This section focuses on family-friendly events that are sponsored by county departments including the County Library, County Museum, Regional Parks and more.
San Bernardino County Animal Care partners with PetSmart Charities to host a FREE week-long adoption event
Are you ready to meet your forever best friend? Join us for a free pet adoption event at PetSmart in Fontana!
San Bernardino County Animal Care is teaming up with PetSmart Charities to help shelter pets find their forever homes.
Adoption fees are currently waived for qualifying pets! Each qualifying adoption includes spaying or neutering, a microchip and age-appropriate vaccinations.
To help ease your transition to pet parenthood, MetLife Pet Insurance offers 30 days of complimentary pet insurance.
On behalf of our pets, we look forward to seeing you there!
Event details:
- March 27-28 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Fontana PetSmart, 15042 Summit Ave., Fontana
To learn more about San Bernardino County Animal Care, view available pets, and stay updated on upcoming events, visit animalcare.sbcounty.gov.
Arthropalooza: Ultimate Bug Fest returns to the County Museum!
Arthropalooza returns as one of the San Bernardino County Museum system’s premier annual events, inviting residents from across the county to celebrate the fascinating world of arthropods. Designed for curious minds of all ages, this high-energy festival blends hands-on activities, close-up encounters and interactive learning experiences that reveal how insects, arachnids and other small creatures help sustain the ecosystems that support life on Earth.
At the Victor Valley Museum in Apple Valley, Master Food Preservers will demonstrate how insects connect to our food systems and agricultural practices, highlighting the role these small organisms play in food production and preservation. Special talks throughout the day at both locations will explore insects and food from ecological, agricultural and scientific perspectives—bringing together curiosity and real-world relevance.
Beyond the activities and demonstrations, Arthropalooza offers something equally valuable: the opportunity to gather with a community united by curiosity. The festival atmosphere brings together families, enthusiasts, educators and neighbors who share a sense of wonder about the natural world. It is a welcoming space to connect, ask questions and celebrate the remarkable diversity of life that surrounds us every day.
Arthropalooza will take place at the Victor Valley Museum in Apple Valley on March 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Victor Valley Museum is located at 11873 Apple Valley Road in Apple Valley. The Museum offers free parking and is accessible to people with disabilities.
Admission prices are $10 for adults, $8 for military or seniors, $7 for students and $5 for children ages 6–12. Children five and under and County Museum members are admitted free.
County Library partners with In-N-Out Burger for annual “Cover to Cover” reading rewards program
Prepare for a rewarding and delicious opportunity at your local San Bernardino County Library. Now through Saturday, April 18, the County Library is teaming up with In-N-Out Burger for its annual Cover to Cover Reading Program, encouraging children across the county to dive into books and earn a free hamburger or cheeseburger as a tasty reward.
Open to children ages 4 to 12, the program invites young readers to read five books or 300 minutes to earn a Cover-to-Cover Club Achievement Award, redeemable for a free hamburger or cheeseburger at participating In-N-Out locations. Participants may earn up to three awards during the program period.
To participate, families can register online through Beanstack. Each time a child reaches a reading milestone, an achievement award will be unlocked in the system, and a voucher will be available for pickup at their local County Library branch. Children must be present to redeem their vouchers.
All 32 County Library branches are participating, making the program accessible to families in every community throughout the county. The initiative is designed to promote literacy, build strong reading habits and make learning both fun and rewarding.
“Cover to Cover is a wonderful way to motivate children to read while celebrating their accomplishments,” said County Library Program Coordinator Elizabeth Williams. “We’re proud to partner with In-N-Out Burger to support literacy and inspire a lifelong love of reading.”
The program is free to participate. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to register and help their children start tracking their reading progress.
For more information about the San Bernardino County Library system, visit library.sbcounty.gov, call 909-387-2220 or follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
The San Bernardino County Library system is a dynamic network of 32 branch libraries that serve a diverse population over a vast geographic area. The County Library strives to provide equal access to information, technology, events and services for all people who call San Bernardino County home.
Classic Characters come to life during March at County Library branches
Beloved storybook favorites, including Paddington Bear, Curious George and If You Give a Moose a Muffin, will take center stage during “Classic Characters Month,” a celebration featuring family-friendly programs, interactive activities and special incentives at 23 library branches throughout the county.
Designed to spark imagination and strengthen literacy, “Classic Characters Month” invites children and families to rediscover iconic characters through themed crafts, read-alouds, creative activities and character-inspired events held throughout the month.
“Our libraries are a place where stories come alive,” said County Library Program Coordinator Elizabeth Williams. “By highlighting beloved characters like Paddington Bear and Curious George, we’re helping families connect joyful memories with reading and encouraging young readers to explore books in a fun and meaningful way.”
In addition to literacy-based activities, select events will feature face painters and balloon artists, giving children the chance to transform into their favorite storybook characters and further immerse themselves in the magic of classic tales.
As part of the celebration, patrons who meet their branch’s checkout requirements during the “Classic Characters Month” event will earn a special reward and an opportunity to win the grand prize. All events are free and open to the public. Programs are designed primarily for children and families, though all ages are welcome to attend.
During “Classic Characters Month,” patrons who check out 30 items will receive a classic character plush keychain of their choice while supplies last. Three designs will be available.
Celebrate timeless tales — here’s where all the “Classic Characters Month” excitement is happening.
| Library | Address | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phelan Memorial Library | 9800 Clovis Rd., Phelan | Thursday, Mar. 26, 2026 | 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. |
| Barstow Branch | 304 E. Buena Vista St., Barstow | Saturday, Mar. 28, 2026 | 2 – 4 p.m. |
| Fontana Lewis Library and Technology Center | 8437 Sierra Ave., Fontana | Tuesday, Mar. 31, 2026 | 4 – 7 p.m. |
For more information about the San Bernardino County Library system, visit library.sbcounty.gov, call 909-387-2220 or follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
The San Bernardino County Library system is a dynamic network of 32 branch libraries that serve a diverse population over a vast geographic area. The County Library strives to provide equal access to information, technology, events and services for all people who call San Bernardino County home.
Code Enforcement to host community cleanup event in San Antonio Heights
San Bernardino County Code Enforcement and the Solid Waste Management Division will host a free community cleanup and bulky item disposal event for residents of the county’s unincorporated San Antonio Heights community. Residents are encouraged to come out, take part and help keep the community clean and beautiful.Business or commercial waste will not be accepted.
Event details:
- Saturday, April 4
- 8 a.m. to noon
- N. Mountain Avenue, south of 25th Street, San Antonio Heights
Accepted items:
- Household trash
- Bulky items
- Green waste
- Up to nine tires per load, including rims
- Electronics such as TVs, monitors, VCRs, stereos and cell phones (collected by the Urban Conservation Corps)
Hazardous waste will not be accepted. Prohibited items include household and auto batteries, motor oil, antifreeze, gasoline, pesticides, fertilizers, fluorescent lights, pool chemicals, paint products and medications.
Residents are asked to secure and properly cover their loads before traveling to the site. Participants must unload their own materials. If you bring an oversized or hard-to-handle load, you may be turned away and directed to dispose of items at your own expense. For questions, contact Deleon Luna, staff analyst with Land Use Services, Code Enforcement at 909-383-2133.
Regional Parks to host new Easter Sunday scavenger hunt for the entire family
This Easter, Regional Parks is excited to host a new activity, giving the entire family an opportunity to participate in a scavenger hunt following clever clues and solving playful riddles at stations located throughout the park. The scavenger hunt replaces the traditional Easter egg hunts, and baskets or bags are no longer needed.
Scavenger hunt times will be 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 5, at all the participating parks below:
- Cucamonga-Guasti: 800 N. Archibald Ave., Ontario
- Glen Helen: 2555 Glen Helen Pkwy., San Bernardino
- Mojave Narrows: 18000 Yates Road, Victorville
- Prado: 16700 S. Euclid Ave., Chino
- Yucaipa: 33900 Oak Glen Road, Yucaipa
CRACK THE BUNNY CODE
To get started, participants will receive one clue card with the first riddle that will lead them to the first location. Each location will have a sign with a QR code that, once scanned, will reveal another clue and location. Each QR code also reveals a letter. At the end of the hunt, all the letters will reveal the Bunny’s secret code word. The first 140 participants to Crack the Bunny Code for each time slot at each park will receive a goodie prize. Prizes are limited on a first come, first-served basis.
A smartphone with a QR code scanning feature is needed. If a participant does not have access to a smartphone to scan a QR code, paper copies of the clues are available at the gatehouse upon request. There are 11 stations total and the code word contains 11 letters.
The morning and afternoon hunts will have different letters and clues.
FIND THE GOLDEN EGG
One Golden Egg will be hidden somewhere in each participating park between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Find the egg and win an Easter basket.
All ages are welcome! Regional Parks are pet-friendly and are open from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Admission is $20 per vehicle and free for those camping with us at Mojave Narrows, Prado and Yucaipa Regional Parks.
For more information on Regional Parks, visit parks.sbcounty.gov, or follow parks on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected with the latest park news and events.
Calico Ghost Town to host Easter Sunday ‘Egg-stravaganza’ celebration with a full schedule of events
Experience Easter at a historic silver mining ghost town! Hop back to 1881 at Calico Ghost Town, Sunday, April 5, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for an old-fashioned family-friendly Easter celebration with egg hunts, photo ops with the Easter bunny, live music, games (including our famous egg toss), gunfighter shows, magic shows, a petting zoo, food and more.
Take photos with our town reenactors or visit the infamous Maggie Mine and take a ride on the Calico Odessa Railroad train, which was named for the town and mountain range of Calico and the nearby Odessa Canyon. There are also plenty of town shops and food options with Lil’s Saloon, Calico House Restaurant and the Silver Rush Burger.
Calico attractions are an additional fee. For current prices, visit calicoattractions.com.
Calico is located at 36600 Ghost Town Road in Yermo. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for youth (ages 4-11) and ages three and under are free. Calico is pet-friendly and has its own pet store, Dorsey’s Gourmet Dog House, which offers a variety of fresh baked pet goodies and pet accessories. Take a virtual tour of our Calico shops online.
For a schedule of Calico Easter events, visit parks.sbcounty.gov/calico-easter-celebration. For more information about Calico or any Regional Park, visit parks.sbcounty.gov. Follow Calico Ghost Town on Facebook to see the latest events. Follow Regional Parks on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected on the latest park news.
Free tax help available April 9 in Loma Linda
The county departments of Child Support Services and Transitional Assistance will host a community event on April 9 from 1 to 5 p.m. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program will be at the Child Support Services office in Loma Linda to provide free tax assistance to residents.
Residents may qualify for free services if they meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Earn $69,000 or less annually
- Have a disability
- Have limited English proficiency
Event details:
- April 9, 2026
- 1–5 p.m.
Child Support Services, 10417 Mountain View Ave., Loma Linda To set an appointment for the event, call 877-410-8829. We look forward to seeing you there!
County Library invites community to Catch the Reading Bug this April
This April, San Bernardino County Library (SBCL) is inviting the community to Catch the Reading Bug with a fun circulation incentive designed to get readers of all ages buzzing about books.
During the month-long program, library patrons who check out 30 items will earn an entry into a drawing for a grand prize family picnic backpack filled with springtime goodies. The prize pack includes a kite, sidewalk chalk, bubbles and a butterfly starter kit — everything families need to spread their wings and enjoy the season outdoors.
Library staff hope the program will help the community discover that reading can be just as contagious as the springtime energy in the air.
“We want reading excitement to spread like a good kind of bug,” said County Librarian Melanie Orosco. “From picture books to page-turning novels, our shelves are full of stories that will have readers buzzing with excitement.”
Items checked out can include books, audiobooks, DVDs, magazines and other circulating materials available through the library’s collection. Participants simply keep track of their checkouts with their receipts during April and submit their entry once they reach the 30-item goal.
Whether patrons are fluttering in for their next favorite read or crawling through the stacks for hidden gems, the program is designed to encourage exploration of the library’s diverse collection.
“Spring is a season of growth, curiosity, and new beginnings,” Assistant County Librarian Kristin Stevens added. “We hope families will swarm the library, discover something new, and leave with a case of the reading bug.”
The Catch the Reading Bug circulation incentive runs April 1 through April 30 at all library locations and is open to readers of all ages.
For more information about the San Bernardino County Library system, visit library.sbcounty.gov, call 909-387-2220 or follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
The San Bernardino County Library system is a dynamic network of 32 branch libraries that serve a diverse population over a vast geographic area. The County Library strives to provide equal access to information, technology, events and services for all people who call San Bernardino County home.
County Library launches Session 2 programs
Spring is in the air, and the San Bernardino County Library is welcoming the season with Session 2 of library programs, running through April 12. This new lineup continues the County Library’s mission of fostering connection, curiosity and community with a wide variety of free programs for readers, learners and creators of all ages.
Session 2 offers fresh opportunities for families, teens and adults to explore, discover and engage in:
- Storytimes and family reading events – Early literacy programs designed to inspire young readers and nurture a love of books.
- STEAM & maker programs – Hands-on activities encouraging creativity, problem-solving and innovation.
- Arts, crafts and cultural programs – Workshops celebrating creativity and community connections.
- Special seasonal events – Seasonal and themed events for all ages, including family-friendly celebrations and library-wide initiatives.
- Book clubs and adult programs – Engage in lively discussions, workshops and activities tailored to adult learners.
“Libraries are community hubs where people of all ages can learn, create and connect,” said County Library Program Coordinator Elizabeth Williams. “Session 2 builds on our commitment to offer programs that inspire curiosity, creativity, and learning for everyone.”
From toddlers exploring their first storybooks to adults trying out new skills, County Library Session 2 programs offer something for every member of the community. Program schedules, registration information and program details are available at local branches and on the County Library website.
For more information about the San Bernardino County Library system, visit library.sbcounty.gov, call 909-387-2220 or follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
The San Bernardino County Library system is a dynamic network of 32 branch libraries serving a diverse population across a vast geographic area. The County Library is committed to providing equitable access to information, technology, programs and services for all San Bernardino County residents.
A healthy partnership: Preschool Services and Public Health provide essential health services to children in Head Start and Early Head Start
The San Bernardino County Preschool Services Department and the San Bernardino County Public Health Department have partnered to provide comprehensive health screenings for children enrolled in Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The initiative deploys mobile health clinics directly to preschool sites to ensure students can complete required health assessments on time.
While Public Health provides preventive screenings, exams and health education to families, Preschool Services coordinates the planning and outreach to ensure resources reach the families who need them most. The mobile clinics offer hearing and vision screenings and full physical examinations to ensure children are healthy, able to see and hear clearly, and ready to succeed in school and beyond.
The partnership reduces the time parents must take off work to complete the screenings and minimizes the time children are away from the classroom by making clinical services available in neighborhoods and at school sites. The mobile clinics serve as efficient, one-stop locations where families can access high-quality care close to home. Completing the screenings helps families connect to services, supports healthy growth and development and gives children the best chance to thrive at home and in school.
Conducting these assessments during the critical early years of language and cognitive development also facilitates early detection of potential developmental or medical concerns. Early identification allows for timely intervention, preventing minor health issues from escalating into significant long-term challenges. Ultimately, this proactive approach to care leads to better long-term health outcomes, fewer missed school days and greater peace of mind for families.
Families with children in Head Start or Early Head Start are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to support their child’s success. Parents or guardians of enrolled children must call 909-458-9447 to schedule a health screening appointment for their child.
Mobile health screenings will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the dates and at the locations below.
- Rialto Renaissance, 1360 W. Foothill Blvd., Rialto: April 15
- Victorville Center, 14029 Amargosa Road, Ste. C, Victorville: March 25 and April 22
- Mill Center, 205 S. Allen St., San Bernardino: April 1
Rialto Eucalyptus, 485 N. Eucalyptus Ave., Rialto: April 8
Additional County Update News – March 26, 2026
- Board Actions, March 24
- First 5 San Bernardino bids a heartfelt farewell to Karen Scott
- County Purchasing Director Pete Mendoza retires after 35 years of service
- Homeless Summit highlights creative approaches to housing and care
- County leaders outline long-term strategy in 2026–27 budget overview
- County launches next round of AB 98 community presentations
- County Update reaches 225K subscribers
- Women’s History Month staff spotlight: Jo Cruz
- Mobile Defense Program brings free legal help and second chances to Lucerne Valley
- SBC Through Your Eyes: San Gorgonio Wilderness
- Submit your photos and videos of the county’s destinations, nature and cityscapes
- San Bernardino County history: Bank of San Bernardino
- Things to do in San Bernardino County
- Pet of the Week: Yugi