Fun Ideas for Toddler in Anaheim/Yorba Linda, CA Area

There are a lot of fun things to do in Southern California. Depends on how far you want to go outside of Anaheim, but here are some ideas:

-La Habra Children's Museum
-Santa Ana Zoo
-Irvine Regional Park and OC Zoo (very small zoo, but large park with train ride, pony rides on weekends, etc.) www.ocparks.com
-Pretend City (Irvine)
-A day at the beach (you have many to choose from)
-A picnic at a local park (again, lots to choose from)
-A small "hike" on park-like nature trails in Newport Beach at Environmental Nature Center (www.encenter.org)
-Visit the Koi Ponds in Laguna Beach (it's a store along Laguna Canyon Road)
-Visit the Sea Lion Rescue in Laguna Beach (near Koi Ponds)
-Check for Moms group or Church group events in the local area
-Visit a Rainforest Cafe ###-###-####) or fun themed restaurant
-Aliso Beach in Laguna (small playground, BBQs and cove-like beach)
-Check for local Farmer's Markets (www.cafarmersmarkets.org)
-Go for a walk at Irvine Spectrum (fountains kids can play in, merry-go-round, etc.)
-Go for a walk at a local Mall
-Check out The Great Park in Irvine (hot air balloon to watch or ride, plenty of grass for running, though it's not even close to being fully developed, it's fun to see what they're planning)
-Visit Tanaka Farms in Irvine
-Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana
-Santiago Park (directly across from Discovery Science Center), playgrounds, BBQ pits and lots of grassy areas with picnic tables.
-Aliso and Wood Canyons Regional Park (Laguna Niguel) - includes 3,400 acres of wilderness sanctuary with trails and the adjacent Orange County Natural History Museum. Ages 2+ and it's only $2 for parking/admission.
-Fullerton Arboretum (www.arboretum.fullerton.edu) - ALL ages

I hope this helps!! Have a GREAT trip...

Best wishes,

-P.

The Santa Ana zoo is fantastic for this age. It is a nice, just-right-size zoo. It isn't overhwelming and easily walkable for grandparents. The grounds are nice, well-kept and clean. In addition to the animals, they have some things to touch, a maze, a little train ($3) and a carousel ($3). It is also affordable, $8 for adults, $5 for seniors (60+) and free for under age 3. Oh, and there is also a play structure, a food place and a gift shop. I highly recommend this zoo for a 2-year-old. Their website is www.santaanazoo.org

The Bowers museum annex called "kidseum" is also in Santa Ana (on Main St) and it's a great little museum, but might be more appropriate for a little bit older kid who is into playing dress up, putting on puppet shows, etc. It is meant to expose kids to various cultures. When my son was 2, he played with the little kitchen and the musical instruments (drums and shakers you can pick up and play). He put on some of the clothes and shoes, but the fact that they were traditional ethnic garb from around the world was completely lost on him at that age.

Pretend City sounds very cool, but we have yet to go (the price). At 2, my son had a blast at a similar museum (for those who are interested, it was the Rancho Mirage Children's Museum---FANTASTIC---they have a V W Bug the kids can paint and a magnet wall that even I had fun throwing metal lids at!), so I imagine Pretend City would be fine for that age.

If you go to Irvine park, be sure to visit their website, which will tell you when you can avoid paying for parking by arriving early and you can often download coloring sheets that get your child a free ride on the train. I believe they also have coupons, like 2 for 1, for the train.

Have fun on your visit!

There's a children's museum in La Habra that can be fun and not too expensive. It's free on the first Saturday of each month (not sure if you'll be here then). Even better is a place called Pretend City in Irvine just off the 5 freeway. It's $10 per person (kid included) but it's huge and a lot of fun.

There are tons of free outdoor parks in and around Orange County. Check out OCParks.com. One of my two-year-old's favorite is Irvine Park. It's a few buck for each car to get in, but there's a little (and I mean little) zoo that's $2 for adults (I think it's free for kid's up to 3). There's also a little train they can ride on for $4 per person and pony rides for little ones that, again, are $4, but only for the child who's riding. The parent gets to lead the pony and my son did it when he was two. There's a play area but no kid swings to my knowledge. There's a duck pond and peacocks that wander around, too.
There's a train station in Fullerton that we take my son to sometimes just to watch them come and go. There's also a small municipal airport in Fullerton that has a restaurant where you can watch the planes come in. There's not a lot of activity there during the week, though.
Hope some of this gives you some ideas. The weather should be nice... enjoy!

I see that you've already been given some great ideas. Here are some other fun places to check out in the area:

- La Habra Children's Museum: Lots of hands on exhibits, great for toddlers to play pretend.
- Tri-City Park has baby swings and a large lake you can walk all the way around. There are lots of ducks and geese at the lake as well.
- Fullerton Arboretum: Everything is blooming right now, so it is a great time to go. There is a pond up front and a lake in the back, both with abundant wildlife to see (ducks, fish, turtles, herons, etc.)
- Oak Canyon Nature Center: Huge oak trees create a great canopy over this area. The hikes are easy enough for toddlers, or for parents carrying toddlers. They also have an indoor nature center with animals to see (some live, some stuffed).
- Santa Ana Zoo: This is a small zoo, just perfect for toddlers. They have lots of smallish animals (think monkeys, not lions!). They also have a barnyard area with farm animals, a playground, and a small train ride.

Most of these places have websites you can check out if you want more info. Have a great time during your visit!

I used to live in AH. So, there is a Carl's Jr in Savi Ranch a/ an indoor playground. it can get crazy hot over there! My kids liked Toyon park. they also have a big grass area and bike sidewalk. Chuck e cheese in YL, again, if it's crazy hot. Eucalypus (sp?) park has great shade. All parks are free except the county park on La Palma. and there it is 3 buck to park during the week-5 on weekends. It is a fantastic park. there are lots of horse trails that you can walk on. There is a My Gym in YL, again when it is crazy hot. I have no idea if they have drop in sessions. you could check out on line.

all parks seem to have baby swings. at 2 he's probably too young for the Discovery Museum. it is more for older kids.

Your son might enjoy the Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney. You won't be in the actual park but there is a lot to do in the DD area. The Rainforest Cafe has fish tanks and animatronic animals that move during your meal and every half hour there is a "rain storm". My daughter is 2 and she loves this restaurant. Plus there is a beautiful waterfall area by the Disneyland Hotel with a Koi pond.

I second the reccomendation for Irvine Regional Park. I have a small daycare and I take the kids there at least once every few weeks. It is actually a large area with lots of grass and old-growth trees that they can climb on. There's a lake and playground in addition to the train and zoo. I would also reccomend the beach. We take our two children (5 and 2 1/2) to Crystal Cove a lot. It is in Corona Del Mar and parking is $10 or $12 per car. It's got a long walking trail with several outlets down to the beach. The waves aren't too bad and there are tide pools. The Aquarium of the Pacific is a neat place to visit (especially if you don't live by an ocean). We've been taking our kids since my daughter was a baby and they always love it. I'm not sure what the admission prices are anymore. There's a nice area to walk around and dine in Long Beach where the Aquarium is situated. There are a lot of beautiful neighborhood parks in Orange County. If you check out city websites they usually have a list and describe amenities and have at least a couple of pictures.

On another note, I would not reccomend The Discovery Science Center. It is really neat for older kids but not much fun for a 2 year old.

Enjoy your trip!!!!
B. :)

Yorba Linda has a fun childrens museum.