Last Minute Family Fun in The High Desert That You Can Do Today!
Jump for joy! We’re leaving the house today.
Some days, you just really need to get out of the house- in the High Desert, it seems impossible without going down the hill. But, we’re staying up here because traffic is no joke.
Of course, you’ve done the usual “trip to the park” a thousand times.
If the idea of planning something bigger feels overwhelming and you just need something easy – I got you covered!
The HD has plenty of quick, no-stress outings and most don’t require reservations or a detailed itinerary! Hooray!
Here are some fantastic High Desert family-friendly outings in your area that you can do with almost zero planning.
*Disclaimer: The HD is a big place and I stretch these location ideas from one end to the next. Some things might be right around the corner, or over an hour's drive.
Libraries are full of books that take you on adventures!
Library Storytime or Activity Hours
Your local library is a goldmine for last-minute fun, and most of their events are completely free!
Preschool Storytime- Tuesdays at 3:30, Little Artist Wednesday at 3:30
Discover Art ages 6-11, Thursdays at 3:30
The summer reading program usually kicks off at the beginning of June
Preschool Storytime- Tuesdays at 11:30, Toddler Bootcamp to unleash energy-Wednesday at 11:30
Ages 6-11 Lego builders Mondays at 11:30, Discover Art Thursday at 4 pm
They also have various events happening each month, so be sure to check their website. Adult classes are available, too.
The summer reading program begins in early June
Tiny Hoppers singing and stories- Mondays at 11:30, Preschool Storytime Tuesdays at 11:30, Wee Rhymes Thursdays at 11:30
Ages 6-11 Family Game Time Tuesdays at 4 pm, Craft Corner Wednesdays at 4 pm, Learnology STEM program- Thursdays at 4 pm
They offer adult computer classes, book clubs, and special events throughout the month. Check their website.
Apple Valley Newton T. Bass Branch
Preschool Storytime- Thursdays at 11, Little Builders STEM Mondays at 11, Movers and Shakers songs and stories- Tuesdays at 12 noon
Ages 6-11 Craft corner Wednesdays at 4 pm, Lego Building Thursdays at 4 pm
Family Game Time on Saturdays at 2:30
They also have lots of different things going on, so check their website to see what’s happening this month.
Preschool Storytime Tuesdays at 11:30, Toddler Bootcamp Thursdays at 11:30
Ages 6-11 Discover Art Tuesdays at 4 pm, Construction Zone Lego Build Thursdays at 4 pm
Check the website for their summer reading program
Preschools Storytime Tuesdays at 4 pm, Totally Toddler Crafts Thursdays at 11 am. This has a warning for messy crafts, which sound fun!
Ages 6-11 Discover art on Thursdays at 4 pm, STEM Learnology program on Saturdays at 1 pm
*Please check their websites for dates and times. As of May 2025, these are correct times and days.
Fruit tree picking is a fun activity, too!
Self-Guided Art Spots and More
Every city has hidden art gems—you just have to know where to look!
Apple Valley has some historical places if you’re curious, click the link to their site.
I couldn’t find any upcoming or well-known art walks nearby. If you know of any, please share in the comments below.
There are some cool murals in Victorville and Apple Valley. Here’s a link to an article by the Daily Press that highlights a few.
I found a website with Artist classes. However, some of these might be geared towards adults only.
The Bottle Tree Ranch in Oro Grande is a fun place to visit. It’s a forest of glass bottles formed into trees and right off Hwy 18.
Wrightwood Arts Center is a great place to see local artists’ work.
Visiting animals is always a good time!
Petting Zoos & Farm Visits
Last-minute animal encounters? Yes, please! Some farms, nature centers, or even small petting zoos allow walk-in visitors without reservations.
We’ll start with the location closest to me, Forever Wild Exotic Animal Sanctuary in Phelan. They have exotic animals from snakes to tigers. It’s a must-see for little ones and they are open every day from 12 noon to 5 pm. They often have special events going on as well.
The Hesperia Zoo is a cool spot and they offer animal experiences. They only take reservations though, so please plan ahead.
Big Bear Alpine Zoo is a favorite of mine. The zoo is on a small incline, but they have eagles and bears, and a reptile room, Oh My! They are open daily from 10-4 pm.
I don’t know of any local farms to visit, but if you do, please leave them in the comment section below. We used to visit Amy’s Farm in Ontario, but they closed a few years ago.
Mescal Picnic Area
Outdoor Picnic & Play
This is the easiest, zero-prep outing ever. Just grab a blanket, pack some snacks (or grab sandwiches on the way), and head to a nearby park.
We have some really cool parks that are perfect for picnics and animal watching. Hint: I like photographing families at all these places, too.
Hesperia Lake Park- Big shady trees, grass, picnic benches, a little lake for fishing, and you can watch the ducks and geese swim around.
Rockview Park- It’s a short walk to get to from where you park, but it’s worth it! Shady trees, grass, picnic benches, and cool desert landscape.
Horseman’s Center- Think big rocks and picnic benches. It’s a great day-use area and a favorite of mine to photograph at. It’s right off Highway 18. Sometimes they host remote control car events there.
Mojave Narrows- We all know this infamous spot. They have a splash pad open during the summer months. They have shaded areas for picnics, fishing, horse riding, and even camping! You pay a small fee to enter for the day.
Mescal Picnic Area- Another favorite spot of mine. It has a fun boardwalk and plenty of big trees with picnic benches. Make sure you grab a Big Pines Parking Pass, they’re required in the national forest areas.
Grassy Hollow- This is a great place for a short hike and picnic afterward. Unfortunately, the visitor center burned down in the Bridge Fire, it was a cool place to visit after a fun hike. Don’t forget your Big Pines Parking Pass.
Jackson Lake- Great for picnics and watching the canoes or kayaks on the water. You need the Big Pines Pass here, as well.
Don’t forget about your local neighborhood parks as well. The above list is a few of my favorite spots to hang out at for a whole afternoon.
Indoor ball pits are always fun!
Indoor Play & Open Gym Times
Indoor play places save the day when the weather isn’t cooperating.
Get Air in Victorville is great for kids to get out some energy.
Yupi Kids Palace- kids’ indoor play place in Hesperia.
Riki Tiki’s Indoor Playground in Apple Valley.
My Gym in Victorville is a gymnasium for kids.
Kingdom Gymnastics in Pinon Hills, they have classes for little ones, and parent and me classes.
Hangar 18 is an indoor rock climbing place. They have family memberships, this could be fun for the whole family once a week.
Easy Hiking Trails for Kids
Find a trail that’s short, shaded, and has a fun feature—think waterfalls, bridges, or creeks to splash in!
I touched on this a little bit above in the picnic and play section.
Grassy Hollow, Rainbow Basin- out past Barstow, Mojave Narrows, the Devil’s Punchbowl-off hwy 138, Horseman’s Center in Apple Valley, and many more! We aren’t a big hiking family so I am only sharing actual places I’ve been to with my own kids.
Calico Ghost Town isn’t free and isn’t 5 minutes away, but it’s still a fun place to visit and can work for some last minute fun!
Visit the Farmers Market.
Last-Minute Free Community Events
Check city websites to get up-to-date event info.
Facebook events and local parenting groups share free, last-minute activities like concerts in the park, outdoor movies, or pop-up festivals. The High Desert offers a lot of things, you just have to know where to find them.
HD Family Events is often putting things together as well. Not necessarily free, but you can pick and choose what you want to attend.
You can sign up for city event newsletters to stay updated on what’s happening. I’m in Pinon Hills, but my friends who live in Apple Valley and Hesperia often let me know what’s going on in their town. We’ve been known to join a local 5k or movie in the park in their town.
We enjoy concerts in the park in Apple Valley during the summer. We’ve done the reading programs at the library. Indoor play places, the gymnastics place when my kids were little and even when they got bigger, and many of the local parks of course. Sometimes, it’s just nice to hop in the car and take a drive for fun- no destination in mind, just drive.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention Farmer’s Markets. They are fun and often have activities for kids. They happen throughout the week in the different towns.
Phelan is on Monday
Hesperia has them on Saturday
Wrightwood is on Friday
The High Desert one is at VVC, every Thursday morning
When you’re stuck doing the same thing over and over, breaking out can be as simple as trying one new spot!
Pick a place from the list, do a quick internet search to find the details, and head out.
Sometimes the best outings aren’t the ones you spend a lot of time planning—they’re the ones you actually do!
Looking for more ways to make High Desert family memories? Click to see my High Desert Family Photography Sessions
Read this Blog Post on “How to get in more photos with your kids”. You don’t always need to be behind the camera, moms need to show up in the photos more!
Hopefully, you loved reading “Last Minute Family Fun in The High Desert That You Can Do Today!” and you now have tons of new ideas and places to visit! If you’re still looking for a Creatively Whimsical Family Photographer, click here to see my portfolio of fun portraits.
I know I haven’t included everything, the HD is big, but I tried to give you a good jumping-off point for new places and ideas. Heck, you might just see me at one of these.
Happy hunting,
Annette
