Free things to do with kids in Davis

Downtown Davis's park, where the Saturday farmers market sets up, with play areas and Natalie's Corner, a free splash pad for summer. Market plus splash pad is a pretty perfect Saturday.

A long ribbon of gardens along a creek on the edge of campus, flat and free and perfect for a scooter. Parking is free on weekends.

A free self-guided walk past hawks, owls, falcons and eagles that can't go back to the wild, each with its own story on a sign. Weekend visits end at noon.

A university insect collection with a live petting zoo of walking sticks and hissing cockroaches your kid can actually hold. Public hours are limited, so the free family open house days are the easy way in.