101 Things to do with Kids in Orange County

Published: Jun 1, 2021 · Modified: Jun 11, 2021 · By Jill · This post may contain affiliate links · 50 Comments

{Updated April 2021}

Kids are home and want to do something? Don't worry, there are plenty of things for kids to do in Orange County to keep them from whining and saying "i'm bored!"

I've made things easier on you parents and caretakers, and created a list of 101 Kid-friendly Things to do in Orange County (Actually, there's more than that on this list). Many of these activities are FREE or low cost...and some are pricey. Plan out your favorites accordingly and get out into the sunshine with those kiddies.

Don't forget to follow the Sandy Toes & Popsicles Facebook Page or the Sandy Toes & Popsicles Instagram Page for daily updates of events happening in Orange County – such as library and park events, free local events and more.

NOW go have some fun!!!!!!!

Orange County Park Fun

1. Fun Orange County Parks
This is the #1 resource for finding great parks all over Orange County. Michelle's fantastic website has the scoop on almost every park in OC, what amenities are offered, and useful tips!
2. Orange County Concerts in the Park
Click link to find dates & cities. (Will be updated in May for 2021)
Free
3. Summer Movies in the Park in Orange County
Click link to find dates, times & cities. (Will be updated in May for 2021)
Free
4. Orange County Great Park | Irvine
Irvine's biggest park with lots of walking/biking trails and fun playgrounds for kids. Take a ride on the Big Orange Balloon and ride the carousel for a nominal fee (Currently closed). You will also find a community/educational garden that also hosts family-friendly events (check out their website) with a farmers market on Sundays.
5. Atlantis Play Park | Garden Grove
Charming concrete animals and slides including a giant sea serpent make this park a favorite of OC locals. You must see it to believe it. During the summer, you can visit the splash pad and there are plenty of picnic areas. Admission is $2 (no bills over $10 accepted, closed on Mondays)
6. Adventure Playground | Irvine (open!)
A one-of-a-kind park for kids to use there imaginations in interactive play. Concrete slide, water play, giant LEGO bricks, sand, games, forts. Wear clothes that can get dirty, and bring an extra set. Great park to bring out-of-town guests.
7. Adventure Playground | Huntington Beach
AKA "The Mud Park." Rafting in mud pond, mudslides, fort building and water fun. A kids dream park, and my children's favorite summer activity each summer. Open mid June - August, 10am - 4pm. Closed Sundays. Admission is $3 per child.
8. Marina Park | Newport Beach
AKA the Lighthouse park. Fun nautical themed park equipment with a large lighthouse slide. It's located on the Newport Bay, so its a great wave-free area for kids to enjoy the ocean. There is metered parking but if you can find a parking spot on the street it's free.
9. Irvine Park Railroad & Wheel Fun Rentals | Orange
Ride the train, play games, there are paddleboat and bike rentals.
10. Heritage Park Play Island | Cerritos
A unique city park that has a play island with Historic buildings reminiscent of those during Paul Revere's Ride with play equipment inside! It is a must see park. Make a picnic lunch and enjoy an afternoon of park play. Admission is Free.

Orange County Reading Fun

11. Local Library Programs
12. Barnes & Noble Events for Kids | Fullerton Free
13. Barnes & Noble Events for Kids | Orange Free
14. Barnes & Noble Events for Kids | Huntington Beach Free
15. Barnes & Noble Events for Kids | Irvine Free
16. Barnes & Noble Events for Kids | Irvine Spectrum Free
17. Barnes & Noble Events for Kids | Tustin Free

Family-Friendly Museums

18. Discovery Science Center | Santa Ana
Orange County's biggest children's museum. 2 huge floors of science exhibits and hands-on activities including an outdoor science area.
19. Pretend City | Irvine
A kids sized town with kid-sized products and obstacles. Lots of fun for babies, toddlers and children, (I suggest 9yrs and under.)
20. La Habra Children's Museum | La Habra
21. Bowers Museum | Santa Ana
22. Donut Life Museum | Westminster

Discounted Movies

23. Summer Outdoor Movies in Orange County
24. Summer Movie Programs for Kids
25. Discount Picture Show at Main Place Mall | Santa Ana $6.75 before 6pm
26. Woodbridge 5 AMC Cinema | Irvine $5.49 movies all day.
27. Brea Plaza 5 | Brea $5.45 before 5pm
28. Cinema City | Anaheim Hills $6 before noon, on Mondays & Tuesdays, and on Sundays before 6pm.
29. Drive-In Movies Full list of every drive-in theater near OC

Amusement Parks

30. Knott's Berry Farm | Buena Park Opens May 21 by reservation only
31. Disneyland | Anaheim Opens April 30 by reservation only
32. Legoland | Carlsbad By reservation only
33. Adventure City | Anaheim By reservation only. Carnival rides, rock climbing wall, arcade, petting zoo, children's theater and food.
34. Universal Studios Hollywood | Los Angeles

Fairs

35. OC Fair | Costa Mesa July 16th - August 15th, 2021

Zoos, Farms & Animals Sanctuaries

36. Zoomars | San Juan Capistrano
Small family owned zoo located in the historic Los Rios Village. Visit Guinea Pig Gully, feed the animals, play in the corn pool, playground, pony rides, train rides and gem mining. Open everyday, time vary.
37 . Centennial Farm at the OC Fairgrounds | Costa Mesa
(Temporarily closed until further notice.) This is the farm to the OC Fair animals. Here you can visit the animals and stroll through their gigantic garden. Admission is Free but you must make reservations. Open to the public until the OC Fair begins and resumes after it is over.
38. Santa Ana Zoo | Santa Ana
Orange County's first zoo, here you can see animals...mostly monkeys, Primates, Camels, Tierra de las Pampas, Anteaters, cow, pony, new miniature donkeys. You can also check out the Exploration Maze, visit the Colors of the Amazon Aviary, and view the Conservation Education Theatre. Treetop Toys Gift Shop, Bean Sprouts Café, and the Zoofari Express Train are also fun to visit. The following are temporarily closed: Carrousel, Ferris Wheel, Indoor spaces (Exploration Outpost & Barn), Playground, Goat Yard & all direct animal-contact interactions.
39. OC Zoo | Orange
Located inside beautiful Irvine Regional Park the Zoo is nestled among the majestic 477 acre wilderness park. The OC Zoo's focus is on animals and plants native to the southwestern United States. Many of our animals are injured, orphaned, confiscated, or not releasable into the wild. Animals on exhibit include black bear, mountain lion, bald eagle, kit fox, ocelot, beaver, great horned owl, porcupine, coyote, turkey vulture and more. The zoo also features a barnyard with domestic goats and sheep.
40. Prehistoric Pets - The Reptile Zoo | Fountain Valley
The Reptile Zoo provides the community with a unique educational entertainment facility which houses over 100 exotic species of reptiles, amphibians, and arachnids from around the world. My kids love this place. You can feed meal worms to turtles and also hold snakes and lizards. Meet "Twinkie" the largest albino boa in captivity.
41. Tanaka Farms | Irvine
Tanaka Farm provides customers with things to do all year round! They offer a variety of U-Pick Activities including pick-your-own wagon rides with the opportunity to pick your own food while learning about the farm’s history, and the crops grown there.
42. Playtime with Goats at Goods and Goats Market | San Juan Capistrano
Fun for kids! This is a special time set aside for children to visit the farm. You can pet and cuddle the goats. Play with antique Tonka Trucks in our sand box. Watch the hens and roosters. Don't forget that Tuff and Indie our pups are ready for fun as well. What can Adults do you ask? Purchase a painting kit with project and get your art on.
43. The Ecology Center | San Juan Capistrano Kids classes, strawberry picking, nature center.

Indoor Trampoline Houses

Giant trampolines from wall to wall. Activities include dodgeball, basketball and foam pits. (Don't forget your socks!)

44. Sky Zone Trampoline House | Anaheim Hills
45. Big Air Trampoline House | Buena Park
46. Get Air Surf City Trampoline Park | Huntington Beach
47. Big Air Trampoline House | Laguna Hills
48. Defy OC Trampoline House | Mission Viejo
49. Rockin' Jump | Santa Ana Trampoline park and indoor rock climbing.
50. Sky Zone Trampoline House | Westminster

Rock Climbing & Ropes Courses

51. Rock City Climbing | Anaheim
52. Sender City at Sender One | Santa Ana
(Temporarily closed) This is seriously one of our favorite places…loved by kids and adults! and fun interactive rock climbing experience with a giant slide and staff that is amazing.
53. Rockreation | Costa Mesa
54. OC Ropes Course | Yorba Linda
One of the largest courses west of Colorado. Offers a series of supervised individual and group challenges that promote adventure, success, improved problem solving, teamwork, and the list goes on. It consists of 2 zip lines extending up to 277 feet each in length, and over 32 different challenges reaching a height of over 60 feet!

Indoor Bounce House Places

Inflatable bounce houses with gigantic slides, and obstacles great for kids of all ages. Check them out individually for open play times and special family fun pizza nights. Enjoy indoor air-conditioning on hot summer days. (Don't forget your socks!)

55. Bounce U | Orange
56. Scooter's Jungle | Placentia
57. Pump it Up | Anaheim Hills
58. Pump it Up | Lake Forest

Fun Centers & Arcades

59. Thrill It Fun Center | Orange
60. Round 1 Entertainment | Santa Ana
61. Dave & Busters (Orange)
62. Dave & Busters (Irvine)
63. Nickel Nickel (Huntington Beach)

Indoor Play Zones

These are mostly indoor play spaces that are great for toddlers and younger kids. They have ball pits, bounce houses, slides, and more! (Don't forget your socks!)

Water Parks & Water Slides

70. Soak City | Buena Park Orange County's largest amusement water park located adjacent to Knott's Berry Farm.
71. Bucaneer Cover at Boomers! | Fountain Valley
72. Raging Waters | Diamond Bar
73. Splash! | La Mirada

Splash Pads & Public Pools

All these splash pads are open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Admission is free unless noted below. Children who aren't potty trained should wear a swim diaper. I would recommend these for children under the age of 10 years.

74. Pioneer Park and Splash | Tustin Free
75. Heritage Park Splash Pad | Irvine Free
76. Singler Park Splash Pad | Westminster Free
77. Stanton Central Park Splash Pad | Stanton
78. District of Tustin | Tustin Pop-up fountains
79. Crown Valley Park Spray pad | Laguna Niguel
80. Lemon Park Spray Pool | Fullerton Free
81. Harry M. Dotson Park Wet Saloon | Stanton Free
82. Atlantis Play Center Splash Pad (Garden Grove) Admission to park is $2.
83. Terramor Aquatic Park | Ladera Ranch Must be with a resident to enter.
84. Larwin Spray Pool | Buena Park Free
85. Frontier Park | Tustin
86. Aliso Viejo Aquatic Center | Aliso Viejo Public Pool, Splash pad and lap pools. Admission is $4-7 for non-members.
87. San Clemente Aquatics Center and Vista Hermosa Sports Park | San Clemente

Beach Area Fun & Aquariums

88. The Best Tidepools in Orange County free
89. Corona Del Mar Tide Pools free
90. Balboa Ferry | Balboa Beach
91. Pirate Coast Paddle | Newport Back Bay Paddleboarding rentals and classes
92. Victoria Beach Castle | Laguna Beach
93. Crystal Cove & Ruby's Shake Shack
94. Pacific Marine Mammal Center | Laguna Beach Visit locally rescued Seals and Sea Lions. On the weekends and some weekdays, volunteers are onsite to give education and tell stories to the public. Free
95. Aquarium of the Pacific | Long Beach
96. Ocean Quest by Discovery Cube | Newport Beach (Temporarily Closed) Located at Balboa Fun Zone
97. Newport Dunes Inflatable Water Playground | Newport Beach
98. Newport Dunes Movies on the Beach | Newport Beach Free
99. Ocean Institute | Dana Point

Orange County Nature Centers

100. Niguel Botanical Gardens | Laguna Niguel Beautiful easy trails for walking, garden mazes and features. Great for the family.
101. Environmental Nature Center | Newport Beach
(Temporarily Closed until June 2021) A 3.5 acre facility with nature trails, a native plant reserve and a nature center with kid-friendly exhibits. It is open 7 days a week. Admission and parking are Free.
102. Oak Canyon Nature Center | Anaheim Hills Hike the nature trails, visit the nature center and have a picnic at the picnic tables. Day camps are held during the morning hours. Admission and parking are Free.
103. Bolsa Chica Interpretive Center | Huntington Beach
Learn about marine life, birds and reptiles native to our wetlands.
104. Fullerton Arboredum | Fullerton near CSUF
(Temporarily Closed) Enjoy gardens with plants from different regions of the world. Yoga in the garden, nature walks, and family-friendly nature classes are scheduled every few weeks.
105. Peter Mary Muth Interpretive Center | Newport Beach Back Bay
(Temporarily Closed) Hands-on exhibits about the Back Bay's wildlife nature. They have fantastic family events, so check out their calendar of events for the special dates. Open Tuesday - Sunday. Admission and parking are Free.
106. Shipley's Nature Center | Huntington Beach
Great interpretive center with hands on exhibits for kids, plus garden area.

Miniature Golfing & Amusement Parks

107. Boomers! | Irvine Miniature golf, go-carts, arcades, rides, and food. Irvine has laser tag. All activities have individual pricing.
108. Camelot Golfland | Anaheim Miniature golf, laser tag, arcade and food. All activities have individual pricing.

Dinner Theaters & Fun Dining

109. Medieval Times | Buena Park Medieval dinner and tournament with knights and horses at a fun dinner show. A full dinner is served and must be eaten with your fingers.
110. Pirates Dinner Adventures | Buena Park Dinner and show featuring pirates and stunts. A full dinner is served.
111. Chuck E. Cheeses | Nationwide Pizza and arcade.
112. John's Incredible Pizza | Buena Park & Westminster Pizza, arcade, rides, bowling and laser tag.

Orange County Skating & Ice Skating

113. Holiday Skate | Orange
114. Fountain Valley Skating Center | Fountain Valley
115. Aliso Viejo Ice Palace | Aliso Viejo
116. Yorba Linda ICE | Yorba Linda (Temporarily closed to public skating)

Orange County Bowling

117. Kids can bowl FREE all summer at many of our Orange County bowling alleys. Find out details and sign up here.
118. Fountain Bowl | Fountain Valley
119. Lucky Strike at the Outlets of Orange | Orange
120. Concourse Lanes | Anaheim
121. 300 Anaheim Lanes | Anaheim
122. Irvine Lanes | Irvine
123. Linbrook Lanes | Anaheim
124. Bowlmor Lanes at Anaheim Gardenwalk | Anaheim

Baseball Stadiums

125. Dodgers Baseball (Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles)
126. Anaheim Angels Baseball (Angel Stadium in Anaheim)

Orange County Candy Stores

Historical Fun

132. San Juan Capistrano Mission | San Juan Capistrano
133. Richard Nixon Library | Yorba Linda
134. Heritage Museum of Orange County | Santa Ana

Skate Parks

135. Vans Skate Park | Outlets of Orange (Currently Closed) Free
136. Etnies Skate Park | Lake Forest (Reservation only, new sessions open on Fridays at 6pm.) Free
137. Logan Wells Memorial Skate Park | Anaheim Hills Free
138. Volcom Skate Park | Costa MesaFree
139. Harvard Skate Park | Irvine Free
140. Brea Skate Park | Brea, Sievers Drive free
141. Brea Skate Park | Brea, El Dorado Drive free
142. Fullerton Skate Park | Fullerton Free
143. Beebe Skate Park | Mission Viejo (Temporarily closed) Free
144. Garden Grove Skate Park | Garden Grove Free
145. Anaheim West Skate Park | Anaheim Free
146. Stanton Skate Park | Stanton Free

Orange County Laser Tag

147. Outdoor Laser Tag at Camelot Golfland | Anaheim
148. Laser Tag - Boomers! | Irvine (Currently closed)

Orange County Art Fun

149. Sawdust Art Festival | Laguna Beach July 2 - September 5, 2021
150. Color Me Mine | Brea Paint your own pottery
151. Color Me Mine | Costa Mesa Paint your own pottery
152. Color Me Mine | Tustin Paint your own pottery
153. Hidden Talents Ceramic Studio | Huntington Beach Paint your own pottery
154. Fired Up | San Clemente Paint your own pottery
155. Timree Paint Studio (Newport Beach)
156. The Ceramic Studio (San Juan Capistrano)

Orange County Shopping Center Fun

157. Old Towne Orange | Orange Unique restaurants, bakeries, vintage stores, records, toy store.
158. Downtown Disney | Anaheim LEGO Store, Star Wars Port, World of Disney Store, fun restaurants.
159. Knott's California Market Place | Buena Park Berry Market, Candy shop, Build-a-Bear, Peanuts Headquarters, Chicken Dinner Restaurant
160. Fashion Island | Newport Beach Visit the Koi Pond, Pet store, Fountains, Build-A-Bear.
161. Irvine Spectrum | Irvine Carousel, Train Ride, Big Wheel Ride, Fountain splash pads, movie & IMAX theater, dining and shopping.
162. South Coast Plaza | Costa Mesa Carousel, LEGO Store, Disney Store, Train, Pottery Barn Kids Book Club on tuesdays.
163. Pacific City | Huntington Beach
164. Bella Terra | Huntington Beach This shopping center offers music on the Green and family/kids events regularly.

Don't forget to check out the Sandy Toes and Popsicles Facebook Page or Sandy Toes & Popsicle Instagram Page for daily updates of events happening in Orange County!

AND....

How about entertaining the tweens and teens....

Fun Things to Do With Teens in Orange County

how about these great summer camps!

best-orange-county-summer-camps-for-kids

PLUS....

how about these 10 Family Outings for $30!