Top 38 Anaheim Activities for Kids in 2026 (Besides Disney)
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Living in Anaheim, I’ve spent a lot of time exploring every nook and cranny of this popular city. My knowledge goes way beyond Disney!
If you are visiting Anaheim (or currently planning a visit), chances are that you will be checking out a Disney Park or two while you are here. That’s great! But I want to let you in on a little secret...
There are sooo many things to do near Anaheim with kids (besides Disney), that you may want to plan a few extra days to really get the most of your family trip to sunny Southern California. No, seriously!
So to help make sure your visit to my hometown truly rocks, I will share with you some of the hottest things to do in Anaheim and the surrounding area with children of all ages.
If you are visiting Anaheim and looking for a great family-friendly accommodation, check out my article on the best family hotels in Anaheim.
But first, check out our top 10 Anaheim family attractions in our video:
Here's what's in this article:
Unique Anaheim Attractions
- Angel's Stadium
- Adventure City
- Anaheim Ducks Honda Center
- Anaheim Convention Center
- Camelot Golfland
- Adventure Lagoon
- Disneyland Resort & Disney California Adventure
Nearby Orange County Family Attractions
- Knott’s Berry Farm (Buena Park)
- Medieval Times (Buena Park)
- Discovery Cube Science Center (Santa Ana)
- Pretend City Children's Museum (Irvine)
- Orange County Fair (Costa Mesa)
- Orange County Beaches
- Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach)
Kid-friendly live music & nightlife
- Brewery X, Anaheim
- Anaheim Packing District
- The Fifth rooftop bar
- City National Grove of Anaheim
- House of Blues @ Gardenwalk
- Rosine's Mediterranean Restaurant
- Segerstrom Center of Performing Arts (Costa Mesa)
Historic sites & districts
- Old Towne Orange (Orange)
- Balboa Fun Zone (Newport)
- Queen Mary (Long Beach)
- Historic Mission (San Juan Capistrano)
- Richard Nixon Library (Yorba Linda)
Bustling shopping areas
- Gardenwalk (Anaheim)
- Brea Mall (Brea)
- South Coast Plaza (Costa Mesa)
- The Outlets at Orange (Orange)
- Fashion Island (Newport)
- Irvine Spectrum (Irvine)
- Pacific City (Huntington)
Parks & hiking trails
- Oak Canyon Nature Reserve (Anaheim Hills)
- Yorba Regional Park (Yorba Linda)
- Irvine Regional Park (Irvine)
- Orange County Great Park (Irvine)
- Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve (Newport)
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Kid-friendly Anaheim Attractions
Angel Stadium of Anaheim
2000 E Gene Autry Way, Anaheim, CA 92806-6143
The atmosphere is always fun for the kids and the Angels’ Stadium really caters to families with a family center with games, fireworks on Friday and Saturday nights and even a mini-firework display when our boys hit a home run. Go Angels!
Adventure City
1238 S Beach Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92804
Adventure City in Anaheim is a small amusement park that offers big fun for families. It features rides, a petting zoo, and family dance parties. In my opinion, Adventure City is best suited for younger kids (not teens).
Anaheim Ducks At The Honda Center
2695 E Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92806
Looking for high-energy fun in Anaheim that doesn’t involve mouse ears? Head to the Honda Center! Whether you’re catching an action-packed Ducks game or rocking out at one of their epic family-friendly events, this spot brings the excitement. It’s loud, it’s lively, and the snacks are chef’s kiss. Bonus: the kids get to scream without anyone giving you side-eye. Total win.
Anaheim Convention Center
800 W. Katella Ave. Anaheim, CA 92802
If your kids are glued to YouTube like it’s their job, then the Anaheim Convention Center is the place to be. Home to epic events like VidCon, this massive venue hosts all kinds of family-friendly conventions. Think cosplay, creators, comics, and pure chaos (in the best way). It’s where screen time meets real life, and your teens might actually smile in public.
Check out our amazing times at VidCon!
Camelot Golfland
3200 E Carpenter Ave, Anaheim, CA 92806
Ready for a full-blown family fun overload? Camelot Golfland in Anaheim is part mini-golf paradise, part arcade wonderland, and part “please don’t let them see the snack bar again.” With themed courses, laser tag, bumper boats, and enough flashing lights to make your kids lose their minds (in a good way), this place is pure chaotic joy. Bonus: it's fun for grown-ups who still think they’ve got a killer putt.
Adventure Lagoon
3255 E Miraloma Ave, Anaheim, CA 92806
If your kids are bouncing off the walls, let ’em bounce on water instead at Adventure Lagoon, Anaheim’s hidden gem of inflatable fun! This giant floating obstacle course sits on a crystal-clear spring-fed lake, perfect for swimming, splashing, and burning off all that energy. It’s like American Ninja Warrior, but for families in swimsuits.
Disneyland Resort & California Adventure
Anaheim, CA 92802
Let’s be real, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure are the main event in Anaheim. From flying with Dumbo to racing through Radiator Springs, it’s where fairytales and fast passes collide. You’ve got churros, fireworks, Mickey-shaped everything, and enough magic to keep the whole fam smiling (even the teen who swore they were “too old” for Disney 🙄). It's iconic, it's nostalgic, and yes, it’s worth the line for Dole Whip.
See our many adventures at Disney:
Nearby OC Attractions
Knott's Berry Farm
8039 Beach Boulevard, Buena Park, California 90620
Knott's Berry Farm is a 57-acre amusement park in Buena Park with a cool history. Dating back to the 1920's as a roadside attraction where Walter Knott sold his famous boysenberry products. He had a love for California history he added a replica ghost town and the park continued to grow into what it is today.
We LOVE Knott's Berry Farm! Check out our playlist for year-round fun!
Medieval Times
7662 Beach Boulevard, Buena Park, California, 90620
Medieval Times in Buena Park, is like stepping back into a time when knights were heroes, testing their strength, endurance and coordination in front of a cheering crowd. Families get to dine on a four-course medieval-style meal as they root for their assigned knight in this two-hour tournament as he tests his might in jousting, swordsmanship, falconry, horsemanship and more.
Discovery Cube & Science Center
2500 N. Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92705
Discovery Cube Orange County is where learning goes hands-on and full throttle! This interactive science center turns STEM into a full-on adventure—think launching rockets, exploring eco-zones, and shopping in a pretend grocery store that teaches healthy living (sneaky AND smart). It’s all about sparking curiosity in kids through play, with exhibits that cover everything from early learning to environmental stewardship. Science just became the coolest part of your trip.
Pretend City Children's Museum
29 Hubble, Irvine, CA 92618
Pretend City Children’s Museum is like real life, only way more fun and kid-sized! This interactive mini-city lets little ones step into grown-up roles as chefs, doctors, construction workers, and more while learning what it means to be part of a community. It’s imaginative play meets real-world lessons, and yes, they’ll probably make you “buy” fake groceries with fake money.
Orange County Fair
88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
The OC Fair runs during the summer months, starting mid-July and going until mid-August. The fair features exciting exhibits, animals, concerts, food vendors, rides, and more. When the fair is not in town, the OC fairgrounds are used for the OC Event Center, where you can still enjoy fun events, shopping, food, and live music.
Orange County Beaches
There are some great Orange County beaches near Anaheim, like Laguna Beach, a coastal resort city made famous to the mass public thanks to various television shows. Then there is Newport Beach, a luxury beachside city the most known for the Newport Harbor, Balboa Fun Zone, and Balboa Island.
Huntington Beach is California’s cool Surf City and home US Open of Surfing every summer. However, the original California surf town award goes to Dana Point, a casual yet sophisticated seaside town that is packed with adventure. For lots more details about planning a trip to these Orange County Beaches near Anaheim, see our custom guide HERE.
Here are just some examples of our family fun beaches. But, please feel free to explore our channel, because we have a TON more!
Aquarium of the Pacific
100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
The Aquarium of the Pacific is a huge public aquarium located on Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach. The aquarium has over 11,000 animals on display throughout the various exhibits, including sharks, penguins, and sea otters.
Kid-friendly Live Music near Anaheim
Brewery X
Anaheim Packing District
440 S. Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92805
The Anaheim Packing House is a historical landmark built in 1919 and one of the last remaining citrus packing houses in Orange County. Today, it has been given a new life as a popular food hall with over 50 culinary artisans and live music performances every weekend!
The Fifth rooftop restaurant
1650 S Harbor Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92802
The Fifth is a rooftop restaurant and bar on top of the Grand Legacy at the Park hotel in Anaheim near Disneyland. Families are invited to come and enjoy food, drinks, Disneyland fireworks and live music nightly Tuesday through Sundays. They do close sometimes for private events, so check the calendar before heading over.
City National Grove of Anaheim
2200 E Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA
The City National Grove of Anaheim is an indoor concert hall that hosts various celebrity performers, musicians and comedians. Most shows are all ages, but some (like concerts) will be more appropriate for older kids and teens. They do have shows like Peppa Pig LIVE and Charlie Brown Christmas on-stage for younger kids, so be sure to check their schedule HERE.
House of Blue Anaheim at the Gardenwalk
400 W Disney Way Suite 337, Anaheim, CA 92802
House of Blues in Anaheim is a Southern-style restaurant, bar and live music venue. Sundays are great for families as they hold the very popular and super groovy Sunday Gospel Brunch.
Rosine's Mediterranean Restaurant
721 S Weir Canyon Rd, Anaheim, CA 92808
Rosine’s is a family-owned and operated Lebonese/Armenian restaurant that is not only the best food in town, but a great family-friendly spot for some live music and a little dancing on Friday and Saturday nights.
Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts
600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Segerstrom Center for the Arts Orange County is a great place to catch a play, musical or concert, but it also has the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza where the community gathers for a number of free events, live music and family dance nights.
Check out our fun night at Grinch Who Stole Christmas:
Historic Districts in Orange County
Old Towne Orange
Orange, CA
Old Towne Orange is a lovely historic neighborhood that was founded in 1871. Protected by the Old Towne Preservation Association and the Orange Community Historical Society, Old Towne Orange has maintained its historical charm. It is known as the Antique Capital of California, with all the cute shops and restaurants that surround the original historic plaza park. It also happens to be a happening spot, where we hang out all the time, hosting a number of events throughout the year, like the super popular International Street Fair. It is also home to some exciting haunted places, so I recommend a ghost tour while in town.
Balboa Fun Zone
Newport Beach, CA
Balboa Fun Zone has been bringing family fun to Newport since 1936 and it is still going strong today. Enjoy restaurants, rides, arcades, the ocean science center and more along the sprinkling sea.
See what is like in our video:
The Queen Mary
Long Beach, CA
Queen Mary set sail on her maiden voyage in 1936 from Southampton and for the next three years functioned as a luxury cruise liner, hosting celebrity guests and British royalty regularly. Then in 1940, the Queen Mary was painted grey and served her country in WWII as the Grey Ghost before returning to her cruise liner glory again in 1947 to 1966. By 1967, her sailing days were over, and the Queen Mary was moved to Long Beach, California, where she sits as a famous landmark hotel today! Oh, and it's reportedly haunted, and they have an awesome Scottish Festival.
Mission San Juan Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano, CA
Mission San Juan Capistrano was founded in 1776 and is the seventh of the 21 California missions established by the Spanish Catholics. It is a beautiful mission to explore, with highlights being the Great Stone Church Ruins and the Legend of the Swallows. It is a beautiful place to visit with the family for the day, and easy to get to by train from the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center.
Richard Nixon Presidential Library
Yorba Linda, CA
Richard Nixon Library is the birthplace and burial site of US President Richar Nixon. Along with his childhood home, you can tour beautiful gardens, over 70 tech-savvy exhibits in Presidential Library and more than 300 artifacts including Marine One, the Presidential Helicopter used by presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon and Ford.
Fun places to shop near Anaheim
Gardenwalk
Anaheim, CA
Gardenwalk in Anaheim is an outdoor collection of stores, restaurants and entertainment located just a block outside of Disneyland. This is the closest place to shop near Disneyland with kids and has one of my favorite restaurants - Cheesecake Factory.
Brea Mall
1065 Brea Mall, Brea, CA 92821
Need a break from theme parks but still want A/C and snacks? Brea Mall is your go-to. It’s more than just shopping, there’s a kid-friendly play area, sweet treats at every turn, and plenty of spots for tired parents to caffeinate and regroup. Plus, it’s indoors (hallelujah), which makes it a win on hot or rainy SoCal days. Retail therapy for the whole fam? Yes, please.
South Coast Plaza
Costa Mesa, CA
South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa is the largest shopping mall on the west coast and has the highest concentration of designer fashion retailers in the United States. If you like shopping high end fashion in a lux mall, this is the place to spend your afternoon.
Outlets at Orange
Orange, CA
The Outlets at Orange is an open air outlet shopping mall with over 120 value outlets from designer retailers. There are also a number of restaurants and a 3D IMAX movie theatre. Oh, and they have an excellent seafood restaurant called Market Broiler, which is the main reason we like to go there.
Fashion Island
Newport Beach, CA
Fashion Island in Newport Beach is a fancy open-air shopping center with a cluster of premier designer retailers, lushly landscaped piazzas, boutique shops and restaurants. You can even see the ocean from certain angles at the mall, which helps remind you that you are in friggin Newport Beach!
Irvine Spectrum
Irvine, CA
Irvine Spectrum in Irvine is a popular outdoor shopping and entertainment center, complete with a Ferris wheel, fun restaurants, and the Irvine Improv! You will also find a cute old-fashioned carousel that the young kids will enjoy.
Pacific City
Huntington Beach, CA
Pacific City in Huntington Beach is ocean front dining, shopping and entertainment at its best. While there, check out, LOT 579, a modern food hall with games and live music.
Parks And Hiking Near Anaheim
Oak Canyon Nature Reserve
Anaheim Hills, CA
Oak Canyon Nature Reserve in Anaheim is a 58-acre nature preserve that connects three canyons. With four miles of hiking trails, a stream, and an educational nature center that holds various events and activities throughout the year. Our favorite is the night hikes. It is family-friendly with easy trails and play areas for the kids.
Check it out in our video:
Yorba Regional Park
Yorba Linda, CA
Yorba Regional Park opened in 1976 as 140 acre park adjacent to the Santa Ana River. It is a fun park to enjoy a day by the water, riding bikes and playing on the playgrounds.
Irvine Regional Park
Irvine, CA
Irvine Regional Park is a beautiful outdoor space surrounded by heritage Oak and Sycamore trees with the tranquil Santiago Creek running through. There are a number of leisure activities, as well as the OC Zoo and the Irvine Park Railroad, inside the park to enjoy. They also host several seasonal activities, with Halloween and Christmas being super festive.
Orange County Great Park
Irvine, CA
Orange County Great Park is located on the decommissioned Marine Corps air station, El Toro and focused on the arts, agriculture and sports. This innovative park features a giant orange hot air balloon, a carousel, a farm and food lab, farmer’s market, kids’ play areas, an art complex and trails.
Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve
Newport Beach, CA
Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve, also known as Back Bay, is a 1,000 acres of coastal wetlands and home to about 35,000 migratory birds and 200 endangered species. It has tranquil hiking trails and a popular spot for paddle-boarding and kayaking.
Now that you've made it to the end of this list, I hope you understand that there are so many fun things to do with kids in Anaheim besides Disneyland. You can go hiking and enjoy nature, visit an famed OC beach city, spend an afternoon at a museum, or shop to your hearts content. There are just so many fabulous things to do near Anaheim with children. Enjoy your visit to sunny Southern California!
For more help planning your next California family vacation, visit our California family travel guides and our Orange County family travel guides.
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