Summer has finally arrived and that means a season with more opportunities to explore new hobbies and outdoor activities or to just relax with family. Grandparents may enjoy this summer with grandchildren by visiting new sites, attending local fairs or planning activities at home. This newsletter has some suggestions and entertainment opportunities we hope you will enjoy.
Travel Tips and Suggestions
For grandparents planning to travel this summer, here are some tips to make your travel plans more manageable for you and your grandchild.
- Take a picture on your phone before you leave so if lost, it will be easier to identify your grandchild that day.
- Pin identification information with your cell phone number on the back of your grandchild’s shirt or inside of their pocket.
- Consider attaching an Air Tag to their clothing to locate them if they wander off.
- Check the airport layout and find out how far you will have to go… and plan ahead how to accommodate to get there on time.
- Check to see if you have airline or cardholder rewards to get lounge access or any other travel perks.
- Download your grandchild’s favorite calming music or pack games to play while you’re waiting for your flight at the airport… and on the plane.
Autism Friendly Travel Destinations
Meow Wolf: Collaborating with IBCCES, Meow Wolf’s Santa Fe, Denver, Dallas, and Las Vegas locations have completed staff training and onsite reviews, enhancing their immersive art experiences for autistic and sensory-sensitive guests. This accomplishment underscores Meow Wolf’s dedication to inclusivity and accessibility, ensuring that their spaces offer enjoyment to a diverse audience.
Kennedy Space Center: The space center’s team has completed specialized training and certification processes through IBCCES to better understand and cater to the needs of autistic and sensory-sensitive guests and offer more accessibility tools and resources such as sensory ratings for all areas of the complex.
Summer Activities
Home Based Water Games
- Water Bottle Freeze Tag: It’s as simple as grabbing and filling a spray bottle with water. Grandchildren will enjoy this activity, especially on those hot afternoons.You can replace the spray bottle with water blasters for older grandchildren.
- Duck, Duck, Splash!: This rendition of the popular game, “Duck, Duck, Goose,” calls for everyone to sit in a circle, and the “goose” walking around the circle will dump a bucket of water on their next goose.
- Kiddie Pool Kickball: Get some heavy-duty plastic sheeting and four middle sized pools to form bases for a diamond-shaped playing field for teens. They can enjoy a refreshing, cool kickball game during the summer heat.
- Water Balloon Baseball: For grandchildren who love baseball, replace a baseball with water balloons! It’s a great way to practice batting with a new twist.
Gardening
- Garden Together: Shop for seeds or plants to add to a garden. Some fast growing vegetable seeds include radishes, spinach carrots, lettuce, cucumber and beets.
- Make Markers: Place homemade pictures or markers where the vegetables or flowers are planted.
- Mini-Terrarium: Glass jar gardens and terrariums can be found at a local garden center or stores like Home Depot. Just place gravel at the bottom of the jar and arrange your chosen plant and firm the gravel with your fingers or pencil.
- Tin-Can Pots: Grandparents can punch a hole at the bottom and top of a recycled tin can. Grandchildren can paint the can and choose what plant they want to grow.
Parks and Recreation
- Parks: This website will help you to locate and learn about special features at a nearby park.
- Hiking and Biking Trails: If you want to exercise this summer, this site has a list of great spots that you and your grandchildren might enjoy.
- Click HERE for a list of camps that accommodate children and adults with disabilities in Orange County, California. Search Google to find local programs in most other communities
- Parks and Recreation
- YMCA Program
- Boys and Girls Club
Additional Outdoor Activities
- Horseback Riding: Guided Animal Intervention Therapy in Orange County, CA is located in Anaheim Hills at Seneca Ranch. The program is designed to support children, allowing them to gain coping skills and build positive self-esteem. The program offers a group and private sessions.
- SwimLabs: At SwimLabs, the Adaptive Aquatics Instructors are specialized in teaching those with special abilities, such as ADHD, Autism, Down Syndrome, and more. The programs offered are their T.A.P (Therapeutic Aquatic Program) and Adapted Swim Levels. The lesson plans are structured to accommodate to the swimmer’s needs.
- Take A Swim!: Pearson Park Pool in Anaheim CA offers a free public swim. Reservations are required and times are available from Friday to Sunday. Lifeguards are also on duty during the times provided.
- Public Swimming Pools: Canyon and Anaheim High School also offer a free public swim for families. The available days are Fridays through Sunday.
Upcoming Local Concerts and Fairs
- Fancy Nancy, The Musical: Bring the family to watch Fancy Nancy as she and her friends prepare for their first show, “Deep Sea Dances!” The Chance Theater presents it from May 25th- June 9th.
- Pearson Park Summer Nights Under the Stars [Hosted by Disneyland]: The Pearson Park Amphitheater will host family and cultural shows and free concerts on Fridays and Saturdays from June 14 to August 24.
- Kids Fun Zone (Pirate Day): The Anaheim Town Square will host a free family fun day of pirate paradise. Some activists include a pirate show, a magician, face painting and pirate arts and crafts. It is scheduled on June 8th from 11 am-2 pm.
- Fourth of July Celebration: Peralta Canyon Park and Canyon High School will host an all-day Fourth of July celebration with various entertainment, including the Yankee Doodle Dog Show, Fourth of July Parade and fireworks.
- Kids Fun Zone 2.0: End of Summer Pool Party: The Anaheim Town Square will host another fun day to celebrate the end of summer. It is scheduled on August 10th, from 11 am-2 pm.
Check online for additional local events and fairs.
Orange County CA Amusement Parks
- LEGOLAND Star-Spangled Celebration: The California Resort will provide fun dance parties, lawn activities, limited-time treats and Lego-themed fireworks.
- Disneyland: Season of the Force: Experience a galactic adventure through Disneyland’s limited-time Star Wars celebration. The event features unique food offerings and more.
- Knott’s Soak City Water Park: The Waterpark offers fun-filled water activities, tube and body slides, family raft rides, a wave pool, Sunset River, and more! The waterpark will be open until September 8th.
- Ghost Town Alive!: Throughout the summer, Knott’s Berry Farm will host an authentic Western adventure as guests unfold the story of the Wild West with planned tasks and activities.
- Knott’s Summer Nights: The Knott’s Berry Theme Park will host nighttime parties from June to September filled with unique summer food, live music, and family-friendly games.
- Accommodations: For grandchildren who may require accommodations for amusement parks such as Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm, please refer to the following information on how to register: Disneyland DAS, Knott’s Berry Farm Accessibility, LEGOLAND Accessibility Guide and Accessibility Information
Sites to Visit
Museums
- The Children’s Museum of La Habra: This museum features an array of hands-on exhibits, an outdoor garden, a “Science Station,” and a “Nature Walk.” Every Tuesday, they provide a Sensory-Friendly experience from 2-4 pm. Check out their social story here.
- Pretend City Children’s Museum: This museum presents a miniature city where children can pretend to play in different careers. It’s an excellent location for children to improve their communication and teamwork. Additionally, the museum offers free monthly Neurodivergent Family Nights.
- Discovery Cube Orange County: The Discovery Cube is an interactive Santa Ana museum offering various engaging exhibits such as their “Planetary Research Station” and “Inspector Training Course.”
- Long Beach Firefighters Museum: Every Wednesday and second Saturday of every month, the museum is open to tours featuring vehicles, equipment, and tools.
- Kidspace Children’s Museum (Butterfly Season): This is a non-profit museum aimed at helping children improve emotionally and intellectually. One of their main features is their Butterfly Season, where children have the opportunity to adopt a live caterpillar
Local Zoos
- Orange County Zoo: This zoo is located in Irvine Regional Park and homes several animals who were orphaned or injured. The OC Zoo will be having a Star Wars Day on June 29 from 10am to 3pm.
- Santa Ana Zoo: Santa Ana Zoo showcases more than 80 species of animals and includes a children’s farm, a train ride, a Ferris wheel, and a carrousel.
Autism Friendly Local Movie Theaters
- AMC Films: AMC currently partners with the Autism Society to accommodate those with special needs. Their Sensory Friendly Film program is available on the second and fourth (family friendly) Saturdays of every month and on Wednesday evenings for mature audiences.
- Regal (My Way Matinee): Regal also provides sensory friendly experiences. Their website showcases upcoming films and available theaters.
Upcoming Events
- Summer Nights At the Nixon Library: Movie Night: The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum are hosting a free, outdoor movie night of the “Sandlot” on June 6 at 7pm.
- OC Parks Sunset Cinema: Starting Friday nights from June 7 to August 30, there will be 12 free movie screenings at Yorba Linda Regional Park, Irvine Regional Park, and much more! Some movies include Wonka (2023), Frozen II (2019), and The Goonies (1985)
Not together over the summer?
We recommend families use the applications Zoom or Facetime for grandparents who cannot be in person with their grandkids. With Zoom, you can video chat, and call your family from your computer, phone, ipad or other tablet device. Learn how you can meet together on Apple devices with Facetime or how to access others from an Android or Windows device here.
The members of the GAN Board of Directors wish you and your family
good health and a fun filled summer!
