Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Orange County, CA - 2022
Best Places for 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. Typically, we showcase the Top 20 winners... but this year, in honor of KidsOutAndAbout.com's 21st birthday (we originally launched in June of 2001), we bring you Orange County's
TOP 21 Places to Take Kids!
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.
1. 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. 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.
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. 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.
6. 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!
7. 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.
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. 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.
11. K1 Speed - Anaheim, CA
If your family is looking for thrills and excitement, then try indoor go kart racing at K1 Speed in Anaheim! Experience the lightning-fast acceleration of their all-electric go karts. Play video games, air-hockey, and billiards in their arcade! Or recharge at their Paddock Lounge café which serves delicious food and ice-cold drinks for all ages! There's also a private event room for birthday parties and other celebrations! No reservations are needed to enjoy K1 Speed - simply Arrive & Drive! So let your family live out their race car driver dreams and visit K1 Speed today!
12. 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.
20. 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.
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 Sports Educator: Aliso Hills Taekwon-do
Are 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.
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.
