7th Annual Celebration of The Young Child

The City of Long Beach will host the seventh annual Celebration of the Young Child from 10:00 AM–2:00 PM on Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Downtown Long Beach. This free event provides hands-on activities and community partners who provide services and resources for children up to 8 years old.

The event will be located at Billie Jean King Main Library and at Lincoln Park, which is adjacent to the library. Free parking will be available in the Civic Center parking garage located at the corner of Broadway and Chestnut Avenue.

Services and Resources Available

Early intervention resources and screenings will also be provided free of charge to families with children who may benefit from them. Services include:

• Information booths that promote healthy child development and resources for parents.
• 10-20 minute walk-in appointments, along with screening results and easy connection to vendors on-site, for:
  • Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ)-3, a popular resource that helps parents identify where their child may need more development support. Courtesy of For the Child.
  • The articulation component of the Preschool Language Scale (PSL)-5. Provided by CSULB’s Speech and Language Clinic.
• Pediatric eye health screenings to help identify vision concerns and prevent future issues. Eye screenings will include vision education, resources, and reading glasses, if needed. Space is limited, so attendees are encouraged to arrive early to sign up for a walk-in appointment. Courtesy of the UCLA Mobile Eye Clinic.
• Vaccination clinics to provide children with their routine immunizations.
• Oral health assessments, which will include screening results, oral health education, dental resources, oral health kits, and fluoride varnish application. Courtesy of the Children’s Dental Health Clinic.

Programs and Performers

• Brillantina’s storytelling will explore vocabulary through fingerplays, action songs, and use of props that bring the fun of bilingual story time to life.
• Josue Cuentacuentos, a Latino musical storyteller, who weaves together family stories, legends and timeless tales to entertain and impart life lessons.
• Mera Dance Troupe, dedicated to empowering the next generation through cultural education, will perform three traditional Cambodian dances.
• Plus: music and movement for toddlers and preschool-aged children, read-aloud storytimes, a sensory exploration area, and other educational hands-on activities.

To learn more about the Early Childhood Strategic Initiatives program, check out the Health and Human Services’ Early Childhood Strategic Initiatives Program.

The Celebration of the Young Child is a collaboration between the Department of Health and Human Services, the Long Beach Public Library, and the Mayor’s Fund for Education.