15 Free Things to Do in Orange County with Kids
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There are many different things to do in Orange County, especially for families. The many different communities that make up Orange County all have festivals and fairs, events, and celebrations. Fill all of your weekends with new adventures and fun activities by enjoying the best free things to do in Orange County with kids.
My family enjoys living in Orange County for many different reasons. The community we live in is close-knit and the weather allows for plenty of outdoor activities. But what makes living here even better is the wide array of free things to do in Orange County with kids.
We can travel from community to community enjoy different experiences in each. Even if there isn’t a festival for a holiday or celebration of the season, there are still plenty of things to do that won’t cost any more than the gas it takes to get there.
Orange County Great Park
The Orange County Great Park is more than just the average park. The park is spread over 1,300 acres of land with many different attractions on the park’s grounds. While some of the attractions come with small fees (like the carousel for $3 or the Balloon that costs $10), entrance to the park is free.
Fullerton Arboretum
Spending time outdoors is very easy in Orange County but the Fullerton Arboretum takes the outdoors to the next level. Here, you’ll find 26 acres of trails and gardens, each with different themes. You can explore the woodlands of the park and then a short walk would take your family to the desert lands.
The Arboretum is a great learning experience as well as a wonderful way to spend the afternoon. We turn our experience into an educational scavenger hunt, using our encyclopedia of plants and flowers as a guide.
Head to the Beach
Visiting the beach is one of the most popular free things to do in Orange County with kids. There are many beaches to choose from and most of them are completely free. Not only can an afternoon fly by at the beach, if you’re not careful, but you may also lose an entire day.
We keep a beach kit in the car that includes an extra-large beach blanket, sunscreen, and sand toys.
The Muckenthaler Cultural Center
While beaches, shopping, and theme parks are part of Orange County culture, there’s so much more to explore. The Muckenthaler Cultural Center is a cultural center that has plenty of free exhibits for the whole family to enjoy and learn about the cultures in Orange County.
There are even free events all year long like the Spring Family Arts Night, Summer Solstice Festival, Day of the Dead Festival, and the Holiday Festival.
Bolsa Chica Wetlands
Another thing that Orange County is filled with is nature and the Bolsa Chica Wetlands in Huntington Beach are a prime example. The entire family can enjoy a walk along the trail and even the parking is free. The trail leads to a bridge that allows you to view nature without getting dirty at all which is a plus when you’re looking for free things to do in Orange County with kids. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
Bowers Museum
Bowers Museum is a popular place to spend an afternoon in Orange County. For more fun, every first Sunday of the month, Bowers Museum hosts a free family festival for Santa Ana residents. The festival is one of the many free things to do in Orange County with kids.
Centennial Farm
Centennial Farm is an actual working farm at the Orange County Fair and Events Center. During the Orange County Fair, Centennial Farm is only open to those who have paid admission to the fair. However, all year long the farm is open to visitors for free during afternoons and weekends.
Play Prehistorically
The Laguna Hills Community Center and Sports Complex offer a wide array of free things to do in Orange County with kids. Some of the most popular things to do include the fossil exhibit, prehistoric playground, softball, baseball, soccer fields, and more.
Dana Point Harbor
At the northern end of Dana Point Harbor, there are three, tall ships that are docked at the Ocean Institute. Admiring these ships is free to the public and then you can walk along the harbor and spend the day near the ocean.
Summer at The Shipley Nature Center
The Shipley Nature Center is a great place to spend a summer day in Huntington Beach. During summer, the center hosts different free attractions like a butterfly house, live music, vendors, and more. The Shipley Nature Center is a great place to find free things to do in Orange County with kids.
Orange County Museum of Arts
There are many museums to visit in Orange County and the Orange County Museum of Arts may be one of the best. Randomly throughout the year, the museum hosts free family days. During these events, families can get hands-on with art and take a special family-oriented tour of the arts.
Catch a Live Performance
Saddleback College in Mission Viejo has a well put-together theater program and they perform shows all year long. All of the shows they perform are family-friendly and free. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis (although there are options for reserved seating for a small fee).
During the shows, there will also be food trucks and vendors from that you can purchase food and drink from for the show.
Etnies Skatepark
For residents of Lake Forest, going skating at the Etnies skatepark is absolutely free. If you don’t live in Lake Forest, an annual pass for the park is only $15. This skatepark is one of the most popular skateparks in the world and there are even special events like contests and live entertainment.
Shakespeare by the Sea
All year long, a series of fundraising events are put together and the funding goes straight to a summer event series known as Shakespeare by the Sea. The shows are put on in many different parks and are free for all to attend. Dates and locations will be announced closer to summer and they’re a great way to spend an evening with the family.
Magic at The Library
The Yorba Linda Public Library hosts an annual Family Funtime Magic Show. While the event is annual, it happens randomly throughout the year. Seating is free but fills up fast. Check the Yorba Linda Public Library site to find out when the next show is and arrive early.
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