9 Fun Things to Do in Orange County with Kids

Orange County is the perfect spot for a family vacation.

Beautiful weather, miles of beaches, fantastic parks, kid-friendly activities and of course, the Happiest Place on Earth.

If you’re planning a family trip to sunny Orange County, here are 9 fun things to do in Orange County with kids!

9 Fun Things to Do in Orange County with Kids

Table of Contents

• 1. Take a Ferry to Balboa Island
• 2. Bike the Newport Beach Bike Path
• 3. Explore Heritage Park Play Island
• 4. Get Lost in Imagination at Pretend City
• 5. Try The Escape Game At the Irvine Spectrum Center
• 6. Take a Ride in a Helium Balloon at Orange County Great Park
• 7. Ride the Train at Irvine Regional Park
• 8. Visit Crystal Cove State Park
• 9. Spend a Day at Disneyland with these Tips and Tricks

1. Take a Ferry to Balboa Island

One of our favorite things to do in Orange County with kids is to visit Balboa Island.

Balboa Island is a charming man-made island that was created in the early 1900s.

It is possible to access the island from a two-lane bridge on the north side of the island off of Coast Highway CA-1. However, it is more fun to reach the island on the historic Balboa Island Ferry.

This family-owned ferry service has been in operation for the past 100 years and shuttles passengers and up to 3 cars the short 800 feet from Balboa Peninsula to Balboa Island.

There is a minimal fee of $1 for adults and $.50 for kids ages 5-11 years (kids under 5 are free). Cars and bicycles are an additional charge.

The ferry ride is short, but it offers beautiful views from the water. Our favorite time to go is at sunset.

Once you get to Balboa Island, it is such a fun place to explore. I love walking along the waterfront and picking our favorite beach houses!

Stroll along the charming Marine Avenue, the town’s main street. Browse the shops and grab a bite to eat at one of the cafes.

Ciao Balboa serves some of the best Italian food around. The owner even claims that his cannolis are flown in from New York!

Be sure to stop by Dad’s Donut & Bakery Shop, a Balboa Island institute since the 1940s.

They are known for their Balboa Bars, an ice cream bar hand-dipped in chocolate and covered in a topping of your choice. The butter brickle is my favorite!

They also serve the iconic chocolate-dipped bananas as well.

Balboa Candy is also a favorite spot to go for specialty candies. They have an extensive selection of saltwater taffy with unique flavors like buttered popcorn and strawberry cheesecake.

The Balboa Island Ferry departs from Balboa Peninsula where you’ll find a Ferris Wheel, the Balboa Fun Zone arcade, and the historic Balboa Pavilion, Newport Beach’s most famous landmark.

Other things to do on Balboa Island:

• Rent a bike and ride around the island along the two-mile Balboa Boardwalk.
• In the summer months, be sure to check out the South Bayfront Promenade, where the Balboa Island Artwalk takes place.  It is a lively event with music, performances, and displays by local artists showcasing jewelry, paintings, blown glass, and many other handcrafted gifts.
• Rent a paddleboard, kayak, surfboard, or other water sports equipment from Balboa Surf & Style.
• Go on a whale-watching tour with Newport Coastal Adventure. Their inflatable navy and coast guard grade boats are not only some of the safest vessels, but since they are smaller and closer to the water they allow a more intimate whale-watching experience.
• Take a Celebrity Homes Boat Tour to see the beachfront estates of current and former movie stars and learn the inside scoop from your knowledgeable tour guide. Tickets are only $14 for adults and $7 for kids.
• Rent an electric boat and cruise around the island. There are several boat rental companies located on the Balboa Peninsula at the ferry dock. Rentals start at $89/hour for an 8-seat Duffy boat.

2. Bike the Newport Beach Bike Path

Newport Beach is located on the Balboa Peninsula and is one of the best beaches in Orange County.

We love to rent bikes or a family surrey from 20th Street Beach and Bikes and ride along the paved bike path. Although I’m not going to lie, that surrey is a killer quad workout!

The path runs right along the beach with the ocean on one side and charming beach cottages along the other. You can even ride the 3 miles to Huntington Beach.

While you’re at Newport, spend some time hanging out at the beach and walk out on the pier and watch the fishermen bringing in their catch.

Also, be sure to stay for sunset. There is something special about watching the sunset over the ocean and Newport Beach is the perfect spot to do this!

For more recommendations, see our Complete Travel Guide to Newport Beach.

3. Explore Heritage Park Play Island

Although Heritage Park Play Island is located just outside of Orange County in Cerritos, it is such a fun and unique park and definitely worth a visit!

The park sits on a man-made island surrounded by a moat. It is made up of a cluster of colonial-style buildings with playgrounds hidden in each one, like a tunnel slide from the top of the church!

There is even a pirate ship and a covered bridge that leads to the restrooms.

It is one of those places where your kids can spend hours exploring every nook and cranny while letting their imaginations and energy run wild.

It is also a great way to inspire questions about history while having fun!

Heritage Park Play Island visitor information:

• Address: 18600 Bloomfield Avenue, Cerritos
• There is no food allowed on the play island
• Hours are Monday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday: 10 a.m. to dusk; Tuesday: 2 p.m. to dusk; Saturday/Sunday: 10 a.m. to dusk
• There is an additional playground off the island
• There are plenty of turtles and ducks swimming in the water, just don’t feed the ducks.

4. Get Lost in Imagination at Pretend City

I can’t say enough good things about the Pretend City Children’s Museum located in Irvine.

When visiting California we usually like to try new places, but this is one of those places that is worth a repeat visit.

It is designed like a miniature city with 17 different interactive play areas. Kids can pretend to be a construction worker, firefighter, grocery clerk, artist, bank teller, mailman, farmer, chef, dentist, doctor and so much more!

The kids will interact with the amazing staff as they help foster creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, organization, teamwork, self-confidence, and socialization skills.

I only wish we had one close to where we live, it’s such a fantastic museum!

*Related post: If you’re planning to spend time in LA, be sure to check out our Family Friendly Los Angeles guide!

5. Try The Escape Game At the Irvine Spectrum Center

If you are visiting Orange County with older kids, they will love taking on the challenge of an escape room!

If you have never done an escape room before, the concept is really fun.

You are put in a room hidden with clues. You’ll then work together as a team to solve the puzzles in order to escape the room in 60 minutes or less.

At The Escape Game, you’ll find several themed rooms to choose from.

We did the Secret Ops: Mysterious Market and we all loved it! It reminded me of the market in the Jumanji movie where they were trying to find clues to escape the game.

I don’t want to give away too much, but once you escape the market you may or may not find yourself in a bunker trying to disarm a missile!

If you have teenagers, you know that it is often hard finding activities as a family that they will be engaged in, but I guarantee that everyone will have a good time at this escape room!

And for those that are claustrophobic, you are actually never really locked in the room. The door is always left unlocked in case you need to step out or take a bathroom break.

Also, you will have a guide that is communicating with you through a monitor. He can assist you or give you clues if you get stuck.

The Escape Game is located at the Irvine Spectrum Center, one of Orange County’s premier outdoor shopping malls.

After you escape the room, you can grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants or just stroll around and do some shopping.

My kids also love riding the Ferris wheel. The Ferris wheel is covered in an astounding 52,000 colored LED lights and offers spectacular views over Orange County!

Other things to do at the Irvine Spectrum Center with kids:

• Ride the carousel featuring antique-designed horses and other animals. The cost is $3 for a single ride and $15 for 6 rides.
• Play on the Lucky Climber. This three-dimensional climbing structure featuring 75 platforms was designed by a kid architect! It is free to play on and is located near Target.
• Enjoy live entertainment in the courtyards on the weekends.
• Watch a movie at 21 IMAX & RPX. They offer traditional stadium seating or IMAX movies on an 8-story screen. Enjoy one of the eight newly upgraded auditoriums with plush recliners, reserved seating, and an enhanced menu.

6. Take a Ride in a Helium Balloon at Orange County Great Park

The Orange County Great Park is a 1,300-acre park is located in Irvine on a section of a former Marine Corps Air Station and offers plenty of family fun.

While there is plenty to do at Great Park, the Great Park Balloon is the top attraction.

It is one of the largest tethered helium (not hot air) balloons and is the first one to be introduced in the United States.

It can hold up to 30 passengers as it soars 400 feet in the air offering unobstructed views over Orange County. On a clear day, you can see up to 40 miles away!

In the Fall they even decorate the balloon to look like a jack-o-lantern.

Tickets are $10 for adults 19 years and older, and free for children 18 years and younger with a paid adult. Children are $5 without a paid adult.

A vintage-inspired carousel is also located at the park. The cost is $3 for an unlimited all-day pass or $2 for a single ride.

Other things to do at the Orange County Great Park:

• Pick up some fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables at the Farmer’s Market. It is held every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and also features handcrafted artisan products and food trucks.
• The Great Park Sports Complex features 25 tennis courts and Championship Soccer Stadium as well as facilities for volleyball and basketball. Check Here for walk-on field use and reservation information.
• There is also a playground and some reflecting ponds with a viewing pier.

7. Ride the Train at Irvine Regional Park

While Irvine Regional Park is great to visit any time of year, the best time to go is in the fall when you can visit the pumpkin patch, mini haunted house, hay maze, and other fall activities.

Entrance to Irvine Regional Park is $3 per vehicle on weekdays and $5 on weekends.

You can also purchase tickets for various other fall activities such as the train ride, hay ride, moon bouncer, John Deere Racers, and more.

Even if you don’t visit in the fall, there are plenty of other things to do at Irvine Regional Park.

Other things to do at Irvine Regional Park:

• Rent bikes (or for added exercise rent a family surrey) from Wheel Fun Rentals located within the park premises. The park offers paved bicycle paths throughout the 475 acres. As you’re riding through the park you can stop at one of the six playgrounds or two snack stands. It’s a great way to experience this beautiful park!
• Ride the Irvine Park Railroad. This 1/3 scale train takes guests on a 12-minute narrated ride through the scenic Irvine park. The cost is $5 per person, and children under 12 months are free.
• You can also rent water trikes and get out on the water! These fun peddle boats seat 2 or 3 riders. Rentals are available through Wheel Fun Rentals.
• The Orange County Zoo is nestled within the beautiful oak and sycamore trees at Irvine Park. Animal exhibits include black bears, mountain lions, bald eagles, coyotes, and more. There is also a barnyard petting zoo where kids can interact with goats, sheep, pigs, and chickens. Entrance to the zoo is only $2 per person, and kids 2 and under are free.
• Take a Pony Ride at Irvine Park. Both walking and trotting ponies are available. The walking ponies are open Tuesday through Sunday and the trotting ponies are open on weekends and holidays. Hours are Tuesday-Sunday 11-4, it is closed on Mondays. The cost is $5 per child, cash only.

*If you’re looking for another fun and unique Fall activity, check out the Pumpkin Rock hike in Norco near Riverside. It’s an easy 1.5-mile hike to a huge rock that is painted like a jack-o-lantern.

8. Visit Crystal Cove State Park

Crystal Cove State Park is made up of 3.5 miles of beach between Newport and Laguna.

There are several different beaches that you can access along the coast. We like Treasure Cove near Pelican Point.

In order to access Treasure Cove, you need to follow a fairly steep hiking trail from the day-use parking lot inside the Pelican Point entrance.

However, the added effort means that this beach is usually less crowded than other beaches in the area.

Another popular beach is Los Trancos Beach located in the Crystal Cove Historic District.

Parking is found in the day-use parking lot across Pacific Coast Highway.

It requires a long walk down to the beach, but there is a drop-off area so that the whole family doesn’t have to make the long haul with all the gear.

The big draw to this beach is the charming historic cottages.

These seaside cottages were built between 1920-1940. They have been restored to preserve the charm of the original structures and allow visitors to experience what life was like at Crystal Cove in the mid-1900s.

There are 46 cottages in total, and you can even spend the night at one of the 14 individual cottages or 10 dorm-style cottages.

Reservations get booked 7 months in advance, check the Crystal Cove Beach Cottage website for booking information. The cottage rentals open up on the 1st of the month at 8:00 am EST, and they go fast!

Every third Sunday of the month the Historic District offers a Founder’s Tour. The cost is only $5 per person and you’ll learn stories of the Cove’s colorful past, including the cottages.

The beach itself is good for body boarding and has great tide pools to explore.

If you’re hungry, grab a bite to eat at Beachcomber Cafe. Or walk up to the top of the steps and you’ll find the famed Ruby’s Shake Shack.

9. Spend a Day at Disneyland with these Tips and Tricks

Disneyland is the obvious draw to Orange County with kids, so we can’t NOT mention it.

We have visited quite a few times with our kids and have gathered our favorite tips and Tricks for visiting Disneyland with kids.

Visit our Tips and Tricks for Visiting Disneyland guide to find out our top 13 tips to help make your trip to Disney a dream come true!

There are so many fun things to do in Orange County with kids! We hope this guide helps as you plan your family vacation!

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