Outdoor activities with kids in Santa Clara

Coming up near Santa Clara

Nothing listed in Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara

• CrimeStery Fest 2026

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

• San Jose | Cupertino Dandiya Nite

  Sat, Oct 10 · 6:00 PM · Mt. Pleasant High School · san jose · 4 mi away · All ages

• Pickleball @ Paul Moore Park - Skyhawks

  Fri, Oct 30 · Paul Moore Park · san jose · 4 mi away · Ages 8–11

  Engage in exciting Pickleball games for younger players!

• Super Family Sundays

  Sun, Oct 18 · Junior Museum & Zoo · palo alto · 12 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.

Activity ideas that work any day in Santa Clara

• 

  Ice Block Treasure Melt

  Oh no, the treasures are trapped in ice! We need to use salt and warm water to excavate the toys from this giant ice block before they're frozen forever.

  4,5,6,7 · Outdoor · 60 min · About $5–$10

  Open
• 

  Trike & Scooter Car Wash

  Our trusty vehicles have been working hard! Let's give our bikes, trikes, and scooters a good scrub with lots of soap and bubbles.

  4,5,6 · Outdoor · 30 min · About $5–$10

  Open
• 

  Hiking Trail Challenge

  Embark on a hiking trail challenge, where you get to pick a new path to explore and take charge of your own adventure. Packing your own day bag and tracking your distance and elevation provides a sense of independence and accomplishment. It's rewarding to see how far you've traveled and how high you've climbed, using tools like a map, a compass, or a tracking app. This activity encourages self-reliance and builds confidence in navigating the outdoors. To begin, research local trails that are 2-4 miles long and choose one that sounds interesting. Before you go, gather essentials like water, snacks, a first-aid kit, and a way to track your progress. On the trail, pay attention to landmarks and enjoy the natural surroundings. Afterwards, reflect on your journey and consider making a simple journal entry about what you saw and felt. For an extra challenge, try identifying a few plants or birds along the way.

  9-13 · Outdoor · 180 min

  Open
• 

  Giant Rainbow Bubble Bonanza

  Forget tiny bubbles. Today, we're making monster-sized, shimmering bubbles that will float all across the yard!

  4,5,6,7,8 · Outdoor · 40 min · About $5–$10

  Open

Questions parents ask about Santa Clara

What can you do with a toddler in Santa Clara on a rainy day?

Santa Clara's central library has a large children's area and runs storytimes most weekday mornings — a better bet than driving to a paid indoor playground. The indoor list for Santa Clara shows what's scheduled.

Are these activities free?

Library and park programs are free. The theme-park and museum outings nearby are the ones that need a budget and a booking. 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.