Free and Low-Cost Resources and Summer Activities for Students and Families

Summer 2026 is officially underway and the San Diego County Office of Education has compiled a list of free and low-cost resources and activities to help youth and families thrive.

Summer Meals and Resources

Many students in San Diego County rely on their schools and districts for meals during the year and the need for nutrition support continues during the summer months. There are several ways to find sites in your community that serve meals to kids up to age 18 at no cost. Families can use these tools to find sites outside their community if travelling during the summer.

No Kid Hungry

Find a distribution site and details using the No Kid Hungry text hotline, phone, or their webpage:

• Visit NoKidHungry.org/Help or NoKidHungry.org/Ayuda
• 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) (for English)
• 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273) (for Spanish) 
• Text “food," “summer,” or “meals,” to 914-342-7744

Feeding San Diego Food Map

Feeding San Diego has an interactive map for families to locate food distribution sites in their region. As part of the Summer Food Service Program, Feeding San Diego provides breakfast, lunch, and snack as meal options to youth ages 1-18. A range of locations host these meal distributions, including libraries and rec centers.

California Department of Education Meal Sites List

The California Department of Education hosts a list of summer meal service sites in San Diego County that is updated every year.

• Site list can be filtered by school district, city/area, ZIP code, and more 
• Some sites are by enrollment only
• Check with your child's school district for times and locations

San Diego Hunger Coalition Meal Site Finder

The San Diego Hunger Coalition has a webpage of resources in English and Spanish explaining different food assistance programs, such as CalFresh, SUN Bucks, WIC, meals for older adults, including who is eligible and how to apply, as well as links to various food distribution options in the county.

California SUN Bucks: Summer-EBT

California’s Summer EBT program, also known as SUN Bucks, provides $120 per eligible child to help families buy food during the summer when school is out. Most eligible children get SUN Bucks automatically. Other families must apply for SUN Bucks benefits at their child's school. Getting and using SUN Bucks does not affect a family’s immigration status. Children who get SUN Bucks can still participate in other food assistance programs, like CalFresh and Summer Meal Programs. For more information, visit the SUN Bucks website.

For cardholder assistance, the SUN Bucks helpline is available at 877-328-9677. The helpline provides automated support 24 hours a day, seven days per week. Live agents are available Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. To check your benefit balance and claim status, visit the California EBT cardholder website.

 

Reading Programs

Free summer reading programs help your student continue learning and practicing their literacy skills with fun incentives for hitting the books.

San Diego Public Library

Plant a Seed, Read! Readers of all ages can join the SD Public Library’s reading program and explore a summer full of stories, creativity, and discovery. Just like a garden feeds the body, books and ideas feed the mind. From books to hands-on activities, discover how stories, food, culture, and community are all connected. Start with a seed of curiosity and see what you discover at the library this summer. Sign ups begin June 1 and the program runs through Aug. 15.

San Diego County Library

The county library's summer reading program runs from June 1 to August 31. Learning starts June 1 and you can register now for the online program at the San Diego County Library website. 

Barnes & Noble

Students in grades 1 through 6 can earn a free book after reading eight books and recording them in their Barnes & Noble summer reading journal (available in English and Spanish). After finishing their books, students can bring in their journal to any Barnes & Noble store during July and August to choose a free book from a grade-level list of titles. See the program page for more details. Visit the Barnes & Noble Summer Reading webpage for reading opportunities for other age groups.

 

Events and Activities

Kaiser Permanente Get Fit and Thrive Challenge 

The Kaiser Permanente Get Fit and Thrive Challenge is back! The program is designed for kids aged 6-14 to promote healthy family living. Active participants will be entered to win a pair of tickets to the San Diego Zoo and the grand prize of a family getaway for four at Hotel Solea. Visit the program webpage for more details. Download the Get Fit and Thrive Challenge Card where kids can document their activities and submit the card by mail postmarked no later than Aug. 28 to be eligibile for the prize drawings. 

Summer Movies in the Park

Summer Movies in the Park is a series of free outdoor movie events at dozens of park facilities across San Diego County. Each event provides opportunities to gather as a community and enjoy summer evenings outdoors. Movies include newer features like K-Pop Demon Hunters, Zootopia 2, Wicked 2, and Lilo and Stitch Live Action, and classics such as The Sandlot and The Goonies. Screenings run through October.

San Diego Book Festival 

The KPBS San Diego Book Festival Aug. 26 on the University of San Diego campus is a free event for book lovers of all ages. Attendees will enjoy panel discussions with award-winning authors, activities, live entertainment, exhibitors including local authors, independent booksellers, and more. Check the website for regular updates.

Crafts, Scavenger Hunts, Bingo, and More

The San Diego Natural History Museum offers a variety of activities kids can do at or around their home. From do-it-yourself crafts to a mineral scavenger hunt, to Nature Bingo, there is something for everyone.

Planet Fitness Teen Summer Pass 

Planet Fitness offers teenagers an opportunity to stay fit while classes are out for the summer. Through their free High School Summer Pass Program, students 14 to 19 years old can stay active during the summer months in a fun and safe environment at any of their participating locations throughout the country. Visit the program website to learn more and register. 

Live Well @ Home

Live Well San Diego offers great tips, resources, and activities from community partners to help residents Live Well @ Home with kids of all ages. The resources are organized into categories, including physical activity, mindfulness and social connection and education to help you find the right tools to match your needs.

• Toddlers and children
• Elementary school age
• Middle and high school age 

 

Explore Outdoors

With San Diego County’s amazing parks, beaches, trails, and more, there is no better place to be all summer long than outside! If all these opportunities aren’t reason enough to get outdoors, June and July are filled with observances you might not know about, like National Trails Day, National Week of the Ocean, National Get Outdoors Day, California State Parks Week, and National Picnic Month. Here are some ways to explore!

• California State Parks
  • Adventures in Learning program that includes the state park adventure pass and the library parks pass 
• San Diego Tourism Authority 
  • Includes things to do around town, outdoor activities, as well as events, festivals, and food.
• Beaches/Tide Pools
  • San Diego Tide Pools
  • San Diego Beach Hikes and Trails
• Trails and Parks in San Diego County
  • County of San Diego Trails
  • Get Outside San Diego 
  • County Parks - Virtual Rec Center for virtual outdoor activities
• Port of San Diego A Day at the Park port experiences series 

Resources

2-1-1 San Diego

211 San Diego is the region’s trusted source for information and connections to community, health, and disaster resources. Help is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and in more than 200 languages. 2-1-1 is a database of more than 6,000 services and resources that are updated on a real-time basis and Community Connectors help connect San Diegans to the accurate information they need.

Tools for Schools

Tools for Schools is an online resource from San Diego County's Live Well Schools. This searchable database of nearly 500 free or low-cost local resources covers a wide variety of topics to support students, families, and staff. Several resources are available in multiple languages.