Fun Orange County Parks - OC Playgrounds and Nature Play Trips

18 Summer Activities Lists for Family Fun in Orange County

Summer activities lists for family fun in Orange County with play ideas for park days, beach days, and play at home.

10 Best Orange County Playgrounds (by Feature)

My 10 best Orange County playgrounds list by feature + choices for best slides, best bank of swings, best spiderwebs. Printable checklist!

Finding Orange County Parks

Summer Outdoors in Orange County

Top 45+ OC Playgrounds with Shade Covers

OC playgrounds with shade covers – mostly in Orange County. With recommendations on summer activities and how to keep cool on hot days.

Splash Parks and Water Play in Orange County

Splash parks and water play locations for Orange County, CA updated every summer! Splash pads open for Summer 2024.

47+ Petting Zoos and Animal Playgrounds in Orange County

A list of petting zoos and animal playgrounds in Orange County for fun places to bring your animal loving children.

50+ Public Libraries in Orange County

There are 58 public libraries in Orange County, CA with so many FREE resources for families, including the CA State Parks Library Pass.

6 Free Trolleys in Orange County and How to Ride Them

The 6 free trolleys in Orange County are in San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach, & Newport Beach.

2024 Best Beach Restaurants in Orange County (Family Friendly)

Best family friendly beach restaurants in Orange County includes San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach & Huntington Beach.

7+ Beach Playgrounds Right in the Sand

Beach playgrounds in Orange County list on our coast from Seal Beach in north to San Clemente in south. 10 places for kids beach play.

6 Best Toddler Beaches with No Waves

Here are 5 of the best toddler beaches with no waves in OC — because sometimes you want it to be extra mellow for your toddler!

17+ Family-Friendly Nature and Interpretive Centers in OC

More than 17 family-friendly nature centers and interpretive centers around Orange County, CA that add meaning to park visits.

17+ Kid Friendly Things to Do Near Dana Point Harbor

List of kid friendly things to do in Dana Point crafted from family exploring with kids during the past decade!

Things to Do Outdoors in Orange County

15+ Parks with Mommy and Me Baby Swings

List of parks with “Mommy and Me” baby swings or what I call “Swing with Me” swings for Orange County, CA. Swing face-to-face with your baby.

Parks Without Sand in Orange County feature photo

37+ Sand Free Parks in Orange County

Sand free parks in Orange County for families who prefer parks without sand in OC.

Fenced Parks in Orange County

List of fenced parks in Orange County for families planning easier play dates for multiples or those with a tendency to wander.

7 Best State Parks in Orange County for Kids & Families

List of all the best California State Parks in Orange County for families with kids plus activity ideas for what to do when you visit.

15+ Pirate Parks in Orange County

A list of 15 Pirate Parks in Orange County ranging from playgrounds with pirate ships to overall pirate themes.

20+ Parks with Big Slides in Orange County

Parks with big slides in Orange County, California. Long list includes tunnel, tube, corkscrew, and spiral slides for lots of playground fun.

20+ Parks with Workout Equipment in Orange County for Outdoor Fitness

List of 20+ parks with workout equipment in Orange County featuring outdoor fitness areas for when you want exercise outdoors.

Spiderweb Parks in Orange County

Spiderweb parks in Orange County! This is the master list you’ve always wanted! These rope or rubber-coated climbers are especially popular with older kids. Remember playing on those playground domes when …

7+ Kid-Friendly Farm and Garden Outings

Kid-friendly garden and farm outings for families. Nature preserves, botanic gardens, farms, and more in OC, LA, and San Diego counties.

5 Family Walks in Orange County

Make a day out of these 5 family walks all over Orange County, CA.

Destination Playgrounds

Marina Park in Newport Beach on the Balboa Peninsula

Marina Park in Newport Beach on the Balboa Peninsula is bayside with harbor views and a nautical lighthouse theme. Near the Balboa Fun Zone.

Central Park in Huntington Beach for Kids and Families

Huntington Beach Central Park boasts an amazing playground on the west side and is an awesome 350-acre park for kids and families to explore.

Box Canyon Park in Yorba Linda: Accessible Playground for All Pirates and Knights

Box Canyon Park in Yorba Linda provides all sorts of play possibilities with fully accessible equipment. Ramps and wide pathways.

Irvine Adventure Playground at University Park

The Adventure Playground in Irvine at University Park allows children unstructured free play opportunities. Perfect for creativity & pretend!

Bluebird Park in Laguna Beach

Bluebird Park in Laguna Beach is a playground entirely fenced with a big blue rocketship, a gem-studded turtle sculpture, and trike track.

Laguna Main Beach Park Playground: Learn Your Ocean Lessons at the Lifeguard Tower

Main Beach Park in Laguna Beach offers a playground that helps kids learn ocean lessons at the playful lifeguard tower.

Pavion Park Accessible Playground in Mission Viejo

Pavion Park in Mission Viejo

Pavion Park in Mission Viejo is a colorful universally accessible playground with flat play surfaces, spinners, and ramps for wheelchairs.

Castle Park (Northwood Community Park) in Irvine

Northwood Community Park in Irvine is also known as Castle Park. I think of it as a fortress fit for knights and princesses.

Courtney's Sandcastle Accessible Playground San Clemente

Courtney’s SandCastle Universal Playground & Sensory Garden in San Clemente

Courtney’s SandCastle Universal Playground & Sensory Garden in San Clemente provides inclusive play features in a contained setting.

OC Great Park Playgrounds

Find out what OC Great Park playgrounds have to offer families with fun play features and also links to the public Bosque playground.