20 Fun Family Things To Do With Kids In San Diego

1. Stop By The Lego Land

For all the kids who love LEGO, this is the perfect place to visit. LEGOLAND California provides an incredible experience where kids can construct their own LEGO models, engage in imaginative play as a princess in Castle Hill, enter a world of knights to conquer the Dragon Coaster, and drive LEGO vehicles. 

The park features more than seven slides and a sea life aquarium. Once you take your kids here, they’ll probably have so much fun they won’t want to leave and might ask to come back every time you go on vacation.

Address: One Legoland Dr, Carlsbad

2. Have Fun At San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo is the most visited zoo in the United States. It is home to 3,700 rare and endangered animals and is extremely famous among the locals as well as tourists. While visiting there, your kids will be amazed at watching the orangutans play, the elephants eat, and the bears climb.

Additionally, when kids encounter animals, it provides hands-on learning experiences related to what they have studied at school. Kids can also join in fun dance sessions with costumed characters. This makes the zoo a great place for both fun and educational purposes.

Address: 2920 Zoo Drive

3. Stroll Around Balboa Park

For a fun and educational outing for your kids, Balboa Park can be a great spot. It has fantastic playgrounds and the Japanese Friendship Garden with its incredible plant collection that will impress them.

The park features the San Diego Natural History Museum, where kids can explore dinosaurs, fossils, and local wildlife. They'll learn about animals, plants, and the importance of their conservation. So, if you plan on visiting San Diego with your kids, you cannot miss this park.

Address: 1549 El Prado

4. Encounter Animals At San Diego Zoo Safari Park

San Diego Zoo Safari Park can be another perfect place for your kids, especially if they are animal lovers. The park is open 365 days a year, but book in advance to ensure your spot.

Your kids will get to encounter giant elephants in Elephant Valley, gorillas, Earth rhinos, giraffes, wildebeest, and many other wildlife species. If you're not in a rush, you can extend your stay and spend the night in safari park tents, listening to the roar of the animals.

The Safari Park also offers a wide array of add-on activities, including a zip line, balloon rides, campouts, playgrounds, rope climbing through the trees, and many other thrilling games to keep your kids entertained.

Address: 5500 San Pasqual Valley Road

5. Pick Strawberries At Kenny’s Strawberry Farm

As you start to explore San Diego with your kids, you surely need to pay a visit to Kenny's Strawberry Farm. Handpicking fresh strawberries, eating them right there, and bringing some of them back home doesn't that sound fun? Yes, that's right, you can pick strawberries by yourself.

This place is just about a 30-minute drive from North County, you can enjoy a fun and agricultural outing. Kids can witness how the strawberries are on the farm and enjoy the experience of picking them.

Address: 4155 Bonita Road

6. Take Your Kids To The Fleet Science Center

This weekend, take your kids to the Fleet Science Center in San Diego for a fantastic experience. They can discover cool science concepts like gravity, which might surprise them. The center's IMAX Theatre shows educational films about space, wildlife, and the environment.

These movies provide information and also enhance their interest in science and technology. The center also offers fun programs, workshops, and summer camps that help kids develop problem-solving skills and think critically. Hence, this is a great spot to boost their curiosity and understanding of science.

Address: 1875 El Prado

7. Visit San Diego Model Railroad Museum

The San Diego Model Railroad Museum in Balboa Park is a paradise for toy train enthusiasts. Instead of spending a lot of money on train toys, you as a parent can give your child a lifelong, cherished experience by taking them to this museum.

Kids' curious minds can learn about the history of railroads, the engineering behind train systems, and even operate model trains for fun. The museum also conducts workshops and demonstrations on model building, which can inspire kids to create their models.

Address: 1649 El Prado

8. Learn About Ocean Ecosystem At The Birch Aquarium

Every kid should visit this Birch Aquarium once in their lifetime. Toddlers and preschoolers kids are so innocent and curious this will blow their minds. Kids can explore touch tanks, get a close-up look at colorful fish, and learn about ocean ecosystems.

They'll see all sorts of sea creatures, from seahorses and jellyfish to sharks and rays. It's really exciting for them to see the marine life they've read about in their science books up close. This is an experience every parent should consider for their children.

Address: 2300 Expedition Way

9. Explore The Museum Of Making Music

Kids of this generation have been interested in music since the early days. The whole process of making music and the instruments fascinates them. You know what they say: teach them young.

Here at the Museum of Making Music in San Diego, kids can pick up their favorite instruments and try to understand how they actually work. This phenomenon is both fun and educational. Kids get to experiment with sound, which helps them develop a deeper appreciation for music. It might also inspire them to pursue a future career in the music industry.

Address: 5790 Armada Drive

10. Go To The New Children's Museum

The New Children's Museum in Downtown San Diego is a perfect place to enhance kids' perception and thinking abilities. It is dedicated to helping kids learn and experience the world through the language of art.

The motto of the museum is "Think, Play, Create." Kids can explore and engage in creative play with other children or in groups, where they can create their own art. This experience helps them understand the value of art and craft.

Moreover, this museum has a cafe, seating space, a quiet place for parents, and an outdoor park. So, you can go there with kids to experience a comfortable and engaging environment for the entire family.

Address: 200 W Island Ave

11. Enjoy Your Time At Inflatable World Amusement Park

Inflatable World Amusement Park is a place where kids can have a great time. They can climb, run, crawl, and slide through fun, colorful bounce houses. It's a perfect spot for playing and making new friends.

Kids can also enjoy a huge slide that's thrilling and exciting. There's a special area for toddlers under four years old, too. Parents can relax with a drink while the kids explore obstacle courses. The park's soft, cushioned surfaces help keep everyone safe.

Address: 9090 Clairemont Mesa Blvd

12. Have A Picnic At Waterfront Park

Waterfront Park is another beautiful place in downtown San Diego to take your kids on a holiday. There are water fountains a splash pad and also picnic spots.

Kids enjoy having a splash which can be very relaxing and fun. Even on hot sunny days they can just play and relax without any tension. While the kids play in intimate garden rooms and a vibrant play zone, the parents can have a picnic in such a beautiful setting. This definitely sounds like a perfect vacation getaway for your family.

Address: 1600 Pacific Highway

13. Walk Through The Mission Beach

Mission Beach is a beautiful, calm spot to spend some time by the ocean. Located about 5-10 miles west of downtown San Diego, this beach offers endless fun in the sun.

Kids can enjoy thrilling rides at Belmont Park and also can enjoy yummy treats from beachside cafes. Building sand castles is a popular activity along with arcade games. lifeguards, picnic tables, playgrounds, and showers are available to ensure you have the best time with your kids.

Address: 3146 Mission Blvd

14. Hike Or Camp At The Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is a perfect spot for adventurous kids. They can experience hiking, horseback riding, camping, and stargazing. This is a beautiful location with wildflowers blooming in spring can make your family weekend unforgettable.

Additionally, you along with your kids can enjoy spotting wildlife including bighorn sheep, roadrunners, and desert tortoises. Overall, this place is best to relax and gain knowledge on desert ecosystems, geology, and local wildlife. So, if you are planning to visit San Diego, you should not miss this park.

Address: 200 Palm Canyon Drive

15. Take A Fun Trolley Tour

After a long day of playing and going on an adventurous trip, your kid might want to just relax and chill while enjoying some beautiful views of San Diego. In that case, make sure you hop on a trolly tour to see the orange and green Old Town.

Kids can enjoy riding on the trolley, listening to the entertaining commentary, and hopping off at various stops to explore such as the zoo, and Maritime Museum. They can also get some drinks or treats to enjoy on the road. The best thing about this is that you can explore the city's attractions at your own pace.

Address: 4010 Twiggs St

16. Visit Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum Vista

Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum Vista is one of the most underrated spots in San Diego which only costs $2 for our whole family to visit. It is basically a giant field where people have discarded old tractors.

This might be really fascinating and help kids to understand how these machines work. They enjoy sitting and taking pictures of them and can treat themselves to Danny's Donuts later after playtime. The museum also conducts special events such as tractor shows and steam engine festivals that can exciting for kids.

Address: 2040 N Santa Fe Ave

17. Experience The Joy Of Sesame Place

This is the best spot in San Diego for kids who enjoy slides and waterslides. Here Kids can also meet and interact with their favourite Sesame Street characters like Elmo, Big Bird, and Cookie Monster bringing the beloved TV show to life.

Storytelling by Big Bird and Live shows and performances starring Sesame Street characters is popular among kids. Visiting Sesame Place, especially on hot days splash pads, and water slides give a sense of refreshment making it a fun memorable experience.

Address: 2052 Entertainment Circle

18. Explore San Diego Botanic Garden

If you and your kids want a relaxing day in nature, the San Diego Botanic Garden is a great spot. It has over 5,000 different plants from around the world, which helps kids learn about nature in a fun way.

They can enjoy playing in water features and join activities that spark their interest in plants and the environment. The garden also offers fun educational programs for kids to learn about plants, conservation, and nature.

Your kids will love exploring the diverse plant collection. Plus, because the garden is a non-profit, your admission fee helps support its upkeep.

Address: 300 Quail Gardens Drive

19. Spend A Day At Bonita Cove Park

Bonita Cove Park is a newer park in Mission Bay right next to Belmont Park Amusement Park. Roller coaster rides and the play equipment are highly loved by kids in this park.

One of the amazing things there is the carousel swing which is quite rare in many other parks. Trust me your kids will have the best time here. We suggest going early in the morning before it gets crowded. Parking is super easy in Bonita Cove Park, therefore you don't need to worry about renting a vehicle.

Address: Mission Bay Park

20. Explore The USS Midway

For children who are curious about history, aviation, and military life The USS Midway is an ideal place. They can enjoy exploring the various planes and helicopters on display.

Kid-friendly guided tours and audio tours are available to help them understand better. This can also inspire kids to make a career in a related field in the future. Overall it provides an engaging and educational experience that can captivate kids' imaginations, teach them about history and aviation, and offer a fun family outing.

Address: 910 N Harbor Drive