Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around San Diego
San Diego's most popular places to take kids in 2026
Every summer, thousands of local parents, grandparents, and caregivers weigh in on their favorite local places to take kids. This page is where we showcase the 2026 list of winners for the San Diego area. (Click here for the full list of nominees.)
Of course, there are literally hundreds of wonderful places to take your kids in our area, not just this year's winners! Get great ideas here! After you check out the list, make sure to find great things to do on our packed daily calendar, sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter, and visit our Everything That's Free page for lots more ideas.
| Top 20 Ranking | Category Winners |
| 1. San Diego Zoo 2. San Diego Model Railroad Museum 3. Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation, Discovery Campus 4. Oceanside Museum of Art 5. FUNbelievable Play 6. Birch Aquarium at Scripps 7. Balboa Park / Balboa Park Carousel 8. Legoland California Resort 9. San Diego Air & Space Museum 10. San Diego Botanic Garden 11. USS Midway Museum 12. Fleet Science Center 13. San Diego County Fair 14. Torrey Pines State Beach 15. Old Town San Diego State Historic Park 16. La Jolla by the Sea 17. San Diego Padres 18. Seaport Village 19. SeaWorld San Diego 20. The New Children's Museum |
Arts Educator: Oceanside Museum of Art Sports Educator: Bay Club - Multiple Locations STEM Educator: San Diego Craft Collective Farm Attraction: Oma's Family Farm Indoor Play Center: Plunge San Diego Museum: San Diego Model Railroad Museum Nature Center: San Diego Botanic Garden Outdoor Fun: LEGOLAND California Resort Performing Arts: Museum of Making Music Sports Team: San Diego Padres |
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Camp Invention
Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation - Discovery Campus
The Discovery Campus at Agua Hedionda Lagoon brings nature to life through hands-on exhibits, animal ambassadors, and interactive environmental education. Explore the trails, join a program, or meet Bingo the Mini Pig- there's something for every age to discover!
FUNbelievable Play
San Diego Craft Collective
Craft with Us!We’re proud to be recognized as San Diego’s #1 STEM Educator!
As a 501c3 nonprofit, our mission is simple: make hands‑on craft accessible, meaningful and fun for everyone.
At San Diego Craft Collective, we teach modern and traditional craft to all ages. Our studio offers a wide range of crafts—woodworking, ceramics, glass arts, fiber arts and more—taught by professional, family‑friendly instructors. We also offer youth camps, private craft events and scholarships.
Craft strengthens confidence, self‑expression, problem‑solving and personal growth. Explore craft with us today!
