Free San Diego Activities for the Stay-At-Home Mommy (March 2011)

If you're reading this, you're fortunate enough to live in sunny San Diego where there is always something to do. Being a stay -at-home mom to a 3 year old has taught me how to keep my family busy through learning, cultural, and scientific experiences. No matter where you live in the county there is always an event going on ALL YEAR ROUND. The following is a list of fun, mostly FREE, family things to do in San Diego County during the month of March:

Irish Festival at Balboa Park- In celebration of St. Patrick's Day, Balboa Park will be hosting the 31st annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival on Saturday, March 12th. I am all about culture and embracing the many contributions each ethnic group has brought to this country. The event kicks off at 10:00AM for the Flag Raising Ceremony and the Parade begins at 10:30AM on Fifth Avenue and Juniper Street. There will be a Celtic Village dating 1582 complete with fighting re-enactments, Irish dancing, songs and classic storytelling. For the kiddies, they will have the Kids Zone which will include face painting, llamas, rides, games and much more. So sport your green gear and rejoice in the luck of the Irish! Admission is free.

Target Free Second Sunday at New Children's Museum-The New Children's Museum is located at 200 West Island Avenue in downtown San Diego and will be free on Sunday, March 13th. Admission is complimentary every second Sunday of the month and also has extended hours from 10:00AM-4:00PM. Whether you're a toddler or a teenager, your little one will enjoy the wide array of hands-on activities. As with any complimentary admission, arrive as early as possible to avoid large crowds. Parking is $10.00. That's the city for ya'...

Japanese Friendship Garden at Balboa Park-Every third Tuesday of the month (March 15th), admission to the Japanese Friendship Garden is free. It is part of Free Tuesdays at the Park where park museums are free to San Diego residents and active duty military personnel and their dependents on a rotating museum basis. It is located at 2215 Pan American Road and also offers meditation on the 15th from 1:00PM-2:00PM. Museum hours of operation on Tuesday are 10:00AM-4:00PM. Arrive early to beat the large crowds.

San Diego Air & Space Museum at Balboa Park-Every fourth Tuesday of the month (March 22nd), admission to the San Diego Air & Space Museum is free in accordance to the Free Tuesdays at the Park above. It is located at 2001 Pan American Plaza and its hours of operation are 10:00AM-4:30PM. This is definitely a great offer to take advantage of since general admission is $16.50 per adult. Being near a major naval air station and Lindbergh Field, it's a fun way to introduce your little ones to the community that surrounds them.

Groupon & BuyWithMe-My fellow San Diegan homemakers, I don't have to tell you we've been hit with not-so-nice weather in February. Groupon and BuyWithMe offers you discounted rates on both indoor and outdoor family-fun activities. I purchased two of these deals-one to JW Tumbles ($39 for 3 classes, 10 Playspace Passes, and a Lifetime Family Membership-$195 value) and the other to Kidsville Playtown ($20 for a five-visit punch at the Plaza Camino Real Mall in Carlsbad-$50 value). Once you sign up, you will receive a daily deal to your inbox.

Between Groupon/BuyWithMe deals and all the other free deals San Diego has to offer, I'm able to go out and about with my daughter every day of the week. Parks and playgrounds included of course! You can find many other fun activities and events in free magazines. My favorite is San Diego Family and I pick this up at JW Tumbles; but you can find it pretty much anywhere including your local library. Enjoy your time with your family and I will be posting more articles on a monthly basis to keep fellow homemakers and mommies in the loop!