Happy, Happy July! We're in the middle of summer now here in Conejo Valley, Malibu and Calabasas. Hope you and your kids are enjoying a fantastic summer! Looking for ideas to get out and enjoy this July with your family? We've rounded up 11 Family Fun things to do with your kids, some at home and some around town in Oak Park, Malibu, Agoura Hills, Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Calabasas, Westlake Village and nearby to make the most of the month!
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1. 🎉 July Fun Starts Here!
School is out and kids are home more, so it's a great time to take advantage of all the family fun things there are to do in Conejo Valley - Malibu - Calabasas and nearby. Whether you're looking for local events, budget-friendly activities, ways to stay cool, or ideas for getting out of the house, there are plenty of ways to keep kids entertained this July.
📚 Be sure to check out your local library too - they offer all kinds of kid-friendly fun, from story times and activities to special summer programs.
Just a few ideas to start:
- 📅 Macaroni KID Conejo Valley - Malibu - Calabasas event and activity calendar
- 🎦 $1 Family Movies in Thousand Oaks 🍿 Regal Summer Movie Express 🎬
- 🎦 $3 Summer Kids Movies Return to AMC Thousand Oaks for 2026 🍿
- 🎦 Studio Movie Grill Simi Valley Children’s Summer Series 2026 🍿
 DAPA Images via Canva |
2. 🧸 Have a Picnic with a Favorite Stuffed Animal or Two
What do kids love more than a picnic? A chance to invite their favorite stuffed friends! Celebrate Teddy Bear Picnic Day - yep, that's really a thing! Pack some sandwiches, yummy snacks, and plenty of water. Don't forget a big blanket or a few lawn chairs, then load up the kids, have them grab a favorite stuffed animal or two, and head to your favorite local park, playground, beach, or even your own backyard for a fun afternoon together. Either way, the kids will be thrilled - and the teddy bears and their friends will surely enjoy the outing too!
🌞 Too hot outside? Set up your picnic in the living room and invite the whole family to join in.
🫧 Want to add a little extra magic? Bring along a bottle of bubbles for the kids to enjoy after lunch.
Keep the fun going:
🫣 5 Fun Backyard Games to Play with Your Kids Anytime
🔎 Free printable Nature Scavenger Hunt
🫐 Banana Blueberry Muffins for Your Family
🍱 Bento Box Lunch Ideas
3. 🧀 Make Some Mac and Cheese!
July is the perfect time to celebrate Macaroni and Cheese Day - a holiday we at Macaroni KID love, for obvious reasons! If your kids are like mine, any day can be a mac and cheese day! Whether you grab a box from the cupboard, make some from scratch, or head to a local family-friendly restaurant, you're sure to make your family smile.
Tired of the same old mac and cheese? Try some custom mix-ins or toppings next time you make it. Ask your kids for ideas, or better yet have them help from start to finish. Here are some fun favorite ideas: top with breadcrumbs, mix-in some veggies, change up the cheeses, or add some protein. When I was a kid tuna was our family favorite.
Here are a few recipes to get you started: 3-Yummy Macaroni and Cheese Recipes your Family will Enjoy!
 wundervisuals via Canva |
4. 🍦 Scream for ice cream
We'll be celebrating National Ice Cream Month all July long! Whether you bring home your family's favorite ice cream, visit one of your favorite local ice cream shops, check out a place you've never been before, or make homemade ice cream together with your kids, there's no wrong way to celebrate.
We love our local ice cream shops, and there are lots of family favorites throughout Conejo Valley, Malibu, Calabasas, and nearby. Treat your family and discover a new favorites this July!
🍨 Family Fun ways to Celebrate National Ice Cream Month in July
5. 🌝 Explore the Moon
As the sun sets and the sky begins to darken, head outside with your kids and look for the moon! July is a great time to learn more about our closest neighbor in space. See if you can spot craters, talk about the astronauts who first walked on the moon, or learn a few fun facts together. You don't have to wait for Moon Day to enjoy a little space-themed fun - it's a great activity any night in July. The first moon landing took place on July 20, 1969, inspiring what we now celebrate as International Moon Day.
Looking for more ways to celebrate? Here are a few fun ideas:
🌙 Moon Day: Fun Facts and Activities
🎨 Explore Space Through Art with Your Kids
🖍️ Space Coloring Pages
🌕 DIY Homemade Moon Dough Kids Will Love!
6. 😌 Relax and Recharge
Parents spend so much time taking care of everyone else, so why not take a little time for yourself this July? National Parents' Day, celebrated on the fourth Sunday in July, is the perfect reminder to slow down and recharge. Grab a good book, relax by the pool, enjoy a quiet cup of coffee, or treat yourself to a massage or spa day. Even a little time to yourself can go a long way.
7. 💦 Make a Splash!
July can be hot, and one of my family's favorite ways to cool off is with a little water fun! Head to the beach, spend the day at the pool, cool off at a splash pad, or make a day of it at a waterpark. Staying home? Turn on the sprinklers, have a water balloon or squirt gun battle, and let the kids splash the afternoon away. If you need an excuse to visit a waterpark, National Waterpark Day is July 28!
Ready to cool off? Here are a few more ways to make a splash:
💦 Splash Pads in Conejo Valley, Malibu and Calabasas
🏊 Public Pools for Family Swim - coming soon
🌊 Family Beaches Near Conejo Valley - coming soon
🎢 Best Water Parks for Families
💚 Make an Easy DIY Pool Noodle Sprinkler to Help Kids Stay Cool
8. 🍭 Sweeten the Day with a Lollipop!
Sometimes the simplest treats bring the biggest smiles. When my boys were little, they always hoped for a lollipop at the bank. Even now, lollipops make me think of singing "The Lollipop Tree" by Burl Ives and "Lollipop" by The Chordettes. And yes . . . I'll always have a soft spot for Dum-Dums lollipops!
In honor of National Lollipop Day on July 20, surprise your kids with their favorite lollipop or stop by See's Candies, where participating shops give away free lollipops while supplies last.
9. 🥑 Have Some Avocado Toast!
One of my favorite breakfasts - or afternoon snacks - is avocado toast. Some people like to dress it up with lots of toppings, but I still love it the way I made it as a kid: smashed avocado on toast with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. It's so simple, and it's become one of my boys' favorite go-to snacks too.
Avocados are packed with nutrients and are delicious in so many ways. Enjoy them sliced on toast, tossed into a salad, mashed into fresh guacamole, or even in dessert! National Avocado Day is July 31, making it the perfect excuse to try something new.
Looking for more avocado inspiration?
🥑 Avocado Your Way: 4 Recipes Using Our Favorite Superfood
🌽 This Corn, Black Bean, and Avocado Salad is Summer in a Bowl
🥣 Homemade Guacamole, Pico de Gallo & Chips - Perfect Anytime
🍫 Avocado Chocolate Mousse! Yep, It's a Thing and It's Delicious
🧁 Replace Oil or Butter With Avocado Next Time You Bake
10. 💗 Make Time for Friends
July is the perfect time to get together with friends! Celebrate International Day of Friendship on July 30 by planning a playdate at the park, a beach day, a backyard adventure, or a simple afternoon hanging out together. Too hot outside? No problem! Cool off with a movie, meet up at an indoor playground, or find a fun place where kids can play while grown-ups catch up.
Looking for places to hang out?
🏠 Local Indoor Playgrounds:
- We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gym in Agoura Hills - for all kids
- Kids World Family Fun Center in Oak Park - fun for all ages
🎬 Budget-Friendly Family Fun Summer Movies:
🎦 $1 Family Movies in Thousand Oaks 🍿 Regal Summer Movie Express 🎬
🎦 $3 Summer Kids Movies Return to AMC Thousand Oaks for 2026 🍿
🎦 Studio Movie Grill Simi Valley Children’s Summer Series 2026 🍿
11. 🌱 Small Changes Make a Difference
Plastic Free July is a fun challenge for the whole family! The idea isn't to be perfect - it's to see how many small changes you can make together. Start with just one simple swap, then another. Bring reusable shopping bags, carry a refillable water bottle, say "no thanks" to a plastic straw, or skip the extra utensils when ordering takeout. Before you know it, those little changes can become everyday habits.
One thing that really changed the way I think about plastic is the reminder that plastic is forever. It made me stop and think about the choices I make every day. Now I look for opportunities to reuse what I already have, choose glass containers over plastic when I can, and think twice before reaching for something disposable.
Do you grab coffee on the go? Bring your own reusable travel mug! An insulated mug not only helps reduce waste - it keeps your coffee hot longer too. ☕ It's a win-win!
Kids love helping and often come up with the best ideas. Challenge your family to see how many single-use plastics you can replace this month. You might be surprised how quickly those small changes add up!
Learn more:
- 🌎 Plastic Free July - Practical tips, resources, and ideas to help reduce single-use plastics at home, school, work, and beyond.
- ♻️ More ideas to reduce your use at home, school, work and more
- 🗑️ Plastic Pollution Coalition - Learn more about plastic pollution and ways to help.
- 🌊 The Great Pacific Garbage Patch – Discover how plastic waste impacts our oceans.
- 🔬 What are microplastics? – Learn how tiny plastic particles affect our waterways, marine life, and the environment.
💙 Macaroni KID Conejo Valley - Malibu - Calabasas is a FREE resource for local families and covers the towns of: Calabasas, Agoura Hills, Oak Park, Westlake Village, Thousand Oak, Newbury Park and Malibu. I will also include select events and activities and happening in nearby communities in Ventura and Los Angeles counties.
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