The Mommy/Daddy and Me (MDM) program brings families together to connect, play, and build friendships in a welcoming and supportive environment. While most children attending are ages 0–7, families with children of all ages are welcome! We believe it truly takes a village to help our children thrive, and we hope MDM helps you find your village here in San Diego. Each month brings something different, from creative crafts and hands-on activities to games, snacks, and opportunities to connect with other families.

MDM is free and open to UC San Diego students, scholars, staff, their families, and members of the greater San Diego community. We can't wait to see familiar faces and welcome new families to our MDM community!

MDM typically meets on the first Tuesday of each month (excluding holidays), from 3:00–4:00 PM.

Each month brings new activities, opportunities to connect, and fun for the whole family!

MDM gatherings are now held at the Triton Administrative Services Building (East Wing), centrally located on the UC San Diego campus and home to the International Services and Engagement Office (ISEO) and Global Initiatives. You don't have to be affiliated with UC San Diego to join us! Whether you're a UC San Diego student, scholar, staff member, or part of the greater San Diego community, everyone is welcome!

• Directions
  • UCSD Map to Triton Administrative Services Building 
  • Google Map to Triton Administrative Services Building 
  • Map of Triton Administrative Services Building

• Parking:
  • The Gilman Parking Structure is conveniently located near the Triton Administrative Services Building. Please note that campus does not offer free parking as such you must have a parking pass or parking code. 
    • Google Map to Gilman Parking Structure
    • UCSD Map to Gilman Parking Structure
• Public Transportation
  • Our building is conveniently located near several MTS bus routes and UC San Diego shuttle stops, making it easy to reach us without a car!
  • Trolley: Take the MTS Trolley Blue Line Exit at the UC San Diego Central Campus Station.
  • Bus Stop: In Front of Our Building
    • MTS Routes:
      • 101 Oceanside
      • 30 Old Town
      • 201 UTC Transit Center
      • 41 Fashion Valley
      • 921A Mira Mesa (Weekends Only)
    • UC San Diego Shuttles:
      • Mesa Loop
      • Inside Loop
      • Grocery Shuttle-Convoy (Weekends Only)
  • Bus Stop: Across the Street from Our Building
    • MTS Routes:
      • 101 UTC Transit Center
      • 30 UTC Transit Center
      • 202 UTC Transit Center
      • 479 Coaster
      • 237 Miramar College
    • UC San Diego Shuttles:
      • SIO Shuttle
      • Outside Loop
  • We encourage families to review directions, parking options, and public transportation schedules before heading to campus.
    • MTS Trip Planner
    • UC San Diego Transportation Services

📢 Weather & Location Updates

The safety and comfort of our MDM families are always a priority! While we do our best to follow our regular schedule, weather conditions may require us to change the date or location of a gathering.

• Please check this webpage or your event registration confirmation for the most up-to-date date, time, and meeting location before attending.
• We do our best to notify registered families atleast 24 hours in advance by email when changes occur.

Every MDM gathering is a little different, but our goal is always the same: to give families a fun, relaxed opportunity to connect and spend time together.

Here's what you can typically look forward to:

• Fun activities: Crafts, seasonal projects, and hands-on activities for little ones
• Playtime: Sensory toys for babies, games, and activities for older children
• Music and movement: Opportunities to play, move, and have fun together
• Snacks and refreshments: Light snacks, juice boxes, and water
• Community connections: Time to meet other parents, share experiences, and build friendships

What should you bring?

• Just yourself and your little ones!
• We provide the supplies needed for our planned activities.

A few things to know:

• MDM is a family participation program.
• Parents and caregivers should remain with and supervise their children throughout the gathering.

Registration is free and helps us plan activities and prepare enough supplies and snacks for everyone.

How to register:

1. Visit our iEvents Calendar and select the MDM gathering you would like to attend.
2. Select the number of adults attending.
3. Click Continue.
4. On the next screen, indicate the number of children attending.
5. Complete your registration!

💛 Please include all adults and children in your registration. This helps us make sure every little one can participate in our planned activities. We encourage families to register in advance, especially for events with special crafts or supplies.

Do I need to register?
Yes! Registration helps us ensure we have enough supplies and snacks for every child. We don’t want anyone to miss out on the fun.

How do I register?
You can easily register using our iEvents calendar finding the MDM gathering you want to attend and clicking "register."

What if I forgot to register? Can I still come?
While we prefer you register, we warmly welcome everyone to join us!

Is there a cost?
No, Mommy, Daddy, and Me (MDM) is completely free for all families.

Can siblings join?
Absolutely! Siblings of all ages are welcome.

What is the typical age of attendees?
At this time, most children are between 0 - 7 years old, but we welcome all ages! Activities will adapt based on the children attending.

Do I have to be international Scholar, Student or Spouse to attend?
No! We welcome everyone in the UC San Diego and greater San Diego community to join us. Please register through our iEvents calendar. We ask that all participants adhere to the UC San Diego Principles of Community to help create a welcoming and respectful environment for all.

Can I invite my friend who isn’t affiliated with UCSD?
Yes! Everyone is welcome to join us. Please register through our iEvents calendar, which includes a community member option. We ask that all participants adhere to the UC San Diego Principles of Community to help create a welcoming and respectful environment for all.

Does the primary F-1, J-1, H-1B, etc. need to attend?
No! We don’t have any requirements for primary status holder (F-1, J-1, H-1B, etc.) to attend. This is an opportunity for everyone to come and enjoy the time together!

What can I expect?
Each gathering is a wonderful opportunity for free play, meeting new friends, and enjoying time together! We usually plan one group activity, like a craft related to a holiday or season, to bring everyone together in a shared experience.

You’ll also find a variety of sensory toys for newborns, outdoor sports toys for active play, cozy picnic blankets for relaxing, and snacks and juice boxes for the little ones. (All toys are carefully sanitized after every event to keep everyone healthy!)

What do I need to bring?
Nothing! We provide snacks, juice boxes, water, and toys for everyone to enjoy. For your peace of mind, we also have a first aid kit for minor injuries and wipes to keep those tiny hands clean.

Explore helpful resources for parents, including child-friendly spaces and local family activities to enhance your parenting journey.

• ISEO Family Resources: iFamily.ucsd.edu
• San Diego Library Resources and Services: https://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/services
• Crafting in the community
  • Home Depot in Store Workshops (free): https://www.homedepot.com/c/kids-workshop 
  • Michaels Zoom Workshops (Some are at no cost, and others come with a fee): https://www.michaels.com/classes/ 
• Ideas for exploring San Diego: https://www.sandiego.org/explore/things-to-do.aspx 

We’d love to hear from you! You can email us at iprograms@ucsd.edu for general inquiries or reach out directly to our MDM Program Coordinators Nallely Garcia and Qiaochu Wu. We can't wait to welcome you and your little ones to our next gathering! 💛