Fun Things to Do This Summer in Sonoma with Your Kids

Summer is just around the corner. I know because this week we are ending the school year and are looking at over two months of summertime bliss. You know, lazy days, laughing children, yummy snacks and cool breezes after hours of sunshine.

And while we would like to think that a fantastic summer just happens, the reality is that summer entertainment takes planning or money — or both. Since most parents don’t have an unlimited budget, planning is the key. Many moms are looking for ways to entertain their kids that doesn’t involve Nintendo, Game Cube, or the Disney Channel.

Today, I am sharing a list of things in Sonoma that you can do with the kids for about $5 each, while staying in town. Some are even free!

Morton Warm Springs - The site opens for the season on June 1st, giving Sonomans a perfect spot to spend some time with family or rejuvenate achy joints. You can soak in one of the facility's three mineral pools, all of which are fed partially by water from geothermal hot springs 200 feet below the Earth's surface.

The water comes out of the springs at 94 degrees and cools to 84 degrees in the pools, which are chlorinated. They have 3 pools; a diving pool which is the largest, followed by the 3-foot to 5-foot family pool and the kiddie pool. Morton’s will once again be hosting $5 Wednesdays, everyone in the family can swim for $5 each. Open Tuesday thru Sunday, 10:00-6:00.

Sonoma Library- Every year our library holds a wonderful Summer Reading program that my kids love.  They will be having special performances on Wednesdays at 11:00 am through June and July. They also have prizes and free books for kids to read each week through the summer.

Brand new this year, they are offering the Rubber Ducky Book club for parents and children under 35 months of age. Parents and kids can complete a weekly activity and receive a board book when all projects are completed. Sign-up starts June 1st for both programs at the library. Free.

Sonoma Traintown- Open daily in starting in June thru Labor Day.  Adults and kids can ride the train for $4.75 each. Other rides are one ticket each for $2.75 per ride (or buy a six pack for $12). Remember to bring quarters to feed the goats and llamas and play air-hockey. My kids could spend the entire day here but lately we just like to pop by, ride the train, play a game of air hockey and hit the merry-go-round. It is a great way to break up the afternoon.

- Mini-golf is an activity that can be enjoyed by the whole family. It’s relatively inexpensive and the 18 holes are close together, making it a quick round of golf perfect for short attention spans. I would recommend just paying for your kids to golf the first few times they try it. It can take awhile and it is tough enough to get their ball in the hole, not to mention yours.

After 18 holes, it’s time to hit the arcade. It's a tokens-only arcade, but most games only take one token so you can have a lot of fun for a few dollars. A lot of the games are simple enough for younger children to enjoy, and there are a few for the older crowd. All in all, it is a simple small-town activity perfect for an afternoon of fun. Maxwell Fun Center, 19171 Sonoma Highway, 707-996-3616. Open most days from 11:00-7:00, may be closed Tuesdays so call ahead. Adults are $5.75 and children under 6 are $3.

Sonoma Development Center Eldridge Farm- There are over 100 animals at the farm such as ducks, miniature donkeys, chickens, peacocks, rabbits, pigs, several different types of birds and many more. Cost is free and they are open Monday thru Friday from 8:30-4:30. Directions: from Arnold Drive in Eldridge, turn east at the flashing light and continue through three stop signs and uphill until you see the duck pond on the right, about a half-mile from the streetlight. Bring hand sanitizer and shoes that can get a little mucky.

Quarryhill Botanical Garden - This is such a hidden gem, an Asian Woodland garden with two waterfalls, a bridge, beautiful landscaping and a gazebo area. The gardens are open for self touring year round. Hours are 9:00 to 4:00 daily. They welcome picnics and photography. All children under 17 are free and adults are $10.

Cornerstone- Enjoy the many different gardens, sand area and putting zone all for free. Alsina Station Grill just opened where you can purchase snacks or lunch in the cafe if you would like to. Be sure to bring your camera, the photo shoot opportunities are endless. Open daily from 10:00-5:00pm.

Sonoma Mission Gardens - I recently discovered that my kids love to go this nursery with me and I can make purchasing any vegetable or flower I could ever think of into an educational and entertaining experience. There are two beautiful aviaries full of peacocks, doves and many other types of birds that flit around the property. They also have a few very lively goats in the back. They offer a locals discount card for 20% off all purchases, so be sure to ask them when you are there. Open 9:00-5:30 Monday thru Saturday but closed on Tuesdays; also open Sundays 10:00-5:30. Free except for any plants you decide to purchase.

Sonoma Cinemas- Slightly more than $5 but still a bargain compared to most theatres. A child’s ticket is always $6.00 and adults are $6.00 before 6. Lots of fun summer films to see! And we have the Dollar Tree next door to stock up on cheap treats before or after the show.

Robert Ferguson Observatory Solar and Night viewing- If you enjoy astronomy or want your kids to learn about the solar system, this is your place. The observatory is open for Solar and Night Viewing several days through out the summer. PlanetWalk and Daytime Solar viewing are free. Nighttime viewing is $3.00 per adult (18 and older), free for those under 18. You do have to pay the state park entrance fee of $8.00 but we all know they can use every dollar they can get.

Mission San Francisco Solano de Sonoma- The northernmost mission in the chain of 21 Catholic settlements that once fed and housed missionaries as they traveled up and down the state, Mission San Francisco Solano is one of the most accessible and well-preserved. Finished last of all the missions, when California was under Mexican rule, the mission and the oldest buildings in the town that surrounds it are quite Spanish in style, with red tile roofs and whitewashed walls. Don't miss the barracks and museum, which give an authentic feel for what life was like in a rugged outpost in the 1800s. Rooms filled with costumes, dishes, tools, and other artifacts of daily life look as if the occupants just stepped out to attend church.

We are so lucky to have an authentic representation of American history right in the heart of Sonoma. However, I am embarassed to say I have actually never been inside. This will definitely be on my summer bucket list! Children under 17 are free and adults are $2.00. Hours are 10:00-5:00 daily.

Lastly, our summer would not be complete with out a few picnics in the Sonoma Plaza Park. Your kids can play on two different play structures, follow the geese around, or just throw a frisbee on the grass. I love to bring a picnic and then usually treat my kids to a soft serve cone at for $1.50 each. Hours of fun for under $5.00!

What will you and your kids be up to? What resources and ideas are you gathering for this year’s summertime fun with your kids? Any travel plans? Summer traditions?