Orange County, situated in southern California, is one of the largest counties in the state. With 40 miles of coastline, this affluent and tourist-friendly region is an excellent place for children to learn and play. Between museums, beaches, amusement parks and nature trails, your child will be overwhelmed with fun possibilities. Don't forget to pack a lot of water and sunscreen, for the summer climate brings some pretty intense heat and sunshine.
Museums and Zoos
Day trips to museums and zoos provide a lot of great walking exercise along with fun and education for your child. The Children's Museum in La Habra, for example, is an interactive learning center intended mainly for preschool and elementary school-aged children. The museum has a strong focus on play as a means of learning and development, and features exhibits such as model farms and train stations as well as nature walks and educational playgrounds. The Orange County Zoo is another popular attraction, with nearby nature walks in a 477-acre wilderness park.
A Day at the Beach
A day at the beach provides many opportunities for children to exercise and play. Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach and Newport Beach are all popular sites. The City of Laguna Beach offers a variety of youth programs, including watersports and beach volleyball. Newport Beach is a great place for whale-watching, where your child may also learn about marine ecosystems and marine wildlife. Between running around, building sand castles and jumping waves, your child will have more than enough exercise for one day on any of these beautiful beaches.
Horseback Riding
If your child has an interest in horses and wants to learn how to ride, horseback riding is an excellent exercise in strength and coordination, not to mention a fun and stimulating way to explore the Orange County area. The Huntington Park Equestrian Center is located on 25 acres of land near the shore, adjacent to Huntington Central park. The center offers 420 horses and access to 185 acres of public trails. Wagon Wheel Ranch is an excellent place to learn the basics of riding, with a wide selection of horses and guided rides through meadows full of diverse wildlife activity.
Mini-Golf
For good, healthy fun during day or night, try some rounds of mini-golf at one of various Orange County locations. Boomer's Irvine Palace Park is one mini-golf center that your kids will love, offering batting cages, go-carts, laser tag and a rock wall as well. Camelot Golfland offers five themed courses, including jungles and Spanish castles with water canons. Anaheim Golfland Fun Center is another mini-golf spot with additional attractions including water slides and birthday party accommodations.
Amusement Parks
What better way to get your child off the sofa and moving about than presenting the idea of a day at the amusement park. While Disneyland in Anaheim is by far the most popular site, Orange County has a few additional options as well, including Knott's Berry Farm and Adventure City, also located in Anaheim. Knott's features 165 rides and attractions as well as a boardwalk and live music concerts. In addition to roller coaster rides and arcade games, children have a variety of playgrounds and hands-on activities to keep their bodies activated.
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