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Best Cheap Activities To Do With Kids In Sacramento

May 23, 2014 / 5:00 AM PDT / CBS Sacramento

Looking for some ideas for family summer fun? Look no further! Below you will find ways to entertain the children beyond the typical trip to the neighborhood park. Make summer fun and affordable with these cheap activities to do with the kids in Sacramento.

The California Museum
1020 O St.
Sacramento CA 95814
(916) 653-7524
www.californiamuseum.org

For those of you who bank at Bank of America (B of A), it has a Museum on Us program. On the first full weekend of the month, the B of A program gives customers access to participating museums. Regular admission to the museum is pretty cheap as well with kids ages six to 17 paying $6.50 and adults paying $9. The California Museum is one of the 150 nationwide museums that participate in this program. Taking advantage of this program is a frugal way to begin to teach your children about their state's heritage. A card for each family member is required for free access. For more information, contact your bank or The California Museum.

American River Parkway Foundation
5700 Arden Way
Carmichael, CA 95608
(916) 486-2773
www.arpf.org

A true treasure trove of beauty, The American River Parkway is 23 miles long, with a 4,600-acre area of land, water and nature enhancing the Sacramento area. In 1983, The American River Parkway Foundation was founded to coordinate programs, facilitate volunteers, fund and implement projects for the park, such as the Halfway Marathon hosted in April. The organization is always looking for volunteers. This would be a great place to spend the day with the family, as a visitor or a volunteer, to enjoy the beauty of our area. The area offers fishing, boating, rafting, golfing, picnic areas and guided nature and historic tours.

Denio’s Farmers Market & Swap Meet
1551 Vineyard Road
Roseville, CA 95678
(916) 782-2704
www.deniosmarket.com

If you are looking for vegetables to cover your table, everyday items at a good price or the unusual, Denio’s is the place to visit. Open three days a week, it is an adventure waiting to happen. You can find new and used items every weekend, so it is all in what you are yearning for. Check out the Swap Meet this weekend with your children to find their summer toys or their birthday bike.

Urban Adventure Quest
Capitol Ave. & 16th St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
www.urbanadventurequest.com

Family owned and operated, Urban Adventure Quest (UAQ) is “Similar to The Amazing Race,” according to co-owner Tami of The Urban Adventure Quest Team. She continues, “It is similar because you have to complete the first task before you can go to the second one, just like in The Amazing Race.” However, that is where similarities end. In the UAQ, you use your smartphone to receive your clues, one phone per team. If you need to stop so the little one can take a nap, or due to rain, it is no problem. When you are ready to begin your Quest again, just log in on your phone. Teams can be made up of two to five people, or six with children. Photos from previous teams can be found on the UAQ Facebook page. There is also a local Sacramento Reader Board to find your team’s placement among your Sacramento neighbors.

California State Railroad Museum Foundation
All Aboard for Story Time
125 I St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 323-9280
www.csrmf.org/all-aboard-for-story-time

The All Aboard for Story Time program at the Railroad Museum is on the first and third Monday of each month at 11 and 11:30 a.m. in the East Theater. This is an interactive reading program for ages two to five. Each month a different story is read, after which the child can enjoy the museum with their parents. Cost is fee with museum admission: $10 for adults; $5 for youths ages six to 17; free for children ages five and under.

Deb Ling is a freelance writer covering all things Sacramento. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.