Shop and plop yourself down while your kids get entertained or better yet, entertain themselves.  Here is a roundup of kids' activities and play areas at local shopping malls.  In addition to these ongoing activities, seasonal/holiday events are posted regularly here on Conejo Valley Guide.

The Lakes at Thousand Oaks offers a kids' club on selected Wednesday mornings.  The Lakes has nicely appointed outdoor playground with swings, slide and sandbox, large grassy area, two lakes and waterfall.  Great place for the kids to run around while you relax with a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf coffee.

Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks has Kids Fun Zone arts and crafts on the last Saturday of the month.  There is a small outdoor kids play area for the little ones and an impressive outdoor water fountain. Other kid-friendly activities at Janss include movie theaters, make your own cookies, paint your own ceramics and karate training.

The Commons in Calabasas offers a Kids Club for kids 10 and under on Tuesday nights at 6pm.  There's also an Edwards Theater there.

Simi Valley Town Center had a kids club on Wednesday mornings but has been on hiatus since 1/1/10.  The center also has a small outdoor kids play area, koi pond, dragon and $2 mini train rides.

The Oaks in Thousand Oaks offers an indoor kids play area for small kids, has a brand new Muvico movie theater, Build-a-Bear and a Kids Club that meets the first Thursday of each month.

Pacific View Mall in Ventura has a nice kids' play area near the food court.  It may also have a kids club but it hasn't been advertised of late.

Camarillo Premium Outlets expanded by 220,000 sq ft in April 2009 with The Promenade, which has a Spanish style courtyard area.  Separating the Outlet from The Promenade are the Edwards Theaters. No kids area or kids club however.

The Promenade at Westlake does not have a kids play area but they do have a nice fountain (actually 2 of them), live music on most summer weekends, movie theaters and a koi pond.

Paraiso in Dos Vientos  Paraiso has a nice little playground and grassy area with a pond and bridge.   Paraiso is launching a monthly Kids Fun Zone the last Friday of the month from 2pm to 5pm starting 5/28/10.

Lakeshore Learning in Ventura is a great store to buy learning toys and products for kids.  It offers free crafts every Saturday from 11am to 3pm.