There is endless entertainment and things to do with kids in Sacramento. One of the many reasons my family chose to move to the beautiful City of Trees was because of how much there is for families to do. 

Sacramento tends to get overshadowed by other California cities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles. However, it’s a fantastic place to raise a family or visit with children. The location of Sacramento is also incredible, with access to quick day trips to popular spots like Lake Tahoe and San Francisco. With numerous kid-friendly activities and places to explore, there is no reason for any child in Sacramento to be bored.

Need more reasons why Sacramento is ideal for kids? The hundreds of parks in the Sacramento suburbs are pristine. Outdoor recreation opportunities are abundant. There are museums for kids of all ages and Gold Rush history galore. The farms, food scene, and kid-friendly restaurants in Sacramento are abundant. Whether you live in Sacramento and want to check out all the best things to do with little ones or are making the Capital city a quick stopover, these are the top outings for kids in Sacramento.

Best Things To Do with Kids in Sacramento

Top Outdoor Things To Do with Kids in Sacramento

1. Sacramento Zoo — Land Park

Kids of all ages, especially train enthusiasts, will enjoy this interactive and beloved Sacramento museum. There are cabooses to climb aboard, a darling play space for younger children, and fascinating historical facts to learn about. 

2. Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary — Folsom

It might be small, but it’s a cute animal sanctuary for a fun morning or afternoon. It’s also home to different animals than the ones you’ll see at the Sacramento Zoo. My family loves going to the Folsom Zoo for their annual events like Wild Howl-O-Ween and Folsom Zoo Lights. 

3. Funderland Amusement Park — Land Park  

Before spending the big bucks at Disneyland, test out the thrills of this kiddie amusement park in Land Park. Admission grants access to all the rides in the park. There are often promotions, too. 

RELATED: A Guide to Land Park in Sacramento for Kids

4. Fairytale Town — Land Park  

Directly across the street from the Sacramento Zoo and Funderland is Fairytale Town. There are farm animals, climbable structures and slides with fairytale theming, gardens, a puppet theater, and a story center. Younger kids will love Fairytale Town and their adorable seasonal events. 

5. Splash Pads — Multiple Sacramento Locations

It’s not a secret that Sacramento gets hot, so taking kids to splash pads is an ideal way to beat the summer Sactown heat. Luckily, there are tons of splash pads in Sacramento for kids. There are 12 splash pads in Elk Grove, alone. A few noteworthy splash pads in the area include White Rock Splash Park in Rancho Cordova, Crabb Park in Roseville, and Oasis Park in Elk Grove. 

6. Effie Yeaw Nature Center — Carmichael

Budding explorers will love all there is to do and discover at this lovely nature center. There’s an outdoor “Montessori-inspired” play area, informative exhibits inside the visitor center, and easy hiking trails that lead to the American River. 

7. Quarry Park Adventures — Rocklin

Adventurous kids in Sacramento will love the adrenaline rush at this outdoor adventure park. There are zip lines, free falls, rock climbing, and paddle boats. 

8. Golfland Sunsplash — Roseville

Half mini-golf, half water park, Roseville Golfland Sunsplash is a family-favorite amusement center for kids in Sacramento. Extend the entertainment with laser gel, bumper cars, and go-karts. 

9. Folsom Lake

Families flock to Folsom Lake to take advantage of the sandy beaches in the summertime. It’s one of the essential things to do in the Sacramento area in the summer. Granite Bay is a popular spot for said beach day. Sandy lakeside shores aside, there are ample hiking trails at Folsom Lake. In luckier years, there may even be a spring lupine superbloom. 

10. Safetyville USA — Rancho Cordova 

This miniature town aims to teach kids about safety lessons in the immersive confines of a scaled-down version of Sacramento. They hold many events, often biking events, so kids have a safe, enclosed space with realistic streets and working street lights to learn how to ride a bike. 

11. Playgrounds — Multiple Sacramento Locations 

We are truly blessed with the amount of parks and playgrounds for kids in Sacramento. There are far too many to name, but a few noteworthy ones include Castle Park in Folsom and District 56 in Elk Grove. 

12. Aquatic Centers — Multiple Sacramento Locations 

If you don’t feel like hauling kids to the coast in the summer, Sacramento’s aquatic centers are a fun option for water play. Some impressive aquatic centers in the area have water playgrounds and waterslides. A few aquatic centers to check out include the North Natomas Aquatic Center, Roseville Aquatics Complex, and Wackford Aquatic Complex in Elk Grove. 

13. Scandia Family Fun Center — North Highlands  

This kid-friendly outing has mini-golf, bumper boats, go-karts, batting cages, an arcade, and more.

14. Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park — Midtown 

Kids can step into culture and history at Sutter’s Fort, which is right in Midtown Sacramento. Explore reconstructed buildings and take self-guided tours to learn California history in an immersive environment. 

15. McKinley Park — East Sacramento  

A wonderful large wooden playground, rose garden, and duck pond will keep the kids busy at this gorgeous park. Grab some sandwiches from Corti Brothers and have a family picnic in McKinley park. The McKinley Library and Clunie Pool are also in the park.  

16. UC Davis California Raptor Center — Davis  

For a unique, free activity, visit the UC Davis Raptor Center. Take a self-guided tour to see and learn about the owls, hawks, and animal ambassadors that call the center home. 

17. Hagan Park — Rancho Cordova 

While there are many parks throughout Sacramento for kids, Hagan Park makes the list for its unique animal encounters. For $5 a family (cash only), kids can meet farm animals at Hagan Community Barn on Saturdays. 

18. Lake Natoma — Rancho Cordova  

Folsom Lake might be the more famous lake in the Sacramento area, but Lake Natoma tends to be the less busy of the two waterways. Stroll around the calm lake or rent water vessels from the Sac State Aquatic Center for on-water fun. 

Best Indoor Things To Do with Kids in Sacramento

19. California State Railroad Museum — Old Sacramento

Kids of all ages, especially train enthusiasts, will enjoy this interactive and beloved Sacramento museum. There are cabooses to climb aboard, a darling play space for younger children, and fascinating historical facts to learn about. 

20. Sacramento Children’s Museum — Rancho Cordova

Younger kids in Sacramento who are ages eight and younger will enjoy hours of entertainment at the Sacramento Children’s Museum. There are ample opportunities for pretend play, an art studio, reptiles to see, ever-changing exhibits, and fun seasonal events. 

21. Funbox Sacramento — Natomas

Jumping over obstacles, climbing, and sliding will entertain kids of all ages at this inflatable bounce park in Natomas. There are free arcade games for when you need to take a breath from the nonstop leaping.

22. SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity (MOSAC) — River District 

Explore the interactive space, nature, and engineering exhibits at this Sacramento science center for kids of all ages. Admission also includes planetarium shows in the UC Davis Multiverse Theater. 

23. California Automobile Museum — Old Sacramento

Don’t drive by this gem of a museum. Park the car and enjoy all the many kid-friendly features at the California Automobile Museum. There’s a large indoor play space, cars you climb into, and a scavenger hunt.

24. Aerospace Museum of California — North Highlands 

This museum is full of fun, interactive exhibits. While small, it’s packed with informative learning opportunities about air and space. There are over 30 historic aircraft to see in their outdoor exhibit. 

25. Crocker Art Museum — Downtown Sacramento 

It might not seem like an art museum would be the best place to take kids in Sacramento, but the immersive Tot Land alone will amuse young children. Tot Land is an engaging play space with a ship at its centerpiece. The Crocker has frequent kid-friendly programs, like toddler art classes, baby gallery walks, and family gallery adventures. 

26. B Street Theatre — Midtown 

Introduce kids in Sacramento to the theater at a young age. What makes the B Street Theatre so unique is its family series. Always-rotating productions for children frequently include adaptations of famous novels and stories. 

27. Utility Exploration Center — Roseville  

This unique learning center is a mini science center in the Martha Riley Library building. It focuses on the utilities and conservation efforts in the city of Roseville. There are engaging hands-on exhibits for all ages, educational programs, workshops, and League of Explorers science labs.

28. Underground Mini-Golf — Old Sacramento  

If you want to play mini-golf but it’s too hot in Sacramento, which occurs frequently, then Underground Mini-Golf is a fantastic option. The Gold-rush-themed course fits in perfectly at this Old Sacramento spot. 

29. State Indian Museum — Midtown  

For a day of history and culture, combine this museum outing with Sutter’s Fort since the two are adjacent. The State Indian Museum is a small museum full of educational artifacts and exhibits covering California’s Native American heritage.  

30. Bookstores — Multiple Sacramento Locations  

We’re lucky to have many wonderful independent bookstores in the Sacramento area. A Seat at the Table in Elk Grove is especially great for kids since it has an interactive play space with a camper and kitchen. Books aside, Wild Sisters Book Co. has bunny story times, and the East Village Bookshop has popsicles. 

31. Sacramento Library  

There is so much to love about the Sacramento Library. You’ll find tons of free storytimes at libraries throughout the area and other entertaining free programs and resources for kids. Plus, you can get free passes through the Discover & Go program to select museums in Sacramento, San Francisco, and the Bay Area.

Other Must-Do Things with Kids in Sacramento

32. Old Sacramento Waterfront

Step back in time as you stroll along cobblestone streets amid Gold-Rush-era buildings while taking in views of the Tower Bridge. Peruse the shops and restaurants, go on the carousel, and visit this riverfront historic district during the different seasons as Old Town decks itself out for the holidays.

33. Sports Games (Kings, River Cats, A’s, Republic) — Multiple Sacramento Locations 

Root on the home teams at local sports games! Light the beam at the Golden One Center while donning purple and black to cheer on the Kings. Head to Sutter Health Park to catch the River Cats or A’s. Finally, don’t forget about a Sacramento Republic FC game. 

34. River Fox Train — West Sacramento  

Sacramento has no shortage of train rides for kids. The River Fox Train has family-friendly seasonal train rides and the unique opportunity to ride train tracks on railbikes. 

35. Midtown Farmers Market  

The first time we visited Sacramento, we went to the Midtown Farmers Market and were awed by its sheer size. Grab a delicious farm-to-fork bite to eat, and let the kiddos help pick out seasonal produce from one of the 200 vendors.  

Best Seasonal Activities for Kids in Sactown

36. California State Fair — Cal Expo 

Summertime means fair time in California’s capital city. It gets hot, but the fair is a family summer Sacramento tradition. Get a Dole whip, peruse the exhibits inside the pavilions, eat the fried fair food, ride the monorail, and enjoy the amusement rides. Don’t miss these money-saving tips for the California State Fair.

37. The Polar Express Train Ride — Old Town Sacramento  

A popular holiday tradition for kids in Sacramento is The Polar Express train. The California State Railroad Museum brings the classic book to life each year. Act fast on tickets, as they sell out quickly! 

38. Apple Hill — Placerville  

Fall in Sacramento means it’s time for an annual visit to the famous Apple Hill! Go apple picking, indulge in apple cider donuts, enjoy pumpkin patches, and discover new farms, or return to your favorites. There are over 50 farms at Apple Hill. 

39. California Capital Airshow — Mather  

Look toward the sky for astounding aerial acrobatic performances. Kids will be awed by the aircraft. There are lots of hands-on, family-friendly activities throughout the day.