The long sunny days of summer are here! Although we love summer, the days can be hard to fill and the “I’m Bored” coming from our kids can start early. And summer activities can get expensive! We have your back mama! Luckily, our community has so much to offer that is completely free or almost free! Here are 50 FREE or cheap summer activities to do with kids in Ventura County to enjoy all summer long.
Ventura County Mom Collective presents our Ultimate Summer Guide to 50 FREE or Cheap Summer Activities
Splash, Splash! Let’s Enjoy the Water
- We have local aquariums/sea centers?!! Ok so we may not have a huge aquarium in Ventura County, but you can enjoy a small, intimate local aquarium or ocean center. Great for the ocean lovers in your family. Or if you are up for a drive, check out our visit to the Aquarium of the Pacific here.
- For an affordable way to enjoy a water adventure all day, check out Casitas Water Adventure. Weekdays are cheaper and kids under 2 are FREE.
- The Swans, Ducks, Dragons or Flamingos pedal boat rentals are a great way to enjoy the water, available every day, first come first serve. Your family will enjoy the harbor and get a little work out as well. The pedal boats can accommodate up to five passengers.
- Find a local splash pad or pool in our Guide to Splash Pads + Pools.
- Head to the beach! A day trip to the beach is always a good idea! Pack some snacks and sunscreen and make a day of it!
Let’s Get Active
- Kids can enjoy 2 FREE games of bowling every day throughout the summer at Harley’s Bowl. Make sure to register on the website.
- Head over to a local Home Depot for a kids building workshop. You child can attend for free the first Saturday of each month 9am – 12pm.
- Your kids will love the FREE Kids Zone at Janns Marketplace. Check out the different themed days –
“Totally Turtles & Tortoises!”
“Bubbles, Bunnies & Balloons”
“Summer Music Jam” - Gardens of the World in Thousand Oaks is a beautiful garden to explore and get out to enjoy the fresh air.
- The Conejo Valley Botanic Garden and Kids’ Adventure Garden is absolutely FREE to enjoy and makes a relaxing way to spend a day.
- For just $7 you can enjoy the beauty at the Ventura Botanical Gardens.
- Visit Fillmore Otto & Sons Nursery to enjoy their kids area with sensory areas and games to play in their gorgeous perennial garden.
- Geocaching is an adventurous way to spend the day! Get the kids excited to find hidden treasure around Ventura County.
- We have a fun list of local, family friendly hikes to try.
- Our Guide to Playgrounds and Parks offers a variety of different parks and the best feature of each park listed.
Spend the Afternoon with Animal Friends
- America’s Teaching Zoo is truly a one of a kind zoo! Get up and close with the animals. If you have a little one who loves animals, the zoo is an absolute must!
- The Wildlife Learning Center is a little treasure just waiting for all animal lovers. The center has 100 displaced, rescued, and zoo-born wild animals. They also offer individual animal experiences, like the Sloth Social, Porcupine Dining Time, and Snake Soiree.
- The Santa Barbara Zoo may be a bit of a drive, but who can pass up visiting a zoo on the beach!
- The LA Zoo is a great zoo to see a variety of animals! Check out a recent visit to the zoo here!
Let’s Do a Little Summer Learning
- Ventura County hosts a variety of local museums, most of which have free admission for 2023. Enjoy the Museum of Ventura County and Albinger Archaeological Museum for free. Check out our visit to these two museums with kids here.
- Visit the largest outdoor bookstore. Find a great book at Bart’s Books.
- The Santa Paula Art Museum is a relaxing way to spend an afternoon. Take advantage of their Free Family Day on Sundays June 4, July 2, and August 6 from 12 pm to 3 pm! Admission is free and all materials are provided.
- If you have kids who love all things airplanes, a visit to the WWII Aviation Museum in Camarillo or Aviation Museum of Santa Paula will be a fun outing.
- The Santa Susana Depot is open to the public Saturdays and Sundays from 1pm – 4pm.
Beat the Heat & Stay Indoors
- Catch a $6 movie at the Studio Movie Grill in Simi Valley. Includes a small popcorn and small drink.
- Family movies are just $2 at participating Regal Summer Movie Express locations.
- Beat the heat and let the kids burn their energy at an Indoor Playground. We have a great guide with local locations!
- Try a new cool treat! With so many great locations around Ventura County you can make a great and cool bucket list of local Ice Cream + Frozen Treat Shops.
- Donuts are not just for breakfast. Use our Guide to Donut shops to sample different donuts and keep track of your favorites.
Farm Stands and Farmers Markets
- Visit Underwood Family Farms “Farm Market” to find their locally grown fruits and veggies. Visiting the farm stand is free.
- Experience picking your own produce with U-Pick options at Underwood Farms.
- Find fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, baked goods, plants, and specialty at the FREE Downtown Oxnard Farmers Market. It is held every Thursday, 9 am to 1:30 pm, rain or shine.
- Every Sunday, 10 am to 2 pm at the Channel Islands Harbor Farmers Market, find seasonal fruits and vegetables, flowers, plants, freshly caught fish, baked goods, hand-made crafts and freshly prepared foods.
- Every Friday year round, the Simi Valley Certified Farmers’ Market is free to enjoy.
- Every Saturday, 8am – noon, you will find the Camarillo Farmers Market a wide selection of the highest quality locally grown produce, eggs, cheeses, bread, pastries, woodwork, metalwork, jewelry, clothing, pottery, and much more.
Free Summer Reading Programs
- Moorpark City Library
Kids Summer Reading Club - Simi Valley Public Library
Kids Summer Reading Program June 3 through July 31- Find Your Voice - Thousand Oaks Public Library
Kids Summer Reading Club – Adventure 360 - Ventura County Library
Kids Summer Reading Challenge
Teen Summer Reading Challenge - Camarillo Public Library
- Fillmore Library
- Oxnard Public Library
Kids Summer Reading Program
How About a Local Day Trip
- Ojai is a fun and easy day trip.
- Mom-Approved and loved by kids, a visit to Noah’s Ark at the Skirball Cultural Center will delight the animal lover in your family.
- You can’t beat the thrift stores, local eats, and easy going atmosphere at Downtown Ventura. You can easily spend an afternoon here.
- Santa Barbara is known for its Mediterranean-style white stucco buildings with red-tile roofs that reflect the city’s Spanish colonial heritage. Also known for local wines and great restaurants on State Street. You will want to make sure to spend part of the day at the Santa Barbara Zoo.
- Griffith Park is five times the size of New York’s Central Park. Griffith Park was designated as a historic-cultural monument in 2009. MUST DO: Travel Town, Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round, Play at Shane’s Inspiration.
Need More Ideas For Free Or Cheap Summer Activities?
If you need even more ideas, use these guides to keep you and the kids busy all summer long. These guides are filled with FREE or cheap summer activities around movies and music!
