Rockin' Kids Play Center in Simi Valley

Rockin' Kids Play Center is located at the Simi Valley Town Center at 1555 Simi Town Center Way, Suite 545. This indoor playground offers open play and birthday parties seven days a week. The center is a large facility geared towards toddlers to age 7. Socks are required in all play areas.  There is a nice assortment of climbing areas, slides, ball pit, swings, riding toys and other safe, padded options. Plenty of photos available of the facility on their website at rockinkidspc.com or call them at 805.526.7400.

Cost as of June 2026 is $26 for the first child, $38 for 2 kids, $53 for 3 kids and $63 for 4. Free admission to parent/caregiver. Check website for hours at http://rockinkidspc.com/play.

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)

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.

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.

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

Starlight Dance Academy in Ojai

Located at 407b Bryant Circle in Ojai, Starlight Dance Academy provides dance classes to children and adults. Current classes include jazz, ballet, tap, Zumba and hip hop as well as Pilates, yoga and mommy and me sessions. Also a great place for children's birthday parties! For more information, visit www.ojaistarlightdance.com or call 805.646.3732.

The Vivid Canvas Art Studio in Simi Valley

The Vivid Canvas Art Studio is located at 1633 Erringer Road, Suite 201B, Simi Valley, offering step-by-step, individualized art lessons for ages 6 and up. Programs include drawing/pastel basics, drawing, watercolor, acrylics and oils.

Visit vividcanvasartstudio.com or call 805.579.7076 for more information.

The Arterie Art Studio in Thousand Oaks

The Arterie Art Studio at 2219 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Suite 105, Thousand Oaks is an art studio for both kids and adults that offers art classes, camps, birthday parties and more.

Visit www.thearterie.org or call 805.379.1426 for more information.

Gold Coast Gymnastics in Ventura

Gold Coast Gymnastics, a 5,000 square foot facility located at 4005 E. Main Street in Ventura, offers classes for boys & girls 15 months to adult. Recreational through competitive gymnastics including open gym (Fridays 8-9:30PM), tumbling and trampoline, birthday parties, day camps, summer camps, field trips and more. 

Visit www.goldcoastgymnasticsclub.com or call 805.658.2825 for more information.