TUESDAY
EAT OUT: Make Tuesdays a family date night at Ruby’s Diner. After 4 p.m., kids 12 and younger will receive a free entree with the purchase of an adult entree at participating locations. rubysdiner.com
STAR GAZE: Explore the night sky. Download the free “Star Chart” app to your smartphone, get away from the city lights, (Caspers Wilderness Park is a good local spot) and look up. Plus, be sure to catch the Perseids meteor shower on Aug. 12.
WEDNESDAY
EXOTIC BIRDS: Head to the tropics – in Orange County. Take the kids to Omar’s Exotic Birds, located in Lake Forest and Brea, where they will see brightly colored macaws, cockatoos, conures and more. The stores are open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. omarsexoticbirds.com
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Kids can have two birthdays, thanks to IKEA. The second Wednesday of every month, the Costa Mesa store hosts a birthday party from 4 to 6 p.m. for children turning 10 and younger. The birthday girl or boy can invite two of their friends. Entertainment, soda and cake are included. To register, call 714-751-7167, ext.1470. ikea.com
THURSDAY
OUTDOOR CONCERTS: Summer means it is time for concerts in the park. Various cities in Orange County are offering an evening of free live music. Bring your favorite blanket and chairs, and enjoy the show. Also, do not forget to bring money for the assortment of food available for purchase. ocparks.com
BOWLING: Roll a strike for free. Kids 15 and under can bowl two games a day at no cost all summer, thanks to Kids Bowl for Free, a nationwide program. Check the website to find your local participating bowling alley. kidsbowlfree.com
FRIDAY
ART WALK: Take a walk in historic downtown Fullerton at First Fridays Art Walk. Explore the many galleries, enjoy live music and meet local artists. Pick up a map at any participating gallery. The event begins at 6 p.m. fullertonartwalk.com
BEACH WALK: Enjoy the longer days and go for a stroll around Main Beach in Laguna Beach. Take in all the sights, run around at the playground and cool off in the ocean. lagunabeachcity.net
SATURDAY
SURFING COMPETITION: Watch the best surfers in the world compete at the U.S. Open of Surfing. Inspire your little surfers by heading to Huntington Beach through Sunday to watch big names compete on some of the West Coast’s finest waves. vansusopenofsurfing.com
SUNDAY
SPORTFISHING: Dana Wharf Sportfishing offers free clinics to children every Sunday at noon. After the clinic, kids can join a free half-day fishing trip (rental gear included) with a paying adult. danawarf.com
BOWERS MUSEUM: The first Sunday of every month, get complimentary admission to Bowers Museum and enjoy a themed festival on Target Free Day. On Aug. 3, come between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. for the Pacific Islands Family Festival. bowers.org
MONDAY
PET PROJECT: Take your four-legged family member to one of the many dog parks located in Orange County. Let your dog run freely and meet other dogs, sans leash. There are no entry fees, but donations are accepted. ocdogfriendly.com/
MOVIES: See the classic film “Sweet Charity” at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. The movie starts at dusk (around 8 p.m.). Plus, the Newport Beach Film Festival will be showing some of the best short animated films from this year’s event prior to the main feature. scfta.org
