25 Top Spring Activities in Sacramento for Kids

Spring in Sacramento is blissful. It means wildflower hikes, baseball season, and the start of u-pick farm-to-fork fruit and produce. Spring festivals and egg hunts for kids are bountiful throughout Sacramento, too. It’s the best time of the year to do outdoor activities with kids in Sacramento before it gets too hot, visit farms, and take unforgettable day trips. 

Spring bursts with exciting activities for kids of all ages to enjoy the outdoors and explore the Sacramento area under the umbrella of beautiful blooming flowers and perfect weather. Keep reading for the best things to do in Sacramento with kids in the spring. 

Springtime Farm Fun in Sacramento 

1. Strawberry Picking

April and May typically produce ripe, juicy strawberries. Strawberry picking is a fun activity for kids in the spring, where they can help pick berries from the vine while learning how this favorite fruit is grown. 

Sacramento is the farm-to-fork capital, so there are a variety of u-pick farms in the area where families can go strawberry picking. One of the most popular places to go strawberry picking near Sacramento is Granny May’s in Granite Bay. 

2. Flower Picking Bouquets at Park Winters  

Park Winters in Yolo County has many programs at its flower farm, but one that kids can participate in is its pick-your-own bouquet. Each Spring, Park Winters opens their field of seasonal fresh flowers for picking. 

3. Spring Chicken at Fog Willow Farms

There’s something about springtime and farms that go together. Spring is also a popular time for the arrival of baby farm animals. Fog Willow Farms in Wilton has a Spring Chicken family festival in May. It has petting zoos, hayrides, and other interactive activities for kids on the farm. 

Sacramento Family-Friendly Events in the Spring

4. Easter Egg Hunts

Easter egg hunts occur all over the Sacramento area at places like Fairytale Town, in parks, on farms, and even on the rails of the Sacramento River Fox Train. Many Easter egg hunt experiences include extra activities like carnival games, arts and crafts, and Easter bunny meet and greets. Discover the best Easter egg hunts in Sacramento for kids in Fair Oaks, Curtis Park, Folsom, and more in the Sactown Supermom events calendar.

5. Baseball at Sutter Health Park 

Root for the home teams at Sutter Health Park when baseball season begins! The A’s now have their home turf at Sutter Health Park for the next few years. For some kids (like mine!) this might be the first time they’ll attend a Major League Baseball game. It’s a great addition to the sports scene in Sacramento and adds a fun option to see All-Star baseball players without needing to travel to a game. 

Sacramento River Cats games are a popular family-friendly outing with kid-friendly themed games from dinosaurs to Harry Potter.

6. California Capital Airshow

One of the most popular events for families and the best things to do with kids in Sacramento is the annual California Capital Airshow that flies over the skies of the Sacramento Mather Airport. Typically, this event occurs in the summer, but as of 2025, it has moved to the spring. Aerial acrobatics take flight with plenty of hands-on fun for children of all ages on the ground. 

A tip about the Capital Airshow is that they usually have practices in the skies on Friday afternoons before the event. You can see the planes from Stone Creek Community Park in Rancho Cordova, which has a playground. 

7. Davis Cherry Blossom Festival

The Davis Cherry Blossom Festival is an annual free celebration of Asian American art, culture, and community. It takes place at Sudwerk Brewing Co. and features live music and performances like Taiko drumming, delicious food and drinks, and activities for all ages, like mochi pounding. 

8. Spring Trains at Western Railway Museum

Families can enjoy spring wildflowers from the comfort of a train car on the annual Spring Trains run by the Western Railway Museum in Suisun City. These Spring Trains glide past seasonal wildflowers on a 50-minute train ride, providing a unique view of seasonal wildflowers. 

The Coach Car is the most family-friendly option for the Spring Trains. The Spring Trains also include wine experiences, however, the Coach Car is a non-alcoholic experience. Fittingly, the Coach Car is an open-air journey aboard the Sacramento 1020 passenger car. It includes large windows to view the wildflowers and plush red velvet bench seats. 

After the train ride ends, families can pop into the Western Railway Museum visitor center, where kids can participate in seasonal crafts. The Western Railway Museum is about an hour’s drive from Sacramento. 

9. Old Sacramento Spring Festival

The Sacramento History Museum celebrates the season with an annual Old Sacramento Spring Festival. The free outdoor event is family-friendly for all ages, with activities like gold panning, arts and crafts, face painting, living history demonstrations, and dancing around a 15-foot maypole with ribbons and crowns.

Must-Do Spring Outdoor Adventures with Kids in Sactown 

10. Effie Yeaw Nature Center

For a day of nature with kids, the Effie Yeaw Nature Center in Carmichael is a perfect outdoor outing. It’s one of the best things to do with kids in Sacramento. The nature center includes a Montessori outdoor play area, nature trails that lead to the American River, and picnic tables for snacks. Educational exhibits are also inside the Visitor Center, as is a small gift shop. It’s a spectacular way to spend a beautiful spring day in Sacramento.  

11. Land Park

Spring is the ideal time to take advantage of all the kid-friendly attractions in Land Park before the summer heat engulfs Sacramento. Land Park is a haven for children. Admire the red pandas, giraffes, and cheetahs at the Sacramento Zoo. Experience kiddie roller coasters and amusement rides at Funderland Amusement Park. Younger kids will also enjoy Fairytale Town for its interactive storybook settings, slides, and barnyard animals. 

12. Folsom Lake

In years of a wildflower superbloom, Folsom Lake is carpeted in purple lupine during April. However, even in non-superbloom years, Folsom Lake is still worth visiting in the spring. Many family-friendly hiking trails will be dotted with seasonal wildflowers and lush green grass. 

13. The Wonder Grove

If you haven’t heard about The Wonder Grove yet, it will eventually be an outdoor children’s museum in West Sacramento. Before the outdoor museum officially opens, The Wonder Grove has free weekly outdoor Wiggle Worms play groups on Sundays. While these take place all year, it seems like play groups with themes of puddle jumping and mud pies feel like the ultimate spring activities for kids. 

14. Hidden Falls Regional Park

After wet winters in Sacramento, waterfalls rage in the spring. One of those must-do waterfall hikes near Sacramento is the Hidden Falls Trail in Hidden Falls Regional Park. This popular trail in Auburn is kid-friendly and leads to an impressive waterfall. It also bursts with wildflowers in the spring. Parkimg reservations are required in advance for weekends and high-traffic dates and holidays.

15. Folsom City Lions Park

Before it gets too hot in Sacramento to enjoy parks and playgrounds, head to the ultimate kid-friendly locale of Folsom City Lions Park. The Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary, a western-themed play area and playground, a train ride on a mini steam train through the park, and the Folsom Public Library are all housed within this park. Another bonus? There is also an easy access point near the park to the popular Johnny Cash Trail. 

16. Spring Bike Rides

If the kids got new bikes for the holidays but the weather hasn’t been the best to test their new wheels, spring is an excellent time to take those bikes for a spin. Some of the best places for beginner bike riders include Safetyville, the Fair Oaks Bike Park, and the Regency Park Pump Track in Natomas. More experienced bike riders can take a family ride on the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail along the American River. It’s one of the most popular bike trails in Sacramento.  

17. Picnics in Parks

With new produce and fruit in season in the spring, pick up provisions at the Midtown Farmers Market or Corti Brothers for a picnic in one of Sacramento’s stunning parks. Some park options for a lunch spread include McKinley Park, Hagan Community Park, Effie Yeaw Nature Center, River Bend Park, Land Park, and even the UC Davis Arboretum. 

18. Jensen Botanical Garden

The Jensen Botanical Garden is a free gem in Carmichael. With walking paths and a small redwood grove, it’s particularly stunning in the springtime when tulips bloom. 

Introduce Kids to Springtime Gardening 

19. Sacramento Library Seed Library

If you’re interested in getting kids into gardening at an early age, you can take up to three seed packets for free at select Sacramento Library locations. Seed libraries have various seeds available to anyone for free, even without a library card. These are non-genetically modified heirlooms and wild seeds suited for Sacramento’s climate. There are many varieties of seeds to choose from to begin growing a garden. 

20. Green Acres Nursery & Supply

For gardening novices who want kids involved in the planting process in the spring, Green Acres is a local Sacramento gardening center with multiple locations in the area. If you’re well beyond seeds or want a more expansive selection than the Sacramento Library Seed Library, head to Green Acres for supplies.  

Best Day Trips from Sacramento with Kids in the Spring 

21. Jelly Belly Factory

At just about an hour’s drive away from Sacramento, the Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield makes for an ideal spring day trip with kids. Jelly beans are an Easter staple, after all! For an affordable fee of $8 for adults and $4 for children ages 4-17, visitors can take a self-guided tour of the Jelly Belly factory. Just know that the facility does not run production on weekends. Therefore, the tour could be of a non-operating facility. 

There are interactive exhibits and games along the Jelly Belly tour route. Visitors can also dine at the Jelly Belly cafe and shop in the candy store. 

What’s extra special about visiting the Jelly Belly Factory in the spring is that there are photos with the Easter Bunny at the Fairfield Visitor Center on select days. Additionally, they tend to have an annual brunch with the Easter bunny leading up to the holiday. Note that the Jelly Belly Factory is closed for the actual Easter holiday.  

While in Fairfield, include a visit to the u-pick tulip farm at HVH Specialty Growers. This is a popular farm to visit in the spring for its vibrant bulbs, and is a short drive from the Jelly Belly Factory. The Spring Trains at the Western Railway Museum aren’t far either, making all these close stops a perfect spring day trip from Sacramento.

22. San Francisco

San Francisco is a worthy day trip from Sacramento at any time of year. I especially love taking day trips there in the summer when it’s blazing hot in Sacramento. The bay breeze offers a cool summer respite. It’s still worth a day trip in the spring, though.

San Francisco is lovely in the spring, and Golden Gate Park is particularly picturesque. The Gardens of Golden Gate Park include the Conservatory of Flowers, Japanese Tea Garden, and SF Botanical Garden. In mid-March through April, cherry blossom trees burst throughout the Japanese Tea Garden. 

The Queen Wilhelmina Garden is on the opposite side of Golden Gate Park (the west end) and is another must-visit spot in the spring in San Francisco. It might feel like you’ve stepped out of San Francisco and into The Netherlands. A Dutch windmill is the centerpiece of the garden, surrounded by colorful tulips. It’s typically in full bloom in March. 

Hakone Gardens in Saratoga (near San Jose) is another worthy stop in the Bay Area for peak cherry blossoms in the springtime.

23. Ananda Village Tulips at Crystal Hermitage Gardens 

Take a day trip to Nevada City to see thousands of tulips at Crystal Hermitage Gardens. In April, 20,000 vibrant tulips sprout throughout this multi-tiered garden in the Sierra Foothills. Only parts of the garden are accessible to strollers, so you might want to leave the stroller in the car for this adventure. 

Speaking of Nevada City, I’d recommend hiking the Buttermilk Bend Trail in the spring. However, it’s currently closed due to a washout. That said, the South Yuba River State Park website indicates that although the trail is closed, wildflower walks will still occur on the weekends throughout the spring. 

24. Lake Tahoe

We frequently take day trips to Lake Tahoe from Sacramento with our very young children versus staying the night. It tends to be easier than trekking tons of overnight gear with us. Since Sacramento is so close to Lake Tahoe, we don’t feel we have to pack everything into one day and can spread out numerous day trips throughout the year. 

Spring in Lake Tahoe is unpredictable, as there could still be snow. March is notably one of the most snow-heavy months in Lake Tahoe. If you’re looking for a snowy adventure in the spring, then Lake Tahoe should be on your list. It could snow as late as May! 

Wildflowers in Lake Tahoe tend to begin blooming toward the end of May at the lake level. However, it can be unpredictable depending on how much snow Lake Tahoe receives that year. Wildflowers in Lake Tahoe can be at their peak in the summer months. Either way, spring is an ideal time to visit Lake Tahoe before the summer crowds emerge. We love going in the spring and fall to avoid the summer months in Lake Tahoe due to the crowds. 

25. Yosemite National Park

While Yosemite National Park is pretty close to Sacramento, and you could technically do it in a day trip, it’s probably best to make this one an overnight trip. 

Waterfalls at Yosemite National Park are usually fullest in the spring, especially by May. Spring is the best season to see the water flowing in Yosemite Valley. Like Lake Tahoe, there will also be fewer crowds in the spring, and the weather will be milder.

Note that Yosemite Valley will be the main part of the park that will be accessible in the springtime. Mariposa Grove usually opens in April. Glacier Point Road typically opens in May. Likely, Tioga Road will probably not be open by the spring. However, it varies each year depending on the amount of snowfall.