The Kids Are Free (In October)!

This October, the kids are free and there’s a party to celebrate it!

The San Diego Museum Council (SDMC) and ScholarShare present Kids Free in October, which provides free admission for kids age 12 and under at over 40 art, cultural, and science museums in San Diego County.

From learning about dinosaurs and military heroes to astronauts and artists, kids get to explore cultural destinations and attractions across the county.

You’d be surprised to learn how many museums are located across the San Diego region—from the California Surf Museum in Oceanside down to the Living Coast Discovery Center in Chula Vista.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYQC0ixFtwz/?taken-by=gomuseums

How It Works

To participate, simply download the Kids Free in October coupon and present it at the participating museum’s admissions desk.

Free admission is available for up to two kids for every adult ticket purchase.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYXZDG0Frxe/?taken-by=gomuseums

Participating Museums

1. Barona Cultural Center & Museum
2. Birch Aquarium at Scripps
3. Cabrillo National Monument
4. California Center for the Arts Museum
5. California Surf Museum
6. Coronado Museum of History & Art
7. Fleet Science Center (Galleries only)
8. Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum
9. Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House
10. Heritage of the Americas Museum
11. Japanese Friendship Garden
12. La Jolla Historical Society
13. Living Coast Discovery Center
14. Lux Art Institute
15. Maritime Museum of San Diego
16. Marston House Museum & Gardens
17. Mingei International Museum
18. Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum
19. Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
20. Museum of Making Music
21. Museum of Photographic Arts
22. New Americans Museum
23. Oceanside Museum of Art
24. San Diego Air & Space Museum
25. San Diego Archaeological Center
26. San Diego Art Institute
27. San Diego Automotive Museum
28. San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum
29. San Diego Chinese Historical Museum
30. San Diego History Center
31. San Diego Model Railroad Museum
32. San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat)
33. Serra Museum
34. The New Children’s Museum
35. The San Diego Museum of Art
36. The Water Conservation Garden
37. Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center
38. Timken Museum of Art
39. USS Midway Museum
40. Veterans Museum at Balboa Park
41. Visions Art Museum
42. Warner-Carrillo Ranch House
43. Women’s Museum of California

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYwHBKwl-Ng/?taken-by=gomuseums

Kickoff Party: Museum Mash Up

To celebrate the awesome event, there will be a Kids Free in October kickoff party, Museum Mash Up, on Sunday, October 1st from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at The New Children’s Museum Park.

More than 10 museums will be on-site offering hands-on activities, entertainment, and more.

Enjoy performances by the San Diego Symphony, the Water Conservation Garden’s Ms. Smartyplants, and a drumline from the Museum of Making Music.

Plus, they will have Kids Free coupons at the event. A win, win!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYq_kb-FO6i/?taken-by=gomuseums

 

 

Share This Event
Event Details
The Latest
Puesto
The Craving is all about helping you satisfy your craving for the best from San Diego’s local food scene. Come back every week for the...
La Valencia's Spring Tea
The arrival of spring means the return of La Valencia’s Spring Tea, an elegant seasonal tradition set against the stunning Pacific Ocean views of the...
El Chingon’s Foolish Feast
Think you have what it takes to conquer El Chingon’s Foolish Feast? San Diego’s “Bad Ass Mexican” hotspot is serving up an outrageous platter of...
Ocean Beach Makers Market
Celebrate spring with a day of creativity, community, and coastal vibes at the Ocean Beach Makers Market! Head to OB Surf Lodge, Wonderland Ocean Pub,...
Write Out Loud The Valley of Shadows
Experience history, literature, and music come to life inside Villa Montezuma, San Diego’s grand Victorian “Palace of the Arts.” Write Out Loud presents The Valley...
Pucks & Pints
Hockey, craft beer, BBQ, and a great cause—what more could you ask for? The seventh annual Pucks & Pints is back, bringing together San Diego’s...
Event Details
Upcoming Events
2025 Forging Futures Gala
May 31, 2025
6:00 pm
  • USS Midway Museum
The Forging Futures Gala returns, bringing together community leaders, military supporters, and industry professionals for an unforgettable evening aboard the USS Midway Museum. Hosted by...
2025 Curebound Concert for Cures
May 9, 2025
7:00 pm
  • PETCO Park
The Curebound Concert for Cures returns, bringing an unforgettable night of music and philanthropy to Petco Park—this time with the legendary Elton John headlining. This...
WOW Festival San Diego
April 24, 2025
8:00 am
The WOW Festival is back! La Jolla Playhouse’s Without Walls (WOW) Festival will transform UC San Diego into a vibrant hub of immersive theatre, dance,...
Union Hall Gallery’s Fine Art and Craft Sale
April 4, 2025
2:00 pm
The San Diego Arts Community is coming together for a meaningful cause at Union Hall Gallery’s Fine Art and Craft Sale. This special fundraiser will...
El Chingon’s Foolish Feast
April 1, 2025
8:00 pm
  • El Chingon
Think you have what it takes to conquer El Chingon’s Foolish Feast? San Diego’s “Bad Ass Mexican” hotspot is serving up an outrageous platter of...
Event Search: