January 2023: Things to do in San Diego for Kids

The new year is here once again. With the holiday whirlwind now behind us, January is a great time to get re-centered with some things to do in San Diego for kids that will ease you into all the exciting adventures that await in 2023!

 

1. Nature Studio: Migration and Monarchs at the San Diego Natural History Museum

When: Saturdays in January, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Where: San Diego Natural History Museum, 1788 El Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 92101

Cost: Free with general admission.

“Let your imagination and curiosity flutter in Nature Studio, a pop-up maker space on Level 1 of the Museum. Join our education staff and volunteers to explore the natural world through hands-on activities inspired by wildlife in our region.” Offerings change monthly. 

 

2. Edgar Allan Poe’s Gruesome Gallery of Grotesquerie

When: January 13–22, 2023
Where: San Diego Junior Theatre, Casa del Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 92101
Cost: $18-$20

San Diego Junior Theatre’s 2022-23 season continues with Edgar Allan Poe’s Gruesome Gallery of Grotesquerie from January 13-22. Recommended for ages ten and up, this “wholly original production will fuse storytelling, poetry, music, movement, and puppetry to explore the works of Edgar Allan Poe.”

 

3. Winter Festival at Poway Community Park

When: January 13th, 5:00 PM -9:00 PM and January 14th, 3:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Where: 13094 Civic Center Drive, Poway, CA 92064
Cost: Free, but bring cash for food (no ATMs onsite) 

The magic and charm of winter are all around at the Winter Festival! They will have sledding, a campfire for roasting marshmallows, a synthetic skate rink, a photo booth, and more. FREE shuttles to and from the event will be available from both the Poway City Hall parking lot, located at 13325 Civic Center Drive, and the Boys and Girls Club parking lot at 12988 Bowron Road.

 

4. 41st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade

When: January 15th, 2023, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Where: Harbor Drive along the Embarcadero to Pacific Hwy
Cost: Free

The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade is one of the largest celebrations of its kind in the United States. The parade will be filled with dazzling floats, phenomenal High School Bands, Drill Teams, Colleges/Universities, Fraternities, Sororities, Churches, and Peace and Youth organizations.

 

5. Kids Marathon Mile at LEGOLAND California

When: Jan 14, 2023, 6:30 AM – 10:00 AM

Where: One LEGOLAND Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Cost: $30-$35

The LEGOLAND® California Kids Marathon Mile is a 1-mile fun run for kids of all ages and abilities. Participants can run, walk, skip, stroll, or even be pushed in a stroller or carried on a back as they wind through the park and back out to the finish line. A portion of each registration will be donated directly to Merlin’s Magic Wand.

 

6. Jurassic Quest

When: Jan 20 – 22, 2023, 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Where: Del Mar Fairgrounds 22nd DAA, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar, CA 92014 

Cost: $19-$36

Jurassic Quest is the world’s largest, most popular dino event, with unique and exciting experiences for the whole family. You don’t want to miss “The Quest” interactive adventure, dinosaur rides, giant fossil dig, inflatables, fossil science exhibit, “Triceratops” soft play area, and MORE! Tickets are flying fast, so buy in advance at www.jurassicquest.com to guarantee your timeslot.

 

7. SeaWorld’s Inside Look

When: Jan 14 – 16, 2023

Where: SeaWorld San Diego, 500 SeaWorld Dr, San Diego, CA 92109

Cost: Included with park admission

Go behind the scenes and gain an inside look into what it takes to maintain a premier zoological institution like SeaWorld San Diego. Have you ever wondered what it takes to be on the SeaWorld Rescue Team? Hear and see firsthand what goes into providing world-class animal care from the people who do it daily.

 

8. Tide Pool Adventures at the Birch Aquarium

When: Select Saturdays and Sundays from Jan. 7 to March 19, 2023. Tour times

will vary based on tides.

Where: 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, CA 92037

Cost: Member $20, Non-Member $25

The tides are lowest in fall and winter, so this is the best time to explore a local tide pool with a Birch Aquarium naturalist and learn about the animals that make their homes in this ever-changing environment. Advanced reservations are required. Guests must be at least three years of age. Children 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

 

San Diego always provides the best entertainment for people of all ages. For more things to do in San Diego for kids, check out the Local Activities tab on the Scripps Affiliated Medical Group’s website.