Research shows having fun leads to healthier kids

Having fun is seriously good for kids’ health—physically, emotionally, and cognitively—but finding fun, free activities for kids isn’t always easy. If you’re a SoCal mom, get ready to hit the jackpot at the All Things Kids Expo on Saturday, May 17, at the Promenade mall in Temecula.

This annual event features live entertainment, inflatable slides, ball pits, face painting, craft corners, stage performances and other interactive activities for kids. While your littles, tweens and teens are having a blast, parents can learn about resources, schools and businesses that cater to family life and healthy living. 

The expo is being presented by Children’s Primary Care Medical Group (CPCMG), which serves more than 200,000 families in San Diego and Southwest Riverside counties. The medical group has more than 165 board-certified pediatricians, pediatric nurse practitioners and physician assistants at 28 sites across the region. Helping kids stay healthy is one of the things they do best.

CPCMG also makes it easy to get care when your kids are sick, with same-day appointments and evening and weekend hours at select locations, along with after-hours nurse triage services. Those things provide huge peace of mind for any mom whose child has ever spiked a fever in the middle of the night (which is pretty much every mom.)

Why fun is a big health booster 

The All Things Kids Expo is built on the idea that having fun isn’t just a nice-to-have for kids—it’s essential to their overall health and development. Research shows that unstructured play and joyful activities stimulate brain development, improve problem-solving skills and support emotional regulation. Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child emphasizes that imaginative play helps kids build critical executive functions like focus, flexibility, and self-control.

On the emotional and mental health front, laughter and play act as natural stress relievers. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, play reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol while increasing feel-good chemicals like dopamine and endorphins. Social play also helps children build resilience, develop empathy, and improve communication skills—tools they’ll use for a lifetime.

Physically, fun gets kids moving in ways that support healthy growth. Active play improves cardiovascular fitness, coordination and sleep quality. Outdoor fun, in particular, encourages physical activity and provides exposure to sunlight, which boosts vitamin D levels and immune function. In short, when kids have regular opportunities to laugh, play and let loose, their bodies and brains thrive.

Expo is full of fun, free activities for kids

At the All Things Kids Expo kids can spend hours moving, learning and creating. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at the Promenade, 40820 Winchester Road, Temecula. All activities are outdoors, so get ready to soak up some fresh air.

In addition to the live entertainment, crafts and games, the expo will include an interactive scavenger hunt, sponsored by Rady Children’s Hospital, a balloon animal station, sponsored by First 5 Riverside County, and a fun-filled photo booth courtesy of Regal Medical Group.

You’ll also find a fantastic lineup of community partners and exhibitors who help bring this expo to life, ranging from Airtopia, the ultimate indoor adventure park, to West Coast Krav Maga, offering fun and educational demonstrations tailored for kids and teens. Learn more about all the exhibitors.

Fun ways to help your kids stay healthy at home

The expo will provide all kinds of information and resources on how to keep your kids active and thriving, but in the meantime here are some activities you can do together at home:

  • Dance breaks – Crank up the music and let them go wild for 10–15 minutes. It counts as cardio.
  • Bike or scooter rides – Great for building leg strength and getting fresh air.
  • Nature scavenger hunts – Turn a walk into an adventure while sneaking in exercise.
  • Kitchen helpers – Let them wash veggies or mix smoothies to get curious about healthy eating.
  • Kid-friendly yoga or stretching – Builds flexibility, balance, and helps them chill out after a busy day.

Remember, the expo is Saturday, May 17, at the Promenade mall in Temecula. Mark your calendars and learn more.