I love it when someone emails me for San Diego family vacation advice, and I get to tell them their travel dates fall during Kids Free San Diego. From October 1–31, 2026, kids can eat, stay, and play for free at over 100 museums, attractions, tours, hotels, and restaurants across the county.
Why It Matters: As a longtime resident and member of the San Diego Tourism Authority—the official organization behind this event—I’ve supported it since it began over 14 years ago. I know how meaningful Kids Free San Diego is to our community. Sure, it’s about bringing visitors to our local attractions, but it’s also about making them accessible and more affordable for residents.
Some families we work with actually shift their vacations to October to take advantage of the savings. Local parents use the deals to try something new. Both pull ideas from my ultimate guide to the best things to do in San Diego with kids.
I attended the intimate, invite-only kickoff with our mayor and other tourism leaders. I left feeling very proud to be a San Diegan, and with more insider tips on how to maximize the deals, which I’ll share with you below.
How Kids Free San Diego Works
What is free is the child’s half. An adult buys the ticket, orders the entrée, or books the room, and the child’s admission, meal, or stay comes free on top of it. Your own ticket stays full price.
It reaches well past the theme parks. More than 60 museums take part, along with the Zoo, the Safari Park, SeaWorld, LEGOLAND, and Belmont Park, plus harbor cruises and helicopter tours, hotels around Mission Bay and Mission Valley, and a list of participating restaurants. What changes from venue to venue is the age limit, how many children one adult can bring, and whether you need a coupon in hand.
Three things are worth knowing before you buy anything.
- Check the fine print at the source. Every participating restaurant, hotel, and attraction has to upload its offer to the Tourism Authority’s member portal and get it approved, which makes the Kids Free page the reliable version rather than what circulates on Instagram or TikTok.
- Confirm the age limit and the cap. The range runs from ages 3 to 9 at SeaWorld up to 12 and under at LEGOLAND and the museums, so a 10-year-old is free at some of these and full price at others. Most offers also limit how many children come in free per paying adult, and a few block out high-demand dates.
- Use the right redemption method. Some offers apply automatically with a paid adult ticket, some require advance purchase through a specific link, and most museums need a coupon. Skip the correct process and the deal is gone.
The quick answer
Kids get in free all October. Find your route:
Your Strategy for October
The odds are high that the attractions on your wish list are part of Kids Free San Diego. With some planning, families can save hundreds and sometimes over $1,000.
Where we are right now: the dates are confirmed for October 1-31, 2026, and the biggest offers are already live. The Zoo, the Safari Park, SeaWorld, and Sesame Place have all posted their 2026 kids-free deals. LEGOLAND, Belmont Park, and the hotel and restaurant lists have not been published yet.
- September 1 – The San Diego Museum Council posts the 2026 museum Fun Guide and its coupons.
- Shortly after – The Tourism Authority should publish the rest of the hotel, restaurant, and attraction offers.
Where an offer is still pending, the section shows what ran last October, which is the best guide to what comes back. I update each section as the 2026 offers are confirmed.
Here’s your October game plan:
- Download museum coupons – One signup covers every museum, but each one needs its own coupon. Full instructions are in the museum section below.
- Grab discounted attraction tickets with Kids Free included – Our discounted tickets qualify for Kids Free San Diego.
- San Diego Zoo (use code for $8 off)
- San Diego Zoo Safari Park (use code for $8 off)
- USS Midway Museum
- LEGOLAND California (Kids Free tickets will become available around September)
- SeaWorld San Diego (for SeaWorld’s 2026 offer, the free child’s ticket is added with a full-price adult ticket on SeaWorld’s own site, covered below)
- and many more
- Compare value before you buy passes – Individual Kids Free tickets usually come out cheaper. But if you’re already planning multiple attractions, Go City sometimes has a promotional pass for this timeframe.
- Plan your itinerary strategically – Decide if you’ll need upgrades (for example, behind-the-scenes tours) or add-ons.
- Check hotel packages – Some family-friendly hotels bundle Kids Free perks with discounted rates. Browse Kids Free Vacation packages.
The Deals I Check First
These stood out last October, and they are the first ones I look for when the new list posts.
- Most kids in free: San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, which have allowed up to 6 kids per paid adult.
- Best theme park deal: LEGOLAND California, one child 12 and under free per adult Hopper ticket.
- Best hotel value: Bahia Resort Hotel, where kids stay, eat, and play free on top of up to 25% off the room.
- Best activity: Triton Catamaran Charters, where kids sail free on San Diego Bay.
- Best sit-down meal: Kings Inn, where kids eat free at the retro Waffle Spot and Amigo Spot.
Theme Park & Major Attraction October Deals
You will save substantially in October at our theme parks and amusement parks. Most qualifying attraction tickets go on sale on or before October 1.
Kids Go Free to San Diego Zoo
I have a lot of advice for buying San Diego Zoo tickets, but in October the ticket above is the one to buy, because the kids then come in free on it.
- The Offer: Up to six children ages 11 and under get free admission with one paid adult.
- How to Redeem: Nothing to download and nothing to show. The kids walk in with you on any valid adult admission, and a sightseeing pass counts here even though it does not at the museums.
- Valid: October 1-31, 2026
Katie’s Tip
Your free kids’ admission in October covers HalGLOWeen, the Zoo’s after-dark event with lights and entertainment, so the same ticket covers the evening as well as the day. Arrive at opening, take the Skyfari Aerial Tram to the back of the zoo, and work your way forward against the crowd.
Kids Go Free to San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Located about 40 minutes north of downtown San Diego, the Safari Park offers a completely different experience, with vast, open-field enclosures where animals roam together.
- The Offer: Up to six children ages 11 and under get free admission with one paid adult.
- How to Redeem: Nothing to download and nothing to show. The kids walk in with you on any valid adult admission, and a sightseeing pass counts here even though it does not at the museums.
- Valid: October 1-31, 2026
Katie’s Tip
The Africa Tram is included with admission and covers ground you cannot reach on foot, which is why I do it first. Lines build through the afternoon, so ride it in the morning for the shortest wait and the better light. Read my full guide to San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Kids Go Free to SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld combines marine life exhibits with exciting roller coasters and the Rescue Jr. area for younger kids, making it a great park for families with kids in multiple age groups. For the ticket side rather than the October offer, my guide to discounted SeaWorld San Diego tickets covers the passes, Fun Cards, and current promotions.
- The Offer: One child (ages 3-9) gets free admission with one full-price paid adult ticket.
- How to Redeem: The 2026 offer is live. See the offer and buy the qualifying adult ticket on SeaWorld’s offer page, where you add the free child’s ticket to your cart at the same time.
- Valid: Any day through October 31, 2026, including Spooktacular weekends. Sightseeing passes do not qualify as the paid adult ticket.
Katie’s Tip
The Kids Free ticket works on SeaWorld Spooktacular days, the park’s daytime Halloween event with trick-or-treat trails and dance parties. Spooktacular runs Fridays through Sundays rather than daily, so check the schedule against your dates before you buy. Read my full guide to SeaWorld San Diego.
Kids Go Free to Sesame Place San Diego
SeaWorld’s sister park in Chula Vista participates too. Its rides and water attractions suit younger kids, and The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular, included with admission, runs on the days the park is open, with trick-or-treating and a Halloween parade.
- The Offer: One child (ages 3-9) gets free admission with one full-price paid adult ticket.
- How to Redeem: The 2026 offer is live. Add the free child’s ticket to your cart with the adult ticket on Sesame Place’s tickets page.
- Valid: Through November 2, 2026, which covers the park’s final Spooktacular day on November 1. Sightseeing passes do not qualify as the paid adult ticket.
- Good to Know: Sesame Place moves to a fall schedule and is open weekends only in October, so plan a Saturday or Sunday visit.
Kids Go Free to LEGOLAND California
LEGOLAND has run this every recent October. One child aged 2 to 12 gets in free with each full-price adult Hopper ticket bought for October. The 2026 offer has not posted yet, which is normal this early, and LEGOLAND usually releases it around September.
It is not a blanket free-for-kids month, though, and that is where families get caught. The free ticket is tied to an adult Hopper at full price, so the saving comes off the child’s ticket and nothing else. A Hopper does cover the theme park, SEA LIFE Aquarium, and the water park, so that one free child ticket covers all three gates.
LEGOLAND suits families with younger children, with more than 60 rides, shows, and attractions, and October adds the Brick-or-Treat Monster Party on event nights. If you are working out the ticket itself rather than the October offer, my guide to discounted LEGOLAND California tickets covers every way to bring the price down year-round.
- The Offer: One child (ages 2-12) gets free admission with the purchase of one full-price adult Hopper Ticket.
- How to Redeem: When available, purchase through LEGOLAND California’s online store.
- Valid: Valid dates for 2026 TBD.
Katie’s Tip
The full-price adult Hopper requirement is the catch. You cannot stack another discount on the adult ticket, so the whole saving comes from the free child ticket rather than from both. Read my Brick-or-Treat survival guide.
Kids Ride and Play Free at Belmont Park
This classic beachfront amusement park in Mission Beach is free to enter, but the Kids Free deal offers big savings on the rides.
- The Offer: In recent years, one child (12 and under) received a free wristband with the purchase of an adult wristband.
- How to Redeem: The 2026 offer has not posted yet. Check the official Belmont Park promotions page closer to October.
Katie’s Tip
In past Octobers, trick-or-treating has been free on Sundays alongside the Beachside Fall Fest, so the wristband is not the only reason to come. Here’s what we like to do at Belmont Park.
Kids Go Free at More Than 60 San Diego Museums
One of the best parts of Kids Free October is the chance to walk into more than 60 museums and cultural institutions without paying for the kids. Here is how it works.
Worth Knowing
More than 145,000 children and adults took part in the Kids Free museum program last year, which is why the popular museums fill their weekend slots early.
How the Kids Free Museum Coupon Works
Most participating museums need a coupon, one per museum. Here is how to get them.
- How to Get It: Sign up once on the San Diego Museum Council’s page with your email address, and every coupon becomes available to you. Save that email, because each museum has its own coupon and you will come back through the month for the ones you still need.
- The Offer: The coupon allows up to two children (ages 12 and under) to enter for free with one paid adult.
- Important Restriction: This offer cannot be combined with other discounts. Sightseeing passes like Go City San Diego or Balboa Park Explorer Passes are not considered a valid paid adult admission for this promotion. Special exhibitions may require an additional fee.
Participating Museums You Should Visit
With youth admission free, October is the month to try a museum you have never been to, because guessing wrong costs you nothing. The list below is the roster the San Diego Museum Council promoted last October. The 2026 lineup posts with the Fun Guide on September 1, and I refresh this list when it does.
- Barona Cultural Center & Museum
- Birch Aquarium at Scripps (check their website for the current Kids Free promo code for one free child ticket per qualifying adult ticket)
- Bonita Museum & Cultural Center
- Brain Observatory
- Cabrillo National Monument
- California Center for the Arts Museum, Escondido
- California Surf Museum
- Centro Cultural de la Raza
- Chicano Park Museum & Cultural Center
- Comic-Con Museum (Tip: They don’t participate in the Balboa Park Explorer pass, so this is a great opportunity to visit for less.)
- Coronado Historical Association
- Fleet Science Center
- Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House
- Heritage of the Americas Museum
- Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) San Diego
- J.A. Cooley Museum
- Japanese Friendship Garden of San Diego
- Junipero Serra Museum
- La Jolla Historical Society
- La Mesa Depot Museum
- Lemon Grove Parsonage Museum
- Living Coast Discovery Center
- Marine Corps Recruit Depot Command Museum
- Maritime Museum of San Diego
- Marston House Museum
- Mingei International Museum
- Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum
- Mission San Luis Rey
- Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
- Museum of Making Music
- Museum of Photographic Arts
- Museum of Us
- Nautical History Gallery & Museum
- New Americans Museum
- The New Children’s Museum (Note: This offer is historically valid on Wednesdays ONLY)
- Olaf Wieghorst Museum
- Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
- San Diego African American Museum of Fine Arts
- San Diego Air & Space Museum
- San Diego Archaeological Center
- San Diego Automotive Museum
- San Diego Botanic Garden
- San Diego Chinese Historical Museum
- San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum
- San Diego History Center
- San Diego International Airport Arts Program
- San Diego Model Railroad Museum
- San Diego Museum of Art
- San Diego Natural History Museum (the NAT)
- San Diego Police Museum
- Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center
- Timken Museum of Art (always free)
- USS Midway Museum
- Visions Museum of Textile Art
- Warner-Carrillo Ranch House
- The Water Conservation Garden
- We the People Museum
- Women’s Museum of California
- WorldBeat Center
Family-Friendly Tours and Activities Worth Booking
Based on prior years, these tours and activities typically participate in Kids Free October.
Triton Catamaran Charters
- The Offer: Kids Sail Free on all ticketed charters.
- How to Redeem: Book directly through their website. Details here.
Flagship Cruises & Events
- The Offer: One child (12 & under) free on 1-hour and 2-hour harbor tours per paid adult.
- How to Redeem: TBD
Katie’s Tip
Take the 2-hour tour over the 1-hour. It goes all the way under the Coronado Bridge, which is the part worth the extra hour.
City Cruises
- The Offer: Kids cruise free on the fun Best of the Bay Harbor Tour.
- How to Redeem: Use promo code (check their site for the 2026 code) on their website to book the tour.
Corporate Helicopters
- The Offer: Kids fly free on the 30-minute Beaches & Bays tour.
- How to Redeem: Call 858-505-5650.
Other Tour Operators to Check Out:
- Old Town Trolley
- San Diego Whale Watch
- San Diego Speedboat Adventures
- And many others
Hotel & Resort Deals Where Kids Stay or Eat Free
Many kid-friendly San Diego hotels are offering children the opportunity to eat for free, among other fun perks. The following hotels have participated in Kids Free San Diego in recent years and are likely to return. Check back closer to October for confirmed 2026 participants.
Book It · Vacation Packages
We have three vacation packages where kids stay, eat, or get gifts for free.
Catamaran Resort Hotel & Spa
Catamaran Resort Hotel offers the most activities of any Mission Bay hotel (and try to book one of the rooms in the photo above).
- The Offer: Kids stay, eat, and play for free, plus an exclusive up to 25% off your stay.
- How to Redeem: Book directly with the hotel.
- Link: Get the details online.
Bahia Resort Hotel
I like Bahia Resort Hotel as a more wallet-friendly hotel on Mission Bay that’s also walkable to Mission Beach.
- The Offer: Kids stay, eat, and play for free. Plus, get up to 25% off your stay.
- How to Redeem: Book directly through the hotel’s website for the discount.
- Link: Get the details online.
Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina
Check in to the newly renovated Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina across from San Diego Airport.
- The Offer: Kids 12 and under eat free from the kids’ menu with the purchase of an adult meal. This is valid for up to 4 children.
- How to Redeem: Mention the offer when dining at participating restaurants (excludes Strada Italian Market). But they do have a Kids Free room booking link you may want to use.
- Book Your Room
San Diego Mission Bay Resort
We have great perks at San Diego Mission Bay Resort through the Noble House Select VIP program, including daily breakfast for two, a $100 hotel credit, and more.
- The Offer: Kids stay free and get a swag bag at check-in, and kids eat free with a paid adult entrée at the restaurant.
- How to Redeem: Book directly with the resort for the room offer. For the dining deal, purchase an adult entrée and the kids’ meal is deducted from your bill.
- Book in VIP: Request rates.
Kings Inn
- The Offer: Kids Eat Free at their two popular restaurants, the Waffle Spot & Amigo Spot.
- How to Redeem: Use code when booking, as the offer is only for hotel guests.
- Get the Details
Town and Country Resort
- The Offer: A discounted Kids Free room rate on select October dates.
- How to Redeem: Book using the promotional link for select dates in October (I see some blackout dates)
- Book Your Room
Best Western Zoo/SeaWorld
- The Offer: A discounted Kids Free room rate in past years, which suits families building the trip around SeaWorld and the Zoo.
- How to Redeem: The 2026 rate and booking link have not posted yet. Check the Tourism Authority’s Kids Free page once the full list goes live.
Kids Eat Free Restaurant Offers
Various family-friendly restaurants in the San Diego area offer dining discounts for children during Kids Free October. You’ll usually need to print the offer on the San Diego Tourism Authority website and bring it to the restaurant, or pull it up on your phone. The offers below ran last October and are the ones most likely to return.
- Old Town Tequila Factory: One free meal off the Kids Menu for every full-price adult entrée. Print the offer.
- Carnitas Snack Shack (Downtown): One free kids’ meal per paying adult for up to two kids ages 12 and under. Print the offer or mention it at check-out.
- Tidal at Paradise Point Resort (Mission Bay): Kids 12 and under eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée every Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday.
- Casa Guadalajara (Old Town): Kids 12 and under eat free from the kids’ menu, limited to three, which requires three adult entrées.
- La Jolla Shores Restaurant: Kids 12 and under eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée.
- Hasta Mañana Cantina (Downtown): Kids 12 and under eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée.
Kids Free Deals vs. Sightseeing Passes: Which Is Better?
This is a common question, and the answer matters, especially in October.
While sightseeing passes like the Go City San Diego All-Inclusive Pass Plus and the San Diego CityPASS can offer solid value at other times of the year, they generally don’t pair well with what Kids Free San Diego offers.
The “No Stacking” Rule
Per the San Diego Museum Council, sightseeing passes do not count as paid adult admission for the Kids Free museum promotion. So if you use a pass to enter a museum, you can’t automatically bring in a child for free.
Watch For This
In past years Go City offered a workaround, bundling up to four child passes free with each adult pass. Check whether it returns for 2026 before you rule the passes out.
The Zoo and Safari Park are the exception, and it is a big one. Both honor any valid form of adult admission for Kids Free, sightseeing passes included, so a Go City or CityPASS entry still gets your kids in free at either park. The museums are where a pass stops working. Check the fine print everywhere else.
What It Actually Costs: Zoo + Midway + LEGOLAND
Here is how the math worked last October for a family of four visiting the Zoo, the USS Midway, and LEGOLAND. Prices move every year, so treat this as the method rather than the quote, and run the same comparison once the 2026 offers post.
Option 1: buy the Kids Free individual deals.
- San Diego Zoo: 2 adults × $68 = $136 (our discounted price — gate price is higher). Kids 11 & under free.
- USS Midway Museum: 2 adults × ~$39 = $78. Kids free with Museum Council coupon.
- LEGOLAND California: Requires 2 full-price adult Hopper tickets (~$149+ each) = $298+. Kids 2–12 free (one per paid adult).
- Total: ≈ $512+ (kids free).
⚠️ Limitation: LEGOLAND requires full-price Hopper tickets for the Kids Free deal. You cannot stack other discounts on those adult tickets.
Option 2: buy the Go City Essentials Pass with the free kids promo.
- Adult Essentials Passes: 2 × ~$154 = $308. Covers LEGOLAND (1-day) + USS Midway.
- Child Essentials Passes: Up to 4 are free with adult purchase during the Oct 1–13 promo. Covers LEGOLAND + Midway for both kids.
- San Diego Zoo: 2 adult discounted tickets × $68 = $136. Kids free with Kids Free October.
- Total: ≈ $444.
⚠️ Limitations:
- Essentials = only 1 premium attraction (LEGOLAND). Zoo must be bought separately.
- Does not cover LEGOLAND Hopper upgrades (no Water Park or SEA LIFE access).
- Promo must be purchased Oct 1–13 and is valid for use Oct 1–31.
- Brick-or-Treat is included only if your ticket is dated for an event day (Saturdays & Sundays + November 1).
| Strategy | Key constraints | Best for | Family of 4 total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Go City Essentials + Free Kids | One premium attraction only, no LEGOLAND Hoppers, and passes had to be purchased by Oct 13. | Families willing to skip Hopper access at LEGOLAND | ≈ $444 |
| Kids Free Individual Deals | LEGOLAND requires a full-price Hopper for each adult. | Trips built around the museums | ≈ $512+ |
Katie’s Tip · The Verdict
Last October the Go City Essentials pass with its free child passes came out slightly ahead of buying individually, but only for a family willing to skip Hopper access at LEGOLAND. That promotion has not been announced for 2026. If it does not return, individual Kids Free tickets are the better buy for any trip built around the museums.
It also often does make sense for grandparents, teens, and extra adults visiting in October to buy sightseeing passes to save money on multiple attractions.
Go City San Diego Promo Code
Save up to 50% on 40+ San Diego attractions, including the Safari Park.
Two ways to buy · pick one
Lowest price
Through my ticket store
No extra code needed.
or
Buy direct
Straight from Go City
Apply code at checkout for an extra 5%.
Sample Itineraries Using Your Free Kids Tickets
Both itineraries below are built around deals that have returned year after year, so they hold up as a starting point before the full 2026 list posts.
A Fun 3-Day Kids Free October Weekend
- Day 1: Mission Bay Fun. Stay at the Bahia Resort. Spend the day enjoying their free kids’ activities, then head out for a “Kids Sail Free” trip on the Triton Catamaran.
- Day 2: Balboa Park Exploration. Head to Balboa Park. We expect most museums to offer free admission for children. Spend the morning at the Fleet Science Center and the afternoon at the Natural History Museum. Head back to Mission Beach.
- Day 3: Theme Park Adventure. Head to SeaWorld San Diego for a day of marine life and coasters. (You can grab your qualifying Kids Free tickets from my ticket site to save time at the gate.)
A Day on San Diego’s Downtown Waterfront
San Diego’s Embarcadero is home to two iconic maritime and naval museums that can easily fill a full day. But the order you visit them matters, especially if you want to avoid long lines and overtired kids.
- 10 a.m. – USS Midway Museum (Arrive Right at Opening)
Start your day at the USS Midway Museum, a massive aircraft carrier filled with restored planes, interactive exhibits, and volunteer docents who bring it all to life. A complete visit usually takes three to four hours, but with kids, two to three is good. - 1 p.m. – Lunch at Carnitas Snack Shack (they are offering a Kids Free October deal) or Portside Pier at either Miguel’s for Mexican or Brigantine for fish tacos.
- 3 p.m. – Maritime Museum of San Diego
With the day’s biggest attraction behind you, shift to a more relaxed pace at the Maritime Museum. Most families spend about 60-90 minutes here touring the lineup of historic ships.
Can’t Visit in October? Find Free Family Fun Year-Round
If your travel dates fall outside of the Kids Free promotion, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the city’s best attractions on a budget. Here are a few of the best year-round programs for families:
- Balboa Park Residents Free Tuesdays: If you are a San Diego resident, you can enjoy free general admission to a rotating selection of Balboa Park museums every Tuesday of the month. Each Tuesday features a different group of museums, so be sure to check the official schedule before you go.
- Museums for All Program: Families who receive food assistance (SNAP benefits) can get free or significantly reduced admission to more than 20 local museums, including the USS Midway Museum. Present your EBT card at the admissions desk to participate.
- San Diego Public Library’s Discover & Go Program: With a valid library card, you can reserve free family day passes to some of San Diego’s most popular attractions, including The New Children’s Museum, the Museum of Us, and The San Diego Museum of Art. Passes can be reserved online, making it an easy way to plan a fun and free day out.
These are just a few of the ways to save. For a complete guide, see my main post on Free Things to Do in San Diego with Kids.
2026 Kids Free San Diego FAQ
We talk to people year-round about visiting San Diego in October, when the weather holds, the summer crowds have gone, and the deals land all at once.
How does Kids Free San Diego work?
Every October, more than 100 attractions, hotels, and restaurants across San Diego offer free admission, meals, or stays for kids when accompanied by a paying adult. It’s a fun way to explore more, without spending more.
Do I need a coupon?
Sometimes you will need a coupon, while other times you’ll book through a specific link or mention the Kids Free San Diego promotion. This is why it’s important to read each deal’s terms and conditions before arriving.
Are the deals valid on weekends?
Yes. Most offers are available daily throughout October. However, a few spots may have blackout dates or special restrictions, so it’s smart to double-check with each business before you go.
Can I combine Kids Free with other discounts?
Not usually within the same offer. But you can mix and match across your trip—for example, book a hotel with a Kids Free stay and also enjoy a separate Kids Free restaurant deal. Just don’t expect to stack multiple discounts on the same purchase.
What ages qualify as “kids”?
It changes from venue to venue, and the gap is wider than most families expect. SeaWorld’s free ticket covers ages 3 to 9. The Zoo and Safari Park go to 11 and under. LEGOLAND, Belmont Park, and the museum coupons go to 12 and under. So a 10-year-old gets in free at the Zoo, LEGOLAND, and the museums, and pays full price at SeaWorld. Check the age on each offer before you build a day around it.
Do I need a coupon for San Diego Zoo?
No. Your valid adult admission is enough to get up to six kids ages 11 and under in. They walk in with you.
Are kids free at LEGOLAND in October?
Yes, in every recent year. One child aged 2 to 12 gets free admission with each full-price adult Hopper ticket bought for October. The catch is that the adult ticket has to be a full-price Hopper, so you cannot stack another discount on it. The 2026 offer usually posts around September.
Is SeaWorld free for kids in October?
Yes, and the 2026 offer is already live: one child aged 3 to 9 gets in free with each full-price paid adult ticket, any day through October 31. Note the narrower age band: a 10-year-old is free at the Zoo and LEGOLAND in October but pays at SeaWorld.
Is Kids Free San Diego only for locals?
No. Every offer is open to visitors and residents alike, and no proof of San Diego residency is required. Plenty of families book their trip around it, which is part of why the Tourism Authority runs it in a quieter travel month.
Visit the San Diego Tourism Authority for the full list of offers.
i want to go to legoland
Does the “kids go free” work with the San Diego Go card?
Apologies for the delay! Kids go free does not work with the Go San Diego Card.
Do you know Why the San Diego go card doesn’t work with the kids go free? If the go card doesn’t work, does that mean you can’t buy discounted tickets to use with it?
You must hold a qualifying ticket and Go San Diego cards and other sightseeing passes are not qualifying tickets. You can get a little creative. For example, if you are a family of two adults and a child, the second adult could use a Go San Diego pass to enter the attraction while the first adult purchases an eligible Kids Free October ticket that provides free child entry.
Is this a yearly event? or just from2019? We’re looking at going this year (2020) and it sounds like October is a great time to head there. Thanks!
It is an annual event but the details for 2020 will probably not be released until this summer so I can’t say for sure if the promotions will be the same. They usually are, but you never know!
Will the Kids Free San Diego Offers be happening again in Oct 2022? I am planning a trip with my family and I’m wanting to book our hotel and see what other offers are available before I purchase tickets to the zoo and other sights we want to check out.
Yes, it’s happening in 2022! For the Zoo, you would not need to buy a child’s ticket if they are ages 11 and under – you’d just buy an adult ticket (and I have a discount on these) and walk in with the kids. There are specific Kids Free tickets for a lot of our attractions but they are not for sale yet. I would expect them to go online in September.
Do you by chance know if they are offering this again for 2023?
Yes! The promotions for the major theme parks are usually the same or close to the same each year but the exact details don’t get released until about August or so.
Thank you so much for the information. Regarding legoland, can I pay the online price for an adult ticket and just show that at the gate and my child walks in free? Or is the online price not considered full price?
Also my husband has an IATA card, will that discount qualify to get kids in for free? It seems silly to pay gate price.
Hi Tara! For Kids Free October, LEGOLAND requires that kids have a free kids ticket. So when you buy the full priced adult ticket through a designated link, it will give you the option to select a kids’ ticket at $0. So, kids do need a ticket, even if it’s a free one.
I see that Sea World, the zoo and the Wild Animal Park have a special price if you plan to go to all three sites. Would this price work in conjunction with the kids go free in October?
Thank you!