Riverside 2026 Summer Guide for Kids

summer
Written By Kelly S

Looking for fun, simple activities to do with your kids in Riverside this summer? Whether you’re looking to give your children a “90s summer” or just need some way to contain their boundless energy (without spending a fortune on activities or gas!), there’s lots to do around Riverside to keep you busy having fun all summer long!

As a mom of four, I’ve found that often I can’t find fun activities for my children (I just don’t know they’re happening) or there are so many it can be overwhelming to know where to begin! I've compiled the best activities in one place so you can feel organized and excited for the summer ahead!

Here’s your guide to all the summer fun happening in Riverside, California, in 2026!

Free Lunch for Riverside Kids and Teens at Parks and Libraries All Summer Long

Thanks to the Riverside Summer Feeds program, all children and teenagers (18 and under) get free lunch on weekdays all summer long!

There are lots of parks and libraries that participate throughout the city, so it’s fun to combine a park or library visit alongside lunch for a fun, free outing.

The program is totally free, with no strings attached. There is no proof of income or residency, or anything like that, and though it’s connected to RUSD, your child does not have to attend an RUSD school to get lunch. My understanding is that all families are encouraged to attend, as it shows the program is useful - don’t worry if you don’t qualify as low-income, you’re still welcome!

They usually do require that kids eat them on site, and parents are not allowed to consume the food (even the half-eaten sandwich your child didn’t finish).

The meals vary by day, and sometimes by location, but you can expect them to have a main dish, a fruit and veggie, sometimes a dessert, and milk. (They usually post a weekly menu at the locations, but we have found it’s not always accurate, fyi.)

This program runs from June 1-July 31 on weekdays (some library locations closed Monday), but they’re closed on June 19 and July 3 for those holidays.

Parks Serving Free Lunches in Riverside in 2026 (Monday - Friday)

  • Arlington Park (11am-12:30pm)

  • Bobby Bonds Park (11am-12:30pm)

  • Bordwell Park (11:30am - 1:00pm)

  • Bryant Park (11am-12:30pm)

  • Don Derr Park (11am-12:30pm)

  • Don Jones Park (11am-12:30pm)

  • Hunt Park (11am-12:30pm)

  • La Sierra Park (11:30am - 1:00pm)

  • Nichols Park (11am-12:30pm)

  • Reid Park (11am-12:30pm)

  • Villegas Park (11:30am - 1:00pm)

  • Washington Park (11am-12:30pm)

Libraries Serving Free Lunches in Riverside in 2026

  • Highgrove Library (Tuesday - Friday, 11:30-1:00pm)

  • La Sierra Library (Tuesday - Friday, 11:30-1:00pm)

  • Main Library (Tuesday - Friday, 11:30am-12:30pm)

  • Woodcrest Library (Monday - Friday, 11:30am-1:00pm)

  • Eastside Library at Lincoln Park (Monday - Friday, 11:00am-12:30pm)

Also, there are a few schools in Corona, Riverside (Alvord School District), and Moreno Valley that also provide free lunches (and sometimes breakfast). I personally think the Riverside Parks/Libraries are the best since you can combine with the park or library outing, but if you’re looking for more options you can find lists of those locations here.

Summer Reading at the Library

There are so many wonderful, free Summer Reading programs in Riverside (and beyond!)

We have quite a few library systems in our area, and each one has a slightly different Summer Reading program. You basically always need a library card for that system (bring a photo ID to sign up, and I think they’re all available to California residents). and most of them use the free Beanstack app for tracking reading (I really wish they would still offer a paper log that kids could fill out instead of an app, but nobody asked me!)

We have gotten a lot of great prizes over the years through the various local summer reading programs: free kids’ meals, free passes to local attractions, little toys, and more… not to mention the encouragement to my kids to read, plus giving us incentive to visit the library every week, along with free lunch if we visit a branch doing the summer feeds program!

I’ll be sharing more details about these programs as summer gets underway, but here are the nearby locations offering summer reading programs:

It's not just libraries… the following businesses offer summer reading incentives too:

Free and Cheap Movies for Riverside Kids All Summer Long

There’s something about going to see a movie as an “event” that just feels different than watching on an iPad or TV at home. Thankfully, there are lots of opportunities for free or inexpensive movies this summer! (Keep in mind that outdoor showtimes may be pretty late since the sun goes down so late in the summertime).

  • Riverside Parks and Rec is offering free kid-friendly movies in the park most Friday nights all summer long (the location and movie rotates each week). I’ll be including these on the Riverside Kids Event calendars, or you can see the whole list of movies here.

  • Farmhouse Collective has been doing outdoor family movie nights on Tuesdays year round, and I expect they’ll continue through the summer… I’ll include them on the Riverside event calendar lists I put together each month. Admission is free, but it’d be nice to buy something from the local vendors (we love the gelato there!)

  • Quite a few local movie theaters offer inexpensive, daytime movies for kids (usually movies that came out awhile ago.) If you buy tickets in person you can avoid the sometimes hefty fees.

  • The Van Buren Drive In always offers year-round $1 tickets for kids ages 5-9 (anyone 10 and up is $10), so this could be a fun way to see the new kids’ movies this summer, especially Toy Story 5 or Minions and Monsters.

Splash Pads in Riverside

Riverside has quite a few splash pads at our local city parks, along with a few bigger ones at Rancho Jurupa Regional Park and Castle Park (both charge admission).

There are also some fun splash pads in Corona, Moreno Valley, and beyond! I put together a whole list of all the splash pads in the Riverside area with all the info.

Have a Breakfast Picnic at the Playground

With Riverside’s hot summer days, it can be tough to spend a lot of time at a playground mid-day. (Though I do appreciate that more and more of our new playgrounds are being installed with shade covers!)

It can be fun to get out there bright and early to enjoy cooler temps. Pack up a picnic - granola bars, bananas, yogurt cups, bagels, muffins, string cheese, hard-boiled eggs, and fruit can all be packed pretty quickly and easily… plus coffee for Mom or Dad! (Or pack dinner instead since evenings can be cooler too!)

Some of our favorite playgrounds include Castleview Park, Ryan Bonaminio, Andulka Park, Orange Terrace, Thundersky Park, and Taft Park. I have a list of all the parks in Riverside here.

Cool Off and Learn at a Museum

The Riverside area has quite a few indoor museums that are usually air-conditioned and cool on hot days, including the Cheech/Riverside Art Museum (downtown Riverside), the San Bernardino County Museum (Redlands), March Field (only partially indoors), and more. This can be a great way to cool off and spark your imagination at the same time!

If you’re just choosing one, I’d go with the San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands… nice and cool inside, low admission price ($5-10 each), and quite a few hands-on activities for kids. They host special activities for kids on Saturdays too (usually included with admission).

You can check out all the details on our local museums here.

Cool Off in the Water at Pools, Creeks, Lakes, and More

If you don’t have a pool, it can be tough to find places to go swimming in Riverside. Thankfully, there actually are quite a few good options!

Swimming Pools in Riverside

The City of Riverside offers several community pools that are just a dollar or two per person, with both daytime and evening sessions. Last summer Villegas Park ended up being my family’s favorite of the ones we tried (hoping to make it to the rest this summer!) The hours/days really vary by location so be sure to check specifics before you go.

CBU’s pool is open to the public at a good price ($1 for kids, $3 for adults), but with pretty limited hours (weekdays around lunch). We never seem to make it over here due to the schedule, but I’ll report back if we do!

I’ve heard great things about the pool at Drayson Center at Loma Linda, and hope to try it out this summer!

Depending on where you live and how much you want to swim, you might consider a membership to the YMCA of the East Valley, which has branches in Redlands, San Bernardino, and Highland. (Wish there was one in Riverside!) Or the Corona-Norco YMCA offers swimming on Saturdays at a local high school, for a fee.

Water Parks and Day Trips

The Cove Waterpark or Drop Zone are the two closest “water parks” without driving all the way out to Raging Waters or Wild Rivers (I think they’re cheaper too).

A drive, but my kids LOVE Diamond Valley Aquatic Center in Hemet. There is a splash pad in a wading pool, a water slide, and a big pool to enjoy.

Or head the opposite direction for Yorba Linda’s Adventure Playground which has a splash pad and water slide (no actual pool though) - it’s free but often closed, and requires reservations.

Nature Water Play

For a more nature-filled experience, we love playing in the creek at San Timoteo Nature Sanctuary in Redlands, or Lake Perris offers swimming in certain areas of the lake (I’ve heard mixed things about going swimming here).

Yucaipa Regional Park (near Oak Glen) has an awesome water area, but I’ve heard it can get super crowded and you might not get in if you don’t go early.

Swim Lessons

For swim lessons, we’ve had good experiences over the year with the City of Riverside swim lessons (very inexpensive and short term), UCR Aquatic Center (great lessons at a beautiful pool but very hard to get in), and Waterworks Aquatics at LA Fitness of the 91 off Arlington near Target (pricey but good quality!) There is another swim school at the LA Fitness in Mission Grove and I do NOT recommend them.

Get Out in Nature and Explore the Outdoors

The summer heat in Riverside can make it tough to get outside enjoyably and safely, but if you plan it right, it can still be an option!

Here are some kid-friendly nature options in Riverside:

Also, I saw that Ameal Moore Nature Center at Sycamore Canyon is hosting lots of kids’ activities over the summer, including ice cream socials, storytime, and more. I’ll be sure to include on the monthly kids event lists.

Here’s more info on some of my family’s favorite nature areas and hikes in the Riverside area. (Be aware Hidden Valley Nature Center, which appears on many lists of local nature areas, was damaged in the May 2026 wildfires and is currently closed).

My biggest suggestions are:

  • Don’t hike if it’s more than about 80 degrees out. This feels so low on days that top 100+ degrees, but we do a lot of hiking and if it’s more than about 80 degrees, it feels pretty miserable (especially for little ones who may not be able to regulate their temp as well.) Due to our chaparral ecosystem, our Southern California hiking trails usually have very little shade so I try to look for the time in the weather forecast that will be under 80 (but still daylight) if we’ll be hiking Mt. Rubidoux, Sycamore Canyon, Two Trees Trail, etc… and I skip the hike entirely till cooler days (or months!) if the temperature won’t drop that low before bedtime.

  • go early in the morning or late in the evening (sunset hikes at Mt. Rubidoux or Sycamore Highlands Park can be beautiful!)

  • go somewhere that includes water (like Rancho Jurupa Regional Park’s splash pad, the creek at San Timoteo Nature Sanctuary in Redlands, or Lake Perris.)

  • go somewhere with an air-conditioned building nearby (like Ameal Moore Nature Center or Citrus State Park - be aware both have limited hours - or the garden by Casa Blanca Library).

  • go somewhere with some shade (like parts of UCR Botanic Garden or the Land Use Learning Center)

  • go for a short period of time. Don’t feel like you need to stay all day! A 20-30 minute visit to a park or garden can be plenty to get wiggles out before escaping to air conditioning.

  • bring lots of water, hats, and sunscreen, and consider a solar umbrella too.

  • pack cool, hydrating snacks like watermelon slices, “Cutie” clementines, cucumber sticks, and popsicles in an empty Stanley-style cup.

Camping is another fun way to get outside - I have a whole list of possible campsites around Southern California here (not all are summer-friendly though.)

Get Inspired by Murals and Public Art in Riverside

Riverside has quite a few murals and art installations, and checking them out would be a free and easy way to explore our city!

You can view a list with quite a few murals, statues, and other art pieces here… my personal favorite is Mariposa Alley!

Check Out a Local Bookstore or Little Free Library

If Summer Reading at the public library isn’t enough, there are several kid-friendly bookstores and Little Free Libraries around Riverside!

Kid-Friendly Bookstores in the Riverside area

  • Downtowne Bookstore - delightful, newly renovated bookstore in Downtown Riverside (there are two spaces to this store… don’t miss the used bookstore part down the little “secret” garden path)

  • Cellar Door Books in Mission Grove near Sprouts - my kids love the resident dog who sometimes spends the day here!

  • Barnes and Noble - big bookstore with lots of new books (and toys), a Starbucks cafe, and a big children’s section. As I mentioned above, there’s a summer reading program for grades 1-6 where kids can earn a free book.

  • BookOff - used bookstore near the Tyler Mall

  • Frugal Frigate in Redlands - You’ve Got Mail “Shop Around the Corner” vibes!

For Little Free Libraries around Riverside, you can explore this interactive map here. (By the way, our hand-built Little Free Library was sadly taken from our front yard just a day after we installed it. I’ll keep sharing about it in the hopes that someone recognizes it and can help us get it returned!)

Play at an Indoor Playground or Activity Gym

On hot days, there’s something amazing about being able to go inside an air-conditioned space where your kids can play and you can sit for a minute (or play along with them!)

I’d do the pricing on a monthly or summer membership if locations offer them - it might be worth it to plan a month of fun indoor play with a/c, especially when it really heats up in July and August!

Here are some indoor playground options in the Riverside area:

These are all a little more intense when your kids are feeling really energetic - trampoline parks, ninja warrior gyms, and more:

Go Out for Ice Cream

Does anything say “summer” more than ice cream on a hot day? Here are some ice cream shops in Riverside that we’ve enjoyed!

  • Break the Ice - fish shaped waffles on top (taiyaki)

  • Cold Stone (at Riverside Plaza or in Orangecrest) - working at Cold Stone was my first “real” job (back when we had to sing for tips!) so I’ve always enjoyed their ice cream with mix-ins!

  • Baskin Robbins(by the first navel orange tree) - “Baskin Robbins always finds out! 👀”

  • Dairy Queen - there always seems to be a line for this outdoor-only location by Riverside Plaza (or there’s one by CBU too). My kids were delighted by the whole “flip the Blizzard upside down and it doesn’t spill out” thing

  • Benedetto Gelato(at Farmhouse Collective) - for a little pretend visit to Italy!

  • Handel’s Ice Cream(in Canyon Crest) - this would be a good stop on a Tuesday night when they do summer concerts at this shopping center

  • After’s Ice Cream (by UCR) - they have the most creative flavors!

  • Yogurtland (a few locations, including across from the mall) - my kids are big fans of this one since they get to load up on their own toppings

  • Honorable Mention for Nekter which is real fruit smoothies that are also delicious (and healthy!)

Special Outings

Here are some options that cost a little more but could make for some memorable family time!

  • Ice skate at Ice Town

  • Play Glo Mini Golf (at the mall)

  • Go bowling at Lucky Strike in Riverside (or go to Empire Bowl in Redlands which is offering Kids Bowl Free!)

  • Make your own pottery at Mud Hut

  • go to Castle Park, Riverside's own mini amusement park with rides, mini golf, go-karts, and arcades

  • Paint ceramics at Color Me Mine

  • Visit an arcade (Chuck E Cheese, John’s Incredible Pizza, Game Lab, Galaxy Claw)

  • Solve a puzzle at Enter Escape Room (Riverside)

  • Go to a Minor League Baseball game - there are several local teams to choose from: Ontario Tower Buzzers (new!), Lake Elsinore Storm, IE 66ers, and Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.

Live Music and Performances

From Riverside’s Concerts in the Park to free performances of Frozen at the Redlands Bowl, there are lots of opportunities for kid-friendly shows and concerts this summer - and many of them are free!

I’ll be including these - and many more - in the monthly kid-friendly event guides for June, July, and August, so stay tuned for specifics!

Serve others

  • Send a thank you card - Draw a picture, add a note, and send to a loved one or teacher, or drop off in person to a fire station, hospital, etc. You could even add a package of cookies, ice cream sandwiches, or another treat!

  • Volunteer at a Family-Friendly Clean up - Keep Riverside Clean and Beautiful and IE Waterkeeper both host regularly clean-ups around Riverside (I usually include them in the monthly event calendar lists, so stay tuned for details there.)

  • Leave a cold water bottle or soda for your mail carrier or delivery driver. If you know you have a delivery coming, have your kids set out a small cooler and a thank you note!

  • Leave a positive review for a small local business you love. Riverside has a lot of wonderful small businesses - have your kids help you write a review to share!

  • Volunteer at Overflow Farms - families are welcome to come help out with gardening at this non-profit farm.

Go to the Farmer’s Market

Going to the Farmer’s Market can be a fun way to get outdoors, pick up some fresh produce and treats, and enjoy time together.

  • Downtown Riverside Certified Farmers Market (Main Street at 10th Street by City Hall) - Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

  • Galleria at Tyler Farmer's Market - Sundays from 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM.

  • County of Riverside Certified Farmers' Market (4080 Lemon Street in Riverside) - Wednesdays from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM.

  • Farmhouse Collective Farmer’s Market - Friday mornings

Go to a Festival or Special Event

There are fun festivities going on this summer in Riverside, from 4th of July Fireworks at Mt. Rubidoux and La Sierra Park to the Drone Show at Fairmount Park (is this Riverside’s first drone show?!)

I’m also looking forward to more on info on the IE International Food and Music Festival, plus there will be some back-to-school fairs as the new school year approaches.

The Riverside Public Library and County Libraries are hosting lots of special magic shows and other fun events, too!

Stay tuned for more specifics in the monthly event calendars!

Take a Class

There are lots of learning opportunities for Riverside kids this summer! I put together a whole list of places to find Summer Day Camps in Riverside if you’re looking for weeklong activities, but here are some shorter classes or events you could take your child to:

  • Home Depot or Lowe’s free Workshops for kids

  • Library storytimes

  • Sports and Art classes through the Parks and Rec department

  • pottery classes at Mud Hut Pottery Studio

  • Michaels Craft Store in-store free classes

Stay tuned for classes and times on the June, July, and August event lists!

Farms and Animal Adventures

If your child loves animals, there are some fun opportunities for them in the Riverside area this summer!

Thanks so much for checking out this guide to summer fun for kids in Riverside. Stay tuned for those monthly event calendar lists, weekly themed guides with simple, fun activities to do at home and around Riverside, and all sorts of other info on fun in Riverside for families. Hope you have a wonderful summer!

More Resources for a Fun Summer in Riverside with Kids:

Kelly S

Hi, I’m Kelly! I’m a Riverside mom of four, and I started Riverside Fun Kids because I’m always looking for honest, practical info about fun places to go and things to do with kids in the Riverside area, and I’m guessing other parents are too! We’re a homeschooling family and love visiting parks, libraries, museums, hiking trails, and other places around Riverside and all over Southern California. Follow along on Instagram @RiversideFunKids for more Riverside family adventures!

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2026 Riverside Summer Camp Guide: 40+ Places to Find Day Camps & VBS Programs