Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in San Diego, CA

A girlfriend of mine, who is a preschool teacher, asked me if I have taken my girl to The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College. The what? "Take her," she declared. Her class of preschoolers went there on a field trip, the kids LOVED it.

Housed on 5 acres at Cuyamaca College in El Cajon, this non-profit and eco-friendly garden is fascinating...and free. The purpose of the garden is to educate the public on landscape water savings due to drought conditions. And we're not just talking fill your backyard up with prickly cacti, though you will be blown away by the beauty of the Cactus and Succulent Garden.

We are talkin' about the Children's Discovery Trail because as preschoolers venture along this path, they find hidden animals, a sand box and potting shed. Stop by the Composting Exhibit so your babe can check out the wonders of composting worms. Visit the touch cart at the Touch and Smell Garden-this is like a living scratch and sniff book. The Bird and Butterfly Garden is a perfect spot to take a break and watch garden creatures flutter and fly by.

The mamas and the papas might find the Firewise Landscape and Water Wise Backyard exhibits not only motivating but intriguing. The Vegetable Garden just might inspire you to use that green thumb of yours to take a stab at growing some healthies in your backyard. Who knows, maybe your kiddo will try and eat something green knowing you all took part in growing it in your garden. 

So as you and your kiddo stroll through this garden, teach them about this garden's purpose and why not brainstorm some ideas on how to save water at home while you're at it? Discuss why water conservation is important to San Diego and to our planet. Educate the future, they will thank you for it.

[photo credit: SXC]