5 Free Things to do in Glendale with kids

It’s Summer, and your kids are home ALL THE TIME! Since every day can’t be a trip to Chuck E. Cheese or a pricey museum, here are 5 FREE things to do in Glendale with kids under 5.

Splash pads

Splash pads or wading pools are those cool, shallow pond-looking structures found in the local parks that, until now, have been just dry bowls of concrete. They’re great because your kids don’t even need to know how to swim to enjoy them, and they always have a lifeguard. There are 5 different locations in Glendale, but they all operate at different hours. Starting June 12th and running through August 15th, this is the schedule you need to know:

• Brand Park          1601 W. Mountain St.      Open Wednesday & Saturday  
• Dunsmore Park   4700 Dunsmore Ave.      Open Thursday & Sunday
• Fremont Park 600 W. Hahn Ave.          Open Tuesday & Sunday
• Glenoaks Park     2531 E. Glenoaks Blvd.  Open Monday & Saturday
• Palmer Park         610 E. Palmer Ave.          Open Friday & Saturday

Hours are Monday to Thursday, Noon to 6 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Get more information on their website.

Library Summer Discovery Program

The Glendale Public Library offers eight different library branches full of free activities for your little ones. There are special Performances and Playgroups, and even a BubbleMania Day. Just check the website for the full calendar. You can also join the Summer Reading Challenge from June 1st to August 12th, 2023, and participate in a literary bingo for FREE BOOKS! Lastly, Storytime has expanded to include kids of all ages with Family Story Time. The schedule for everyone from Baby to Young Adult can be found here.

The L.A. County Library in La Crescenta and La Canada-Flintridge is inviting young readers to participate in a Summer of Discovery with reading challenges, activities, and more! The program runs from June 1st to August 13, 2023, and you can sign up here to get started. There’s even a prize incentive waiting for your kids at the end.

Outdoor Singalongs

Every Tuesday at The Americana at Brand is the Kids Club. It takes place at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. and features live music from kid-friendly performers, plus restaurant discounts and freebies. It takes place on the center lawn. You used to be able to just walk in and enjoy, but now they require pre-registration, so book early!

The LEGO Store

If you have the kind of kids that can look and not need to buy things, then they will love The LEGO Store at the Glendale Galleria. The shop is set up almost like a LEGO museum because the latest toys have been built and housed in glass containers to be viewed and enjoyed. No one will judge you for just looking around and leaving. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Museum of Neon Art

The Museum of Neon Art, or MONA, is the only museum in the world dedicated to electric art. Kids will love looking at the colored glass, while adults will enjoy the historic street signs. It’s open only from Thursday to Sunday from Noon to 7 p.m. most days. Admission is FREE for kids 12 and under and $5 for Glendale residents. Parking is free at 120 Artsakh Avenue, Glendale, CA 91209.