Things to do this weekend with kids in Santa Clara

What's on for kids in Santa Clara

• Santa Clara City Library Comic Con

  Sat, Oct 10 · 10:00 AM · Santa Clara City Library - Central Park · Ages 0–12

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

• (Mon) Music & Movement - Dance Arts Academy

  Fri, Oct 16 · Camden Cmty Ctr · san jose · 4 mi away · Ages 2–4

  A fun introductory class for younger children that combines music and movement activities to enhance physical development and rhythm.

• St. Mary's Country Fair

  Thu, Oct 8 · 5:00 PM · St. Mary's · los gatos · 8 mi away · Ages 5+

  Join for carnival rides, food, games, and live music! The event promotes community spirit and has something for everyone, including a Kid Zone with arts and games.

• St. Mary’s Country Fair

  Thu, Oct 8 · 5:00 PM · St. Mary's Church · los gatos · 8 mi away · Ages 5–15

  Join us for St. Mary’s Country Fair featuring carnival rides, food, games, and live entertainment. The event includes a variety of attractions such as the Kid Zone, face painting, mini golf, and fun rides.

Activity ideas that work any day in Santa Clara

• 

  Family Band Marching Parade

  Let's make some noise! We'll grab our instruments, or make our own, and march around the house or yard playing our favorite songs.

  4,5,6 · Indoor/Outdoor · 25 min · About $22–$30

  Open
• 

  Kitchen Chemistry Lab

  Become a real kitchen scientist and conduct exciting experiments using everyday items. You'll create a colorful pH indicator from red cabbage, build a stunning density tower with different liquids, and uncover secret messages with invisible ink. This activity lets you explore scientific principles like acids, bases, density, and chemical reactions in a hands-on way, which is deeply satisfying for curious minds who love to see how things work and make discoveries. First, you'll prepare your red cabbage indicator, then test household liquids to see their pH. Next, layer different liquids carefully to watch a density tower form. Finally, write and reveal your secret messages. To stretch the activity, try predicting the order of liquids in your density tower before you pour, or experiment with other natural materials to see if they can also act as pH indicators.

  9-12 · Indoor · 60 min

  Open
• 

  Kayak or Paddleboard Day

  On a calm day, kids can feel the satisfaction of navigating their own kayak or paddleboard. It's a chance to explore a local lake or quiet river from a new perspective, building confidence as they learn to balance and steer. This activity encourages independence and a connection with nature, offering a peaceful but active way to spend time outdoors. Before getting in the water, a grown-up will help with a safety briefing and properly fitting life jackets. Then, it's time to learn basic strokes and how to maneuver the boat or board. Start in shallow water to get comfortable, then venture a little further, staying close to shore. To stretch this activity, try paddling to a small island for a picnic lunch or looking for wildlife along the banks.

  10-13 · Outdoor · 180 min

  Open
• 

  Make a Short Documentary

  In this activity, you'll create a short documentary film by interviewing a grandparent about their childhood. It's a satisfying project because you get to learn fascinating stories from someone special and then use your creativity to bring those stories to life on screen. You'll develop interviewing and storytelling skills, and make a cherished family memory. Start by preparing questions for your grandparent about their early life. Next, record your interview, paying attention to clear audio and good lighting. Then, you'll use a simple video editing tool to choose the best moments from the interview, adding pictures or old family photos if you have them. To stretch this activity, consider adding a voice-over narration or a simple title sequence.

  10-13 · Indoor · 120 min

  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.