It’s the first week of my kids’ Summer break and we have an expansive list of exciting adventures we want to embark on both near and far. Summer is understandably our favorite time of year and our opportunity to create longstanding memories together as a family. Sometimes our adventures take us driving through the Mojave desert or jet-setting across the Pacific ocean. But more often, we’re immersed within the beauty and excitement of Southern California.
There are hundreds of things to do right here in Orange County, particularly as the local venues launch their Summer programming. This list is in no means exhaustive, rather, it focuses on those activities we find ourselves frequenting over and over again. Here are the 10 Best Summer Activities for Kids in Orange County!
- Bowers Kidseum: This interactive children’s museum and learning center is the only cultural art-based children’s center in Orange County. The art and cultural experiences offered are targeted towards the pre-school and elementary age and afford children an opportunity to experience history, and culture in an immersive, hands-on environment. Tip: Check out the museum’s weekend activities which include face painting, an art studio, live storytelling, glow cave paintings, and archaeology lab coin impressions. Kids can also attend one of 8 week-long summer camps which include visits to Bowers Museum exhibitions, hands-on art projects, cooking classes and archaeological digs from around the world.
- Discovery Cube: This hands-on science learning museum features exciting, immersive exhibits and science shows designed to inspire and educate. The center just underwent an expansion with the debut of exciting new exhibits including Dinosaurs Around the World, a Virtual Helicopter Tour, an Inspector Training Course, a Water Gallery and more.
Photo: Disneyland Resort
- Disneyland’s Pixar Fest: Disneyland celebrates your love of all-things Pixar this summer with new musical entertainment, Pixar-themed food, beverages, and merchandise, and the return of two favorite parades with new Pixar surprises. Pixar Fest celebrates friendship and beyond through September 3, 2018.
- Knott’s Berry Farm: Nostalgic is the word that best describes how I feel about this berry farm-turned amusement park. This year, the park has debuted yet another exciting addition to the Boardwalk Pier with the opening of HangTime, the first and only dive coaster in California!
- Knott’s Soak City: Temperatures during the summer can easily rise above 100 degrees, and the best way to cool off is a visit to the OC’s largest water park! The water park features slides and attractions for the entire family. You can view all of the information regarding attractions, dining options and shopping on the Knott’s Berry Farm blog + check out my detailed guide for families with children.
- OC Fair: No summer in Orange County is complete without a visit to the Orange County Fair! This year, the OC Fair celebrates its 128th anniversary with Free Your Inner Farmer! Beginning July 13th, families will enjoy 23 days of food, rides, shopping, exhibits, animals and live concerts.
- Pageant of the Masters: No matter how vividly I try to describe the beauty and uniqueness of this production, it truly is one of those things that must be experienced first-hand. Every night during the summer, guests are treated to art re-creations of classical and contemporary works using real people posing to look like their counterparts. Artistry and theatrical illusion fuse to literally bring art to life on stage in a gorgeous outdoor amphitheater. A professional orchestra, an original score, live narration, intricate sets, and sophisticated lighting make this a must-see this summer!
- Segerstrom Center for the Arts: As Orange County’s largest arts institution and multi-disciplinary cultural campus, the Segerstrom Center for the Arts presents diverse programming for all ages including international ballet an dance, national tours of top Broadway shows, intimate performances of jazz and cabaret, contemporary artists, classical music performed by chamber orchestras and ensembles, family-friendly programming and free public performances. During the summer, families can enjoy free movies every Monday at dusk as well as a free events on the Argyros Plaza. Performances by the OC Women’s Chorus, Danilo Lozano, Matt Forbes, Carol Welsman, Yolanda Johnson, Sweet Baby J’ai, Tierney Sutton Band, Clifford Lamb Trio, and Brian Bromberg.
- Crystal Cove: No summer is complete without a visit to the beach, and for Southern California locals, there is no shortage of pristine sand and incredible surf. But a few locations along the coast offer visitors and locals some truly unique beauty. Crystal Cove is a favorite among locals for it’s sand, surf, rocky reefs, ridges and canyons. Located off PCH between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach, families can enjoy the beauty of this natural seashore.
- Thousand Steps Beach: Famous for its long staircase, this beach is popular amongst locals for surfing, swimming and sunbathing. There are also natural tide pools and caves to explore.
SoCal Summer Events
- Stroll and Savor: Long Beach
- Surf City Chili Festival: Huntington Beach
- Camarillo Fiesta & Street Fair: Camarillo
- Vans US Open of Surf: Huntington Beach
- Southern California Fair: Perris
Caryn is a NICU nurse by day, blogger by night and mom 24/7. She savors the warm Southern California sun and loves to travel, shopping, baking, reading and frequenting her local tea room. Caryn created the column Lavishly Green for Peekaboo Picks Magazine to share her best tips for going green in style, she is the Former editor for Family Review Network, former OC Family Magazine online contributor, former Orange County Moms Blog contributor, former Evenflo Savvy Parent contributor, former member of the Totsy Advisory Board and former freelance writer for CBS Los Angeles.
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