Kids' Activities, Sports and Fun Things to Do in Ventura County!
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At Tawni's Ponies & Animal World Petting Zoo provides pony rides, petting farms, for birthday parties, school events, carnivals, company picnics and other special events.
Serving Ventura County, West Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley. Santa Clarita Valley & Santa Barbara.
More information at www.animalworldpettingzoo.com or call 805.524.5181.
UPDATE: Hideout is no longer here and there is no other information posted about when they closed. 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Thousand Oaks is the new occupant of this space.
Hideout Indoor Playground celebrated its grand opening on March 1, 2014 in Thousand Oaks at the North Ranch Pavilion Center, 1125 Lindero Canyon Road, Unit A7.
This facility was custom designed by Sherry Ehya. The play area includes a modern tree house, play stage, art studio, indoor climbing area and more. There's also a spacious parent lounge with comfortable seating, TV and free WiFi. Geared towards ages 10 and under.
Open Monday through Friday for open play. As of June 2023, all day admission is $19.99 for unlimited daily entry on weekdays. Free for under 9 months old. No fee for accompanying parents/caregivers. On weekends the facility is available for private parties. Multi-entry passes also available.
Learn more at www.hideoutplayground.com or call 818.707.6900.
Ojai Youth Entertainers Studio is a non-profit organization dedicated to challenge, inspire, educate and entertain children and families in the Ojai Valley through the experience of quality theatre, dance and music. Classes, camps, live performances and more are offered to all ages.
The studio is located at 907 El Centro Street, Ojai. Visit www.ojaiyes.org or call 805.646.4300 for more information.
The Kids' Adventure Garden (KAG) at the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden is open every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The KAG is a fun place for children to learn about nature and gardening. The garden features a tree house, pirate's cave, zoo garden, hydroponic pod and much more. Free admission (though donations are welcome). Enter at W. Gainsborough Road at Jeaunine Drive. between Lynn Road and Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks.
Kids love running around the KAG and exploring the nearby trails and stream. Additionally, Conejo Community Park is next to the garden, with a nice playground area, expansive grass and picnic areas.
Visit www.conejovalleybotanicgarden.com/collections for more information and pictures. Additionally, a Native Plant Nursery is open at this location on Sundays.
KidzCity, Inc is a licensed play, educational and party center where you can safely drop your kids off or stay, chat or work in our work rooms for no extra charge. KidzCity offers a variety of kids' activities, including video games, ping pong, air hockey, foosball, board games, toys, dress up activities and more.
Open on no school days and holidays for fun play and activities, as well Parents' Night Outs on Fridays, camps, after school programs, birthday parties and more. All ages, including adults. Located at 22325 Dolorosa Street, Woodland Hills (Ventura Blvd and Shoup).
More info at kidzcity.co or 818.887.7516.
Ranking high up on the list of parks with cool play areas around town is Alameda Park, located at the corner of Garden Street and E. Micheltorena Street in Santa Barbara. Alameda Park has an 8,000 sq ft mostly wooden play structure that was built by local residents.
Your kids will fall in love with the nooks, crannies, steps, bridges and places to hide in this play structure. There are also swings and things to climb on. The park itself is 2 blocks long and one of the oldest parks in Santa Barbara. It is next door to the beautiful Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden. Plenty of grass, spectacular, large shade trees and much more make this a perfect picnic lunch stop when you're in town.
More information at www.santabarbaraca.gov/gov/depts/parksrec/parks/features/horticulture/alameda.asp.
Chase Palm Park in Santa Barbara is a huge park that sandwiches East Cabrillo Boulevard. On the ocean side of Cabrillo the park consists of a palm-lined, narrow strip of park adjacent to East Beach with an oceanfront bike path and walkway from Stearns Wharf to East Beach. This side of the park is host to Sunday/holiday arts and crafts shows. The 14,600 square foot Skater's Point skate park is also located on this side of the park.
Call 805.564.5418 for more information or visit www.santabarbaraca.gov/gov/depts/parksrec/parks/features/playgrounds/chase.asp.
On the other side of Cabrillo is a huge 10 acre parcel that features fountains, creeks, a lagoon, carousel, snack bar and a shipwreck playground modeled after an ocean schooner from the turn of the century.
The park is walking distance to Stearns Wharf, the beach, bike rentals, State Street, etc.
From 1999 to 2017, the park was home to a vintage 1916 40 foot in diamater carousel, The carousel was relocated to Fort Hood, Oregon to a museum.
Marina Park is located at 2950 Pierpont Boulevard in Ventura (near the intersection of Pierpont and Coral Street). It is a 15 acre park that has over a third of a mile of oceanfront adjacent to Ventura Harbor, giving it plenty of beachfront, flat sand to play in.
There is also a kids play area (geared toward younger kids), plenty of grass, restrooms and more. There is also a water taxi and a fishing dock. Fun destination park in the Ventura Keys. We never go wrong bringing the kids here. More info at www.cityofventura.net/parks.
The zip line attached to the "San Salvador" ship was taken down in 2016. The city indicates there is a possibility it will be replaced if a safe alternative can be identified.
Newer pirate-themed play area at Marina Park (re-done in 2012).
Nice, protected beachfront area at Marina Park
The popular San Salvador at Marina Park.
This popular zip line was taken down in 2016; the city indicates the possibility of identifying a new, safe zip line possibility but as of September 2019 no specific timing available.
Barnes & Noble bookstores offer up some great storytimes for kids at designated times. Below is information about local B&N stores in Ventura County and nearby areas.
Children's Storytime in the Childrens' Department of Barnes & Noble at The Promenade at 160 S Westlake Boulevard, Thousand Oaks on Saturday mornings at 11am and certain other days and time frames. For more information and upcoming events, call 805.446.2820 or visit store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/store/2751.
Children's Storytime at The Commons at Calabasas location, 4735 Commons Way, is on certain Saturday mornings at 11:00 a.m. and periodically Toddler Storytimes are on Thursday mornings at 10am. For more information and upcoming events, call 818.222.0542 or visit store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/store/2054.
Children's Storytimes at the Ventura Gateway, 4820 Telephone Road, Barnes & Noble location vary from some Friday night storytimes at 7pm (geared towards ages 2 to 8), Saturday morning storytimes at 11am and Tuesday morning Toddler Storytimes at 9:30am, but do check first as dates/times can vary! For more information and upcoming events, call 805.339.0990 or visit store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/store/2054.
For other locations and information, visit www.barnesandnoble.com.
Gotta Dance Academy, located at the Simi Valley Town Center, 1555 Simi Town Center Way, #185, provides dancing instruction to ages 18 months to adult.
Beginning to advanced levels, competitive teams, recreational classes, annual recital, homework room, and large viewing areas with one way viewing.
Visit www.gottadancesimivalley.com or call 805.526.5655 for more information.
Conejo Valley Guide covers events, activities and things to do throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas.
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