When you have a toddler, every day is a brand-new adventure. They’re at this wonderful stage, constantly trying to engage with the world surrounding them. While it can sometimes be exhausting to field a million whys every single day, it can also be a little magic to spend time with your child and help them discover the answers themselves. If you need constructive toddler activities in Orange County to help your child understand more about the world, I would love to give you a rundown of some of my family’s favorite places. They are also highly recommended by my Orange County family photography clients!
Explore New Toddler Activities in Orange County With Your Little Ones
OC Zoo
1 Irvine Park Road
Orange, California 92869
The OC Zoo features over 477 acres of habitats, showing animals from across the globe. The park is open seven days a week and features mountain lions, bald eagles, ocelots, great horned owls, and foxes, as well as a barnyard with domestic goats and sheep.
But aside from just being in a zoo, it is inside the Irvine Regional Park which comes with its own set of attractions from huge picnic spaces to seasonal fun like the Pumpkin Patch and Christmas Train! You can read more about it here.
Pretend City
29 Hubble
Irvine, California 92618
Pretend City is a children’s museum with thoughtful exhibits that will spark your child’s imagination. The museum features a city where your child can indulge their creativity. Pretend City offers regular neurodivergent family nights to accommodate every child. They also have seasonal activities that are really fun and unique!
Some quick highlights (you can read a separate blog post I made just for Pretend City here): they have an arts and crafts space that is really fun and allows your child to get dirty without messing up your own home. What a win! The crafts change on a regular basis, and I love stopping by that station first usually.
Then it is usually off to the water tables and water activities for my son.
We also love the farm area where he can spend time gathering fruits and vegetables and then we go and check out the themed room in the back which they sometimes change out with completely different activities.
We Play Loud
7470 Edinger Avenue
Huntington Beach, California 92647
We Play Loud is a giant indoor playground bursting with color. Your child can climb, slide, and jump however they see fit. It is a great place for your littles to get their energy out safely. My son loves their bouncy inflatable slide and the ball pit in the middle.
They also have a designated toddler area will ensure your little one doesn’t ever get too overwhelmed or bumped into by the older and faster kids, making it a great toddler activity in Orange County.
We love spending hours there just burning off a lot of that toddler energy. Don’t forget to bring your socks!
Seascape Kids Fun
4771 E. Hunter Avenue
Anaheim, California 92807
Seascape Kids Fun is another indoor playground inviting your child to release energy. Come and explore three floors of thrilling activities that are guaranteed to result in a long naptime.
It is super popular for birthday parties, so just make sure to check how many parties are happening around the time you are planning on going. You can find all the standard trimmings that you would expect in an indoor playground place: the bouncy slides, the foam ball shooting air guns, and a fun obstacle course.
My Gym Tustin
3061 Edinger Avenue
Tustin, California 92780
My Gym Tustin offers family events and children’s classes that will get your kiddo moving. The classes are available starting at five months. Your child will meet with their age group before getting to tumble around at this wonderful toddler activity in Orange County.
I especially love the staff that works in these places. They are always so sweet and willing to help your kiddos with the activities that they may have trouble accessing with their tiny hands and feet.
Bubble Pop
555 The Shops at Mission Viejo
Mission Viejo, California 92691
Bubble Pop lets your child learn all about how bubbles get made. I love this place because my toddler is obsessed with all things bubbles. This unique center offers open play where your child can explore bubble stations created with different themes.
My favorite by far would be the station that allows your little to stand inside of a bubble. Yes, you heard me right. Inside! Love the photo ops I get of it every time. Get over there and check it out!
Adventure City
1238 South Beach Blvd
Anaheim, California 90680
Adventure City is an amusement park with attractions for the entire family. Your child can fly around in their own plane, engineer a train, take a spin on a carousel, try out a mini coaster, or meet some fluffy creatures at the petting farm. It is the perfect size, not too small and not too overwhelmingly big.
Parking is super easy and I love it because it doesn’t get very busy over there on most days. Such a hidden treasure in OC!
Knotts Berry Farm
8039 Beach Blvd
Buena Park, CA 90620
Aside from being a huge theme park for teenagers and adults, this place is often underestimated for its ability to provide fun for your littles. Unlike Disneyland, I love Knotts for their shorter wait times when it comes to toddler attractions.
It is such a cute place to bring the littles (when it isn’t Knotts Scary Farm season), and it has plenty of things for them to do along with annual passes that offer discounts on food.
They also offer great seasonal berry pies and treats, it is hard to resist!
I Hope You Enjoy These Toddler Activities in Orange County!
The world can be a little more miraculous when you explore it with your child. Try out these wonderful toddler activities in Orange County to satisfy your child’s curiosity!
If you need another way to preserve the magic of this stage, I would love to connect! I’m an Orange County photographer and adore working with parents to document every detail of these marvelous years. If you’ve been considering booking some portraits for your family, let’s schedule a conversation so you can decide whether my style is right for you. Contact me today to find out more!
- The Ultimate Guide To Visiting The Great Wolf Lodge in Anaheim
- 7 Secret Tips for The Discovery Cube in Orange County
- 3 Reasons Why You Should Visit Zoomars
