Hey friend,
This week's picks lean into two things kids can't get enough of: books and trains. If you've got a little one who's into either (or both), you're in for a good weekend.
Here's the plan.
This Weekend’s Plans
First, the weather:
Friday
High of 76°
Saturday
High of 76°
Sunday
High of 74°
Plan 1: OC Children's Book Festival
📍 Location: Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa
📅 Date & Time: Sun 9/20, 10am–3pm
⏱️ Time needed: 1–2+ hours
💰 Cost: Free admission and parking
🌦️ Indoor/outdoor: Outdoor
Author signings, storytelling stages, as well as fun activities like a train, inflatable slide, and live entertainment
Plan 2: Festival of Children
📍 Location: South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa
📅 Date & Time: Sat–Sun 9/19–9/20, 12pm-4pm
⏱️ Time needed: 1-2 hours
💰 Cost: Free
🌦️ Indoor/outdoor: Indoor
This weekend there's arts & crafts, face paint, and performances. A great option if you're already at the mall running errands.
📍 Location: Fairview Park, Costa Mesa
📅 Date & Time: Sat–Sun 9/19–9/20, 10am–3:30pm
⏱️ Time needed: 30–45 minutes
💰 Cost: Free, donations welcome
🌦️ Indoor/outdoor: Outdoor
Real little trains, run by volunteers, looping through the park. No tickets, no reservations, just show up and get in line. The line can be long, but moves pretty fast.
Easy At-Home Idea
Try this: Salt Watercolor Painting, made by andrea.nelson.art
A fun way to use salt to pull the paint along the glue lines creating a textured, almost frosted effect.
Time needed: 15–20 minutes
Backup Options
If none of the above work, here's the fast fallback list:
Oktoberfest at Old World — Huntington Beach, Sat–Sun 9/19–9/20, Sat free / Sun $10 (13+)
Sunset Beach Chili Cook-Off — Huntington Beach, Sat 9/19, $20/adult, advance tickets recommended
Environmental Nature Center Fall Faire— Newport Beach, Fri 9/18, 10am–3pm, free
Sherman Library & Gardens — Corona del Mar, open daily 10:30am–4pm, $5/person
Got a plan that worked (or didn't)? Hit reply and let me know! This whole thing gets better with your feedback.
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Simple Plans Co. 🤎
