21 Things to Do in Sacramento with Kids This Labor Day Weekend (2026)

Even though kids are already back in school, Labor Day Weekend is still the time we tend to say goodbye to summer. From Kids Fest to Chalk It Up and the opening of Nimbus Fish Hatchery, fun, family-friendly events will be taking place all over the area.

Plus, there’s still time to beat the heat with water play spots near Sacramento for kids to enjoy during the long Labor Day weekend. This is the weekend to catch those last sun rays at lakes and slide down water slides before we welcome Sacramento-area fall activities with open arms.

Peep the many fun summer activities in Sacramento for kids to make sure you check everything off your list while you still can. Plus, you can browse the Sactown Supermom Events Calendar for Labor Day Weekend events for kids across the Sacramento area.

September in Sacramento with Kids

➡️ Best Things to Do with Kids in Sacramento This September

➡️ Best Pumpkin Patches in the Sacramento Area

Best Things to Do Labor Day Weekend in Sacramento with Kids

1. Sacramento Zoo Community Day — William Land Regional Park

Kick off Labor Day Weekend with discounted admission to the Sacramento Zoo. Several times each year, the Sacramento Zoo offers $10 Community Days, the most affordable price the zoo ever offers. Their next $10 Community Days are on Friday, September 4, 2026. Just be sure to grab your tickets online, as these events tend to bring big crowds.

➡️ Haven’t been to the Sacramento Zoo in a while? Check out my guide to tips and everything you need to know about visiting the Sacramento Zoo with kids.

2. Kids Fest — Natomas

The Enchanted Indoor Playgrounds are some of the best indoor playgrounds in Sacramento for kids. In addition to being a community staple and a favorite among kids (and parents), they’ll be co-hosting the 3rd Kids Fest at Enchanted Natomas on Sunday, September 6, 2026, from 10am to 2pm. Enchanted partners with Mama Bears Fighting Childhood Cancer, an incredible organization that supplies hospital survival wagons or clinic carts to families with a child diagnosed with cancer.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and while Kids Fest will be a fun day for kids in Sacramento, from character visits to performances, the event will also be raising funds to support local pediatric cancer families.

Kids Fest is free to attend and will be taking place outside, behind Enchanted Natomas. To play inside Enchanted Natomas, families can purchase a $20 wristband for kids to play inside the Enchanted Natomas Indoor Playground and receive additional goodies like face painting, a balloon animal, cotton candy, bounce house access, and more.

3. Lodi Lake — Lodi

If you want to visit a family-friendly lake near Sacramento, skip Folsom Lake and go to Lodi Lake instead. With a sandy beach, wading pool, boat rentals, playground, and even a nature trail, these kid-friendly amenities make it an easy and convenient outing for families.

Lodi Lake Beach closes for the season after September 7, 2026, so Labor Day weekend is your final chance to enjoy the beach and wading pool this year. Lodi Lake Beach opens at 12:30pm. There is a $5 non-resident fee per person to enter the beach and wading pool, plus a $10 non-resident fee for vehicle entry to Lodi Lake.

Be wowed by Lodi Lake by sneaking a peek at all the family-friendly amenities in my Instagram Reel.

4. emPOWERment Park — Arden-Arcade

emPOWERment Park is a game-changing park in Sacramento. This is a socially inclusive and sensory-integrated park where anyone can play regardless of age or ability. emPOWERment Park is one of the most accessible playgrounds in Sacramento I’ve yet to come across, with ramp access to the play structure and a variety of wheelchair- and mobility-adaptable play equipment. Kids will love this colorful and accessible playground.

The long weekend is the perfect time to check out this brand-new park in Sacramento. See a preview of emPOWERment Park in my Instagram Reel.

Tip: Swanston Splash Park is just a few blocks away from emPOWERment Park. I’d recommend combining both parks in one outing. Start at emPOWERment Park, then make the splash pad at Swanston Splash Park your second stop. Swanston Splash Park is one of the best splash pads in Sacramento.

➡️ Looking to visit another newly opened playground in the Sacramento area? Check out Westacre Park in West Sacramento.

5. Wackford Aquatic Center — Elk Grove

Labor Day Weekend is the final weekend for families to splash around at Wackford Aquatic Center in Elk Grove. It’s one of the best water play spots in the Sacramento area. With a water playground, multiple pools, water slides, an inflatable obstacle course, and interactive water elements in a zero-entry pool, it’s great for all ages. It’s the ultimate way to beat the heat. Check out what to expect in my Instagram Reel of Wackford Aquatic Center.

Note: While Wackford Aquatic Center closes after Labor Day Weekend, the North Natomas Aquatic Center remains open through September 27, 2026.

6. Apple Hill — Placerville

While Labor Day Weekend is about saying goodbye to summer, you can take a day trip to Apple Hill if you want it to feel like fall. Many Apple Hill farms are already open for the season. Apple picking is happening right now at farms like Pine-O-Mine Ranch and O’Halloran’s Apple Trail Ranch. So, pick some apples, get apple cider donuts, and pretend it’s already autumn.

There are 50+ Apple Hill farms, so I’ve put together a helpful guide to everything you need to know about visiting Apple Hill with kids.

7. Koobs Nature Area Public Open Day — Carmichael

The Koobs Nature Area is a hidden gem in Carmichael that more families need to know about. This nature preserve is not open to the public, but on the first Saturday of the month (except in the summer), the Kiwanis Club of Carmichael hosts a fun, free day of activities for kids.

The next Public Open Day at Koobs Nature Area is over Labor Day Weekend on Saturday, September 5, 2026. Their Public Open Days have different themes. This one is Wiggly Worm & Caterpillar Day from 10am to 2pm. No registration is required. They usually have a fun scavenger hunt around the nature preserve and interactive, hands-on activities. Check out what to expect at a Koobs Nature Area Public Open Day in my Instagram Reel.

8. Chalk It Up! — Midtown Sacramento

When you think of an annual festival in Sacramento over Labor Day Weekend, Chalk It Up will likely come to mind. 2026 is the 36th year of this beloved festival. Families can watch talented artists create masterpieces out of chalk on the sidewalks around Fremont Park. In 2026, Chalk It Up! takes place from September 5 to 7, 2026. Head to the Sactown Supermom Events Calendar for more family-friendly events.

9. Nimbus Fish Hatchery — Gold River

If you’re looking for a unique and free activity in Sacramento for kids, the Nimbus Fish Hatchery reopens on Labor Day. Fall is a more popular time to go during the salmon run, but there’s no harm in going on Labor Day. Kids can feed fish for free, climb on the outdoor play area, explore the visitor center, and walk an easy nature trail. This is a wonderful outing for families.

➡️ Here’s everything you need to know about visiting the Nimbus Fish Hatchery with kids.

10. Sacramento River Cats Game

Root for the home team over the long weekend. The Sacramento River Cats have a home stand at Sutter Health Park from September 4-6, 2026, against the Salt Lake Bees. With a playground at the ball field and a fun, family-friendly atmosphere, Sacramento River Cats games are a home run.

11. Roseville Golfland BBQ Party — Roseville

Close out summer with a Labor Day BBQ Party at Roseville Golfland Sunsplash on Monday, September 7, 2026. A $69.99 package includes Sunsplash water park admission and a BBQ meal. Spending Labor Day at a water park seems like the perfect way to say goodbye to summer.

12. Free Mid-Autumn Lantern-Making Workshop at Tea Again — Elk Grove

If you haven’t heard of Tea Again, this Elk Grove cafe serves up Taiwanese-Vietnamese drinks and fare. One of the best things about this kid-friendly cafe is its wonderful Kids Corner, full of interactive activities for children, games, and even a Hot Wheels car trading case.

Over Labor Day Weekend, this family-run cafe will have a free lantern-making workshop on Saturday, September 5, 2026, from 11am to 1pm. Kids will color, assemble, and create their own lantern to take home, which will even light up!

13. California Automobile Museum — Sacramento

The California Automobile Museum recently opened a new Route 66-inspired exhibit called Carburetor Corners. If your kids love Pixar’s Cars, you’ll want to drive over to the museum so they feel like they stepped into the movie. The museum also has $2 ice cream and a working jukebox in a retro dining setting. There’s also an indoor play area for kids with cars and a train set. It’s one of the best indoor play areas for kids inside a Sacramento Museum.

Tip: Labor Day Weekend is also the next Bank of America Museums on Us weekend. If you’re a Bank of America cardholder, you get free museum admission to participating museums every first Saturday and Sunday of the month. The California Automobile Museum is one of those museums, so Bank of America cardholders receive free admission on September 5 and 6, 2026. The same goes for the Crocker Art Museum and the California Museum.

➡️ Here’s everything you need to know about visiting the California Automobile Museum with kids.

14. Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm — Wheatland

If you’re over the summer and want to do all the fall things, you’re in luck. Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm is already open! It’s no secret that it’s one of the best pumpkin patches in the Sacramento area. During Labor Day Weekend, they’ll have a watermelon festival from September 4 to 6, 2026. They’ll also be open on Labor Day. From rides to treats and a train ride, families love Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm (ours included).

Get an early start on fall fun and prepare for your visit with my guide to everything you need to know about visiting Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm with kids.

15. SacAnime — Midtown Sacramento

Pop culture fans can head to SacAnime over Labor Day Weekend, occurring from September 4-6, 2026, at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento. Expect panels, gaming, and plenty of cosplay. SacAnime is family-friendly and requires tickets. Children ages 11 and under receive free admission.

16. White Rock Splash Park — Rancho Cordova

The only public splash pad with water slides in the Sacramento area is in Rancho Cordova. White Rock Splash Park closes for the season after Labor Day Weekend. The splash pad has specific 90-minute timed sessions, and the water slide has height requirements. If using the water slides, it’s $1 cash per session. I’ve written a whole guide on everything you need to know about White Rock Splash Park.

Note: Our family went to White Rock Splash Park this past weekend, and the water slides were closed due to staff shortages. If you’re heading to Rancho Cordova, contact them first to confirm whether the water slides will be operating.

17. Funderland Amusement Park — William Land Regional Park

Although the summer fair season has ended, fair-like family fun can still be had at the kiddie amusement rides at Funderland Amusement Park. Close out summer by spinning on teacups and taking a spin on the Flying Dragon (a kiddie roller coaster). Funderland is one of the top kid-friendly attractions at William Land Regional Park.

18. National Read A Book Day — Elk Grove

If you’ve got little bookworms, Space To Play in Elk Grove will be celebrating National Read a Book Day on Sunday, September 6, 2026. The event is from 2pm to 4pm. Expect crafts, open play, and books. Space To Play is one of the top indoor play areas in the Sacramento area for kids. National Read A Book Day is included with regular admission.

19. Bubble Bash at Bay Area Discovery Museum — Sausalito (Marin County)

This one requires a day trip to Marin County, but it’s worth it because the Bay Area Discovery Museum is an amazing (mostly outdoor) children’s museum near San Francisco. Labor Day Weekend is the final weekend of their Bubble Bash, which ends on September 7, 2026. Kids can play in giant bubbles, foam parties, and this fun day in the Bay Area will be bursting with fun.

20. Oakland Zoo — Oakland (East Bay)

Another day trip to consider over Labor Day Weekend is to the Oakland Zoo. When you’ve been to the Sacramento Zoo a dozen times and want to level up the sights and see more animals, the extra drive to the East Bay is the way to go. Our family loves the Oakland Zoo. You’ll spend a ton of time on the wonderful California Trail. Plus, it’s always fun to collect the free trading cards from around the zoo.

21. Redding, CA

If you’re looking for a fun weekend adventure over the long holiday weekend, Redding might be the perfect spot. At just a two-and-a-half-hour drive, families can pack in a ton of fun, from feeding lorikeets at Turtle Bay Exploration Park to a splash pad with an erupting volcano. We recently visited Redding, and our family had a great time. Plus, it makes an ideal home base for day trips to Lassen Volcanic National Park and Burney Falls.

Check out a preview of kid-friendly spots in Redding in my Instagram Reel, and learn more about planning your adventure in my detailed guide to the best things to do in Redding with kids.