This is my New Year. Not January. The start of the school year is when I like to try new things. So I hope you like this new format with a bit less text! (I’m a writer. I tend to get wordy! But I’m pulling back a bit here and saving the details for the park guides.)
I think I take my best photos when I’m scouting out OC Tiny Hikes. But only a small percentage of you get to see them! So I’m going to be featuring one OC Tiny Hikes photo at the start of each newsletter — mostly for aesthetics and to inspire wonder & awe for the nature spots we have here in OC. (Paying subscribers are the ones who actually have access to the mini trail guide archives.)
Many of the mini trail guides will be available in seasonal printable guidebooks by the end of the 2025 in my bookshop.
In play,
Michele
As a friendly reminder, make sure you ALWAYS check official sources when you are heading out to any of the locations I share. These are merely suggestions. Only you know what works for your family. Plus, your experience may not be the same as mine — and there can be changes to the hours or unforeseen circumstances or conditions at the suggested locations.
Just-for-fun poll
Thanks for playing along. I’ll share the results next week!
Try this park
More playgrounds with shade:
Free community resources
There is a pretty amazing amenity at some of our public libraries called the Library of Things where you can check out things like: “Backpack Kits, Book Club Kits, Tabletop Games, Chromebooks, Hotspots, Kitchen Tools, Technology Gadgets, Tools, Toys, Musical Instruments, Outdoor Items, Garden Tools, Arts & Crafts, Educational Items, and Outdoor Games.”
It’s available at these OC Public Libraries branches:
Costa Mesa - Donald Dungan Library (next to Lions Park)
El Toro (Lake Forest)
This is part of the “Sustainable California Libraries Initiative, the “Sharing Resources, Building Community” project promotes sustainability through resource sharing, improving efficiency, and creative reuse.
This project is supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.”
And also at these other public library systems in OC:
Anaheim Public Libraries - STEAM on the Go Kits
Huntington Beach Public Library - Makerspace open to patrons over 14 years old (Cricut, 3D Printing, Sewing, Button Making, CNC Routing)
Irvine Public Library - Collection includes musical instruments, tools, gadgets, kits, electronics, and more.
Mission Viejo Library - Storytime in a Bag, Kids' Book Club Kits, Sensory Backpacks
Newport Beach Library - Tech Toys for checkout for those over 18 years old
City of Orange Libraries - Special Collections for Kids and Teens (Early Literacy Kits, School Readiness Kits, S.E.L.F. Kits, VR Goggles, Discovery Kits, Teen Discovery Kits, Telescope Kit, GoPro Kit). This library also has Explorer Backpack Kits for Birdwatching or Hiking for adults to check out.
Placentia Library - Library of Things (LOTs)
Santa Ana Public Library - Library of Things flyer
Yorba Linda Public Library - Library of Things (DIY + Craft, Games + Recreation, Gardening, Music, Tech + Learning, Young Learners Library)
Steal our order
Khao Hom Thai Bistro: 24881 Alicia Pkwy, Ste C., Laguna Hills, CA (near Dutch Bros. and Marshalls)
Beef Pad Se-Eew
Chicken Drunken Noodles
Crispy Cream Cheese Wontons
Thai Fried Rice
Other favorites: Thai Iced Tea, Wonton Soup, Yellow Curry
Deals
The Habit has a “CharClub” you can join with weekly specials. Get the mobile app, then new offers drop in your My Offer wallet every Monday. Now through 10/30/25 is Kids (under 10) Eat Free with a $10 purchase. (Only mentioning this one because we use it all the time. We like almost everything on the menu. They have the BEST shakes and they have a buy one, get one free deal from time to time so 2 milkshakes for about $6. We used it as a fun after dark outing this summer.)
Free MV Shuttle now running in Mission Viejo. “From the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Metrolink train station to Lake Mission Viejo and many places in between, the MV Shuttle (map) gets you where you want to go for FREE. Take advantage of this convenient shuttle service to reach The Shops at Mission Viejo, Mission Hospital, Saddleback College, Capistrano Valley High School, the Norman P. Murray Community Center, City Hall/Library, YMCA/Marguerite Aquatics/Tennis Pavilion, and other locations. The shuttle is perfect for everyone – from businesspeople, students and seniors to volunteers and others looking for a free and convenient way to get around town.”
$10 Metrolink Weekend Day Pass is still happening. Metrolink's Kids Ride Free on Weekends deal means every weekend, up to three children ages 17 and under can travel anywhere on the Metrolink system with a paying adult. Not sure if it’s valid Labor Day weekend, though. So you might want to double-check if you are planning to use it that Sat/Sun.
Worth it? Or DIY?
October Events are suddenly on sale now! Since when was this a thing? Events like weekends at Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch and Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch — even Carved up at Descanso Gardens in LA! The cost is starting to push into prohibitive levels with a family of 4 or 5 costing well over $100 for a trip to the patch for something that lasts an hour or two.
It might be worth it to those families who have the budget for it or who save up for a splurge? I’m thinking there will probably be less crowds on weekends from when it was free? But don’t despair because if it’s out of your budget there can be alternatives:
Weekdays. The Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch is still free on weekdays between the hours of 10am-6pm — with only the ticket activities costing $ (which we always skip anyways). That might mean getting off work an hour early one day and try heading over at 4pm-6pm some evening. It’s beautiful there that time of night.
DIY. Also, since we’re in August, you have time to plan ahead with some other families — either in your neighborhood or with friends. Let’s say 4 families put in $25 each to create a mini pumpkin patch experience with some nice photo ops and some fall games with cheap props. Plan it at a park or in someone’s yard or apartment complex. When you get closer to the end of October, pumpkins go on sale for sometimes $1 or $5. I love the idea of making your own little patch and not having to compete with a crowd.
Ask your city. Let your city know there is a need for affordable fall seasonal activities that don’t cost and aren’t too crowded. There might not be time to make it happen this year, but if enough residents speak out then maybe the future recreation budget can reflect those needs?
Do you want to be part of the fun here?
Let’s lean on each other! Do you have something you’d like to share under one of the sections above:
Try this park / play trip ideas
Community resources / especially free or low cost
Steal our order / small local biz restaurant recommendations
Deals / outside-the-box ideas to fit a tight family budget
Or anything else you think belongs in this weekly newsletter! I love to be helpful here and I appreciate it so much when you share your experiences with me! Just hit “REPLY” to this email and I will contact you back for details. Then I will start including tips from readers like you to make this a true community resource.
No idea is too big or too small.
August favorites
Here are some favorite posts for the last days of August. Go ahead and click the photos for the link to the lists & guides. This is the last weekend before Labor Day weekend when many of the splash pads close and the summer trolleys stop running.
Play-Filled Extras are waiting below this paywall each week for all paid subscribers.
Extras for This Week: Take a break on taking tiny hikes or pick one of these two near where you can get your feet wet, plus 3 unconventional water play ideas.