Things To Do In California With Kids During The Summer

Summer is just around the corner and if your kid is anything like Reese, be prepared to hear “I’m bored” about a million times, and that’s just the first week of summer vacation. Last year, Reese and I spent most of the summer traveling in Europe and other parts of the US. This year we plan to stay a little closer to home and spend time exploring California because there are so many awesome places to see in southern California. Things To Do In California With Kids During The Summer

There is so much to do in California it can be overwhelming so I put together this list of ideas to give you a running start. Reese is ten so most of the things on the list fall into the pre-tween and tween category but you’re sure to find a few things even your picky teenagers will love. Things To Do In California With Kids During The Summer

An added bonus of this list is many of these activities continue all year long, so print it out, stick it on the fridge and use it as a year-round fun bucket list. These are also great activities to plan family staycations around. Things To Do In California With Kids During The Summer

 

My Big List of Places To See In Southern California With Kids

1. Explore the Queen Mary Places To See In Southern California
2. Visit the Aquarium of the Pacific
3. Brush up on your history at the Natural History Museum
4. Have fun with science at The King Tut Exhibit at the California Science Center
5. Take a baking cooking class at your local Williams-Sonoma
6. Discover the art of pottery at Color Me Mine
7. Catch a movie at your local Movie Theater
8. Enjoy dinner and a show at Medieval Times
9. Spend the night on an African safari adventure at Safari West
10. Conquer your fear of heights at Skyspace Los Angeles (Read About Our Experience)
11. Take a day trip to San Diego via Amtrak
12. Love photography? A visit to the Annenberg Space for Photography is a must
13. Spend the afternoon in the Family Room at the Getty Center
14. Explore coding and robotics at the free Apple Camp
15. Cool off and spend the day at your local ice skating rink. We like The Rinks in Anaheim
16. Spend the day exploring an island, Catalina Island that is Things To Do In California With Kids During The Summer
17. Learn about fashion with a free visit to the FIDM Museum
18. Play tourist for a day on a Hop on Hop off Bus around Hollywood
19. Try your hand at rock climbing at Sender One in Santa Ana or Los Angeles
20. Use your brain power and test out an Escape Room, kids edition
21. Explore the Grove in Los Angeles then have lunch at American Girl
22. Know a movie buff? Take a tour of Paramount Studios
23. Catch an outdoor movie at Moonlight Movies on the Beach or Hollywood Forever Cemetery
24. Try the best-fried food ever at the Orange County and Los Angeles County Fair
25. Grab lunch at the Hello Kitty Cafe followed by a movie, all at the Irvine Spectrum
26. Spend a day at a water park. Take your pick (Splash, Soak City, Raging Waters)
27. Take a mini day trip and visit a castle…Hearst Castle
28. Spend the day at the beach and ride all the rides at the Santa Monica Pier
29. Go on a hike at Grotto Trails where you can play in waterfalls and explore caves
30. Take a short road trip to Palm Springs where you can ride the Arial Tram 
31. Follow our food tour and visit the Best Cupcake, Donut, Candy & Ice Cream Shops in town
32. Plan a sleepover with your friends. Check out these fun ideas
33. Catch a movie at the famous El Capitan Theater
34. Get your baking on. Take a baking class at Duff’s Cake Mix
35. Join the circus or just take a trapeze class at Flying Trapeze
36. Work on a fun DIY project. Check these out
37. Get cultured in Orange County with a trip to Bowers Museum
38. Get an up-close view of sea lions at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach
39. Spark a love of science on a visit to the Discovery Cube in Santa Ana
40. Visit the Imagination Workshop at Kid’s Space Museum Free on 1st Tuesdays
41. Visit the oldest house in Los Angeles The Avila Adobe and then explore around Olvera Street
42. Sign up for the Huntington Explorers Day Camp and hang out at the Huntington Library
43. Experience life on a farm. Pick fresh fruits and vegetables at Tanaka Farms
44. Test out your driving skills at K1 Speed! Perfect for older kids 48″ or taller
45. Plan a summer bonfire. Our favorite location is Huntington State Beach
46. Catch a few waves and learn how to surf at the Surfriders Academy
47. Get up close and personal with animals at the Orange County Zoo. It’s smaller size makes it perfect for kids 6 and under Places To See In Southern California
48. Ride a pony, pan for gold or pet animals at Zoomars petting zoo.
49. Take a tour of one the largest shipping center….Amazon
50. Build a friend at one of the Build A Bear Location

While I had Reese in mind when I wrote “Places To See In Southern California – 50 Things To Do This Summer With Kids-California Edition” (she’s 10), there are several things on the list for kids of all ages (even those pesky teenagers). Things To Do In California With Kids During The Summer

My goal is for us to tackle several of the things on this list both during the summer and throughout the year. As we check off experiences I’ll be sure to update the post with a link to the story. Look for the “Our Visit” link. Places To See In Southern California | Things To Do In California With Kids During The Summer