, Jupiter is at its biggest and brightest this June.

The largest planet in the solar system will rise at dusk and stay visible all night long for most of the month. This means your fam has the perfect opportunity to view the gas giant—even if you don’t own a telescope.

What's Up for June? 🔭 Jupiter is up all night, while Mercury and Mars decide to get close, and the Moon reveals its tilted orbit. Downloadable video and transcript available at https://t.co/tPYUwcimlm pic.twitter.com/lPw2pIEyZ0

— Cassini (@CassiniSaturn) June 3, 2019

If you do happen to have a telescope (or even binoculars) on hand, go ahead and set it up. The magnified view will give you a look at Jupiter, its four largest moons and possibly even its big red spot.

Along with the awesome astronomy action going on with Jupiter this month, you can also catch a glimpse of Mars and Mercury. The two planets will come close together for a post-sunset sky show on Jun. 17 and 18.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: EvgeniT via Pixabay

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J.K. Rowling Just Announced New Harry Potter Books Just in Time for Summer Reading

by Erica LoopJune 5, 2019

Iconic “wizarding world” author J.K. Rowling is giving Harry Potter fans a summer-time gift! Pottermore recently announced the release of four all-new eBook shorts, based on the audiobook Harry Potter: A History of Magic.

The eBooks, which are themed by Hogwarts lessons, will bring the magical world to readers starting this June. Each mini-edition will explore the origins of magic and feature notes, manuscript pages and sketches.

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A post shared by Wizarding World (@wizardingworld)

Not only is the new series, titled Harry Potter: A Journey Through…, based on the now-beloved audiobook, but it’s also inspired by the Harry Potter: A History of Magic British Library exhibition.

The first two eBooks, Harry Potter: A Journey Through Charms and Defence Against the Dark Arts and Harry Potter: A Journey Through Potions and Herbology, will launch Jun. 27. The other two, Harry Potter: A Journey Through Divination and Astronomy and Harry Potter: A Journey Through Care of Magical Creatures, will follow on a yet-to-be-announced date.

Even though the eBooks don’t debut for almost a month, you can pre-order the books on Amazon right now!

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Harry Potter via YouTube

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The Last Supermoon of the Year Is Tonight & Here’s How to Watch It

by Shahrzad WarkentinMarch 20, 2019

If you missed last month’s supermoon, you still have one more chance to check one out for 2019. The last supermoon of the year will welcome spring tonight—but don’t miss it or you’ll have to wait a whole year for the next one!

Mar. 20 is a big day for Mother Nature. Not only does the Vernal Equinox mark the first day of spring, it’s also the last supermoon of 2019. The supermoon—which appears bigger and brighter than a normal moon—will be the first full moon of the spring season.

photo: Juhasz Imre via Pexels

“The equinox occurs when the Earth reaches a point in its orbit around the sun where the sun’s rays fall directly on the equator,” said AccuWeather Astronomy Blogger Dave Samuel. He added, “The equinox occurs when the Earth reaches a point in its orbit around the sun where the sun’s rays fall directly on the equator. Day and night will be roughly the exact same length across the entire globe.”

The supermoon will reach its peak at at 9:43 p.m. ET, just a a few short hours after the Vernal Equinox, which occurs at 5:58 p.m. ET. This is the closest the two events have come to each other since 2000.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

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ML Interest Tag: astronomy

7 Surprisingly Fun Things to Do in San Diego at Night with Kids

Got little night owls at home? Consider taking them to these kid-friendly after-dark activities throughout San Diego

1. Lace up and Hit the Roller Rink

2. Score a Strike at the Bowling Alley

3. Go All Out at Belmont Park

4. Make S’mores on the Beach

5. Buckle Up for a Drive-in Movie

6. Go Stargazing

7. Have a Sleepover at the Zoo

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