Family Things to do in Orange County

There are many different cities to choose from, all offering fun activities for the whole family. The hardest part is deciding which family things to do in Orange County you want to add to your list.

Finding family things to do in Orange County is easy; choosing which fun things you can do to fill out your family vacation is harder. What constitutes family activities?

Families come in all age ranges. Some families are looking for kid-friendly activities or even some educational activities. Other families want live music or family fun at theme parks.

Luckily, Orange County is the perfect place to complete all of the above. In fact, Orange County is the best place in Southern California to find your favorite things to do.

There is a fun way to spend the day regardless of your family’s age group. You are almost guaranteed a great time when visiting the area, and the time of year doesn’t matter.

Orange County summers mean visiting a water park or splash pad or enjoying beach days. Visiting in the winter means enjoying special events or community events for the holiday season.

You can count on Orange County having something fun for you and your family to do no matter when you visit. The area is mostly visited thanks to places like Disneyland Resort and Disney California Adventure.

However, the amusement park is just one thing Orange County offers. Some people call Disneyland the happiest place on earth, but that title should be given to Orange County.

Family Things to do in Orange County

The most obvious choice in Orange County is to head to Anaheim and visit the Disneyland Resort. Family memories are made here. The resort has so much to offer, though it will never come with free admission.

The cost is high for families to visit the resort, but the memories made there may be worth the price. You could take a train ride around the park, take some thrilling rides, or enjoy the entertainment.

Food is another big draw to the resort, especially in the Downtown Disney District. Downtown Disney is a highly-themed outdoor strip mall with shopping, dining, and live music for all to enjoy.

Knott’s Berry Farm

Another one of the easy family things to do in Orange County is head to another theme park with a bit more thrill. Knott’s Berry Farm theme park has more roller coasters than dark rides.

It suits families with older kids who will likely meet the ride’s height requirements. Of course, there are some kid-friendly activities, like Camp Snoopy and Soak City.

Mrs. Knott’s fried chicken is always delicious and a great way to stay fueled during the day.

The Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park

This zoo is focused on primates over 50 at any given time. It’s not one of the most prominent zoos, but it is easily accessible and suitable for a morning or afternoon visit.

The Orange County Zoo is another great animal option, though these two are far from the only ones. Head a bit further south, and you can discover the San Diego Zoo.

Animal lovers will genuinely enjoy their options during a simple trip to Orange County. 

Whale Watching

The Pacific Coast Highway is not the only way to experience the ocean in Orange County. One of the family things to do in Orange County is to get out on a boat and discover nature in a new environment.

Nature is a great attraction that offers families a fun place to explore and learn something new. Fill the day with some time on the water and then head back to shore for some delicious eats.

Or, you could spend the rest of the day on the beach, which leads directly to another fun thing to do in Orange County: a beach day.

Orange County Beaches

Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, and Newport Beach are just a few of locales’ favorite beaches in Orange County. However, there are more than 90 different beaches in Orange County.

Many coastal cities have a main beach, but there are plenty to discover. You can even head to San Clemente or Dana Point for shoreline fun. A rainy day may mean no visiting the great tide pools, but that doesn’t mean you are out of luck for having fun.

VBS

Vacation Bible School is a week-long program held at many churches throughout Orange County. Each church has a different theme that is carried out through interactive play, crafts, skits, role-playing, and music.

These family things to do in Orange County make for great summer camps so the parents can enjoy some alone time. One of the best things to do in Orange County is use that time to learn while having fun.

Discovery Cube

Kids love science and exploration, especially if it comes with interactive exhibits for them to enjoy. The Cube is a great place to expose your children to both.

Themes vary, so check ahead to see the latest and most excellent exhibits on display. The Cube is one of the most significant play places and, thus, the most popular spot for family learning and fun.

Tanaka Farms

Having trouble introducing your kids to fruits and vegetables? Then this is Tanaka Farms is for you. They offer tractor rides through the farm, where you’ll be introduced to the crops they grow and eat samples.

They are an organic farm, so it’s safe to eat with a little rinse of water. You can visit their small zoos, which isn’t a petting zoo, but does allow you to enjoy the farm animals in a safe environment.

Color Me Mine

Art is another great outlet for your family. You could easily spend a few hours painting ceramics at Color Me Mine. It’s a pleasant break from the electronics (TV, tablets, phones) and leaves you with lots of time for conversation.

Stick to smaller items and encourage attention to detail in the artwork. There’s nothing like getting creative as one of the fun family things to do in Orange County.

Pretend City Children’s Museum

This one of the many things to do in Orange County is aimed more at families with preschool to toddler children. It is very well laid out and loaded with props and scenarios.

The idea is to allow kids to play out their adulthood dreams. It is a kid-sized city with shops, a library, and government buildings. There are also other family activities to do in Irvine while you’re there.

Park Railroad

Irvine is one of the safest cities in the country; you can see how many families enjoy the many parks. Irvine Regional Park, one of those parks, even offers train rides, but that’s just the beginning here.

Pony Rides are also quite popular. There’s plenty to do here, so make a day of it in the park or any of the great parks in Irvine, like Great Park. Parks make for great family things to do in Orange County.

Head to the Movies

Movie theaters in Southern California just feel different. Fun fact: Summer even brings special offers to make a trip to the movies even more affordable. Of course, a trip to the movie theater will depend on if something your family enjoys is playing.

It is a great way to escape the summer heat or winter rain while escaping to a new world. But the movie theater isn’t the only place to find entertainment. You can dive deeper into another world right here in Orange County.

Medieval Times

A simple dinner can easily be found anywhere in Orange County. But we want fun family things to do in Orange County, and a boring dinner may not be one of them. Take your next meal to the next level at Medieval Times.

This restaurant is an Orange County classic. The dinner is set in a castle during a jousting competition with real knights competing. Where you sit determines which knight you support, and cheering is highly encouraged. 

Go Bowling

Kids love bowling, and most local bowling alleys have great summertime deals. The whole family can have a great time bonding over a game most of us aren’t very good at.

You can find bowling alleys in almost every city in Orange County. Hosting birthday parties at a bowling alley is also a fun idea. One of the great things about bowling is that it promotes healthy competition among families.

ZOOMARS Petting Zoo

Have a day in San Juan Capistrano! Zoomars is located within walking distance of the train station and the San Juan Capistrano Mission. Feed the guinea pigs, rabbits, llamas, and ze-donks.

That’s right, ze-donks, zebra-donkey hybrids that look like donkeys with stripes. San Juan Capistrano is also home to a beautiful historic district. It is a great place to walk around, shop, or dine while learning about Orange County’s history.

Go Fishing in Orange County

Irvine Lake is loaded with big fish and big fun. My kids are hooked on fishing after discovering it last summer. No fishing license is required here. So give fishing a try and see if you get hooked, too!

You could also visit one of the many other different spots for fishing. Though this is one of the family things to do in Orange County, it may require licensing, depending on which location you visit.

Dana Point Harbor allows fishing with proper licensing. You could even head to Catalina Island for fishing, wine, and absolute luxury.

Orange County Fair

The Orange County Fair happens every summer, usually starting in July and ending in August. This is a great time to head out to Costa Mesa and enjoy time with the family.

The fair has all the usual rides like the Ferris wheel and small coasters. But the biggest draw to any fair is always the food. In fact, fair food has been so outrageously different that it has its own category.

You could spend all day at the Orange County Fair with your family, and everyone will have something fun to do. It is one of the best family things to do in Orange County.

Take a Hike

Orange County parks offer amazing opportunities to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. Hiking is a fantastic way to take advantage of those parks with the whole family.

Hiking is a healthy activity that encourages exploration. You could head to the nearest indoor rock wall and get active in fun ways, but nothing beats the real thing.

Not to mention, many of the hikes in Orange County offer stunning views of the shoreline.

Concerts in the Park

A little music in the park is a great way to get out and get to know your neighbors. Many of the concerts in the parks are free events for locals and tourists alike.

Pack a picnic and bring the family to enjoy the community with live music and dancing under the beautiful Orange County skies. Not every city in Orange County has concerts in the parks.

Be sure to check the schedules during the summer season to find out if a city you’re visiting is hosting and when.

Baseball in Anaheim

Baseball is America’s pastime, and a great family outing is on the list of things to do in Orange County. The Anaheim Angels stadium is located in Anaheim, not too far from the Disneyland Resort.

It offers that classic baseball tradition complete with hot dogs, beer, and cheering fans. You don’t even have to like the Angels to enjoy a game at Angels Stadium.

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