Free things to do with kids in La Mesa

Fully fenced, with shade, swings and slides, so you can sit down for a minute while a toddler roams.

A recycling truck your kid can pretend to drive and a treehouse play structure to climb.

A renovated playground with grass next to it for a snack break.

A playground and sandbox right next to shaded picnic tables.

A tot lot beside picnic tables, with open grass around it for anyone who'd rather run.

Play equipment shaped like flowers, and a stretch of grass for running off whatever energy is left.

Storytime that takes toddlers and big kids together, and shelves to browse: a quiet hour for when everyone needs to sit down.

A short hilltop trail with view maps at the top, so kids can point out what they're looking at.