We’re not kiddin’ around. From major attractions like the Great America to hidden gems like the Glow Candle Lounge, there’s something in the great 408 for children of all ages.
You’ll have no trouble entertaining the youngsters with this list of 20+ kid-friendly activities around the South Bay.
Educational activities
Children’s Discovery Museum| Memberships available | The endless exhibits and hands-on activities at this museum will stimulate your young one’s mind. Kids can dig for fossils, explore the power of air, or prepare their own food in a mini kitchen. Kids will remember all the interactive displays that they actually get to touch in a museum.
The Tech Interactive | Memberships available | Little scientists and young engineers will love the exhibits that teach them about cyber sleuthing, gravity + robots. Kids will remember creating their own virtual roller coaster at The Innovator.
History Park | Memberships available | Give your kids an interactive history lesson about Santa Clara Valley through galleries, vintage collections, and workshops. There’s even an ice cream shop inside — to balance out all the academic fun, of course. Kids will remember riding the trolley while looking at historic buildings.
All about the arts
San Jose Museum of Art | Memberships available | Young artists will be taught to observe, discuss, and create art by the museum’s artist-in-residence. Kids ages 6-14 will remember the fun weekly themes like visual journaling, art + activism, and botanical oil pastels.
Hidden Talent Art Studio | Founders Jean and Shana encourage self-expression at this studio, and will help guide lessons that combine both art and problem-solving skills. Kids of all ages will remember the fun factoids on artists + art eras during the guided sessions.
Petroglyph Ceramic Lounge | Explore creativity with your little ones by creating a one-of-a-kind ceramic art piece, or head a few doors down to Glow Candle Lounge and make a personalized candle. Kids will remember their original take-home piece that they worked hard on — display it somewhere prominent.
Great outdoors
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo | Memberships available | There are “experience programs” for all ages at Happy Hollow, from the Family Fun program on Saturdays, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., to drop-off programs for toddlers that explore different parts of zoo life. Kids will remember the various animals they met (capybara, for sure), and the wild ones they got to pet.
Santa Clara County Parks | Your young adventurers can participate in natural history tours, challenges + contests, and science lessons within our county’s beautiful parks. Kids will remember their experience becoming a Junior Ranger.
Wilder Skills | Send the kids to a day camp at Quarry Park in Saratoga where they can learn wilderness survival techniques, outdoor cooking, and plant identification. Kids will remember learning outdoor adventuring skills.
Bond over the love for food + cooking at Tastebuds Kitchen.
Photo via @tbksanjosesouth
Foodie families
TasteBuds Kitchen | From Asian street food to flower cupcakes and turtle bread, kids of all ages can learn to be a junior chef. TasteBuds offers Caregiver & Me classes, family sessions, or drop-off classes. Kids will remember the dinosaur cupcakes and donuts they learned to make with new friends.
Cucina Bambini | Kids ages 5+ will learn how to roll their own pasta, make sushi, or participate in cooking challenges alongside other little chefs. Kids will remember the themed culinary camps like Disney Delights or American Road Trip.
San Pedro Square Market | If you’ve got a foodie on your hands, this is the place to snack. With everything from burger and pizza to pho and spring rolls, that little belly will be content. Kids will remember the colorful treats at Mochinut.
Indoor activities
LEGOLAND Discovery Center | Memberships available | Master builders will enjoy seeing the Bay Area in bricks — 1.5 million to be exact — as well as participating in building challenges + making their own LEGO person. Kids will remember creating their own LEGO car and racing with another builder.
The Plex | Memberships available | There’s fun for everyone at this giant entertainment + sports complex, including an arcade, bocce ball, a bounce house room, climbing walls, cornhole, and a skating rink. Kids will remember knocking you over in a fun game of Bubble soccer.
Chuck E. Cheese | Memberships available | This historic Tully Road attraction is truly the place where a kid can be a kid. Let the little ones go wild on the arcade games and then chill out with a slice of pizza. Kids will remember the 30-ft Chuck E. Cheese sculpture synonymous with the building’s entrance — it holds the record for “World’s Largest Rat.”
Immersive Gamebox | Memberships available | All ages will enjoy this immersive experience that offers themed games like “Paw Patrol,” “Squid Game,” “Angry Birds,” and “Shaun the Sheep.” Kids will remember the vibrant visuals that transport them into their favorite movie, TV show, or game.
Slip n’ slide at Great America’s South Bay Shores.
Photo via @montereybayparent
Splash around
South Bay Shores | Memberships available | The kiddos will love making a splash at Pup’s Pier, a playground that includes small geysers, fountains, and eight mini-slides. For the thrill-seekers, there are four large, plunging water slides. Kids will remember the Breakers Bay wave pool that turned them into body surfers.
CaliBunga | Memberships available | The former Raging Waters site has gotten a splashy rebrand, and it’ll reopen for its second season on June 14, 2025. Kids will find lots of fun at the interactive Pirate’s Cove playground or catching some surf at the Wave Pool. Thrill-seeking older kids 36 inches or taller will remember the twisting tube ride + plunge at the Barracuda Blaster.
Emerald Hills Golfland | Memberships available | For an all-around experience, take your littles to Golfland where they have the choice to plunge down water slides, race against each other in the arcade, or play a few rounds of mini golf. Kids will remember the tall water slides that give them a glimpse of the whole golf park.
After-hours attractions
West Wind Drive-In | Give the kids a cinema experience they won’t forget. As the city’s last standing drive-in, you can enjoy the nostalgia while your young ones enjoy a film in the comfort of your car with snacks. Kids will remember watching a film under the stars — it’s really not like a typical movie theater.
Lick Observatory | Take your young astronomer to Lick Observatory’s “Evening with the Stars,” where they’ll learn the history of the observatory, view the stars through a telescope, and meet world-renowned scientists. Kids will remember viewing the night sky through the larger-than-life telescope.
Winchester Mystery House | The historic, quirky attraction that was once home to Sarah Winchester offers all kinds of walking tours, but the family-friendly Mansion Tour is perfect for curious kids of all ages. Kids will remember the vintage arcade games at Sarah’s Attic Shooting Gallery + snapping a souvenir photo with the family.
Ready to visit these local attractions but don’t know where to start? We’ve created this handy map so you can find all of these featured activities.
