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10 Things to do in Buena Park with Kids
We just recently got back from an epic Bucketlist trip to Buena, Park California and we seriously had the best time. My husband and I agreed that this was one of the most fun trips we have been on since having a Kid.
There are so many incredible things to do in Buena Park with kids and even Toddlers! My toddler had the time of his life on this trip and is still talking all about it even a few weeks later. I know that this is a destination that we will be visiting time and time again.
1- PlayPie
PlayPie is an interactive playground located at The Source OC that features over 12,000 square feet of play spaces for kids to learn, play and explore! This place was seriously so cute and there is even a small little area specially designed for the little ones.
There are many fun areas including a Jungle gym, a ball pit, slides, a foam little Merry-go-Round, a Foam house building area, little kid cars to ride, an interactive digital aquarium, a library with books in multiple languages, a little town where your kids can play make believe including a little restaurant, a fashion show area and a firefighter area.
There was also a really cute kid’s cooking station on a little conveyor belt. There is also a small cafe in the back where many parents and families were hanging out. Plan to spend many hours here with your little one. Our 2 year old did not want to leave!
Tip: Socks are required, but if you happen to be wearing sandals like I was, you can buy socks there for a nominal fee.
2- Eat Donuts at Mochinut
Also located at The Source OC, you need to make sure to try Mochinut! It is a very unique donut shop combining Hawaiian style donuts and Japanese Mochi. These taste different from “traditional” donuts, but dare I say I like them more?
They were so soft and delicious and will melt in your mouth! Our little guy was so excited to get some! They have many different flavors to choose from and the options are constantly rotating so make sure to check out their website before you go!
3-Pirates Dinner Adventure
Pirates Dinner Adventure is one of the very top things to do in Buena Park. It is an absolute must when planning a trip here. It’s seriously just sooo cool. We even made DIY Pirate costumes to bring or if you want you can buy Pirate costumes to wear (you don’t have to dress up- it just adds to the fun!) Pirates Dinner Adventure is an interactive live dinner show where the audience can actually be involved in the fun. There are special effects, aerial artistry, sword fighting and duels. The show takes place on a replica 18th century Spanish ship that actually sits on an indoor lagoon. The audience sits in seats surrounding the ship.
Make sure to arrive early because there is actually a little pre-show and appetizers and the pirates walk around and talk to you which is so fun for families and little kids. After the pre-show, we headed into where the show was going to take place and there were pirates walking around talking to everyone and getting you to join in the fun. They may ask you if you or your kid want to be involved in the show, but obviously if you don’t want to be you can politely decline.
The show lasts about 2 hours and to be honest, I was a little worried about how my Toddler would do because he is so active, but he actually did so well and really loved it! This show is a rowdy and fun good time so it’s honestly perfect for Toddlers because they can cheer, clap, laugh and be loud with the rest of the audience.
Click here to book your tickets for the Pirate Dinner show!
Don’t forget to meet the pirates after the show!
4- Knott’s Berry Farm
It had been many years since I had been to Knott’s Berry Farm. I last went when I was a little kid so it was only fitting that I would take my son while he is a little kid. Knott’s Berry Farm is an incredible amusement park and is definitely one of the top things to do in Buena Park. It’s also perfect for all ages because there are 4 different themed areas and there is something for every age of kid or Adult. The thrill rides at Knott’s Berry Farm can’t be beat!
Because we were traveling with our 2-year-old Toddler, we primarily spent most of our time in Camp Snoopy. Camp Snoopy is a Peanut’s Themed area of the park geared towards toddlers. There are a handful of fun rides for them and it’s really nice because the lines aren’t very long (which is good because my little one isn’t very patient right now).
Camp Snoopy also has lots of yummy treat stands and little games to play with the most adorable prizes.
Tip: Double-check the height requirement before waiting in line. We accidentally waited in line for a ride and didn’t realize my toddler wasn’t quite tall enough yet!
Book your tickets here!
One of the highlights of our trip and definitely on our Toddler’s list of Top Things to do in Buena Park was meeting Snoopy!
5- Big Air Trampoline Park
Big Air Trampoline is one of the best things to do in Buena Park with kids! My little one absolutely loves trampoline parks. He calls them “jumping parks” and it’s so cute. Make sure to check their website if you have toddlers because they have a special Toddler time some days from 9 AM-11 AM which I really love so toddlers won’t get run over by the bigger kids!
Big Air Trampoline has many attractions including a Zero-Gravity Court, trampoline dodgeball courts, slam dunk courts, ninja-warrior courses, foam pits (our little one loves these), a climbing wall and more!
6- Play at a Local Park
As any parent of an active kid knows, going to the park is great to get some energy out for little ones! And Buena Park has some seriously great options. One of the best local parks is called Ralph B. Clark Regional Park. It has hiking trails, sports facilities and even lakes. There is also an Interpretive Center with a really great prehistoric fossil collection- which is a huge for my toddler because he is in his Dinosaur Era.
We also enjoyed Boisseranc Park which is very close to Porto’s Bakery. There were huge open fields and a couple of fun different playgrounds for my little one. I especially loved it because there were gorgeous purple flowers all over the trees.
There are numerous other parks in Buena Park and it’s one of the top things to do in Buena Park with kids.
7- John’s Incredible Pizza
John’s Incredible Pizza is a perfect activity for families and definitely deserves to be on this list for top things to do in Buena Park. John’s Incredible Pizza is a huge 50,000 square foot space with all-you-can-eat food, themed rooms to eat in and a huge arcade that includes a few small rides and a mini bowling alley.
There is something for everyone with the themed rooms and I even saw a Cabin themed area, a Beach themed area and we of course found ourselves in the Cartoon room with our Toddler which was super cute and where most of the families with young kids were. There were also some big screens through out showing kid’s shows so it was perfect to capture our 2-year-olds attention so we could eat as much food as we wanted!
The selection of food is amazing! They have tons of different pizzas (definitely try the 4-cheese and thank me later), chicken, nachos, potatoes, pasta, salads and more. The drink selection was great and we were even surprised to find and ICEE machine included as part of our package! There is also a huge sweets and dessert selection with cookies, cinnamon rolls, mini donuts and soft serve ice-cream.
There were tons of games for all ages and my little one had so much fun. He even rode on a little dinosaur ride- it was pretty adorable.
You won’t regret bringing your family to John’s Incredible Pizza while in Buena Park, California!
8- Get Pastries from Porto’s Bakery & Cafe
Visiting Porto’s Bakery and Cafe is almost mandatory to be on a list of top things to do in Buena Park because it is so famous and for good reason! It has actually been voted #1 Restaurant in the Country on Yelp. It is actually a family-owned Cuban business and they actually still use original recipes they brought from Cuba in 1963.
We stopped by for breakfast, but the sandwiches and salads on the lunch menu looked amazing too! Here is what we tried and I highly recommend all of it: First the sweet items- a Refugiado (Guava and Cheese Strudel), Apple Strudel and a Cheese Roll (my personal favorite and I seriously regret only ordering one especially because it was only $1). Now for the savory items: a croissant, chicken empandas and a potato ball (which they are famous for).
The food is seriously delicious and somehow it is still at such a great price!
Tip: It gets very busy here! If you have a Toddler with you or an impatient kid/kids, I suggest ordering ahead online! (This also fills up fast so make sure you have your order ready to go a bit ahead of the time you are actually wanting to pick up your food).
9- Eat at Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner
Eating at Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner while at Knottsberry Farm is absolutely one of the top things to do in Buena Park with kids. In fact, it has been named one of the Top 50 Most Kid-Friendly Restaurants in the US! It has actually been open since 1934 and they are legendary for their Cordelia Knott’s fried chicken and homemade biscuits (don’t forget to try the Boysenberry jelly). If you are still hungry after your feast, make sure to try a Boysenberry pie too!
It is located outside the main gate of Knott’s Berry Farm and it is a great way to take a mid-day break from the park.
Tip: It is popular here, make sure to reserve yourself a spot ahead of time, especially if traveling with a Toddler.
If you forgot to get a Reservation and it’s too busy when you arrive, fret not- right down the corridor is Mrs. Knott’s Chicken to go and it serves all of the same food as the restaurant.
10- Medieval Times
Medieval Times is one of the top things to do in Buena Park and it has actually been rated North America’s #1 dinner attraction! We sadly weren’t able to make it to this dinner show on our trip, but we definitely will plan on going for our next visit to Buena Park!
It is a two-hour immersive show and dining experience, similar to Pirates Dinner Adventure and it features swordplay, horsemanship and transports you to medieval times! You also receive a meal during Medieval Times and it is a four-course meal (where you can’t use any silverware!) All apart of the fun.
Depending on the section you are sitting in, you will cheer on your champion Knight and will enjoy watching a tournament with epic fights all inside an 11th century castle.
Where to Stay in Buena Park
We enjoyed staying at The Doubletree by Hilton Buena Park. It was very family friendly and they had great customer service. We absolutely love the special touch of the free fresh and delicious cookies upon arrival. It is also in the best location- right in the center of everything. You can even walk to many of the attractions if you want or you can take the trolley!
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