Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids
Explore the best free & cheap things to do with kids options for kids and families in Santa Barbara
Alameda Park
Green space with a pond & playground. Tranquil 2-block park with a pond, vintage bandstand, sizable play structure & many rare trees.
Kids World
Visit this great place for kids and families!
Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden
Park with botanical collections & ponds. Lush garden with an array of tree & plant species, koi ponds, a picnic area & a butterfly garden.
MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation
Hands-on science, math & tech exhibits. Contemporary museum devoted to science, technology & the arts, with a focus on interactive exhibits.
Frog Wall
Visit this great place for kids and families!
Shipwreck Playground
Visit this great place for kids and families!
Chase Palm Park
Tree-lined green space along the ocean. Waterfront park lined with tall palm trees, offering lounging lawns & a walking/biking path.
Rocky Nook Park
Visit this great place for kids and families!
Pier Santa Barbara
Visit this great place for kids and families!
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center
Interactive facility for ocean education. Aquatic exploration center with live shark touch pools, a tidepool tank & magnified sea specimens.
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Exhibits featuring area history & nature. Landmark with various exhibits including regional history, art, a planetarium & a butterfly garden.
Shoreline Park
Grassy areas & playground with sea views. Popular park overlooking the water offers a playground, grassy areas, walking paths & beach access.
1000 Steps Beach
Visit this great place for kids and families!
Santa Barbara Zoo
Compact zoo with hundreds of animals. Small zoo with hundreds of animals in natural habitats, a miniature train ride & picnic spots.
Lookout Park
Visit this great place for kids and families!
Goleta Beach Park
29-acre public beach with fishing pier. Public beach featuring paved bicycle trails, picnic areas & a 1,500-ft pier for walking & fishing.
Lagoon Island Labyrinth
Visit this great place for kids and families!
Sea Lookout Park
Visit this great place for kids and families!
Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park
Visit this great place for kids and families!
Lizards Mouth Rock
Visit this great place for kids and families!
Carpinteria Seal Sanctuary
Visit this great place for kids and families!
Casitas Water Adventure
Aquatic activities for all ages. Small water park with a playground for young children, a lazy river inner-tube ride & a snack bar.
Lake Casitas Recreation Area
Visit this great place for kids and families!
Foster Park
Recreation area with river & camping. Green-hilled park with a river flowing through it, multi-use trail & campgrounds.
Ojai Meadows Preserve - Lomita Ave Entrance
Visit this great place for kids and families!
Ojai Meadows Preserve
Nature preserve with a wetlands trail. Protected meadows & wetlands area with a hiking trail, plant nursery & spring wildflowers.
Kellogg Park
Visit this great place for kids and families!
Surfers Point at Seaside Park
Popular surfing & windsurfing beach. Small destination beach for surfers & windsurfers, with picnic tables, showers & restrooms.
Ventura Botanical Gardens
Gardens with guided tours & scenic views. Botanical gardens offering guided & themed tours amid 160+ plant species, plus city & ocean views.
Ojai Valley Museum
Art exhibits in a historic church. Town history exhibits & contemporary local artwork showcased in a former Catholic church.
Libbey Park
Visit this great place for kids and families!
Sarzotti Park
Park with a rec center & sports fields. Green space with multiple sports fields plus a rec center with classes, picnic areas & a playground.
Soule County Park
Visit this great place for kids and families!
Rose Valley Falls
Visit this great place for kids and families!
Museum of Ventura County’s Agriculture Museum
Visit this great place for kids and families!
The Sunburst Railbikes
Visit this great place for kids and families!
Aviation Museum of Santa Paula
Visit this great place for kids and families!
California Oil Museum
Oil/gas history exhibits & memorabilia. Interactive oil & gas exhibits, historic memorabilia & artifacts are the draw at this quaint museum.
Sycamore Canyon Falls
Visit this great place for kids and families!
Paradise Falls
Waterfall in a canyon park area. 40-ft. waterfall in a canyon in a rugged regional park, accessible by hiking trails.
Wildwood Regional Park
Park with trails & nature center. Hilly, wooded park featuring a nature center & trails, plus picnic tables, grills & restrooms.
Stagecoach Inn Museum
Repurposed hotel with antiques & curios. Reconstruction of an 1876 hotel that now houses antiques, memorabilia & furnishings of the era.
Conejo Valley Botanic Garden
Hilltop vistas & tours of the grounds. Set on 33 acres of hilly terrain, this site offers panoramic views & tours of its specialty gardens.
Kids Adventure Garden
Visit this great place for kids and families!
Other Things to See
Best Parks for Outdoor Fun
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Best Sports & Fitness Activities for Kids
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Best Kid-Friendly Restaurants & Cafes
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Best Camping Spots & Outdoor Adventures
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Top Public Schools & School Districts
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Things to Do with Kids at Night
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Best Places for Birthday Parties
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Kid-Friendly Hiking Trails & Nature Walks
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Things to Do with Toddlers
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Best Family-Friendly Attractions
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Unique & Hidden Gem Activities for Families
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Best Theaters & Live Shows for Kids
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Music Lessons & Performing Arts Programs
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Top Private Schools for Kids
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Best Kids Camps & Summer Programs
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Language Classes for Children
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Best Museums & Educational Spots for Kids
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Top Amusement Parks & Fun Centers
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Best After-School Programs & Activities
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Best Tutoring Centers & Academic Support
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Best Water Parks & Splash Pads
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Best Indoor Play Areas for Kids
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Best Science Centers & Discovery Zones
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Best Zoos, Aquariums & Animal Encounters
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Explore More Activities
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