San Gabriel Valley family guide
Things to Do in Covina with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Covina on the map
📍 Where Covina is
Covina sits in San Gabriel Valley, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Ontario Intl (~17 mi / 27 km). It's roughly 21 mi (33 km) from Downtown LA and 104 mi (167 km) from San Diego — SoCal traffic can make a drive take far longer than the distance suggests, so plan around it.
Visiting? See SoCal at a glance, getting around and which airport.
Things to do in Covina
Covina Park
Covina's big central park, with shady picnic areas, ball fields, tennis and basketball courts, playgrounds and a public swimming pool. The go-to for a low-key afternoon when the kids just need to run around. Come early on summer weekends to snag one of the covered picnic tables before the birthday parties claim them.
Free
Cougar Park
A neighborhood park on W Puente St whose splash pad is the real draw on hot San Gabriel Valley days. There's also play equipment, a community garden and shaded picnic tables for a packed lunch. Bring towels, water shoes and a change of clothes — kids will get soaked.
Free
Kahler Russell Park
A well-rounded park on N Glendora Ave with a playground, skate park, roller hockey rink, ball fields and open grass. The lighted courts and rink mean older kids can keep playing after sunset. It sits on the quieter north edge of town, so it rarely feels crowded.
Free
Covina Public Library
Covina runs its own city library rather than a county branch, with a dedicated children's area and regular story times. A cool, quiet reset in the middle of downtown, walkable to Citrus Ave shops and restaurants. Check the events calendar since hours are limited and it's closed Sundays and Mondays.
Free
Downtown Covina & Heritage Plaza
Historic downtown Covina centers on Citrus Ave, and on Friday nights Heritage Plaza hosts a farmers market and family night with live music, food and inflatables. There's a playground right there so little ones stay busy while you grab produce and dinner. Come hungry and park a block or two off Citrus to skip the closest crowds.
Free to browse; bring cash for vendors
Covina Center for the Performing Arts
This downtown theater traces back to a 1920 movie house, rebuilt and reopened in 2007 and now city-owned as the anchor of Covina's shopping district. It hosts everything from children's recitals to concerts and family-friendly stage shows. Check the schedule ahead and pair a matinee with a stroll and a bite along Citrus Ave.
VariesFestivals & annual events in Covina
What Covina is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Boo! Bark! & Boo! Bash (Covina)
The city's Halloween afternoon for the whole family at Covina Park, with inflatables, games, crafts and food vendors, a Dog Costume Contest at 2:30pm and a spooky storytime at the library (234 N. Second Ave) from 12:30 to 2pm. Tip: dog contest registration runs Oct 1–21, and the storytime is a low-key way to start with younger kids.
Free (dog contest needs free pre-registration)
Covina Tree Lighting Event & Ceremony
Downtown Covina's tree lighting at Heritage Plaza (400 N. Citrus Ave) with vendors from 5:30pm and the ceremony at 6pm, then free holiday activities from 6:30 to 8:30pm: photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, crafts, letters to Santa, children's train rides and horse-drawn carriages. Tip: carriage rides require registering online starting Oct 19, so sign up early.
Free (carriage rides need online registration)
75th Annual Covina Christmas Parade
The city's 75th annual evening Christmas parade, starting at Citrus Ave & Badillo St and heading west on Badillo, then south on Hollenbeck to Puente St. Street closures begin at 4:30pm. Tip: chairs and blankets can only go on the curb once the streets are fully closed, so pick a spot after the closure rather than before.
Free to watch (not listed as ticketed)
Covina Holiday Character Stroll & Christmas Concert
A character stroll through decorated downtown (4:45–5:15pm) where holiday characters may pose for photos, followed by a Covina Concert Band Christmas concert at Heritage Plaza from 5:30 to 7pm. Tip: the stroll starts at Badillo St & Citrus Ave, so line up there early for character photos.
Free (free hot chocolate per city flyer)
Rocktober (Covina)
A free city block party in the Covina City Hall parking lot (125 E. College St) with live music, family fun and craft vendors. Tip: park in the Downtown Covina structure at 124 E. College St or ride Metrolink and take the city's free shuttle from the station.
Covina National Night Out
A neighborhood-safety community night at Heritage Plaza Park (400 N. Citrus Ave) with police demonstrations, kids' activities, live music and raffle prizes. Tip: it falls on a school night, so go right at 5pm for the kids' activities and the demos.
Seasonal & outdoors near Covina
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Covina.
Covina is part of the San Gabriel Valley family guide — see the region's best things to do, local eats and events.
More San Gabriel Valley family guides
Browse all SoCal city guides →Covina family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Covina with kids?
Family favorites in and around Covina include Covina Park, Cougar Park, Kahler Russell Park and Covina Public Library, and more. Our guide lists 6 spots, each with a price note and practical tips where we have them.
Are there free things to do in Covina?
Yes — free family spots near Covina include Covina Park, Cougar Park, Kahler Russell Park and Covina Public Library. Our free things to do page lists more across Southern California.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Where to stay in Covina
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