Blast City Laser Tag in Oak Park (CLOSED)

CLOSED AS OF FEBRUARY 2023.

Located at 618 Lindero Canyon Road, Oak Park (at Kanan; and next to Kids World Indoor Playground), Blast City is a two-story high, state of the art, fully immersive, mission-based, role-playing laser tag experience for ages 5 years and up.  It is located adjacent to Kids World with its own separate entrance. 

Blast City Laser Tag game play consists of three different game "Chapters" that will move players from beginner-level recruit to high-tech warrior. Players begin by having fun while learning the arena layout and laser tag equipment, then advance along the way to become a laser tag Overlord- in complete and total command of the arena.

The game Chapters are segments of an evolving story based in the not-too-distant-future that combine 18 missions and game levels of exciting, mission-based role playing laser tag featuring multiple obstacles and types of targets.

Blast City also features a cool, modern arcade and party rooms. Blast City is a great place for birthday parties as well as team building, company events and groups of all ages.

Visit www.blastcityla.com for hours of operation and other information or call 818.338.8888.

Ventura Harbor Village Carousel and Arcade (CLOSED)

The carousel and arcade closed after the end of April 2022.

Retro look and feel at the Ventura Village Carousel

The Ventura Village Carousel and Arcade at Ventura Harbor Village makes for quite an entertaining time and a great place for celebrating a birthday - a 2 hour private party room rental with hot dogs, soda, 36 animal* carousel and arcade access. Learn more at venturaharbor.com/directory/village-carousel.

* An interesting carousel indeed. Not just horses. I see a pig, dog, camels, horses, rabbit, red-nosed reindeer, etc.

Or just stop by Ventura Harbor Village with the kids, try The Parlor (805.658.2837) for burgers, hot dogs and delicious onion rings, grab an ice cream at Coastal Cone, check out the boats, go kayaking or pedal-boating, try a whale watching expedition, etc.

Ventura Harbor Village is at 1567 Spinaker Drive, Ventura.  Call 805.644.3234 for the Carousel/Arcade.  Visit www.venturaharborvillage.com for more information

Gymboree Play & Music in Thousand Oaks (CLOSED)

Sign in window June 2022

Gymboree Play & Music has been fostering creativity and confidence in children ages 0-5 for over 30 years. Today there are over 550 locations in 30 countries, making Gymboree the global leader in early childhood development programs.

Designed by experts, Gymboree's age-appropriate activities help develop the cognitive, physical and social skills of children as they play. Our programs are also recognized for their unique approach to parent involvement—which encourages participation in and understanding of each child’s development. Visit www.gymboreeclasses.com for more information.

The sole Ventura County area Gymboree Play & Music location as of summer 2021 is at The Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks, on the lower level of the outdoor shops.. CLICK HERE for their site. (805.357.3711)

Gymboree Play & Music in the outdoor shops section of The Oaks mall

The Play Destination in Agoura Hills (Closed May 2020)

CLOSED IN MAY 2020

The Play Destination was a 5,000 sq ft indoor playground and birthday party center for children, with comfortable seating and modern decor for parents. The space offers children a clean, safe environment to play and is equipped with an indoor play structure, bounce house, interactive floor games, and other mentally and physically stimulating activities. Geared towards kids up to 7 years of age.

Located at 28501 Canwood Street, Suite 3E in Agoura Hills. Visit theplaydestination.com or call 818.292.8644 for more information.

Blank Canvas Art School in Thousand Oaks (Closed in 2020)

BLANK CANVAS HAS CLOSED ITS DOORS

Blank Canvas opened its doors in November 2011. Located at 1414 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, #113, Thousand Oaks, Blank Canvas provides after school art classes, canvas get-together events, custom birthday parties for ages 4 and up, summer enrichment camps and more. For more information, visit www.paintblankcanvas.com or call 805.497.1600.

Saplings Indoor Playground in Simi Valley (Closed 2020)

SAPLINGS IS NOW CLOSED

Saplings Kids Indoor Playground opened in May 2016 at 1776 Erringer Road, Suite 100, Simi Valley. The playground is designed to foster creative, pretend, and imaginative play for children between the ages of newborn to eight. Upon entering Saplings you will discover four main imagination stations, as well as wall-to-wall murals of beautiful trees, blue skies, and friendly woodland animal friends.

• The Reading Nook – an inviting space filled with plushy kid-sized chairs and couches, moon chairs, a fluffy rug, cuddly stuffed animals, and a large collection of children’s books. In this space children are welcome to find a comfy spot, grab a book, and read under a canopy of branches and leaves.

• Seedling Meadow – a safe space designated for seedlings (children under the age of 2) to play, crawl, explore, and practice tummy time. Here you will find foam toys, climbers, activity mirrors, and an assortment of sensory toys to engage growing minds and bodies. This meadow is sectioned off from the main floor, which allows young children to play safely.

• The Art Room – a creative space stocked full of art supplies to inspire young artists. Inside you will find six stand-up easels, paint, brushes, rollers, drying racks, and paper. There are also three large work tables for coloring books, stencil work, and stamping. There is even a large chalk wall for children to draw and write right on the wall.

• The Main Floor – an indoor playground consisting of “imagination stations”: kid-sized toys that foster pretend and imaginative play. Stations include: a puppet theater, a baby care nursery, a fully stocked grocery store, an ice cream and bakery stand, a kitchen and restaurant, a campground, tool table, train table, transportation mats with vehicles, dress-up closet, a musical band stand to put on concerts, and so much more!

Open daily on weekdays for open play. Available for private parties on weekends. Learn more at www.simivalleysaplings.com or by calling 805.210.5372.

Pricing (as of January 2019): $10 per child. $9 per sibling thereafter. Free for adults and non-participating children. Monthly memberships available.

Sky High Sports - The Trampoline Place in Camarillo (CLOSED)

SKY HIGH SPORTS CAMARILLO CLOSED ITS DOORS IN SUMMER 2018

Sky High Sports - The Trampoline Place, opened at 166 Aviador Street, Camarillo in October 2010.  Located in a huge, 42,000 sq ft facility, there are half a dozen areas that have trampolines on the floors and walls. 

Also offered at Sky High are the following:

• Dodgeball

• Sky High Dunk Courts

• Rope Swing and Foam Pit

• Newest attraction: "Reball" paint-less paintball center - So Cal Tactical Adventures - nearly 10,000 sq ft (minimum age is 10 years old).

There is quite a large area of trampolines on the floors and walls. There is a separate section geared towards kids too.

On one side of Sky High is an arcade with skill-based games and on the other side is this kids game area where you earn tickets and cash them in for prizes.

Quite popular with the younger set. Bounce off the walls into a humongous pile of foam cubes.

Another extremely popular activity at Sky High is the dodgeball area, open to players of all ages.

Sky High Sports also has a separate "sanity" room for adults with a number of TVs, as well as a huge projection TV, as well as free WiFi. The Sky High Cafe offers up a variety of delicious pizzas, subs, paninis, wraps, salads and other goodies.

Sky High is open 7 days a week. Current hours (as of July 2018) are 11am to 9pm Sunday, 3pm to 9pm Monday through Thursday, 3pm to 11pm Friday and 11am to 11pm Saturday.

Visit cam.jumpskyhigh.com or call 805.484.6300 for more information. Current pricing (updated July 2018) is $15 for 1 hour, $20 for 1 1/2 hours and $25 for 2 hours.  Children under age 2 admitted free of charge.

Pump It Up (Inflatable Party Zone) - Ventura (CLOSED)

NOTE: Pump it Up Ventura closed its doors in September 2019 after 15 years in business. Sorry to see them go! We went to many a birthday party here, including one of my sons.

Pump It Up is a large indoor play facility located at 5120 Ralston Street, Ventura (one mile west of Victoria, just around the corner from Golf N' Stuff and Buena Lanes).  Get ready for some wild, fun and crazy birthday parties at Pump It Up, chock full of oversized inflatables.

In addition to parties, there are Pop-In Playtime for ages six and under (currently Monday and Thursday mornings) and Family Jump Time for older kids on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. More information at www.pumpitupparty.com/ventura-ca or call 805.339.9669. Open only for private parties on weekends.

Sycamore BMX in Simi Valley (CLOSED)

CLOSED FEBRUARY 2019. There are now apartments there www.apartments.com/the-landing-at-arroyo-simi-valley-ca/09pqnd2/

Located at 1692 Sycamore Drive, Simi Valley, Sycamore BMX is a popular BMX track and home to riders at all levels.  Riders must become member of the American Bicycle Association to ride on the track (can be purchased at the track).  The track hosts classes, races, practices and birthday parties.  Visit www.sycamorebmx.org or call 805.583.BMX7 for more information.

Rocking K Horse Rentals in Newbury Park (CLOSED)

Rocking K is no longer in operation as of around July 2019. A new operator is taking over and trail rides will be coming back in the October 2019 time frame. See http://ranchopotrero.org for more information.

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Looking to ride a horse on a guided tour? Rocking K Horse Rentals, located at 4790 West Lynn Road in Newbury Park, is open 7 days a week.  Horses are available for rent, guided tours, birthday parties, etc.  Visit www.rockingkhorserentals.com or call 805.499.9512 for more information.

Do note that Rocking K accepts cash only still as of January 2018. Children must be at least six years of age and 44 inches tall to ride. Maximum weight is 260 lbs. Pregnant women are not allowed to ride.

They recommend wearing jeans and close toed shoes. Open 8am to 6pm (e.g. last 1 hour ride leaves at 6pm) during spring/summer months and until 5pm on other months.

As of January 2018, prices are $40 for a 1 hour trail ride, $50 for a 1 1/2 hours and $60 for a 2 hour ride.