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Fun Activities for Kids in Santa Barbara
67
items Looking for family-friendly adventures in Santa Barbara? This board is packed with exciting activities, attractions, and hidden gems that kids of all ages will love!
Sections
16
Beaches
Critters & Creatures
General Resource Pages
Ice Cream
Misc.
Museums
Beaches
Sun, sand, and splash! Discover Santa Barbara’s best kid-friendly beaches for relaxing, playing, and soaking up the coastal fun.
Wide beach with calm waters—perfect for younger kids.
Leadbetter Beach Park
Kid-friendly waves, fun tide pooling, a small creek for safe water play.
Arroyo Burro County Beach Park - Santa Barbara Parks
Long sandy stretch, gentle waves, playground nearby, volleyball courts, bike paths.
East Beach
Complete list of beaches here - santabarbaraca.com/plan-your-trip/beaches-parks
Santa Barbara Beaches and Parks | Visit Santa Barbara
Critters & Creatures
Get up close with furry, feathered, and scaly friends! Explore kid-friendly animal encounters around Santa Barbara.
My #1 Pick!
Santa Barbara Zoo
Great for a stroller walk and bird‐watching (200+ species!)
Andrée Clark Bird Refuge
An indoor tropical exhibit with ~1,000 butterflies from Costa Rica; open through summer (check for current run)
Sprague Butterfly Pavilion | Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Guided hikes offering insect and wildlife education—occasional “stop to observe insects crawling” and learn about natural habitats.
Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve
General Resource Pages
Helpful local links, directories, and event calendars for planning family-friendly fun around Santa Barbara. Start your adventure here!
Large directory of restaurants, businesses and events.
Downtown Santa Barbara
Big list of campgrounds and more.
Camping Parks | Santa Barbara County, CA - Official Website
More than books—the library offers free passes for Ice in Paradise skating, access to event calendars, educational classes, and art spaces (including the Faulkner Art Galleries).
Santa Barbara Public Library
Large list of children's activities.
Children's Activities - Santa Barbara.com
Ice Cream
Cool off with a sweet treat! Discover Santa Barbara’s favorite spots for cones, cups, and creative frozen flavors kids love.
A long-time Santa Barbara staple since 1949, known for ultra-creamy, scratch-made ice cream using grass-grazed milk and local ingredients.
McConnell's Fine Ice Creams
Noted for its small-batch, intensely flavored scoops.
Rori's - Enjoy life before it melts... eat ice cream
32 unique flavors, handmade waffle cones, and scenic ocean views.
The Great Pacific Ice Cream Company - Stearns Wharf Pier
Located at Paseo Nuevo, offers artisan gelato made entirely from scratch; flavors range from classic to exotic (pistachio, passion fruit, espresso)
Tondi Gelato
Found inside Your Choice Thai—several Thai-inspired, small-batch flavors like Thai Tea Oreo and Vietnamese Coffee Mud Pie.
Creaminal
A family-owned shop on State Street, emphasizing all-natural, locally sourced ingredients for a classic, high-quality scoop.
Cuso's Creamery
Misc.
A little bit of everything else! Discover unique activities, hidden gems, and fun surprises in Santa Barbara that don’t fit into other categories—but are definitely worth exploring.
A charming coastal landmark offering stunning ocean views and a peek into maritime history. Perfect for family strolls, photos, and spotting boats and wildlife.
Point Cabrillo Lighthouse
Museums
Explore hands-on exhibits, fascinating history, and creative art that spark curiosity and fun for kids and families in Santa Barbara.
Pet sea creatures at the Touch Tank!
Sea Center | Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Discover the wonders of science and the joy of creativity across MOXI's three floors. Interact with hands-on exhibits.
MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation - Santa Barbara, CA
Largest teddy bear museum in the U.S.
Susan Quinlan Doll & Teddy Bear Museum & Library
Open by reservation for individuals or small groups (you can sign up via their “Plan a Visit” form).
Bosse Toy Train Museum
Gardens and Parks
Open spaces for running, playing, picnics, and exploring nature—Santa Barbara’s parks are perfect for family fun and fresh air adventures.
City views, oak groves, picnic spots, and short kid‑friendly trails.
Franceschi Park
Creek beds, oak/chaparral trails, picnic tables, and even a paragliding landing zone (kids love watching!)
Parma Park
Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation - complete list of parks and beaches.
Parks and Recreation
Reservations Required
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
Picture-Perfect Locations
Here are some of Santa Barbara’s most photogenic spots—beloved by families and Instagrammers alike.
This colorful, rain‑bowed art installation frames the ocean and palm trees—perfect for bright, dramatic shots
Santa Barbara's Chromatic Gate: A Rainbow of Wonder on the Waterfront
This is a place best visited on foot. The street is very narrow and parking is extremely limited.
'Wall of Frogs' A unique local art exhibit that has continued to grow since 1989.
Vibrant street art, trendy cafes, and winery backdrops create a colorful, playful urban vibe—great for candid shots.
The Funk Zone | Visit Santa Barbara
Spanish‑Colonial architecture, lush Sunken Gardens, and the 360° Clock Tower offer endless photo variety and epic city or ocean vistas.
Courthouse Sunken Gardens
Tall palms, a lagoon, playground, and scenic waterfront paths make this a fun, family‑friendly photo location, especially at sunrise or sunset.
Chase Palm Park
Iconic pier vibe with dolphins, harbor life, and seagulls—ideal for fun and casual family snapshots.
Home - Stearns Wharf Pier
More Instagram worthy locations here!
10+ Instagram-Worthy Locations - Visit Santa Barbara
Pizza
Mesa Pizza earns rave reviews for its thick-crunchy, scratch-made crusts and creative gourmet toppings inspired by South African, French-Creole, and Dutch heritage.
Mesa Pizza Co
Tucked just off State Street, this intimate pizzeria serves expertly crafted sourdough crusts and inventive toppings like the standout lemon‑mushroom pie. Consistently praised as Santa Barbara’s best pizza by locals and reviewers alike.
Saint Bibiana - Pizza, Beer and Wine in Santa Barabra | Saint Bibiana - Santa Barbara Pizza
A Westside favorite serving artisan sourdough pizzas with crisp crusts and seasonal, chef-inspired toppings. Casual, creative, and top-rated.
Revolver Pizza
Serves both deep-dish Chicago-style and thin-crust Neapolitan pizzas, all made in-house with fresh dough and sauce. Located on State Street.
Santa Barbara Pizza House
Known for its Build-Your-Own pizzas and unbeatable 2-for-1 deals, using locally sourced ingredients. Casual, family-friendly, and great for custom pies.
Fatte's Pizza of Santa Barbara
Rentals
From bikes and scooters to beach gear and kayaks, find everything you need to explore Santa Barbara with ease. Perfect for family adventures and outdoor fun!
Offers a wide variety of bikes: beach cruisers, electric bikes, surreys, roller skates, boogie boards, and more
Santa Barbara Bike Rentals, Beach Rentals, Bike Tours | Wheel Fun Rentals
Bike + Beach Equipment Rentals
Santa Barbara Bike Tours
Pedal-assist and throttle e-bikes available.
e-BIKERY Electric Bike Rentals
Restaurants
Tasty bites for the whole family! Discover kid-friendly menus, casual spots, and local favorites in Santa Barbara that everyone will enjoy.
Top kid friendly restaurants list - santabarbara.com
Top Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Santa Barbara | Visit Santa Barbara
Yelp's best kid friendly restaurants guide.
TOP 10 BEST Kid Friendly Restaurant in Santa Barbara, CA - Updated 2025 - Yelp
Kids eat free with purchase of an adult entrée ($6+) Tuesdays (4–10 PM):
Denny's | 3614 State St |
Road Trip Activity & Journal Books
Keep kids entertained and engaged on the go with fun puzzles, games, and spaces to write or draw their travel memories—all in one handy book!
Over 100 activities - car games, puzzles, writing prompts, questionnaires, interview ideas, scavenger hunts, brainteasers, and more,
Road Trip Activities and Travel Journal for Kids|Paperback
Travel activities, guided journal prompts and souvenir space.
Here I Go!: A Travel Journal|Paperback
This travel journal has fun prompts, areas to doodle, circle the answer areas, and blank areas where kids can glue in memorabilia.
Adventure Awaits Travel Journal for Kids: Vacation Diary for Children:120+ Page Travel Journal|Paperback
Tiny Shoppers’ Paradise
From candy stores to toy shops and everything in between, these Santa Barbara spots are perfect for little shoppers looking for fun finds, treats, and special souvenirs.
Iconic old‑school candy shop with huge jars, homemade fudge, 25 flavors of saltwater taffy, and even novelty candies kids love.
Mother Stearns Candy - Stearns Wharf Pier
Toys, books, and unique gifts for kids.
Chicken Little Kids
Great for board games, comic books, and family-friendly entertainment options,
Metro Entertainment :|: Comics, Games, Toys and More! :|: Santa Barbara, CA
Local, friendly shop with skateboards, apparel, shoes, and knowledgeable staff; perfect for beginner skaters.
Lighthouse Skate Shop
Skateboards, gear, and youth apparel.
Xanadu Skate Boutique
Tours and Cruises
Explore Santa Barbara by land, sea and air! Family-friendly tours and scenic cruises offer fun ways to discover wildlife, history, and stunning coastal views together.
25-minute narrated public boat rides between the Harbor and Stearns Wharf every hour.
Lil' Toot Santa Barbara
90‑minute, narrated, hop-on/hop-off trolley that highlights the Old Mission, County Courthouse, butterfly tree, beaches, and iconic neighborhoods.
Santa Barbara Trolley Tours Sightseeing & Charters | Santa Barbara Trolley Company
A DUCK‑style vehicle that drives through historic streets and then transitions into a harbor cruise.
Land Shark Tours in Santa Barbara
Calm harbor and ocean paddling with guides who handle safety and navigation. Ideal for family duos.
Santa Barbara Kayaking Tours - Santa Barbara Adventure Co.
Hop aboard for a thrilling ocean adventure! Spot whales, dolphins, and more with expert guides—fun and unforgettable for all ages.
Condor Express | Santa Barbara Whale Watching
Take to the skies for breathtaking views of Santa Barbara’s coast, mountains, and landmarks. A fun, sky-high adventure the whole family will remember!
Scenic Flight Tours — Above All Aviation
Traveler-Approved Essentials
From stylish, comfortable footwear to durable tote bags and on-the-go must-haves — discover travel-friendly favorites approved by frequent flyers and wanderlusters alike.
These top-rated slip-ons offer all-day comfort, breathable mesh, and easy wear for life on the go.
Women's SKECHERS Performance Go Walk Flex Relish Hands Free Slip-Ins
Premium cushioned sneaker with a 4.7★ rating. Lightweight and elegant, it takes walking comfort up a notch.
Women's On Cloud 6 Coast
Rugged and supportive with excellent traction — great for hikes, playgrounds, and uneven terrain. APMA-endorsed and parents say “no complaints” from kids
Merrell Kids Trail Chaser 2 (Little Kid/Big Kid)
Named best walking shoe in the WH 2025 Fitness Awards
Women's Hoka Mach 6
Podiatrists widely recommend Saucony shoes as some of the best choices for children’s footwear.
Saucony Kids Cohesion KDZ Sneakers (Little Kid/Big Kid)
Highly rated for all-day comfort and support, making them perfect for walking and exploring rugged terrain on vacation.
Men's Salomon Speedcross 6
Cotton canvas tote
Beaded Large Canvas Tote Bag
Workshops and Classes
Hands-on learning and creative fun for kids of all ages! From art and cooking to nature and science, Santa Barbara offers plenty of classes to spark curiosity and build skills.
Fun chocolate making workshops Friday - Sunday.
Menchaca Chocolates of Santa Barbara