Inland Empire family guide
Things to Do in Rialto with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Rialto on the map
📍 Where Rialto is
Rialto sits in Inland Empire, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Ontario Intl (~13 mi / 21 km). It's roughly 50 mi (80 km) from Downtown LA and 97 mi (156 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 Rialto
Rialto City Park
Rialto's downtown anchor park on E San Bernardino Ave, with a modern playground, ball fields, sports courts and outdoor fitness gear. A solid mid-morning stop before it heats up. Street parking fills fast on Little League game days, so aim for a weekday if you want the playground to yourselves.
Free
Frisbie Park
At 31 acres, Frisbie on N Acacia Ave is the big one, with playgrounds, a skate park, a dog park, softball fields and shady picnic areas. Older kids gravitate to the skate park while little ones stick to the play structures. Grab a covered picnic table early on weekends — they go fast for birthday parties.
Free
Jerry Eaves Park
This 25-acre park on N Ayala Dr is a favorite for youth soccer, with wide-open fields, gazebos and a fenced playground set back from the parking lot. The play area being separated from cars is a real plus with toddlers who bolt. Clean restrooms and drinking fountains make it easy to camp out a whole afternoon.
Free
Bud Bender Park
Beyond the ball fields, playground and community garden on N Lilac Ave, this park holds Rialto's oldest structure: the Michael White Adobe, built in 1853 and cared for by the Rialto Historical Society. Pair playground time with a walk to the adobe for a little local-history lesson. The perimeter loop even has free exercise machines for parents.
Free
Flores Park
A smaller, mellow 3.4-acre neighborhood park on W Etiwanda Ave with a playground, basketball court and shaded picnic spots. The kind of low-key green space you hit when you just need to burn off energy without a big production. Reserve the shelter through the city if you want a guaranteed table for a gathering.
Free
Rialto Branch Library
This San Bernardino County branch on W 1st St is an easy free rainy-day or beat-the-heat option right downtown near City Park. Kids can grab books and cool off in the air conditioning, and county libraries run free children's story times and craft programs. Closed Sundays, so plan a Saturday visit if the weekend is your only window.
FreeFestivals & annual events in Rialto
What Rialto is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Floating Pumpkin Patch (Rialto)
Kids dive for pumpkins in the Tom Sawyer pool. There are also carnival games, a family fun maze, crafts, food vendors and raffles. Tip: the city's calendar list shows a different time than the event page (2-6pm versus 4-7pm), so confirm before you go.
$7 per person
Rialto Halloween Hi-Jinks
Free trick-or-treating, food vendors, costume contests and scare mazes at the Civic Center. Tip: buy wristbands in advance to save $2 per child.
Free entry; attraction wristbands $5 advance / $7 day-of
Rialto Holiday Festival and Parade
A city-run evening holiday event combining a parade along Willow Avenue with a festival at the Civic Center — tree lighting, a posada, a vendor lane and live entertainment.
Free admission
Local restaurants in Rialto
Westside Pit BBQ
Multi-generational Rialto pit serving Southern-style BBQ, fried fish and soul food with family-pack portions.
Seasonal & outdoors near Rialto
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Rialto.
Rialto is part of the Inland Empire family guide — see the region's best things to do, local eats and events.
More Inland Empire family guides
Rialto family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Rialto with kids?
Family favorites in and around Rialto include Rialto City Park, Frisbie Park, Jerry Eaves Park and Bud Bender Park, 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 Rialto?
Yes — free family spots near Rialto include Rialto City Park, Frisbie Park, Jerry Eaves Park and Bud Bender Park. Our free things to do page lists more across Southern California.
Where can families eat in Rialto?
Local, family-friendly spots in Rialto include Westside Pit BBQ — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Rialto guide cover?
Our Rialto family guide includes 6 things to do and 1 local eats — with independent, non-chain eats and shops.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Where to stay in Rialto
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Rialto on one map — then book on your favorite site.