Every May and June, thousands of local parents, grandparents, and caregivers weigh in on their favorite local places to take kids. This page is where we showcase this year's winners for the Inland Empire.
Of course, there are literallyhundredsof wonderful places to take your kids in our area, not just this year's winners! Get great ideas here: Browse our lists, check out the calendar, be sure to look at the Everything That's Free page, and sign up for our fabulous FREE weekly e-newsletter sending everything to your in-box every Thursday morning! Click here for a full list of the nominees.
1. Knott's Berry Farm
Located just 10 minutes from the Anaheim resort area, the once small family farm has grown into today's family fun destination; home to the Knott's Berry Farm theme park, Knott's Soak City Waterpark and Knott's Berry Farm Hotel. Whether you are looking for a weekend getaway, family road trip, or overnight stay, you’ll find something for everyone at Knott’s Berry Farm!
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2. Amy's Farm
We are a real working polyculture farm that provides hands-on, guided tours to visitors of all ages. On-site beyond organic produce stand open to the public Tuesday-Friday, Saturday by reservation 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.Guided tours (Monday-Saturday) by reservation offer visiting individuals and groups the opportunity for hands-on farming activities such as milking a cow and harvesting in the garden. Volunteer opportunities Tuesday-Friday 9:00 am-5:00 pm, Saturday by reservation. For more information, visit our website at www.amysfarm.com
3. Castle Park
Castle Park features 25 acres of family fun and excitement, making it the best amusement park in Riverside. Featuring 35 unique rides and attractions, four 18-hole Miniature Golf courses, and an arcade with state-of-the-art video games, we feature BIG fun for everyone in the family! Join us for one of our many special events including our spooky Halloween transformation into Castle Dark. There's something for everyone with our family dining options, rides, mini golf, Buccaneer Cove water play and Riverside amusements, and year round fun!
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4. Fiesta Village Family Fun Park
Family amusement center featuring go-karts, laser tag, carnival rides, a water park, roller skating & arcade games.
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5. Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain in Big Bear
The Magic Mountain Recreation Area at Big Bear Lake, home of the world-famous Alpine Slide, offers family fun activities year round. Inthe summer there is a cool water slide and in the winter there is plenty of fun snowplay. The Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain is open allyear and is Southern California's only authentic bobsled experience. Begin with a scenic chairlift ride to the top. From there,riders navigate their own individually controlled sleds, each with teflon runners and ball bearing wheels, down their choice of twoquarter-mile long cement tracks filled with high-banked turns and long straightways. There are a variety of attractions at therecreation area, which include year round operations of the go-karts and an 18 hole miniature golf course. The nine Cam-Am racersfeature 5.5 horsepower Honda motors and the miniature golf course offers 18 exciting holes complete with breaking greens and water hazards. Parents can join in the fun or enjoy soaking up the sun on the spacious lawn and two sun decks. The double water slide operates during the summer months, taking riders down two twisting and turning flumes filled with refreshing, cool water, before dumping them with a splash into the heated pool at the bottom.
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6. Riley's Farm
Nestled in the apple growing foothills of historic Oak Glen, Riley’s Farm is a working apple orchard and living history farm featuring pick-your-own fruit, living history education, dinner theatre, group banquet facilities and extended, historically-themed overnight stays.
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7. The Living Desert
The Living Desert is a 1200 acre facility that specializes in the plants and animals found throughout the deserts of the world. Many exotic and endangered species can be seen in natural surroundings. ZooCamp is the place for your budding naturalist to have some wild fun while exploring the natural world. ZooCampers will be enthralled by special activities, arts and crafts, behind-the-scenes experiences, and animal encounters that can only be found at The Living Desert.
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Of course, the libraries in the Inland Empirearea are not really ONE place, but MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication. They're proud that locals voted themto the list of best places to take kids this year!
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9. DeJong's Dairy Farm
DeJong's Dairy is nestled in Wildomar and gives every visitor a true farm experience with the friendliness you deserve. Stop on in to say hello to the farm animals, grab some delicious milk, and create a memory your family will never forget!
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10. House of Play
House of Play is your indoor destination for fun, safe indoor play for children of all ages. HOP’s supervised, visually open play area will ensure children’s safety, while challenging them to reach, think, interact, explore and have fun. We offer worry-free birthday parties, open play, fundraiser/team events, and specials on a regular basis. We encourage parents to play and interact with their children. Our goal is for playtime to be as rewarding for the parents as it is for the children.
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11. Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are a minor league baseball team in Rancho Cucamonga, California, USA. They are a Class A Advanced team in the California League and a farm team of the Los Angeles Dodgers, their third major league affiliate as the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
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12. Victoria Gardens
Victoria Gardens is a 1.4 million square foot open-air town center at the heart of a160-acre planned "main street" community that includes Macy's, JCPenney, AMC Theater, Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, Cultural Center and 170 specialty stores.
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13. California Botanic Garden
The Garden’s mission is “to promote botany, conservation and horticulture to inspire, inform, and educate the public and the scientific community about California’s native flora. The Garden is devoted to the collection, cultivation, study and display of native California plants and to graduate training and research in plant systematics and evolution. Through all its programs the Garden makes significant contributions to the appreciation, enjoyment, understanding and thoughtful utilization of our natural heritage.” California, with over 6,000 taxa of native plants, has the richest flora of any state in the continental United States. The 86-acre California Botanic Garden is the largest garden dedicated exclusively to the state’s native plants. Conservation of rare and endangered species is among the Garden's top priorities, achieved by growing plants in the Living Collection and maintaining an extensive seed bank with long-term storage and facilities for research on seeds.
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14. California Theatre Of The Performing Arts
The historical California Theatre, in the heart of the revitalized downtown San Bernardino plays a major role in providing quality performing arts to the Inland Empire area.
Originally built as a 1928 vaudeville and movie palace, it has, over the years, played host to all of the major stage and screen stars. Will Rogers made his final stage appearance at the California Theatre.
Currently the California Theatre serves as the performance home for top quality musicals, plays and host to several touring companies and the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra, the Sinfonia Mexicana, Worldwide Theatricals and Inland Dance Theatre, Inc.
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15. iFLY Ontario
When you come to iFLY get ready to be blown away – literally. It’s thrilling. It’s amazing. Experience the feeling of freefall as you float on a smooth cushion of air. There’s no parachute, no jumping, and nothing attaching you to planet Earth. It’s just you FLYING in the air. Super fun, super safe and super cool!
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16. Knott's Soak City Water Park
Knott's Soak CityWaterpark is a separately gated 15-acre water adventure park immediately adjacent to Knott's Berry Farm.
17. Montclair Place
JCPenney, Macy’s, Barnes & Noble, The Canyon, Lazy Dog and over 135 places for your family to enjoy. Amenities include: free Volta car charging stations, free WiFi, Curbside Pickup and easy access parking. In Montclair, CA at Central Ave and the I-10.
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18. Mulligan Family Fun Center
Amusement center features go-karts, batting cages, an arcade, mini-golf & small rides for kids.
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19. Peltzer Pumpkin Farm
Farm, Weddings & Events. Once a year we offer a country chic, pick your own pumpkin patch with family activities for all to enjoy. Activities vary each year, but usually include, Pig Races, Pony Rides, Train Rides, Panning for Gems, Corn Maze, Face Painting, Picnic Area and local musical talent.
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20. Raging Waters Los Angeles
Raging Waters Los Angeles, located just 20 minutes from the Anaheim Resort area in San Dimas, has a lot to like about this summer! With more rides, slides and attractions than any other waterpark in California, this 50 acre water adventure is sure to deliver gallons of fun and thrills for the whole family. Featuring cabanas and picnic areas to host your next birthday party, family reunion, or corporate get together, Raging Waters is convenient and hassle free. Surfs Up! Can't make it to the beach, then grab a board and catch a wave on the Flowrider.
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Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in three categories. Here were their choices.
Top Arts Educator: Color Me Mine
At Color Me Mine we strive to make the unique and creative experience of ceramic painting accessible, affordable, and fun for everyone! No appointment necessary! Perfect for a get together with family or friends or someone special! Guests are encouraged take their time and browse our selection of over 300 shapes. We offer 60 colors and many simple paint techniques to help you create your one-of-a-kind masterpiece! An average ceramic item costs between $18 and $30. Studio fees are $8 per painter and include all of the paints, supplies, as well as the glazing and firing process. Pieces are ready to pick up 7 days after they are painted.
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Top Sports Educator: CSUSB Recreation & Wellness
The CSUSB Recreation & Wellness Aquatics Center includes an outdoor pool with eight 25-yards pool lanes. The water is heated to 80-84˚F year-round. The pool depth ranges from 4 ft to 13 ft. A unique feature includes the diving well. The Aquatics Center is available for lap swimming, recreational swimming, and programming.
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Top STEM Educator: Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center
Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center is a place of learning and discovery for all ages. JMDC’s mission is to convey scientific knowledge and to teach respect and responsibility toward the earth and its inhabitants. To visit JMDC’s 9 acres of botanical gardens with over 14 dinosaur sculptures there is NO PER PERSON ADMISSION FEE and only a $10 Parking Fee. Present your Parking Pass when making a $40 purchase in the gift shop or cactus garden to get a $10 instant rebate.
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