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 2024 season is $20 per person on weekdays and $23 on weekends.

Visit www.casitaswater.org/casitas-water-adventure for details.

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)

Coach Patty's School of Gymnastics in Camarillo

Coach Patty’s School of Gymnastics is located near Old Town Camarillo at 300 S. Lewis Road, Suite E.  The school has programs for recreational artistic gymnastics, preschool gymnastics, competitive team gymnastics for boys and girls, tumbling & trampoline programs for both children and adults.

The facility is over 16,000 sq ft and is loaded with state of the art equipment, including 60’ Tumble Trak, trampolines, double Mini Trampoline, high bars, balance beams spring floors, vault systems and a 84 foot fiberglass rod floor for power tumbling and a ring tower.  Just for kids preschool equipment.

Coach Patty’s also offers fun-filled gymnastic birthday parties, gymnastic camps, and more.

For more information, visit www.coachpattyusa.com or call 805.383.9460.

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.

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.

Chuck E. Cheese's - Thousand Oaks and Ventura

The kids absolutely love it at Chuck E. Cheese's, there's plenty of things to do, and I am a fan of the grilled chicken sandwich, fries and, yes, a nice cold beer to wash them down.  And the kids ALWAYS wolf down the pizza there.  Chuck E. Cheese's is geared towards kids ages 2 to 12. www.chuckecheese.com

New Chuck E. Cheese’s facade in Thousand Oaks in 2024

Chuck E. Cheese's Thousand Oaks location front entry (before the 2024 remodel)

On the 10th Anniversary of 9/11, my 5 year old and I spent some fun time together at the Thousand Oaks Chuck E. Cheese's. You know what...adults can have just as much fun there as kids. Plenty of fun 1 token games. Colorful and noisy. My kid likes the pizza.

Here is a quick walkthrough of Chuck E. Cheese's in Thousand Oaks to give a flavor as to all the fun stuff they have in there. It's actually pretty fun when it no't too crowded. Plus, they serve BEER there and ice cream bars are a bargain at only $1 apiece!

Chuck E. Cheese's is at 130 West Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks (805.497.2522) locations.chuckecheese.com/us/ca/thousand-oaks/130-w.-hillcrest-dr. and 4714 Telephone Road in Ventura (805.644.9777) locations.chuckecheese.com/us/ca/ventura/4714-telephone-rd.

We stopped by Chuck E. Cheese in Ventura today to burn off some steam on a rainy day. This is a large location packed full of games and a stage area for parties. This location uses token cards instead of actual tokens, which is more convenient but not quite as fun for my 5 year old.

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.

Play Out Loud Indoor Playground in Agoura Hills

Play Out Loud Indoor Playground opened its doors in the Agoura Hills City Mall, 5875 Kanan Road, Agoura Hills, on Friday, February 16, 2024. Open daily from 10am to 7pm. 3100 sq ft playground geared towards ages 9 month to 12 years. Learn more at playoutloudplayground.com

Jumpify Indoor Playground at The Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks

Jumpify is an indoor children’s playground that opened in late summer 2022 on the 2nd floor of The Oaks mall in Thousand Oaks, a few doors east of the Apple Store.. Looks like a fun indoor play place for the little ones, with inflatable obstacle courses, bounce houses, foam block pit, a huge ball pit and much more.

Ages 1 to 12 are welcome with admission. Admission (as of January 2024) is $20 for a 30 minute pass, $25 for a one hour pass and $30 for an unlimited play pass, with monthly memberships available. Adults accompanying their little ones do not pay admission. Open 10am to 8pm Monday to Saturday and 11am to 6:30pm on Sunday. Birthday room is available.

More information at www.jumpifyoaks.com.

Jump 'n Jammin Children's Entertainment Center at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard

Jump 'n Jammin Children’s Entertainment Center recently opened at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard. Play areas for toddlers up to ages I'd say to maybe 12. Similar to Kids' World in Oak Park, but somewhat smaller.

Fun looking place! Climbing, crawling, slides, foam ball shooters, etc. $19 for all day admission ages 2-12 (includes one free adult). (as of January 2024.) Toddlers $9. Additional adults $5.

More information at www.jumpnjammin.com or call 805.278.0032.

My Gym Children's Fitness Center - Thousand Oaks, Ventura

Since its inception in 1983, My Gym Children’s Fitness Center© has been at the cutting edge of the child fitness industry. My Gym Children’s Fitness Center© has combined innovative, early physical education/pre-gymnastics classes with state-of-the-art facilities to empower children - ages 6 weeks through 13 years - by helping them acquire the skills, confidence and positive self-image needed to become healthy young adults through weekly classes.

Located at 2701 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks (805.494.4154) and 4255 E. Main St, Suite 1, Ventura (805.644.4600).  Visit www.mygym.com for details.

My Gym Ventura website is www.mygym.com/ventura. My Gym Ventura has "free play" times currently available on designated hours on M/T/W/F - check their website or call for specific times and details.

My Gym Thousand Oaks website is www.mygym.com/thousandoaks.