Huntington Beach, California is centrally located in Orange County, where you and the kids can find plenty of activities to enjoy. Miles of pristine beaches, consistently balmy weather, and an active-lifestyle community make Huntington Beach’s nickname—“Surf City”—an obvious choice. It’s easy to find activities for kids and adults of all ages. Learn how to surf or look forward to attending the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball tournament together with your kids. Book a stay at a Huntington Beach vacation rental today. Here are a few kid-friendly activities to check out in this warm and welcoming community.
1. Huntington Beach State Park
Grab the kids’ skateboards, rollerblades, or walking shoes and head out on the 8.5-mile paved path to find the best places to stop and swim, fish, or build sand castles. Spend the afternoon playing beach volleyball or tossing a few hoops at the basketball court. As the sun sets spectacularly on the rim of the world, end the day by building a large bonfire, cook up some hot dogs on a firepit, and share some funny or interesting anecdotes about your trip.
2. Prehistoric Pets – The Reptile Zoo
Kids adore this zoo with the largest reptile display around, and it’s located just 15 minutes way in Fountain Valley. A truly hands-on experience, kids feed meal worms to turtles, hold snakes and lizards, ‘walk’ the huge spider, and view “Twinkie,” the largest albino boa constrictor in captivity. Be sure to stop by Gator Island to learn more about these fascinating — and fearsome — creatures. But don’t worry, this exhibit is definitely not hands-on.
3. Boomers!
Let the kids Jump into the bumper boats and have a friendly competition to see who gets wettest, fastest. Then head off to the rock wall for some climbing, play a round of miniature golf, or practice swings the batting cages. The tots can ride a mini-coaster and a train, while the more adventurous kids can get a birds-eye-view of the park in a whirlybird. Boomers! also has a huge, state-of-the-art room with games that include Jurassic Park, Mario Kart, and Down the Clown.
4. Get Air Surf City Trampoline Park
Kids love trampolines, so be sure to take them to this vast park with a variety of sizes and shapes of bouncers to keep them going for hours. Delayed-view recording cameras let them critique their performance on giant flat screen monitors so they can improve their form. The park also has basketball courts and a dodge ball area.
5. Pump It Up Bounce House
This bounce house has challenges and obstacles for kids of all ages, from toddlers to teens. The kids have a blast on the obstacle course, screaming down the gigantic slides, and hanging on for dear life on the slippery slope.
6. Shipley’s Nature Center
Begin your visit to this 18-acre restored California native habitat at the Interpretive Center where a friendly and informative docent answers questions before you begin exploring on the 4,000 feet of walking trails. Kids marvel at the variety of unique plant communities surrounding Blackbird Pond, and the interactive Bird Detective display is a great place for them to learn about birds with flipbooks and field guides.
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7. Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve and Huntington Beach
Take the kids on a 1.5-mile trail through 300-acres of coastal wetlands. Challenge them to find and identify the different species of birds, including hawks, pelicans, and egrets. Don’t be surprised if a rabbit or squirrel cross the path, and it’s not unusual to find an unassuming coyote or two along the way.
8. International Surfing Museum
This magnificent museum preserves the heritage of “Surf City USA” and its artifacts and memorabilia, with exhibits that are certain to capture everyone’s interest. Prepare to be astonished at the sight of the Guinness World Records largest surfboard that belonged to Duke Kahanamoku, and the camera that was used to film ‘Endless Summer.’
9. Downtown Huntington Beach
There’s never a dull moment on Main Street, but Tuesday’s Surf City Nights are an extraordinary entertainment experience. Three downtown blocks are closed to traffic, so you and the kids can safely explore the sidewalk stalls filled with fresh, local produce and handmade artisan crafts, dance in the streets to live music, or ride a pony or two.
10. Huntington Central Park Disc Golf
Challenge the kids to the newest craze in sports, disc golf. Breathe in fresh air as you play 18 holes on a scenic, tree-lined course with hills, a lake obstacle, and traps enough to keep everyone on their toes.
11. Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center
If your kids love horses and riding, mosey over to the Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center that is located next door to the golf disc park. The center offers lessons for tenderfoots, but kids eight-years and older can take a one-hour trail ride with a guide.
12. Historic Downtown Walking Tour
Get acquainted with the area in a hurry when you take this free tour. Knowledgeable guides take you and the kids to more than 25 famous spots such as the pier, the International Surfing Museum, the Pierside Pavillion — a great place to shop or dine — and much more. This walking tour is a very easy stroll for most, but bring a stroller or wagon for the little ones to keep them comfortable and happy.
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