Free
Stockton–San Joaquin County Public Library
Branches across San Joaquin County
Free storytimes at branches across the county.
Good for: Free mornings.
Skip if: you need a weekend slot; check the calendar.
Report a problemGUIDE Stockton–Modesto · The Central Valley
Things to do with toddlers and little kids in Stockton–Modesto: the parent guide.
Stockton and Modesto have a children’s museum, a small zoo and a free-for-kids art museum within a half hour of each other.
Around town4 spots · checked Oct 30
The Stockton places we go back to, again and again.
The places we go back to all year. Where to eat with a toddler, where to burn off energy when it rains, where to splash, what’s worth the admission, and where to spend a night without going far.
Play
Indoor play and rainy days
For rainy mornings, cold afternoons and anyone who needs to run in circles for an hour.
Featured partnerThis spot is open.Run a place in Stockton that belongs in this section? One featured spot here is set aside for a local partner, and it’s always labeled.About featured spots →
Explore
Museums, zoos and big outings
Museums, animals and farm days that hold a little one’s attention.
Children’s Museum of Stockton
$Downtown Stockton, 402 W. Weber Ave.
Pretend-play rooms made for kids under 8.
Tickets
- Kids 1 and up $10
- Adults $10
- under 1
Good for: Toddlers and preschoolers.
Skip if: it’s Monday or Tuesday; it’s closed.
Wed–Sun 9am–4pmSite ↗ for Children’s Museum of Stockton
Report a problemMicke Grove Zoo
$Micke Grove Park, Lodi
A small zoo that little legs can finish in a morning.
Tickets
- Kids 3–13 $3
- Adults $5
- 2 and under
Good for: A short outing with toddlers.
Skip if: it’s Monday or Tuesday; it’s closed.
Wed–Sun 10am–5pm · last entry 4:30Site ↗ for Micke Grove Zoo
Report a problemHaggin Museum
$Victory Park, Stockton
Art and history galleries, with free entry for kids under 10.
Tickets
- Adults $8
- under 10 with an adult
Good for: A short indoor stop.
Skip if: it’s Monday or Tuesday; it’s closed.
Wed–Fri 1:30–5pm · Sat–Sun noon–5pmSite ↗ for Haggin Museum
Report a problemFeatured partnerThis spot is open.Run a place in Stockton that belongs in this section? One featured spot here is set aside for a local partner, and it’s always labeled.About featured spots →
These don’t change week to week. Last checked . Hours and prices change, so check the place’s own site before you go. Know a spot we missed? Tell us at hello@littlesweekly.com.
No ticket needed
Free things to do
Where a family can go in Stockton without paying for admission. For free days, free events and this week’s free outings, see every free thing to do in Stockton.
Littlest explorers
Best for under 3s
Free or cheap for babies and toddlers, and easy with a stroller.
Every week
Library storytimes
Recurring and free. Times change by branch, so check the calendar.
Storytimes at branches through the weekStockton–San Joaquin County Public Library
Check the library calendar for baby and toddler storytimes.
Schedule ↗Babies and 1-year-olds
Things to do with a baby or a 1-year-old in Stockton
Baby storytimes, places where babies get in free, and where to change and feed. For zero-cost ideas, see free things to do.
Babies get in free
Children’s Museum of Stockton
under 1
Admission page ↗Micke Grove Zoo
2 and under
Admission page ↗Haggin Museum
under 10 with an adult
Admission page ↗By season
Seasonal spots
Santa visits and Christmas lights only run part of the year, so they have their own pages with this season’s dates and prices.
This week
What’s on this week in Stockton
The guide is the evergreen list. Here’s what’s happening in Stockton–Modesto right now.
- Halloween at the FairSan Joaquin County Fairgrounds · Free
- Trick-or-Treat MarketModesto Certified Farmers Market · Free
- Día de los Muertos Festival at Big Valley FordBig Valley Ford · Free
Good questions
Things to do with toddlers in Stockton–Modesto: the FAQ
Is Stockton good for toddlers?
Yes. The Children’s Museum and Micke Grove Zoo are both built around small kids.
What’s free?
Library storytimes, Haggin Museum entry for kids under 10, and seasonal events like Halloween at the Fair.
What can we do in Stockton–Modesto on a rainy or cold day with a toddler?
Go indoors: Stockton–San Joaquin County Public Library. They’re all under one roof, and most work for a short visit around nap time.
What can we do with a baby, 1-year-old or 2-year-old in Stockton–Modesto?
Children’s Museum of Stockton: Built for little kids. Stockton–San Joaquin County Public Library: Baby storytimes. Free for the littlest: Micke Grove Zoo (2 and under) and Haggin Museum (under 10 with an adult). See best for under 3s.
Where are the free storytimes in Stockton–Modesto?
Stockton–San Joaquin County Public Library: Storytimes at branches through the week. Library storytimes don’t need a ticket, but times change by branch, so check the calendar first. See library storytimes, and this week’s dated sessions are on the Stockton weekly list.
How do you choose the places in the Stockton–Modesto guide?
Every one of the 4 places is somewhere we’d take a baby, toddler or preschooler, with a note on who it suits and when to skip it. Prices, hours and menus come from each place’s own site, and 3 of them have checked admission or menu prices. The guide was last checked Oct 30, 2026. How we choose and check.
How much is the Micke Grove Zoo for a toddler, and who gets in free?
2 and under; kids 3–13: $3; adults: $5. We checked this on its official site on Oct 30, 2026. Prices change, so confirm before you go.
How much is Children’s Museum of Stockton for a toddler, and who gets in free?
Under 1; kids 1 and up: $10; adults: $10. We checked this on its official site on Oct 30, 2026. Prices change, so confirm before you go.
Get the list every Thursday.
One short email every Thursday evening with the five things we’d leave the house for in Stockton.