ArtWalk has been one of my favorite Springtime events since it first started, many years ago. I’ve tried to attend every year, and have always enjoyed walking the streets of Little Italy, looking at assorted art from various artists. Once we had kids, I began taking them to ArtWalk as well.

A few years ago I discovered they had an area called KidsWalk, which is solely devoted to kids activities. KidsWalk is set up at Amici Park on Date Street, next to Walker Elementary. The area is set up with lots of tents from various affiliations, such as museums, art organizations, and local businesses.

Most tents have free art related activities for the kids. ArtReach, a local nonprofit associated with ArtWalk, has one such area. If you stop by KidsWalk at the right time, you might see the Sophia Isadora Academy of Circus Arts performing, which is something our kids always find amazing to watch. One of our favorite KidsWalk activities is to join in with a group of others playing instruments with RhythmWorx.

This year, the Chula Vista Nature Center will also be joining in the fun with live owls, sea stars, and crabs, plus a craft to take home. The Birch Aquarium will have a craft made of recycled materials. Mission Federal Credit Union, ArtWalk’s title sponsor, will also be at KidsWalk, with miniature piggy banks for the kids to paint.

I’ve found that if you have kids, and head straight to KidsWalk, walking around the remainder of ArtWalk is much more enjoyable. KidsWalk allows them to use some of their energy, and gives them the opportunity to use their own creative outlet. I suggest setting aside an hour to and hour and a half to spend at KidsWalk.

ArtWalk San Diego, including KidsWalk, is from 11am-6pm, April 30th & May 1st, 2011. There’s lots to see and do, and the festival is free! Click HERE to go to their website. Perhaps we’ll see you there!