50 Things to Do with Kids Over Winter Break | Ventura County

Winter break is long and there are lots of days to fill.  If you’re like us, you may be looking for fun things and activities to do with the kids over winter break in Ventura County (and close by) to keep the kids busy.

We’ve put together a list of 50 fun things to do with kids over winter break in Ventura County to keep you as busy as you like this winter break. Many of the things to do are free or very inexpensive.

50 Fun Activities to do With Kids Over Winter Break
Ventura County

Museums

Award yourself some mom points by squeezing in some educational activities and fun at one of our many local museums.

1. Museum of Ventura County – Admission and Parking is FREE
   Check out our visit HERE!
   
2. Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula – Admission and Parking is FREE
   Check out our visit HERE!
   
3. Albinger Archaeological Museum in Ventura – Admission and Parking is FREE
4. Navy Seabee Museum in Port Hueneme – Admission and Parking is FREE
5. Channel Islands Maritime Museum in Oxnard – Adults $10.00 and Youth/Children under 18 are FREE

6. Santa Paula Art Museum – Adults $4.00 and Students of all ages FREE

7. Ojai Valley Museum – Suggested donation: $5 for adults, $1 for children 6-18
8. Aviation Museum in Santa Paula
9. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley
10. Santa Susana Train Depot in Simi Valley
11. A.J. Comstock Fire Museum in Ventura

WORTH THE DRIVE

12.  Natural History Museum in LA

13. California Science Center in LA

14. La Brea Tar Pits and Museum in LA

15. MOXI – The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation in Santa Barbara

16. Kidspace Children’s Museum in Pasadena

17. Discovery Cube in Sylmar and LA

Zoos

If you have a child who loves animals, you will definitely find it easy to spend a day at a local zoo.

1. America’s Teaching Zoo in Moorpark – Adults $12.00 and Children $10.00 and 2 and Under FREE
2. Santa Barbara Zoo – Prices range from $15.00 to $25.00
3. Wildlife Learning Center in Sylmar – Adults – $15, Children – $13 and Children Under 3 – Free
4. Los Angeles Zoo – Prices range from $17.00 – $22.00

Aquariums

1. The Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center at Channel Islands National Park – Ventura – FREE admission.
   Check out our visit HERE!

2. Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center – Santa Barbara Adult (18-64 years): $19.00  Teen (13-17 years): $17.00  Child (2-12 years): $14.00
   Child (under 2 years): Free

3. Heal the Bay Aquarium – Santa Monica Pier Adults and kids 13+: $12.00
   Kids 12 and under: FREE with an Adult Ticket Purchase.

4. Aquarium of the Pacific – Long Beach

Visit a Farm or Roadside Market

Find fresh, seasonal produce and fill your day with a free activity by visiting a local farm and farm stand.

1. Underwood Family Farms – Camarillo
2. McGrath Family Farm Roadside Market
3. The Gentle Barn in Santa Clarita – Open only on Sundays

Take in a Local Mural or Public Art

Enjoy art?  Ventura County is filled with murals and public art.

1. Murals at The Oxnard Transportation Center
2. Tour different Oxnard Murals 
3. Tour Ventura’s Public Art 
4. Pura Avenida Mural Project in Ventura
5. Walk or Ride down Ventura’s art and murals downtown

Enjoy the Holidays a Little Longer

Sad the holidays are over?  You can make the holiday magic last a little longer with a few local events that still have the holiday spirit!

1. LA Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow – Prices depends on date you visit (through Jan. 7)
2. Descanso’s Enchanted Forest of Light (through Jan. 7)
3. Gingerbread House Exhibit & Tours – Oxnard
4. Winter Wonderland Discount Skate Day– Iceoplex Simi Valley
5. Christmas Around The World – Reagan Library
6. Seaside Sock Skating – MOXI Santa Barbara (through Jan. 7)
7. Floatfest: A Rose Parade Showcase – Pasadena (Jan. 1-2)

Visit a Familiar or New Local Library

Many of our local libraries have FREE story times, teen events and craft hours.  Check out your local library or even better, try a new one!

1. Camarillo Public Library
2. Fillmore Library 
3. Moorpark City Library
4. Oxnard Public Library 
5. Simi Valley Public Library
6. Thousand Oaks Public Library
7. Ventura County Library 

Even More Fun Things to do With The Kids

1. Geocaching
2. Building Workshop at Home Depot
3. Go Roller Skating
4. Ventura Harbor
5. Go Bowling 
6. Enjoy a family-friendly hike 
7. Pack a picnic and play at a new park 
8. Burn energy at an Indoor Play Place
9. Eat your way through different donut shops
10. Take cards or a board game to a local coffee shop

Have Fun With the Kids this Winter Break

We know the break can feel long and hard to fill. We hope you can use this list to find fun things to do with your kids in Ventura County (and close by) and create some wonderful memories!  If you have a great idea of fun things to do with the kids, please let us know in the comments.