Summer’s nearly here and soon school will be out. While it’s always an exciting time for the young patients at our orthodontic practice, we know the boredom can kick in pretty quickly. After the popularity of our winter activities for kids in El Dorado Hills post, we’ve decided to keep it going with a warm weather version. Bonus: Everything on this list is affordable or free! So, parents, if you’re racking your brain for ways to keep the children, tweens and teens occupied for the next few months without breaking the bank, we’ve got you covered. Here’s the Jeffrey Kwong Orthodontics guide to what to do with kids in the El Dorado Hills area this summer:
1. Sprayground at Promontory Community Park
2700 Alexandra Way, El Dorado Hills ”“ This water spray park (open Memorial Day through Labor Day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.) is one of our favorite free activities for kids in El Dorado Hills. Kiddos can splash around, jump on the caterpillars and then head over to a shaded play structure to cool off if it gets too hot. Parents will be thrilled that there are restrooms at the park. You can make a day out of it and reserve a picnic area. Throw some burgers on one of the charcoal BBQs while having some quality family time.
2. Fireworks Galore
El Dorado Hills Town Center, 4364 Town Center Boulevard, El Dorado Hills and Cameron Park Lake, 2989 Cambridge Road, Cameron Park ”“ Ring in Independence Day with area fireworks displays. The Freedom Concert and 4th of July Fireworks at El Dorado Hills Town Center will be back and better than ever on Monday, July 3 from 6 to 11 p.m. Enjoy family-friendly entertainment and, of course, a dazzling display of fireworks. If you’re feeling really festive, add the Summer Spectacular at Cameron Lake Park to your calendar as well. The event will be held on Saturday, June 24 from 2 to 11 p.m. There will be a carnival for kids, swimming at the lagoon, vendors selling food and crafts, exhibitors, live music, and fireworks.
3. Folsom Aquatic Center
1200 Riley Street, Folsom ”“ The sprawling Folsom Aquatic Center is ideal for every member of the family. It has three pools including the activity pool geared towards kids with a beach entry, a huge water slide, a play structure, tumble buckets and pretty much everything a child dreams of, the instructional pool, which is three-and-a-half feet deep and has a water basket hoop making it great for families and the 50-meter Olympic pool with diving boards, lap swimming lanes, inner tubes and the outstanding inflatable obstacle courses. The summer season passes are extremely affordable at $149 for a family of four and give you access until September 4. Check out the swimming lessons too!
4. Cooking with Kids
CSD Gym Kitchen, 1021 Harvard Way, Building B, El Dorado Hills ”“ The El Dorado Hills Community Services District hosts a ton of affordable El Dorado Hills kids’ activities, camps, and classes. The Cooking with Kids program is a unique way for children and teens, ages four through 17, to learn about nutrition, kitchen safety, and the culinary world. Attendees will whip up dishes with fresh, organic ingredients and then eat or share their creations. Each series of four classes is led by an instructor from Little Chef’s World. Register for either Monday or Wednesday classes from 3:45 to 5 p.m. in June and July.
5. The Folsom Pro Rodeo
200 Wool Street, Folsom ”“ July 1 through July 3, the Folsom Pro Rodeo, one of the oldest rodeos in California, will celebrate its 56th year. In addition to the rodeo action, the event will feature family fun, food, and fireworks. If you’re looking for a bargain, Buckaroo Packs, available online only, include four general admission tickets, four hotdogs and four sodas for $65. Be sure to attend the Folsom Family Roundup event on June 30 to kick off the festivities. You and your kids will get to rub elbows with the rodeo stars, dance to live music and eat some grub. Children can play rodeo-themed games and win prizes.
6. Summer Concerts in the Park
El Dorado Hills Community Park, 1021 Harvard Way, El Dorado Hills ”“ Rock out in the park to live music on select Fridays this summer at 7 p.m. This free El Dorado Hills family activity is all thanks to El Dorado Hills Community Services District and a variety of local sponsors. In addition to musical performances, the events will boast food, bounce houses and children’s activities. The lineup includes Pop Fiction (June 9), Garratt Wilkin & the Parrotheads (June 23), Island of Black & White (July 14), Mike Furlong’s Tribute to Tom Petty (July 28) and Cover Me Badd (August 11). There will also be a special Saturday Night in the Park event on September 9 featuring The Wiz Kid playing top hits.
7. Historic Folsom Farmers Market
Historic Folsom Plaza, 915 Sutter Street, Folsom ”“ Every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., year-round, rain or shine, more than 70 vendors set up shop at the Folsom Farmers Market. Kids will enjoy people watching, listening to live music and checking out the rows of colorful, organic produce. Don’t miss the annual Peach Festival scheduled this year for Saturday, July 15 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The celebration of all things peaches will include free crafts, games and prizes for kids, raffles, a peach eating competition, a peach dessert contest and all sorts of peach foods and peach-inspired products.
8. Food Trucks in the Foothills Hump Days
El Dorado Hills Community Park, 1021 Harvard Way, El Dorado Hills ”“ Every second Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. May through August, Food Trucks in the Foothills brings Hump Days to the EDH Community Park. Take the night off from cooking, bring the family and try all sorts of delicious food served up by food trucks. Proceeds benefit the EDH Promise Foundation.
9. Kids Camp Party and Family Fun Center
5041 Robert J Mathews Parkway, #200, El Dorado Hills ”“Sometimes you have to take advantage of indoor El Dorado Hills activities for kids when it’s just too hot to play outside. Kids Camp Party and Family Fun Center has it all. Let your offspring burn off some energy in the bounce house and super slide auditorium, which rings in at $7 per person and free for tots aged two and under, or go wild in the arcade or laser tag arena ($18 per person for unlimited laser tag). Be sure to check out the summer camps and drop-in childcare programs too.
10. Storytime at Barnes & Noble
280 Palladio Parkway, Building 913, Folsom ”“ Barnes & Noble has a variety of activities for kids in Folsom including the popular Storytimes held on Saturdays at 11 a.m. Little ones will get to hear modern classics as well as new children’s stories before moving on to fun activities. The huge concept store is an experience in itself and on scorching or rainy days, the kids would probably even enjoy just exploring.
11. Teen Tuesday
El Dorado Hills Library, 7455 Silva Valley Parkway, El Dorado Hills ”“ We can’t forget about our El Dorado Hills teen activities! On most Tuesdays at 2 p.m., the library hosts free Teen Tuesday events where middle school and high school students can hang out, make crafts ranging from gemstone trees (June 13) to upcycled book art (June 27), learn about robotics (June 20) or do things like conduct science experiments with slime and putty (July 11). Oh, and there are free snacks! Check out the schedule to see what’s coming up next.
12. Summer Concert Series at the Palladio
Palladio at Broadstone, 410 Palladio Parkway, Folsom ”“ There are free family activities in Folsom too! The summer concert series at Palladio at Broadstone is always a great time. Take in some live entertainment every Wednesday in June, July and August from 7 to 9 p.m. The events will kick off on June 7th with Wonder Bread 5. Other bands making an appearance throughout the 13-week series are Swift Country, Hip Service, Pop Fiction, Cheeseballs and more.
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13. Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
7755 Folsom-Auburn Road, Folsom ”“ Spend the day exploring the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. Go for a hike and bring a picnic, ride bikes along the bicycle path (maybe only a few miles of it if your kiddos are really young) or head to Lake Natoma, which is downstream from Folsom Lake. At Lake Natoma, you might be lucky enough to catch some crew races. Or, try your hand at kayaking or canoeing. The Sacramento State Aquatic Center rents equipment by the hour to the general public, including kayaks, canoes, hydro bikes and beach cruiser bicycles for reasonable rates.
14. Science & Engineering Summer Programs
Various Locations, El Dorado Hills ”“ These are more awesome summer programs brought to you by the El Dorado Hills CSD. With different classes that cater to ages five through 14 running all summer long, there’s something for all budding engineers, computer programmers and scientists. Courses include BotVenture: Explore Award-Winning Electronics and Robotics Systems, ElectroBots: Electronics and Robotics for Younger Kids, Early Engineers, HoneyCode, EUREKA! The Inventors’ Camp, NASA: Journey Into Outer Space, Science Rockstars, Crazy Chemworks, Grossology, Flight Academy, Spy Academy, Radical Robotics and Advanced Robotics. This is the perfect way to keep your kids learning year-round while also having a blast.
15. Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary
403 Stafford Street, Folsom ”“ The non-profit zoo provides sanctuary to a variety of animals including birds, tigers, monkeys, bears, insects, dogs and wolves. Visit the zoo with the whole family or bring young children on the fourth Thursday of the month for storytime featuring puppets and zoo animals from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Admission is only $4 on weekdays and $5 on weekends for children and seniors and $5 on weekdays and $6 on weekends for guests ages 13 through 64.
