Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Orange County, CA
Every May and June, thousands of local parents, grandparents, and caregivers weigh in on their favorite local places to take kids. This page is where we showcase the 2024 winners for the OC! (Click here for the full list of nominees.)
Of course, there are literally hundreds of wonderful places to take your kids in our area, not just this year's winners! Get great ideas here on KidsOutAndAbout.com. After you check out the list, make sure to find great things to do on our packed daily calendar, sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter, and visit our Everything That's Free page for lots more ideas.
2024's Top 20 ranking + category winners! Scroll down for more about each venue, with links!
| 1. Knott's Berry Farm 2. Pacific Marine Mammal Center 3. Disney California Adventure Park 4. Tanaka Farms 5. Irvine Park Railroad 6. Santa Ana Zoo 7. Pretend City Children's Museum 8. Big Air Trampoline Park 9. Bolsa Chica Conservancy 10. My Local Library 11. Zoomars Petting Zoo 12. Bowers Museum 13. Segerstrom Center for the Arts 14. Mission San Juan Capistrano 15. Adventure City 16. Balboa Fun Zone 17. Crystal Cove State Park 18. We Play Loud Kids Indoor Playground 19. Battleship USS Iowa Museum Los Angeles 20. Billy Beez Anaheim GardenWalk |
Arts Education: Orange County Acting Academy Sports Education: YMCA STEM Education: Pacific Marine Mammal Center |
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1. Knott's Berry Farm
At Knott’s Berry Farm, fun is always in season, with dozens of thrilling rides, shows, and attractions in four themed areas inspired by the history and culture of California.
Take on mammoth roller coasters, Old West adventures in the authentic 1800’s Ghost Town, pay tribute to California’s Hispanic roots in Fiesta Village, experience the beach lifestyle along the Boardwalk, and go on an adventure with the world’s favorite beagle – Snoopy! Located just 10 minutes from the Anaheim resort area, the once family farm has grown into today's family fun destination with the Knott's Berry Farm theme park, Knott's Soak City Waterpark and Knott's Hotel. Whether you are looking for a weekend getaway, family road trip, or overnight stay, you’ll find something for everyone!
2. Pacific Marine Mammal Center
The Pacific Marine Mammal Center rescues, rehabilitates, releases marine mammals and inspires ocean stewardship through research, education and collaboration.
PMMC offers award-winning, year-round, experiential programs both onsite and online for kids, youth, college students, adults, and schools. Our animal care, science, and education staff are passionate about working alongside participants and sharing their knowledge. Programs include hands-on STEM activities and a wealth of knowledge about marine mammals, the conservation issues they face, and how people can help. PMMC also has a visitor yard which offers a free experience for families to come in to learn about the animals rehabilitating in their pools as docents share information about what we do and what ocean stewardship behaviors can help these animals stay safe. The yard also has activities for young children.
3. Disney California Adventure Park
With two magical Theme Parks, plus one of Southern California’s most spectacular entertainment, dining, and shopping districts, this is the place to celebrate! So gather with all the people who make you the happiest and come to The Place Where Dreams Come True.
4. Tanaka Farms
Here at Tanaka Farms, we strive to grow the best quality produce for you and your family. Not only do we want to grow great produce for you, we think it is absolutely necessary for everyone to know where their food is coming from and how it is being grown. This is why we strongly believe in educating children and adults alike with our farm tours. We want everyone who visits the farm to come away with a newfound appreciation for food. We want to encourage more families to incorporate fresh produce into their lives and we believe that by providing a quality product and educating everyone about it, we can accomplish this.
5. Irvine Park Railroad
Irvine Park Railroad, founded in April 1996, is a one-third scale train that takes both children and adults on a scenic ride through historic Irvine Regional Park. Enjoy the park’s many other activities, including the Orange County Zoo, paddleboat and bike rentals, pony rides, hiking trails, and more.
6. Santa Ana Zoo
The Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park is one of the jewels of the city, nestled in the midst of an urban setting, it provides an oasis like no other in Orange County. Roam the rainforest, trek through the aviary, relax by the butterfly garden or on the deck enjoying the waterfall at Amazon's Edge, and meet new animal friends at the Crean Family Farm. Catch an animal program on the weekend, investigate the many botanicals on exhibit, or come out for one of the Zoo's signature special events or simply pack a picnic and watch your young ones enjoy the playground.
7. Pretend City Children's Museum
Pretend City Children's Museum, located in Irvine, CA, is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing a unique learning experience for children. This interactive museum showcases 17 interconnected learning spaces, designed to resemble a miniature city. Beyond its exhibits, the museum also serves as a valuable community resource, offering developmental screenings, Neurodivergent Family Nights, and providing tools for families, educators, and community agencies. We warmly welcome visitors from Tuesday to Sunday, with operating hours from 10 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm to 4 pm.
8. Big Air Trampoline Park
With the most innovative attraction mix of any trampoline park out there, Big Air truly is the next generation. Jump off the walls on Main Court; test your skills on The Wall™; play above the rim on our SlamDunk lanes; dip, duck, dive and dodge on our Dodgeball court; flip into The Pit; battle your friends on Battlebeam®; or rise to a new challenge on The Laser Maze at Big Air™ — the first trampoline laser maze on the West Coast! And even though we're big, we have plenty of fun for the lil' ones, too -- with our Lil' Air™ Toddler Court and special Toddler Time sessions available weekly!
9. Bolsa Chica Conservancy
The Conservancy operates the Bolsa Chica Wetlands Interpretive Center located on Warner Avenue at Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach; it’s open seven days a week from 9am - 4pm. Free trail maps are available at the front desk and visitors are invited to refill their water bottles with refreshing chilled and filtered water. The Bolsa Chica Conservancy provides educational programs and restoration projects for all generations to promote understanding of watersheds, wetland science, coastal ecology and environmental sustainability.
10. My Local Library
Of course, the libraries in the Orange County area are not really ONE place, but MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication. They're proud that locals voted them #8 in best places to take kids this year!
11. Zoomars Petting Zoo
One of a kind and hay bales of fun. We're good times, friendly animals and the happiest folks you'll ever meet. For the past 30 years our little zoo has charmed more than three million visitors.
12. Bowers Museum
The Bowers Museum is one of California's finest and Orange County's largest museums. In response to community needs and input, it expanded children's programming in 1994 with the opening of the Kidseum. To achieve its mission, the Bowers offers exhibitions, lectures, art classes, travel programs, children's art education programs, and other special community programs.
13. Segerstrom Center for the Arts
The Segerstrom Center for the Arts is committed to supporting artistic excellence on all of its stages and offering unsurpassed performances and educational experiences, engaging the entire community in new and exciting ways through the unique power of live performance and an array of inspiring programs. The Center offers a large variety of affordable programs in Dance, Music, Theater, and Visual Arts and welcomes persons of all ages and abilities.
14. Mission San Juan Capistrano
Known as the "Jewel of the Missions," Mission San Juan Capistrano is a historic landmark and museum that boasts of quality permanent exhibits featuring original artifacts as well as traveling and temporary exhibits on a wide variety of topics.
16. Balboa Fun Zone
The Balboa Fun Zone is a family destination located on the Balboa Peninsula in the city of Newport Beach, Orange County, California. The Balboa Fun Zone offers both an ocean and harbor experience for an estimated seven million annual visitors to Newport Beach.
17. Crystal Cove State Park
Crystal Cove State Park features beaches, tidepool exploration, hiking, camping, The Historic District and a walking tour within the Historic District. The park is located off Pacific Coast Highway between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach, California with easy access from I-5, 405 and 73. Pacific Coast Highway, Route 1, passes directly by the Park. There is parking both on the ocean side of PCH at stop lights (Reef Point and Newport Coast), as well as inland parking at the stoplight, School/State Park, located next to El Morro Elementary School. A few miles north from Reef Point is the Los Trancos parking area with trolley access to the Historic District.
18. We Play Loud Kids Indoor Playground
We Play Loud is a kids' indoor playground. We have rides and fun your kids have never seen & will never forget. Open Play, Birthday Parties, and more!
19. Battleship USS Iowa Museum Los Angeles
Discover the West Coast’s only Battleship – USS Iowa. A unique adventure on board takes you on a memorable family journey through World War II, Korean War, and Cold War; following in footsteps of sailors that lived on the most powerful warship built to date.
20. Billy Beez Anaheim GardenWalk
The ultimate indoor play park for heart-pumping, family-friendly fun!
Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in three categories. Here were their choices.Top Arts Educator: Orange County Acting Academy
Whether you dream of being on the screen or just building your confidence and speaking skills, Orange County Acting Academy's Television & Film Acting School is your gateway to a world of endless possibilities.
Top Sports Educator: YMCA
The YMCA puts Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. We aim to improve lives and strengthen character by fostering youth and family development, healthy living and social responsibility driven by passionate staff and volunteers.
Top STEM Educator: Pacific Marine Mammal Center
The Pacific Marine Mammal Center rescues, rehabilitates, releases marine mammals and inspires ocean stewardship through research, education and collaboration.
