Best Fun For Kids In The Valley
Kids in the Valley have a variety of fun opportunities to explore, including a plethora of indoor play places, jump houses, and camp opportunities. In addition to those standard options, families can use this guide to explore some of the area's more unique fun activities and adventures.
Discovery Cube Los Angeles
11800 Foothill Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 91342
(818) 686-2823
www.discoverycube.org/la/
The newest museum to hit the Los Angeles scene is located in the Valley's most northeastern region near the Hansen Dam. Discovery Cube Los Angeles, a branch off of the Orange County museum, brings hands-on learning to kids of all ages while encouraging STEM proficiency, healthy living, and environmental stewardship. Memberships offer families the chance to visit and learn year-round. The brand-new Science of Hockey exhibit is a must-see.
Under The Sea Indoor Playground
2424 W Victory Blvd
Burbank, CA 91506
(818) 567-9945
www.undertheseaindoorplayground.com
Set in Burbank, this playground gives kids the chance to let their imaginations run wild as they climb up sea castles, jump in moon bouncers and crawl through obstacles. The facility accommodates children of various ages with exclusive areas for babies and toddlers, but the coolest thing about Under the Seas is the wall murals from the floor to the ceiling featuring pirates, mermaids and other sea life images.
The Japanese Garden
6100 Woodley Ave.
Van Nuys, CA 91406
(818) 756-8166
www.thejapanesegarden.com
Although the Japanese Garden in Van Nuys stands as a place of quiet contemplation, it is still a fun place to take kids to get them out of the norm of day-to-day life, and also to teach them about the process of reclaiming water as the Garden uses only water reclaimed from the city of Los Angeles. The 6.5 acres of authentic Japanese Gardens are beautifully manicured and offer a serene backdrop to an afternoon with kids; children's tours and events are offered on a regular basis.
Reese's Retreat
360 N. Arroyo Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 744-4321.
www.cityofpasadena.com
Reese's Retreat is great for youngsters to spend a few hours using their imaginations in the spirit of Jack Sparrow. Among the facilities that abound in this park located inside Brookside Park are all kinds of planks to walk, chain ladders to climb, a rocking life boat, a killer cannonball climber, a pair of large swing sets. Other playful features include an ocean that is imprinted on a soft floor that is perfect for tumbling or jumping. To find the spot, look to the southeast corner of the larger outpost. So what about a place for the kids to hang out and just chill and chat? That would be aboard the jungle gym in the shape of an authentic pirate ship that is pulled on to these premises, matey.
Wildlife Learning Center
16027 Yarnell St.
Sylmar, CA 91342
(818) 362-8711
www.wildlifelearningcenter.com
Located on the northern end of the Valley in Sylmar, the Wildlife Learning Center brings kids and their families a unique opportunity to observe wildlife while being educated about their habitats, needs, and social responsibility. More than 70 different species of animals (both rescued and zoo-born) call the Learning Center home, and both customized tours and animal interaction experiences are available. Open 7 days/week.
Gates Canyon Park
25801 Thousand Oaks Blvd.
Calabasas, CA 91302
(818) 880-6461
www.cityofcalabasas.com
Situated in Calabasas, Brandon's Village is a Western-themed playground set inside the seven-acre Gates Canyon Park. It's perfect for anyone looking for the perfect playdate. The playground has two designated areas for youngsters where one is relegated to the tots ages 5 to 12, while the other is for younger children. Unique facilities here include a ship that sways and a slide that uses rollers to drive it. As for the adults who want to be in the sun and shaded at the same time, large scale umbrellas in screaming yellow, dot the area for a way to duck and cover when necessary.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour
3400 W Riverside Dr.
Burbank, CA 91505
(877) 492-8687
vipstudiotour.warnerbros.com
For the classic Hollywood experience, take your older kids (all visitors must be above the age of 8) to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour to explore one of the busiest movie and television studios in the world. Tours will teach your littles about the craft of movie-making and TV production while touring backlot sets and production departments. Varying exhibits are often part of the tour, including the current Batman Exhibit that gives guests access to the props, costumes, and vehicles from the series.
Sherman Oaks Castle Park
4989 Sepulveda Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
(818) 756-9459
www.laparks.org
Sherman Oaks Castle Park, operated by Los Angeles Parks, is a one-stop spot for family-friendly fun in the Valley. A beautifully manicured, 18-hole miniature golf course anchors the fun at Castle Park, and batting cages and a full arcade add to the excitement. Sherman Oaks Castle Park is also a fabulous place to host birthday parties and events.
