The Best Indoor Places to Play in Orange County

Looking for the best indoor places to play in Orange County? Well, look no further!;) I’ve rounded up our top 5 favorites, most we have been going to for years. I love that Orange County has so many amazing places for families to go and play. So without further ado, let’s go…

1) Pretend City

We love Pretend City, there is always a new adventure waiting for us each time we go. Our kids can go shopping at the local grocery store, visit the library, grow crops on the farm, become a firefighter or police officer, even visit the marina. During the summer there are different themed days, so make sure to check out their website for more info. We are looking forward to staying cool and using our imagination at Pretend City this summer.

2) The Discovery Science Center of Orange County

If your child loves to explore, then bring them to the Discovery Cube! There are endless amounts of activities and learning opportunities to do at The Cube. They are constantly changing the exhibits, plus there are always the classics. The kids especially love the Dinosaur exhibit outside where you can walk through the inside of a Brachiosaurus.

3) The Aquarium of the Pacific

What a better way to spend the day than to visit the aquarium?! If you have never visited the Aquarium of the Pacific, then it’s definitely something you should put on the list. Kids of all ages can be amazed by all of the beautiful sea life including the jelly fish, sea otters, penguins, the new horses and dragons exhibit and even the sharks. We have taken the kids for fun family day and the hubby and I actually went there as a date before kids. After we went to 2nd St in Long Beach for dinner at La Creperie Cafe (if you have never gone, you are missing out). So not only is it a great outing for the family. but it can also be a great day date!

4) Trampoline Parks in the OC: Big Air &/or defy

When it’s hot outside and the kids have tons of energy this is the place to go! Have them jump the day away on the super fun trampolines and dive into the foam pit. Recently updated; Big Air Trampoline Park, and we love it. Lots of obstacles and fun places for the kids to climb and play! Defy, previously known as Circus Trix, is also a super fun place for kids to run, jump, climb walls, zip line, etc…Both places are great for indoor play!

The above photo is of Big Air offering “Toddler Time” during certain business hours. The below photos are some of the options for fun at Defy.

5) Sender city

One of the kids new favorite things to do is to rock wall climb. We found the coolest place called Sender City, we even had our son’s birthday party here last year. You can read all about it HERE. But if your kids love to climb, then you have to go and check this place out!!

6) Escape Game

We recently got to try out our very first escape room. The hubby and I were treated for his birthday to experience The Escape Game at the Irvine Spectrum. We had such a great time and can’t wait to go back. I definitely suggest picking an easy level if you are a first timer because we didn’t quite escape with the hour time limit. This would make a super fun birthday party activity, or just a fun date. Some rooms can have up to 8 people and they have multiple locations all over the U.S.

What do you think? Have you checked out any of these places? Did I leave your favorite place off the list, let me know below and we will check it out! Looking for outside places in Orange County, check out this post HERE.