Skip to content

San Gabriel Valley family guide

Things to Do in Covina with Kids

Covina keeps a real small-town downtown alive around Citrus Avenue — brick storefronts, a 1920s theater reborn as the Center for the Performing Arts, and a Friday-night farmers market with music and inflatables for the kids at Heritage Plaza. Neighborhood parks like Cougar (with its summer splash pad) and Kahler Russell (skate park and roller-hockey rink) round out an easygoing lineup.

Curated by Punita Patel

Reviewed & updated June 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.

💡 Local tip: The Friday Heritage Plaza market runs 5–9pm — come hungry and park a block off Citrus. Cougar Park's splash pad is the hot-day move, so bring towels and a change of clothes.

Things to do in Covina

Parks & Hiking

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
Parks & Hiking

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
Parks & Hiking

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
Museums & Learning

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
Arts & Culture

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
Arts & Culture

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.

Varies

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 →

Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.