Outdoor activities with kids in Mountain View

Coming up near Mountain View

Nothing listed in Mountain View for this view right now. Here's what's on elsewhere in the Bay Area, plus ideas you can do today.

Within a short drive of Mountain View

• Super Family Sundays

  Sun, Oct 18 · Junior Museum & Zoo · palo alto · 5 mi away · Ages 0–12

  A free event when the JMZ is open exclusively to families with children who have disabilities. Children with all disabilities are welcome, as well as parents, siblings, and grandparents. Come meet zoo animals up-close.

• CrimeStery Fest 2026

  Fri, Oct 9 · 4:00 PM · san jose · 11 mi away · All ages

• San Jose | Cupertino Dandiya Nite

  Sat, Oct 10 · 6:00 PM · Mt. Pleasant High School · san jose · 11 mi away · All ages

• Pickleball @ Paul Moore Park - Skyhawks

  Fri, Oct 30 · Paul Moore Park · san jose · 11 mi away · Ages 8–11

  Engage in exciting Pickleball games for younger players!

Activity ideas that work any day in Mountain View

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  Backyard Camping Night

  Gather your gear and transform your backyard into an outdoor adventure. Kids this age will love the independence of setting up their own temporary home, even if it's just steps from the back door. There's a real sense of accomplishment in pitching a tent, cooking a meal over a fire, and staying up a little later under the stars, creating special memories with family. Start by choosing a good spot for the tent and working together to set it up. Next, plan and prepare a simple dinner that can be cooked over a fire pit or on a camp stove, like hot dogs or s'mores. As dusk falls, settle in for stargazing, sharing stories, or playing quiet games. To stretch the fun, try identifying constellations or sleeping bags under the open sky if the weather permits.

  9-13 · Outdoor · 240 min

  Open
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  DIY Sidewalk Chalk Factory

  Why buy sidewalk chalk when you can make your own? We'll mix up the ingredients and pour our own custom-colored, chunky chalk sticks.

  6,7,8 · Outdoor · 60 min · About $15–$20

  Open
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  Autumn Leaf Rubbing Collection

  Let's gather the most interesting fall leaves we can find, then bring them inside to reveal their beautiful patterns with crayons and paper.

  4,5,6,7 · Indoor/Outdoor · 45 min · About $0–$5

  Open
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  Paper Airplane Distance Contest

  Get ready for some serious aerodynamic fun as you design, fold, and launch your own paper airplanes! This activity lets you explore how different wing shapes and folds affect a plane's flight, which is really satisfying for kids who enjoy tinkering and seeing immediate results. You'll not only create something with your hands, but also use observation and problem-solving skills to find the winning design. Start by folding five different paper airplane designs, perhaps one you know well and four new ones you research online or in a book. Test each design a few times, measuring how far it flies and how long it stays in the air. Keep a simple chart to record your best results for each plane. To stretch this activity, try modifying your best-performing plane with small adjustments, like folding the tips of the wings up or down, and see how these changes impact its flight.

  9-12 · Indoor/Outdoor · 45 min

  Open

Questions parents ask about Mountain View

What can you do with a toddler in Mountain View on a rainy day?

The public library runs baby and toddler storytimes through the week, and the community center adds indoor programs during winter. The indoor list for Mountain View shows what's scheduled.

Are these activities free?

Library and open-space visits are free; science and maker programs typically charge per child and fill quickly. Anything ticketed links out to the organizer so you can check the price before you go.

How often is this page updated?

Event listings refresh automatically from local sources, so past dates drop off on their own.