What to Know
- “Be S.A.F.E.” (Summer Activities in a Friendly Environment) is offered during the week through Aug. 23, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- “Summer Fun Days” runs Monday through Friday, beginning Monday until August 23, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- The popular Long Beach “Movies in the Park” series returns this summer with movies beginning at dusk.
With school out for summer break, parents might be scrambling to find ways to keep their children entertained throughout the long days. Fret not, the City of Long Beach is offering the educational and recreational solution to keep the boredom at bay.
Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine is offering 10 weeks of free recreational activities, which include sports, arts, and movie screenings, to families and children throughout the summer as part of its "Summer Fun Days."
"Summer Fun Days" is a free drop-in program aimed at children ages 5 to 12, and is open to everyone, not just Long Beach residents. The program runs Monday through Friday, beginning Monday through Aug. 23, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Though supervised activities are offered, it does not provide custodial child care, instead encouraging family engagement.
"The City’s summer parks programs provide safe and inviting opportunities for families and kids and encourage a healthy, active lifestyle," said Mayor Robert Garcia in a City of Long Beach news release. "By keeping parks programmed during the day and many activated in the evening, families have positive and safe activities to enjoy together."
"Be S.A.F.E." (or Summer Activities in a Friendly Environment) is a program that keeps selected parks operating past usual recreation hours, allowing families more options to spend time together. Families can enjoy outdoor games, science activities and arts and crafts. The program is offered during the week through Aug. 23, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
"Be S.A.F.E. activates the neighborhood at night and adds to the recreational offerings in areas of the neighborhoods that don’t have many parks," said Jane Grobaty, the community information officer for Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine.
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In addition to the activities offered, the Port of Long Beach is sponsoring free movie screenings at various Long Beach parks during the summer. Movies screening include "Avengers: Infinity War," "Mary Poppins Returns," and other family-friendly films. You can find times, locations and a list of movies here.
If it's more free screenings you're looking for, the popular Long Beach "Movies in the Park" series also returns this summer with movies beginning at dusk. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and picnic with family and friends as they enjoy the show. See more details here.
"These are opportunities for families to get together for free and low-cost, mostly free, activities," Grobaty said. "It provides families with opportunities for recreational activity with a community vibe."
