kidSTREAM Children's Museum in Camarillo

kidSTREAM Children’s Museum is opening its doors on May 21, 2026 at 3100 E. Ponderosa Drive in Camarillo. With a focus on science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, and math (the “STREAM” in kidSTREAM), this children’s museum inspires curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking skills in young learners.

The museum includes approximately 21,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor exhibits within a planned 30,000-square-foot campus. In the outdoor Channel Islands exhibit, children can excavate replicas of pygmy mammoth bones in a fossil dig. The agricultural exhibit includes an edible garden with berries and herbs that reflect Ventura County’s farming roots. Inside, children will explore the museum’s STREAM gallery and encounter everyday materials as they tackle building challenges in the museum’s makerspace, an engineering design lab.

The museum is targeted towards an age range of infant to 10 years.

The museum will be open from 10am to 5pm Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 5pm on Sunday. Closed Mondays. Admission (as of May 2026) is $16 for adults/kids ages 1 and up and $13 for seniors/military. For more information, visit www.kidstream.org.

Casitas Water Adventure in Ventura

Casitas Water Adventure is a water park at the Lake Casitas Recreation Area that is open throughout the summer, generally from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend (mid-Sept for weekend sessions).

There are two distinct areas. For younger children, there is an aquatic play structure designed for all ages, with two water buckets and five slides - two for kids and three for teens and adults.

The new Aquatic mega play unit Structure completed in 2023

The 1,200 foot long Lazy River offers a cool water ride on inner tubes along a scenic waterway featuring waterfalls, fog filled bridges and jet sprays. The inner tubes are available on a first-come, first-served basis, but usually there are plenty of them on hand.

The 1,200 foot long lazy river at Casitas Water Adventure is my kids' favorite.

For the very youngest tots, a zero-depth pool sprays water from all angles, providing a safe, fun play area.

Shaded decks, lounge chairs, showers, restrooms and a snack bar are available, but food is not allowed inside the park (though you can bring bottled water). Certified lifeguards are on hand at all times and life jackets are available at no extra charge while supplies last. Locker rentals are available for a nominal fee.

Do take note that they don't heat the water here. It is a bit on the cold side for many, though on hot days this can be a good thing.

Lake Casitas Recreation Area is located at 11311 Santa Ana Road, Ventura. Take Highway 33 from Ventura towards Ojai, make a left turn on Santa Ana Blvd, then a right on Santa Ana Road 3 or 4 miles to the park entrance.

Weekend morning sessions 10:30 am to 2 pm and afternoon sessions 3 to 6:30 pm. Weekday hours are 11am to 6pm. The cost for the 2026 season is $23 per person on weekdays and $28 on weekends. Online reservations also include a $15 reservation fee.

Visit www.casitaswater.org/casitas-water-adventure for details. Buy tickets at reservations.casitaswater.org/passes.

Parking inside Lake Casitas is $20 on weekends/holidays and $10 on weekdays. There is parking available on Santa Ana Road if you don't mind walking.

This is the “old” (Pre-2023) aquatic Play Structure (for historical purposes)

Lakeshore Learning Saturday Crafts for Kids - Ventura

Lakeshore Learning stores have free crafts for kids twice a month from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For upcoming events, visit www.lakeshorelearning.com/stores/events. Lakeshore Learning is a great store for educational games, toys and materials.

The Ventura store is located at 4705 Telephone Road.  Phone 805.289.1550 or visit www.lakeshorelearning.com.

Art Trek in Newbury Park

Art Trek, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization designed to bring visual, performing and literary arts to people of all ages. Art Trek provides art training to parents and teachers, after school programs, teen programs, summer camps, studio workshops and more. It has been active since 1992 and was established as a not-for-profit in 2006.

Birthday parties, corporate events and more. arttrek.org/schedule-event

Art Trek is located at 1144 Tourmaline Drive, Newbury Park. Visit www.arttrek.org for more information.

Monarchs Gym - Newbury Park and Agoura

Founded in 1977, Monarchs Gymnastics has two 13,000+ sq ft facilities and provides professional athletic services to 1,500+ families with over 300 classes offered weekly for boys and girls, recreational or competitive, 18 months to adult.

Kids can enjoy gymnastics, ninja, parkour, tumbling, cheer and other physical activities at Monarchs.

Additionally, Monarch's offers monthly workout passes, camps, Parents' Night Out, open gym, birthday parties and field trips.

Locations at 3599 Old Conejo Road, Newbury Park (805.375.4663) and 5331 Derry Avenue, Suites C-H, Agoura Hills (818.889.3634).  More information at www.monarchsgym.com.

Monarchs Gym Agoura Hills: www.monarchsgym.com/agoura

Monarchs Gym Newbury Park: www.monarchsgym.com/newbury-park

MonarX Parkour in Agoura Hills: www.monarx.monarchsgym.com

Rancho Simi Community Pool in Simi Valley

The Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District maintains the massive Rancho Simi Community Pool, located at 1765 Royal Avenue, Simi Valley.

The pool is available year round for lap swimming, recreational swimming, swimming lessons, birthday parties, periodic events and more.

Hours vary for recreational swimming, so check website below for schedules. Admission (as of March 2026) is $5 for ages 3 to 49 and $3 for ages 50+.

To learn more, visit www.rsrpd.org/recreation/aquatics.php.

Kids' Adventure Garden in Thousand Oaks

The Kids' Adventure Garden (KAG) at the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden is open every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  The KAG is a fun place for children to learn about nature and gardening.  The garden features a tree house, pirate's cave, zoo garden, hydroponic pod and much more. Free admission (though donations are welcome). Enter at W. Gainsborough Road at Jeaunine Drive. between Lynn Road and Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks.

Kids love running around the KAG and exploring the nearby trails and stream.  Additionally, Conejo Community Park is next to the garden, with a nice playground area, expansive grass and picnic areas.

Visit www.conejogarden.org for more information and pictures. Additionally, a Native Plant Nursery is open at this location on Sundays.

Water Wings Swim School in Agoura Hills

Water Wings Swim School opened in August 2015 at the Agoura Hills Town Center, 30135 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills.  

Water Wings is a year-round indoor swim school offering private and group lessons to children and adults of all ages, starting at 3 months. They also do birthday parties, family day open swim events, parents' night out events and more.

For more information, visit www.waterwingsswimschool.com or visit the Water Wings Agoura Hills Facebook page at www.facebook.com/waterwingsah. 

Moorpark City Library

The Moorpark City Library is an independently run city library located at 699 Moorpark Avenue. It is open 7 days per week (closed major holidays).

Visit www.moorparklibrary.org or call 805.517.6370 for more information.

Anyone in the State of California can obtain a library card for no charge. The Moorpark City Library is not part of the Ventura County Library System, so you will need a separate library card to check out books at other local libraries.

A new, 17,000 sq ft library is currently (2026) being built next to the existing library, with an anticipated grand opening date in late 2027. www.moorparkca.gov/992/New-City-Library

805 Raptors Basketball in Ventura County

805 Raptors Basketball is a youth basketball program in Ventura County that offers competitive teams, team practices, skills sessions, summer camps, and private and small group training. Age range is 3rd grade through high school age. Learn more at 805raptorsbasketball.com.