Things to Do With the Kids in Ventura County When It's Wet Outside

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It doesn't rain nearly often enough here in Ventura County, but when it does, that's a great excuse for staying inside. You are in the right place as we have compiled this extensive list of well over 200 indoor activities from Agoura to Simi Valley to Ventura and everywhere in between!

Arts and Crafts

These are just a sampling of the various activities and events in Conejo Valley Guide, so make sure to explore and find something fun to do!

Over 40 Things to Do in Malibu

This "27 Miles of Scenic Beauty" sign was swapped out for "21 Miles of Scenic Beauty" sign in April 2017 in order to correct the actual length of City of Malibu coastline.

This "27 Miles of Scenic Beauty" sign was swapped out for "21 Miles of Scenic Beauty" sign in April 2017 in order to correct the actual length of City of Malibu coastline.

The new sign updated in 2017.

The new sign updated in 2017.

Malibu was incorporated as a separate city in Los Angeles County on March 28, 1991, with 84% of Malibu voters supporting incorporation in a 1990 election.

The Conejo Valley lies just 8 to 10 miles away from the Malibu beachfront, making Malibu a natural choice to beat the heat and enjoy to its south-facing beaches. Here's a compilation of over 40 things to do in and around Malibu.

Beaches (East to West)

Surfrider Beach from the Malibu Pier

Surfrider Beach from the Malibu Pier

Adamson House

Adamson House

Bowling Alleys in Ventura County and Nearby Areas

Archaeologists found ancient bowling balls and bowling pins in an Egyptian gravesite in the 1930s that date back to 3200 B.C., thus making bowling the world's oldest documented sport.  The first indoor bowling alley was Knickerbockers of New York City in 1840.

Bowling’s peak in popularity was in the 1960s, when there were over 12,000 bowling establishments in the United States. In 2024, there were approximately 2,600 bowling alleys in the U.S. But bowling seems to be growing in popularity, with companies like Bowlero expanding the market.

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Here’s a compilation of local bowling alleys in Ventura County and adjacent areas.

Bowling in the Conejo Valley!? The four-lane Sunset Lanes opened in mid-January 2024 at the Sunset Terrace Restaurant & Lounge in Thousand Oaks. Prior to this, the last time we had bowling in Thousand Oaks was 1995, when the 40 lane Conejo Village Bowl closed. It was located where Borders was until January 2010 and various county medical services now reside. Conejo Village Bowl opened in July 1960, as did the short-lived Acorn Bowl, which was located at 3089 Ventura Boulevard (subsequently renamed Thousand Oaks Boulevard).

Acorn Bowl Thousand Oaks in the early 1960s (Photo Credit: City of Thousand Oaks Library, Pat Allen Slide Collection - Thousand Oaks Boulevard Survey)

Acorn Bowl Thousand Oaks in the early 1960s (Photo Credit: City of Thousand Oaks Library, Pat Allen Slide Collection - Thousand Oaks Boulevard Survey)

Bowled Over:

Kids Bowl Free at local area bowling alleys

Many years ago existed the Ojai Bowling Lanes at 345 East Ojai Avenue in Ojai. This was a four lane establishment that operated in the 1940s-1950s. The Topa Topa Brewing Co. now operates at that address.

Compilation of Arcades in Ventura County and Neighboring Areas

Looking to extract yourself from your phone and experience a good, old-fashioned arcade, where you can find video games, pinball machines, redemption games, claw machines, ride machines, air hockey machines, and the like? Well here’s a compilation of such places in and around Ventura County and the Conejo Valley.

The Mighty Axe at Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks is well known for axe-throwing fun but it also has an arcade featuring 11 pinball machines as well as a Wednesday night IFPA (International Flipper Pinball Association) Pinball League. Learn more at themightyaxe.com/thousand-oaks or call 805-557-8686.

Moby’s on Main is located at 369 E. Main Street in Ventura, between North Palm Street and North Oak Street. Moby’s is a family-friendly arcade and bar, offering a collection of vintage arcade games, pinball machines, classic Thrifty ice cream, snacks and more. Visit www.mobysonmain.com to learn more.

Kids World Family Fun Center at 618 Lindero Canyon Road in Oak Park is geared towards kids with its large, indoor play structure, slides, and ball pit, but also contains a large arcade with over 30 video games, claw machines, skill machines, and rides. kidsworldla.com 818-338-8888

Pastime Legends, located at 2040 E. Main St, Suite A, in Ventura, has a retro arcade with approximately 40 retro video games, such as Galaga, Asteroids, Pac-Man, Dig Dug, and much more, as well as air hockey. There is a $5 minimum token purchase. www.facebook.com/PastimeLegendsWest 805-667-9190

Dave & Buster’s Thousand Oaks at 145 W. Hillcrest Drive in Janss Marketplace has a massive arcade with over 120 games, including redemption games, claw machines, racing simulators, virtual reality games, classic and modern video games, high-tech darts, and digital shuffleboard. www.daveandbusters.com/us/en/about/locations/thousand-oaks 805-857-7800

K1 Speed Indoor Go Karting Thousand Oaks at 770 Lawrence Drive has an arcade with over 30 games, prize redemption machines, classic video games, pool tables, air hockey, and more. www.k1speed.com/thousand-oaks-location.html 805-321-8258

Arcade area at K1 Speed in Thousand Oaks

Chuck E. Cheese Thousand Oaks at 130 W. Hillcrest Drive is obviously geared towards kids but the arcade contains over 50 games that are also fun for adults, including console games, hoops, alley bowling, puzzle games, redemption games, and classic arcade games. www.chuckecheese.com/thousand-oaks-ca/arcade 805-497-2522

Chuck E. Cheese also has a location at 4714 Telephone Road in Ventura. www.chuckecheese.com/ventura-ca 805-644-9777

Bowlero at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard has a large arcade with video games, skill machines, redemption games, claw machines, and more. www.bowlero.com/location/bowlero-oxnard 805-288-8953

Arcade at Bowlero at The Collection at Riverpark in Oxnard

Kawaii Klaws is located on the bottom floor at the Pacific View Mall in Ventura, featuring over 30 claw machines with plush toys, anime figures, and other prizes. I don’t think you’ll find another place with more claw machines than this place locally. www.kawaiiklawsco.com/ventura 820-202-1839

Kawaii Klaws at the Pacific View Mall

Lazertag Extreme at 591 Country Club Drive in Simi Valley has over 35 arcade and redemption games, including Lane Master, air hockey, claw machines, and much more, not to mention laser tag of course and its 300 sq ft Pixel interactive light arena. www.lazertagextreme.com 805-577-8400

Golf N’ Stuff Ventura at 5555 Walker Street boasts a large arcade with nearly 100 games, including plenty of redemption games, video games, air hockey, claw machines, skeeball, and more. Always a favorite with the kids, and of course they have two 18-hole mini golf courses, go karts, bumper cars, and bumper boats. www.golfnstuff.com/ventura 805-644-7131

Arcade Palace on the second level (near Target) of the Pacific View Mall in Ventura contains around 30 games, include video games, bowling, a pool table, and air hockey. www.shoppacificview.com/Directory/Details/865936 805-982-0218

Arcade Palace at the Pacific View Mall

Round1 Bowling & Arcade is coming soon to the Pacific View Mall, 3301 E. Main Street, Ventura. Stay tuned. www.round1usa.com

Harley’s Bowl locations in East Simi Valley, West Simi Valley and Camarillo have arcades with 30 to 40 games, including redemption games, air hockey, retro games, and more. Visit www.harleysbowl.com for more information.

Big Z Family Fun Center at 2425 Stearns Street in Simi Valley has an arcade with redemption games, rides for little ones, classic and modern video games, hoops, and skee ball. www.bigzsimi.com 805-526-3000

Buena Lanes at 1788 Mesa Verde Avenue in Ventura has an arcade with newer video games, claw machines, shooting games, and air hockey. The sports bar has a pool table and dart machines. www.buenalanes.com 805-677-7770

The Loose Cannon at Ventura Harbor Village, 1583 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura is a waterfront bar, arcade and eatery that hosts over 20 classic and modern arcade games, claw machines and virtual reality games. www.theloosecannonventura.com 805-350-2728

Skating Plus at 1720 Mesa Verde Ave in Ventura has an arcade with video games and redemption games. skatingplus.com 805-644-2121

Lucky Strike Moorpark bowling lanes at 706 East Los Angeles Avenue offers a large arcade with over 60 video games, redemption games, claw machines, ride games, air hockey, and more. www.luckystrikeent.com/location/lucky-strike-moorpark 805-222-3757

999 Pizza at 1980 Ventura Blvd in Camarillo opened in 2025 that also has an arcade with video games, redemption games, and more. In addition to pizza, you’ll find a tiki bar here! 999pizza.com 626-999-2535

Sky Zone locations at Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks and 2825 Johnson Drive in Ventura both have arcades. www.skyzone.com

Joystick Arcade at The Oaks mall in Thousand Oaks is located on the first level, near JC Penney. Video games, skill games, claw machines, and more. joystickarcades.com

Several Dozen Things to See and Do in the City of Oxnard

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The City of Oxnard was incorporated on June 30, 1903. Covering an area of just over 39 miles, of which 70% is land, Oxnard is the most populous city in Ventura County, with nearly 208,000 residents in 2016.

Oxnard's namesake is Harry T. Oxnard, who opened a beet factory in 1899 and taught local farmers the ins and outs of growing sugar beets. The land for the factory was purchased from Thomas S. Rice (of Rice Avenue fame) and the first plant manager was Major J. A. Driffill, who later became mayor.

There's plenty to see and do in Oxnard, and we've summed up some of our favorite activities below.

Great beaches in Oxnard include Mandalay Shores, Hollywood Beach and Silver Strand Beach, which are highlighted at THIS LINK.

Speaking of beaches, ‘ololkoy Beach Park (formerly Oxnard Beach Park) is a nice park with a pirate-themed, accessible playground area, large grassy area, restrooms and quick access to the beach.

The Channel Islands Maritime Museum located at the Channel Islands Harbor is home to world class maritime art, ship models and other maritime items. Open Thursday through Monday from noon to 4pm.

Channel Islands Harbor is a great place to beat the heat with the family, offering a variety of activities, such as fishing trips, boat cruises, eateries, water sports, shopping and special events year-round.

Oxnard Beach Park

Oxnard Beach Park

There's a nice bike path in Oxnard that takes you from Oxnard Beach Park to Channel Islands Harbor that we enjoy from time to time.

The Henry T. Oxnard Historic District is located on F and G Streets, between Palm and 5th Streets. The area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. Most of the 144 historic homes and buildings in the area were built before 1925 and includes Mission/Spanish revival, bungalow/craftsman and Colonial Revival architecture.

A great time to check out the Historic Oxnard District is during the two weeks preceding Christmas each year, when dozens and dozens of residents decorate their homes in lights and holiday decor for Christmas Tree Lane.

The Oxnard Performing Arts Center hosts concerts, musicals, speakers and other performances year-round. At over 1,600 seats, it is one of the largest venues in Ventura County.

The Collection at RiverPark is an outdoor shopping center located on the northeast side of the 101 between the Oxnard and Vineyard exits. The 650,000 sq ft center includes a combination of entertainment, retail, restaurants, open space with fountains, parks and playgrounds and quality art. Activities at The Collection include Color Me Mine Ceramics Studio, Century RiverPark Movie Theater and Levity Live Comedy Club, Jump ‘n Jammin Children’s Entertainment Center, Red Door Escape Room and Bowlero.

Swing for the fences at Who's on First Batting Cages in Oxnard. What's on second? I don't know's on third. Who? First base.

Hollywood Beach

Hollywood Beach

River Ridge Golf Course is a public golf course offering two 18-hole courses as well as footgolf!

Skateboarders and in-line skaters are on a roll at the City of Oxnard Bedford Pinkard Skate Park near Channel Islands High School. Pinkard is a former City Council member who was a supporter of many youth and community programs.

The Elite Theatre Company, located at Fisherman's Wharf at Channel Islands Harbor, Fisherman's Wharf, is host to musicals, plays, comedies and more.

The Dallas Cowboys have held Summer Training Camp for a number of years at River Ridge Fields at Oxnard's Marriott Residence Inn. Practices and scrimmages taking place in August are open to the public and free of charge. Check for updates at www.dallascowboys.com/trainingcamp.

The Adamson House in Malibu is Listed on the National Register of Historic Places

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The Adamson House at 23200 Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu is a National Historic Site and a registered California landmark. The house and grounds share one of the most beautiful beach locations in Southern California, with a view of the Malibu Lagoon, Malibu Beach and the Malibu Pier. In addition to its world-famous Malibu Tile, the house contains hand-carved teak wood doors, hand-painted murals, molded ceilings, hand-wrought ironwork and lead-framed bottle glass windows.

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The house was built in 1930 for Rhoda Rindge Adamson and Merritt Huntley Adamson, originally as a summer cottage and in 1936 as the family's primary residence. It is located on the 13,315 acre Malibu Rancho that was purchased by Rhoda's parents, Frederick and May K. Rindge, in 1892.  Mr. Rindge passed away in 1905 and left the ranch to his wife, who later gave the parcel to the Adamsons.

USC graduate Merritt Adamson met Rhoda Rindge while he was employed as foreman of the Rindge Ranch. The couple married in 1915 and in 1916 Merritt founded Adohr Farms in the San Fernando Valley, named after his wife's first name spelled backwards.

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Rhoda inherited the property after Merritt's death in 1949 and she lived there until her passing in 1962. The land was later purchased by the State of California under eminent domain laws to create beach parking, but local groups and preservationists fought to preserve the property and succeeded. The house was restored and the garage was converted into the Malibu Lagoon Museum and they opened to the public in 1983.

Flooring in the backside of the house

Flooring in the backside of the house

The Adamson House Tour is a guided tour through the house which contains its original furnishings and is decorated with the renowned Malibu Potteries tile. Trained volunteer docents relate the history of the house, details of its architecture and furnishings, and the history of the family that lived in and created this distinctive home. Admission (as of November 2025) is $7 for ages 17 and up, $2 ages 6 to 16 and free for under 6. Cash only. Open for guided tours 11am to 2pm Wed to Sat. More information at www.adamsonhouse.org or call 310.456.8432.

Halloween Events and Activities In and Around Ventura County

Halloween season is upon us again! Halloween 2025 looks to be a fun time with this compilation of Halloween events taking place in Ventura County and surrounding areas.

Dates/times subject to change; contact event organizers to confirm. This list will be updated regularly. For calendar view, click here.

Pumpkin Patches in Ventura County and Surrounding Areas

Cool Residential Displays (Click links for footage and more info)

10 Carob Drive, south of Borchard in Newbury Park

Residential display synchronized to music at 1455 Valley High, Thousand Oaks

Golden Crest Avenue in Newbury Park (Cross Street Antelope Place) - Two homes

Lakota Loop Family-Friendly Walkthrough Halloween Experience at 1881 Lakota Street, Simi Valley on October 26, 30 and 31 from 6:30-9PM.

“Blackwood Cemetery” annual display at home on Blackwood Street in Newbury Park

Mapleleaf Ave west of Madrid Ave in Newbury Park

Camino Dos Rios west of Lynn Road in Thousand Oaks

Flaming Star and Shenandoah in Thousand Oaks

Donald Avenue, just east of Wendy Drive in Newbury Park

Annual awesome display at this home on Yew Drive in Newbury Park

Bernadine St and Wauneta St in Newbury Park

Orangewood and Felton in Newbury Park

Backwoods Massacre Haunted House at 2360 Bryson Place in Simi Valley (quite scary - not for all ages).

PAST EVENTS

Sun, Oct 5: Trunk or Treat at Iceoplex Simi Valley (2:15-6PM)

Sat/Sun Oct 11-12: Mizel Family Foundation Harvest Festival in Thousand Oaks (10AM-2PM)

Sat, Oct 12: California Joe Halloween Magic Show at Camarillo Library (11AM-Noon)

Sat, Oct 18: Free Pumpkin Patch at Simi Valley Town Center (10AM)

Sat, Oct 18: Simi Valley YMCA Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat (3-6PM) (RSVP)

Sat, Oct 18: Trail or Treat at Camarillo Grove Park (10AM-1PM; $10 hike requires RSVP)

Sat, Oct 18: Halloween Haunted Trail, Costume Contest and Trick or Treat Street in Thousand Oaks (6-9PM)

Oct 17-19: Boo at the Zoo at the Santa Barbara Zoo (5-8PM)

Oct 18-19: Boo at the Zoo at The Teaching Zoo in Moorpark

Sun, Oct 19: Calabasas Pumpkin Festival (10AM-5PM)

Wed, Oct 22: VC Dept of CSS 4th Annual Trunk or Treat in Camarillo (4-6PM)

Wed, Oct 22: Trick-or-Treat at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard (5PM) (RSVP)

Wed, Oct 22: 4th Annual Spook-Tacular Celebration in Port Hueneme (5-8PM)

Thu, Oct 23: Oxnard Police Department Trunk or Treat Spooktacular (5-7PM)

Fri, Oct 24: Ventura Harbor Witches Paddle (4-5:30PM)

Fri, Oct 24: Spooky Swim at Pleasant Valley Aquatic Center in Camarillo (5:30PM) (RSVP)

Fri, Oct 24: City of Malibu Bu Bash Halloween Carnival (Ages 2-10) (3-6PM)

Fri, Oct 24: Spooktacular Bash at Camarillo Community Center (5-7PM Age 50+)

Fri, Oct 24: Spooky Town at the Simi Valley Town Center (5-9PM)

Fri, Oct 24: Terrifying True Stories in a Haunted Church at Heritage Square Oxnard (6-10:30PM)

Sat, Oct 25: Inaugural Pumpkin Paddle at Channel Islands Harbor (10AM)

Sat, Oct 25: Halloween “BooFest” Event in Old Town Camarillo (Noon-4PM)

Sat, Oct 25: Harvest Festival at Stagecoach Inn Museum (1-4PM)

Oct 25-26: Boo at the Zoo at The Teaching Zoo in Moorpark

Sat, Oct 25: Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest in Camarillo (10AM-1PM)

Sat, Oct 25: Peace Pumpkin Fest in Camarillo (10AM-3PM)

Sat, Oct 25: Trick or Treat Event at Mae Boyar Park in Oak Park (10AM-1PM)

Sat, Oct 25: Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest at Ventura Harbor Village (Noon)

Sat, Oct 25: Pumpkin Party at the Leonis Adobe Museum in Calabasas (1-4PM)

Sat, Oct 25: Eastside Little League Trunk or Treat in Oxnard (2-7PM)

Sat, Oct 25: Pumpkin Festival at Christ the King Newbury Park (3-6PM)

Sat, Oct 25: Downtown Ventura Costume Contest and Trick-or-Treating (3-7PM)

Sat, Oct 25: Halloween Haunt in the Park at Plaza Park in Oxnard (4-7PM)

Sat, Oct 25: Parade of Frights Marketplace at Channel Islands Harbor (2-8PM; Parade at 7PM)

Sat, Oct 25: Ventura Family YMCA Trunk-or-Treat in Ventura (5-7PM)

Sat, Oct 25: Fall Festival at Conejo Valley Church of Christ (4-6PM)

Sat Oct 25: Terrifying True Stories in a Haunted Church at Heritage Square Oxnard (6-10:30PM)

Oct 24-26: Boo at the Zoo at the Santa Barbara Zoo (5-8PM)

Sun, Oct 26: Dia de los Muertos Celebration at Strathearn Historical Park (11AM-5PM)

Sun, Oct 26: Seaside Trick or Treat at Ventura Harbor Village (1-3PM)

Sun, Oct 26: Thriller Zombie Dance at Ventura Harbor Village (2:45-3:15PM)

Sun, Oct 26: Trunk or Treat at Inside Car Guys Newbury Park (4-6PM)

Wed, Oct 29: Trunk or Treat at Thousand Oaks Post Acute (5-7PM)

Wed, Oct 29: Halloween in the Park in Camarillo (5:30-8PM)