Whether you’re a local or just passing through for that yearly vacation- Humboldt County has an abundance of opportunities to keep your little ones busy and get exploring as a family. Check out the list below for fun daily activities and educational/support programs geared towards children and families.
FUN THINGS FOR KIDS TO DO IN HUMBOLDT COUNTY!
ARCATA
Playhouse Arts hosts a variety of Youth Programs that take place throughout the year at the Playhouse and at local schools including theater workshops, a teen program, artists in schools program and our family fun performance series
BEGINNING BIRDWATCHING AND PROJECT FEEDER WATCH
Project FeederWatch turns your love of feeding birds into scientific discoveries. FeederWatch is a November-April survey of birds that visit backyards, nature centers, community areas, and other locales in North America. You don’t even need a feeder! All you need is an area with plantings, habitat, water, or food that attracts birds. The schedule is completely flexible. Count your birds for as long as you like on days of your choosing, then enter your counts online. Your counts allow you to track what is happening to birds around your home and to contribute to a continental data-set of bird distribution and abundance.
Bring dice and books if you have them, but it isn’t a requirement. $10 per player includes supplies, snacks and adult supervision. 9 years and up, all are welcome, no previous experience required. Mondays, 3-4:30 at Septentrio Winery. Call Devin for details 707-832-3147
At the Arcata Community Center, Multiple classes/levels offered. Through the Arcata Recreation Division, check the link for full details and to register online. New sessions posted regularly.
Offering on going classes for youth as well as children 5 & under, what you learn from training Martial Arts goes with you your whole life! At Humboldt Jiu Jitsu, we pride ourselves in having the best Martial Arts instructors on the North Coast of California. Our Kids/Youth Class Instructors are Red Cross-CPR Certified and are lifelong martial artists themselves. They know firsthand the value this kind of practice has in a young person’s life. Follow this link for the full line up of classes.
Through Arcata Recreation Division – Dan Zan Ryu Jujitsu is a traditional/progressive Japanese system composed of locks and escapes, striking, judo style throws and groundwork. We take in components of other arts and practice a traditional Japanese sword style as well. The art lends itself readily to practical self defense on a basic and advanced level. Class emphasis will also be placed on physical conditioning, character development and community. No previous martial arts experience required. The Thursday class, for returning students only, focuses on Kenjitsu, Japanese for sword. It is the study of an art from the 16th century. Wooden swords (bokuto) are used to practice the kihon (fundamentals).
KIDS IN THE HIVE @ THE ARCATA FARMER’S MARKET
COME PLAY! Join *kids in the hive* at the Arcata Plaza Farmer’s Market!
We will have a table & some fun animal activities for 2-7 year olds 
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM OF CAL POLY HUMBOLDT
This local gem is open to the public at various Tuesday-Saturday 10A-5P. They also host special events like Workshops, Discovery Days, a Monthly Speaker Series, School Visits and also have a great educational store as a gift shop.
REDWOOD COAST CHILDREN’S CHORUS
A non-profit organization offering children the opportunity to sing in a chorus.
REDWOOD RAKS WORLD DANCE STUDIO
This local organization is “Continuing to Celebrate a World of Dance in Arcata’s Creamery Building” with ongoing and drop-in classes available for adults and children.
Far North Climbing Gym will be holding our Spider Monkeys after school program from 3:30pm to 5:00pm, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. This is an instructional period where we teach our youth participants the fundamentals of climbing. Ages 7 to 11 ONLY.
Tiny Tots meets in person on Saturdays 11A-1P at 1761 11th in Arcata! We hope to see you there!
Explore Arcata’s parks and playgrounds together. Please leave your personal toys at home. We will have some items in multiples to share. Ms. Susan from the Arcata Library joins us every 2nd and 4th Tuesday for songs and stories. Day/Time: Tuesdays, 10:00A-12:00P. See Arcata Play Center Facebook Page or Call 707.822.7091 for updates.
BLUE LAKE
Public Skate is Fridays and Saturdays 6-9P. Check the Facebook page for special events!
Blue Lake/Fieldbrook Little League offers instructional and competitive baseball for children ages 5 through 12. Iorg Field at Perigot Park is home for the teams ranging from Tee Ball to Minors to Majors, as well as post-season play in the Tournament of Champions and All-Stars. Contact Jeramy Sargent – 407-5137 – for more information.
PLAYGROUPS FOR PARENTS AND KIDS
Through Parks & Recreation and Blue Lake Community Resource Center at Prasch Hall & Perigot Park, 312 S. Railroad Ave., Come join caregivers, parents and children of all ages for fun and socializing -meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10A-12N at Prasch Hall/Perigot Park, Free – Sponsored by Humboldt First Five. 707-668-5932
EUREKA
COMMUNITY ACCESS PROJECT FOR EUREKA
Through a continued assessment of needs, C.A.P.E. works with partnering agencies to provide new opportunities and unique quality of life programming that directly meets the needs of the populations served by its partnering agencies. C.A.P.E. provides programs such as Winter Holiday Gift Program, Halloween Costume Drive and Giveaway, Nature Quest, Shop with a Cop, Music and Arts as well as a Summer Adventure Series.
Come join the monthly kids Lego club at the Humboldt County Library! We bring out a giant amount of Legos to all the tables of the Children’s Room from 1-2pm on the 2nd Saturday of each month. The creations kids make get to go in the display case to inspire others all month long! Legos are designed for ages 5 and up, but we also have plenty of Duplos and MegaBlox available so everyone can get into the building spirit. Parents are welcome to build with kids, but as more kids arrive, parents usually have to give up their seat to let kids have the best spots. Sorry grown-ups!
Ongoing program for youth ages 12 to 26 offering the tools to help them express themselves creatively in visual art, audio and video production. Meets via Zoom by appointment.
MAINSTAGE HUMBOLDT YOUNG PERFORMERS COMPANY
Through fostering collaboration between community artisans and professional artists nationwide, Main Stage seeks to strengthen the artistic, cultural, and economic development of Humboldt County.
Main Stage produces a three show season of musicals at the Arkley Center for the Performing Arts annually in addition to special events. Our artistic mission is centered producing reimagined classics and new works. Our Youth Division also programs a variety of youth education opportunities running throughout the year.
North Coast Dance is the resident ballet company of the Arkley Center for the Performing Arts, presenting at last two major productions per year featuring both Company members and students.
North Coast Dance’s Academy provides instruction in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, and Hip-Hop to students of all ages. You can find our class schedule HERE. If you need financial assistance, a limited number of scholarships may be available. Please contact Eliza Klinger, Managing Director for more information.
In addition to major productions, NCD hosts events including: Summer intensives, Children’s Summer Dance Camp, and Passport to Dance, where children with no dance experience can make a potentially life-changing step into the Arts world.
Celebrate early literacy at our weekly story time. We’ll talk, sing, read, write, and play together in the children’s room. This program is just right for children 2 to 6 years old with their caregivers, but other family members are welcome to join in the fun!
Children who often hear stories read aloud learn how to listen, learn new words and how to use them, and absorb new facts and ideas. In the adventure of story, kids also grow in imagination, problem-solving and creativity.
Story time at the library also builds a child’s fascination with reading and teaches skills that can be a lifelong advantage. Studies show that kids who listen to stories read aloud are better prepared for school — and life.
The Discovery Museum is a non-profit children’s center that offers interactive exhibits and STEAM- based preschool, programs and camps.
At the Discovery Museum, we know the impact that positive family experiences have on developing youth. Our mission is to provide such an experience, one that will last a lifetime and bring joy to the lives of the children and families we serve. Our goal is to show the world of possibility to the young minds of the future world leaders, ignite their curiosity, and spark their creativity. Run entirely by parents, teachers, and Early Childhood Development professionals, we are driven by the wonder of the children we meet and sounds of awe that fill the facility. The children and families we serve are the very heartbeat of the Discovery Museum.
We are located in Samoa, Ca – just over the bridge from Old Town and open Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays year-round, weather permitting. Riders of all ages, 1-100, come out and ride and race BMX as a healthy fun way to “get off of the couch” and stay active. Please follow our Facebook and/or Instagram page at Redwood Empire BMX for the most current updates.
YOUTH ART CLASSES AT THE MORRIS GRAVES MUSEUM OF ART
The Morris Graves Museum of Art is the perfect place to sign your child up for art classes! With talented and inspiring art educators, and small class sizes, these classes are designed to help your child explore the arts and get specialized attention as they create works of art that expand their creativity and their artistic skills.
FORTUNA/FERNDALE
BEAR RIVER FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT CENTER
A one stop shop with fun for the whole family. Enjoy activities like bowling, laser-tag, an arcade and even the option to rent it out for birthday parties and celebrations. (707)733-1880
¡La Biblioteca de Fortuna los invita! Vamos a celebrar la alfabetización temprana con cuentos y canciones en español. El programa es diseñado para niños de edades 0-5 y sus padres pero también nos pueden acompañar otros miembros de la familia. Los Viernes a las 3:30 pm, empezando el 20 de Enero.
The Fortuna Library invites you to join us in celebrating early literacy with stories and songs in Spanish. This program is designed for children ages 0-5 and their parents or caregivers but other family members are welcome to join in the fun. Fridays at 3:30 pm, starting January 20th.
The Fortuna Skating Rink is open once again! Come get your skating fix at our public skate times, Friday & Saturdays 6:30-9:30pm, and Sundays 1:30-4:40pm. Entry is only $5.50 for ages 6 & up, and $3.50 for ages 5 & under.
The Ferndale Dance Academy provides a warm and supportive environment for students to build self-esteem, stretch their bodies and minds, and express their individuality. Dance classes are ideal for developing strength, discipline, concentration, and coordination. It’s about more than dance; it’s about developing the confidence and character that lead to success no matter what the pursuit. Classes cater to a range of age and skill levels and incorporate excellent training with creativity, musicality, and fun. All classes are held at our spacious studio at the Danish Hall at 430 Ocean Avenue. Please see the Classes page for more information.
FORTUNA LIBRARY WEEKLY STORY TIME
Join us for a weekly story time at the Fortuna Library. Grow early literacy skills with stories, songs, and fun! Every Friday at 10:30A. All children and their families are welcome! This storytime is best suited for children ages 2-6.
WINTER/SPRING JUNIOR GOLF CLINICS
At The Redwood Empire Golf Club, Clinics will run from 11AM-12PM *Please signup in the Pro Shop *Members and up to 2 guests *Ages 8-17 *$15 Entry Fee. Begins 1/21-5/20.
MCKINLEYVILLE
TRINIDAD
The Marine Lab is located in Trinidad, CA, 14 miles from the Cal Poly Humboldt campus. The lab has a 40,000 gallon state-of-the-art seawater system and is a short walk to sandy beaches, rocky intertidal zones, and subtidal kelp beds. Self guided tour is available, in addition to several view and touch tanks!
GREATER HUMBOLDT
Two local children’s book author/artists will be reading their books.
Third Sunday of every month, 1-4 p.m. Art and nature exploration activities for all ages and abilities. Drop-in anytime between 1 and 4 p.m. Rain or shine. There’s a different theme each month. (707) 733-5406
Da’luk Tribal Youth Program promotes healing through culturally rooted lessons, to develop social/emotional competency, and to support training and development of youth advocates on policy, systems, and environmental change.
DREAMQUEST YOUTH PARTNERSHIP (WILLOW CREEK)
This organization has an amazing line-up of classes and programs to engage and educate your youth aged children. If you have children and live in the Willow Creek area DreamQuest can be an amazing asset to your family. Please check out their website for a full list of seasonal offerings which range from gardening, cooking, crafting, self defense, homework help, sports/fitness programs and more- there is just TOO MANY to list out here one by one.
Other services include the distribution of commodities like produce boxes, firewood and a free Summer lunch program for families with children ages 0-18.
Dream Quest provides youth with healthy, vocational, educational and creative opportunities to imagine and build their dreams – building community strength and sustainability. Class for ages 7-11 at 4:30 p.m. Class for ages 12-18 at 5:30 p.m. Every Tuesday. Happening in Willow Creek. Call 530.629.3564 for more info.
Kids, bring your parents to the Loleta playgroup. Every Wednesday 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Come and have fun with other kids your age! (For kids ages 0-5, older siblings are welcome)
Niños, traigan a sus papás y mamás al playgroup de Loleta. Cada miércoles de 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Vengan a divertirse con otros niños de su edad! (Para niños edades 0-5, los hermans mayores, son bienvenidos)
Mateel Aikido program provides low cost training for children and adults in the Japanese martial art of Aikido. Led by Sensei Russell Wisby, 707-986-7054
Most weeks Monday and Wednesday, 4P-6P
A local program where families get out into nature together and complete outdoor quests. Kids get badges for completed quests. It’ll get you all over Humboldt County and might encourage a reluctant adventurer!
DID WE MISS ANYTHING?
P.S. Do you know of any good camps or children’s activities that are not listed here? Feel free to email us at [email protected] with your suggestions to act on this simple opportunity that can help the other youth in our Community have a safe and fulfilling Summer. Thank you!
