Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Orange County, CA - 2021
Best Places for Kids in and around Orange County, CA
The best places to take kids in Orange County, CA, based on KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey. But there is LOTS more to do in the Orange County, CA! Get great ideas right here on KidsOutAndAbout.com! What is listed below are far from the only opportunities for family fun and learning; they're just what was voted this year.
1. Bolsa Chica Conservancy
The Bolsa Chica Conservancy is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that was established in 1990 by a coalition of environmental, community, business, and government leaders who recognized the need for long-term protection, preservation, and restoration of the Bolsa Chica wetlands. 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. Through a mobile classroom program, Windows on Our Wetlands (WOW), the organization strives to reach underserved communities that might not have the financial resources to visit the Bolsa Chica in person.
2. 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!
Big Air is also the ideal venue for your net birthday party, team party, or group event! Visit our website for more details.
3. Pacific Marine Mammal Center
The Pacific Marine Mammal Center rescues, rehabilitates, releases marine mammals and inspires ocean stewardship through research, education and collaboration.
4. 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.
5. Jumping Fun Kids Indoor Bounce House
Jumping Fun Kids specializes in having fun! We are a family owned indoor bounce house for children and adults of all ages! We have an arrangement of jumpers that include obstacle courses to race in and even a Velcro wall to stick on. One of our goals is to let everyone enjoy themselves, sharing moments with their family and friends without having to worry! We keep everything as clean as possible to provide the best and most comfort for our customers as possible. We also specialize in party planning! If you have any questions or want more information on booking a party, give us a call or stop by!
6. 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.
7. South Coast Botanic Garden
South Coast Botanic Garden is 87 acres of lush botanical oasis. The Garden, one of the first botanic gardens to be built on a sanitation landfill, features 5 miles of trails, 10 meadows and multiple plant collections. With the Dorothy and John Bohannon Rose Garden, Banyan Grove, Children's Garden, Living Wall, Desert Garden, Garden for the Senses and more, there's something for everyone, every season. The Garden also currently has two exhibits taking place -Tropical Butterflies in its butterfly pavilion and Flamboyance - A Topiary Menagerie featuring more than 100 animal topiaries throughout the front-half of the Garden. Flamboyance is included with Garden General Admission while SOAR is an additional cost of up to $7. Visitors can also experience world-class art with the Garden's Hide and Seek: Art Meets Nature exhibit featuring sculptures donated from LACMA and the Long Family Foundation.
8. 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!
9. Bowers Museum
Take a trip around the globe at the Bowers Museum! Opened in 1936, the Bowers prides itself on showcasing world-class arts and cultures in a warm, inviting space located in the heart of Orange County. Bowers has been voted the 2021 winner for "Best Museum in Orange County" by LA Times and OC Register and has organized more than 50 special exhibitions in just the past 15 years in partnership with some of the greatest museums in the world. Bowers Museum, bringing the world to you!
10. Sky Zone Trampoline Park Anaheim
Sky Zone is the world’s first indoor trampoline park. We are the inventors of “fun fitness” and the makers of trampolines as far as the eye can see. We give you one of the greatest workouts ever combined with awesome, healthy fun. We are always working to invent epic new ways to play, gather, and compete. Even though we are the originators of wall-to-wall aerial action, we never stand still. The only way to understand it is to come experience it. So, rally your crew and let’s go!
Adventure City is the little theme park that´s big on family fun! 
12. 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.
The Zoo is an exciting place for kids of all ages, and is an educational institution great for observing primate behavior. 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.
13. Laguna Art Museum
Laguna Art Museum is the museum of California art. Its mission is to collect, care for, and exhibit works of art that were created by California artists or represent the life and history of the state. Through its permanent collection, its special loan exhibitions, its educational programs, and its library and archive, the museum enhances the public’s knowledge and appreciation of California art of all periods and styles, and encourages art-historical scholarship in this field. Laguna Art Museum stands just steps from the Pacific Ocean in the beautiful city of Laguna Beach. The museum is proud to continue the tradition of the Laguna Beach Art Association, founded in 1918 by the early California artists who had discovered the town and transformed it into a vibrant arts community. The gallery that the association built in 1929 is part of today’s Laguna Art Museum.
14. BounceU
BounceU started out of a love for kids, and truth be told, we’re all still young at heart! That’s why we created the funnest, most happiest private party place in the universe for kids. BounceU was established by parents like you, and all of our facilities and programs are designed to be safe, upbeat, and truly memorable.
BounceU Orange is party of the world's largest franchised network of indoor inflatable party and family recreation centers. The collective resources and expertise of national frnachise network that's hosted tens of thousands of private parties over the last decade and the family-first values of local owners.
Our tireless focus on providing the best possible family fun experience at the most affordable price has helped us earn feature stories in every major media outlet. Recently, BounceU was named by "Parents" magazine as one of the "Top 10 Birthday Party Destination" in the USA.
15. OCCT: Orange County Children's Theatre
Founded in 1969, we are the oldest, continuous running children’s theatre in Orange County, open to young people from age 5 – 19.
16. The Children's Museum at La Habra
The Children's Museum at La Habra shows how important play is to learning. Through play, children develop skills, express creativity, discover the larger world and learn to work with others. A resource in the Southern California community since 1977, The Children’s Museum at La Habra is an award winning, non-profit public museum that provides unique, hands-on educational and cultural experiences to young children ages two through ten.
17. Pretend City Children's Museum
Pretend City is an interactive children’s museum that builds better brains through whole body learning experiences, educational programs, and creative exhibits.
18. Thrill It Fun Center
Come visit Thrill It Fun Center at the Outlets at Orange (the Block)! We're the next evolution of family fun with a plethora of physical activities such as: an adrenaline arcade, rock climbing, a mechanical bull, laser tag, high ropes challenge, and a multi-level, interactive play structure. Brings your family and friends for a day of fun and play!
19. K1 Speed - Anaheim, CA
K1 Speed is America's Premier Indoor Electric Kart Racing Company in the Nation!
20. Billy Beez, Anaheim, CA
Billy Beez is the ultimate indoor play park for kids and kids-at-heart! Our 20,000* sq. ft. play parks offer a variety of features and activities, from slides to sports courts, tunnels to towers, ball blasters to bouncy trampolines, adventure is always right around the corner at Billy Beez. The park is ideal for all ages, including infants, toddlers, adults and every age in between.
Voted best birthday party place, choose from one of our award-winning packages which includes our Private Party Room, with anywhere from 90-120 minutes of catered or non-catered customizable add-on options. Your upcoming celebration will truly WOW all of your party guests.
Billy Beez is the park that they’ll ask for by name.
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
Creative Kids PlayhouseCreative Kids Playhouse Children’s Theatre of Orange County is a 501(c)3 federal nonprofit organization dedicated to providing quality theater education in a fun and encouraging atmosphere. Our mission is to provide children the opportunity to experience the exhilaration and educational benefits of performing with an acting troupe. In February, 2019, we proudly produced our 200th production.
We offer a variety of programs, both online and in our theatre, including two-act productions, one-act musicals, workshops, Summer camps and classes. In January, 2016 we held our first annual Children Achieving Theatre Excellence (C.A.T.E.) Awards to recognize the achievements of our students.
As an education-based program, your child’s experience of the entire process is our highest priority. We ensure every child has a meaningful contribution to the show, and a purpose on stage. We strive to ensure actors receive a balanced education through varying sized roles. And, all scripts are thoughtfully reviewed for age-appropriate, meaningful and character-building lessons for the actors.
Top Sports Educator
Aliso Hills Taekwon-doAre you interested in getting in shape, becoming more disciplined in all areas of your life as well as learning to defend yourself? Would you like to accomplish all of this as well as becoming more involved in your community? If so, Taekwon-do may be for you. Aliso Hills Taekwon-do, located conveniently on Forbes Road in Laguna Niguel (in the Three Flags Center), offers free trial lessons in a fun, friendly low pressure atmosphere. Aliso Hills Taekwon-do is one of the best Orange County Taekwon-do schools. Please contact us today for a free trial for you, your children and the entire family.
Master D., the owner of Aliso Hills Taekwon-do, has students come from all over Orange County come to his school to study Taekwon-do. This includes Aliso Viejo, Fullerton, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Orange, Santa Ana & Tustin, CA.
Top STEM Educator
Aquarium of the PacificThe nonprofit Aquarium of the Pacific is a community gathering place where diverse cultures and the arts are celebrated and where important challenges facing our planet are explored. Home to more than 12,000 animals, Aquarium exhibits include the interactive Shark Lagoon, the June Keyes Penguin Habitat, and the new Coral Reefs: Nature’s Underwater Cities experience. The Aquarium offers educational programs for people of all ages, from toddlers to teens. Whale watching and Animal Encounters are offered daily with reservations.
