Participants mix body scrubs and add scents during a Project Self-Care session on June 18 at the Marysville Recreation Center, 429 10th St., Marysville.

YUBA-SUTTER, CA (MPG) - For families looking to keep kids busy, creative and cool without stretching the summer budget, Yuba-Sutter offers a growing list of free and low-cost activities this season, from handmade crafts and reading prizes to gardening workshops, splash pads and museum exhibits.

At Marysville Parks and Recreation, the center recently filled to capacity as families gathered for Project Self-Care, a weekly program that encourages relaxation, creativity and hands-on fun. Boys and girls took turns melting beeswax and mixing essential oils, fragrances and colored mica to make lip balms and body scrubs. Organizers said they hope to expand capacity to accommodate the growing number of families attending programs.

Since opening in April 2025, the Marysville Community Recreation Center has steadily expanded its youth and family programming. While offerings change monthly, the July schedule includes Tot Time, Esports Club, Slime Labs and more. Project Self-Care appears to be especially popular with tweens and middle school students.

"My friend and I like to come every week," one young participant said. "It's something fun for us to do that's not too kiddish."

Registration is required for Marysville Parks and Recreation programs. Because schedules, times and age groups may change each month, families are encouraged to contact the center at [email protected] or register through the Yuba County Office of Education's RecDesk system.

A participant adds her homemade lip balm to a small container during Project Self-Care session on June 18 at the Marysville Recreation Center, 429 10th St., Marysville.

Across the river in Yuba City, the Sutter County Library Main Branch has resumed programming after a vandalism incident left the building without full HVAC service earlier this summer. On June 22, library staff announced that repairs had been completed and the system was operating well enough to safely reopen to the public.

"We are incredibly grateful for your patience and understanding during this unexpected closure," library staff said in a statement. "While additional repairs are still needed, we are excited to welcome everyone back to the library and resume normal operations."

The reopening also marks the return of several free summer programs, including LEGO Club, Kids Create Craft Time, Family Fun Nights and the Teen Cooking Challenge. The library, in partnership with the UC Master Gardener Program, also is hosting free hands-on gardening workshops for adults and children. UC Master Gardeners will continue gardening classes at the community garden at the Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds throughout the summer. A complete schedule is available on the UC Master Gardeners Sutter-Yuba website.

Meanwhile, the Yuba County Library is preparing to leave its temporary location at the Yuba County Government Center and return to its renovated building at 303 Second St. in Marysville. A reopening announcement is expected soon. In the meantime, patrons can continue participating in summer reading activities, story times and crafts. Because the library is in the middle of its move, families should confirm program locations before attending.

For outdoor fun, local spray parks offer another free way to beat the valley heat. In Yuba County, POW/MIA Park, 1790 Edgewater Circle in Marysville, includes a seasonal spray park. Olivehurst Public Utility District also operates spray parks at Lindhurst Memorial Park and Olivehurst Community Park. Eufay Wood Sr. Memorial Spray Park in Plumas Lake is currently closed for repairs.

In Yuba City, families can cool off at the spraygrounds at Regency Park and Bogue Park. Hours and operating days vary by location, so visitors should check current conditions before heading out.

Another free indoor destination is the Sutter County Museum. Admission is free, and its temporary exhibit, "Hello From Japan!," runs through Aug. 22. The family-friendly exhibit explores Tokyo, Harajuku fashion, Shinto shrines, kawaii culture, karaoke, bento boxes and wishing traditions. The museum, at 1333 Butte House Road in Yuba City, is generally open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and from noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays.