About 45 miles west of Palm Springs, Hemet is a desert city in the San Jacinto Valley, at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains. According to the City of Hemet website, Hemet has lost its "retirement community" reputation, as many young families have settled in the city. Hemet's public parks, businesses, and community buildings provide several options for activities with kids that are inexpensive and fun.
Science Saturdays
- Spend a Saturday morning at the Western Science Center, a museum that was built to house nearby Diamond Valley's artifacts and fossils. One Saturday per month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., kids can delve into hands-on science experiments in geology, archaeology, and natural history with museum staff. Admissions is free. Children under 13 must be accompanied by adults.
Outdoor Play
- The National Arbor Day Foundation named Hemet a Tree City USA for committing to care for its parks and forests. Spend an afternoon with kids visiting some of the city's well-known parks. The four-acre Weston Park dates from 1921 and has shuffleboard courts, a playground, basketball court, and turf area. Gibbel Park, an 11-acre park, also has a play area, a half basketball court, tennis courts, a bowling green, horseshoe pits and picnic areas.
Fingerprints Museum
- The Fingerprints Museum was designed especially for kids to participate in real-life scenarios. More than 20 interactive exhibits allow kids to work and play in a television station, a bank, an archeological site, a grocery store, a doctor's office and others. There is also a craft room. The Museum offers family memberships and a special activity and discount program, the Curiosity Club. There is a general $5 entry fee.
Skating
- Take the kids rollerskating at The Wheelhouse, a skating arena, video arcade and party hall. Saturday and Sunday afternoons are geared to kids and include skating games and fitness activities. Admission is $6 and skate rental is $3 per person. Check their calendar often, as The Wheelhouse offers free skate-rental nights and family discounted packages.
