Children at Picnic Day

Childcare and Activities

Variety of childcare options available to students, including on campus childcare centers, resources for locating off campus providers, and grants to assist with covering the costs. The Financial Supports and Scholarships page also lists grants and other funding options.

Programs in Davis

Child Care

  • Babysitter Directory
  • The Directory connects current UC Davis students with children who need babysitting services with current UC Davis students who are interested in babysitting.  For more information and to request access to the Directory, go to the Transfer and Reentry Center website.
  • Child Care Options Resource Page
  • UC Davis WorkLife has created a comprehensive listing of childcare options on campus and in the Davis area, as well as after school programs and babysitter referral websites. This resource is intended for students, staff and faculty.
  • Early Childhood Lab School
  • A teaching, research, and demonstration laboratory within the Department of Human Ecology. Enrolls children ages six months through five years in active learning programs.  Through the CCAMPIS grant, student parents can appy for a discount for their children to attend the Early Childhood Lab School.
  • June Care
  • June Care connects families who need childcare with local parents who can care for their kids. It's like childcare and a playdate, all in one!  If you're looking for a way to earn extra income while going to school OR you need flexible childcare to accommodate your class schedule, June Care can help. It's free to sign up and get matched at junecare.co. 
  • Urban Sitter
  • Urban Sitter offers access to background checked sitters and nannies. Through a grant from COSAF, the Transfer and Reentry Center (TRC) is able to offer student parents a 3-month membership and $100 gift card to pay for babysitting services.  Students can choose from sitters already registered with UrbanSitter or have an existing sitter signup for a free 1-year membership. 

Activities

  • 4-H Youth Development Program
    4-H is an organization for youth ages 5-19 that promotes hands-on, experiential learning in agriculture. Members have the opportunity to participate in the 4-H program through after school programs, community clubs, camps, events,  conferences and military partnership programs. The California 4-H program is a part of the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), a statewide network of the University of California.
  • Arboretum and Public Garden
    The UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden spans the campus’s 5300-plus acres and includes the historic Arboretum – a 100-plus acre campus and regional amenity comprised of demonstration gardens and scientific collections as well as the Putah Creek Riparian Reserve.  The Arboretum and Public Garden's education programs include guided tours, family nature programs, talks by artists, scholars and scientists, and classes and workshops.
  • Bohart Museum of Entomology
    The R. M. Bohart Museum of Entomology, founded in 1946, is located on the University of California, Davis campus. The museum has the seventh largest insect collection in North America, and is worldwide in coverage.  The museum offers educational programs for children including tours, on and off site presentations, and Bio Boot Camps.
  • Bowling at the Memorial Union
    The Games Area offers 12 bowling lanes for UC Davis students and the community. Play a quick game or rent out a lane by the hour for a birthday party! Bowling shoes are required, bring your own socks.  Other attractions include billiards, console gaming, and board games.
  • California Raptor Center
    The California Raptor Center (CRC) is dedicated to the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned raptors, and is affiliated with the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. The CRC offers educational programs for children including tours, on and off site presentations, and the "Little" Raptor Program.
  • Campus Recreation Youth Programs
    UC Davis Youth Programs offers a diverse range of summer camps, classes, trips, and swimming lessons for youth up to age 18.
  • COSMOS - California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science
    COSMOS at UC Davis is an intensive four-week summer residential program for students who have demonstrated an aptitude for academic and professional careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects. 
  • Equestrian Center
    The 25-acre Equestrian Center operates an extensive year-round English and Western riding program. Located on campus, the center features boarding facilities, a 45,000-square-foot covered riding arena, a regulation dressage court, four barns and several pastures. The Center offers a wide variety of activities that range from competitive equestrian sports to the Guardian Angel program to leisure riding lessons. 
  • Gunrock Gaming
    Gunrock Gaming is the home for PC gaming at UC Davis and is located in the Games Area in the basement of the Memorial Union.  Current available games include Fortnight, League of Legends, Minecraft, The Sims, World of Warcraft, and Magic: The Gathering Arena.  Play is open to both UC Davis students and community members.
  • Häagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven
    The Häagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven is a unique outdoor museum where visitors can observe and learn about bees and the plants that support them. Located next to the Harry H. Laidlaw, Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility on Bee Biology Road, UC Davis, it was planted in Fall 2009 thanks to a generous gift from Häagen-Dazs. The garden is open year-round during daylight hours. Admission is free. 
  • Horse Barn - Horse Day
    Join us for our annual UC Davis Horse Day event! A day filled with workshops, demonstrations, and lectures dedicated to continuing education for horse owners and enthusiasts. Open to adults and children of all ages.
  • Junior Aggie Club
    Sponsored by UC Davis Athletics - membership club for children and families to receive benefits related to athletic event admission, special events, and discounts.
  • MIND Institute
    The UC Davis MIND Institute is a collaborative international research center, committed to the awareness, understanding, prevention, and treatment of the challenges associated with neurodevelopmental disabilities.  The MIND Institute is especially known for research and clinical therapies developed for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Fragile X Syndrome, Down Syndrome, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome.  The MIND Institute offers trainings and support groups for parents of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities.
  • Pre-College Discovery Programs
    UC Davis Discovery Programs provides an active, hands-on opportunity for junior high and high school students to discover new interests, explore potential careers and build skills for academic success at one of the world's top universities.  The Programs are sponsored by UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education.
  • STEM for Girls
    Hosted by the Women's Resources and Research Center, STEM for Girls invites 10 - 12 year old students from the Woodland and Sacramento areas to the University of California, Davis for a full day immersion into science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). 
  • Student Farm
    The 23-acre farm, run through the UC Davis Agricultural Sustainability Institute, is a community where students create, maintain and explore sustainable food systems.  The Student Farm hosts a number of different programs including garden-based education, Kids in the Garden Field Trips, tours for junior high and high school classes, and a school gardening program.
  • Tahoe Science Center
    Located in Incline Village, the Tahoe Science Center is part of the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC), a global leader in research, education, and public outreach on Lakes.  At the Center, families can explore the interactive exhibits, learn about the lake ecosystem, and why it's changing, and find out how to keep Tahoe blue.  The TERC also offers the Junior Limnologist Challenge, the Science Expo, and Youth Science Institute.

Grants and Funding

UC Davis offers various opportunities for assistance with childcare expenses. The funds listed below have different criteria, application processes, and forms of support. Students may qualify to receive multiple grants.

  • Childcare Grants offered by CCAMPIS
    Offers free or discounted child care spots at the nationally accredited, on campus Early Childhood Laboratory (ECL) and individualized support and mentorship for student parents through the Transfer and Reentry Center.
  • Childcare Grants offered by WorkLife
    Provides grants to cover a portion of childcare expenses through a variety of providers. The grant is through the UC Davis WorkLife program.