The Ultimate Kids’ Summer Guide to the Sacramento Area

With three months off of school and gorgeous summer weather, the possibilities for kid-friendly activities in the Sacramento area are endless. From refreshing water parks to historical underground adventures, these are some of our favorite kid-approved ways to spend your long summer days.

Sign Up for Summer Camps

Photo Courtesy of National Academy of Athletics

There are so many amazing day camps happening in the area this summer, focusing on art, theater, nature and sports. Sign up for an educational, hands-on, active or creative camp that will keep your kids occupied and, perhaps more importantly, provide a fun and memorable experience!

The National Academy of Athletics offers a variety of programs for boys and girls of all ages. Each session is one week long, available for beginners to more experienced players, covering a wide range of sports, including baseball, basketball, soccer, volleyball, lacrosse, and much more. Enjoy the convenience of a nearby location, as you can use their locator to find a camp near you.

Take a Dip at A Local Swimming Pool

If you don’t have a pool in your backyard, you may be searching for a local pool for the family to cool off in during the summer. Thankfully, there are plenty of pools located in and around the city!

City of Sacramento Pools — Sacramento

Folsom Aquatic Center — Folsom

Roseville Aquatics Complex — Roseville

Sierra Pool — Auburn

Wackford Aquatic Complex — Elk Grove

West Sacramento Aquatics Center — West Sacramento

Cool Off at a Water Park

Or ramp up your pool experience with a visit to one of these thrilling water parks in the area.

Photo Courtesy of Raging Waters

Raging Waters

Raging Waters at CalExpo hosts plenty of rides, slides, wave pools, rivers and kiddie pools — totaling more than 25 exhilarating water attractions for children and adults alike. Consider buying season passes to enjoy the waterpark all summer long AND unlimited admission to the California State Fair!

Golfland-Sunsplash in Roseville

Golfland-Sunsplash has 30+ exciting rides and attractions, including the popular Riptide, a toe-curling 65-foot drop loaded with dizzying twists and turns that ends with a high-speed shot up a nearly vertical wall. Or stay dry with a fun game of miniature golf at Golfland-Sunsplash, located in Roseville!

Wake Island Waterpark

Wake Island Waterpark in Pleasant Grove is the largest waterpark resort on the West Coast. This 80-acre aqua park contains more than 50 new inflatable slides, bridges and towers, all interconnected and floating in a large, clean lake surrounded by a sandy shore. The park also offers cable wakeboarding, beach volleyball, pedal boats and paddleboarding. This is the ultimate summer experience for kids — and kids at heart!

Take a Ride at Funderland Amusement Park

Photo Courtesy of Funderland Amusement Park

Funderland Amusement Park is located in a kid-haven area of William Land Park, next to Fairytale Town, the Sacramento Zoo, and lots of wide-open park space to explore. Funderland has been dishing up kid-sized thrills since 1947. The park features a variety of rides, from a Flying Dragon roller coaster to a peaceful Funderland Train ride. This is the perfect way to entertain your little ones with rides and attractions designed just for them!

Take the Family to Fairytale Town

Photo by Karen Iddings // Courtesy of Fairytale Town

Fairytale Town is the ultimate source for family-friendly fun during the summer — and all year long. Once you’ve experienced Funderland Amusement Park, head over to Fairytale Town for a fun and interactive chance to imagine, play and learn. The park hosts 25 playsets based on nursery rhymes and fairytales, a friendly flock of farm animals, two performing arts stages, and several gardens! With low admission fees (from $4.75–$5.75), a visit to Fairytale Town is a no-brainer.

Visit Scandia Family Fun Center

The Scandia Family Fun Center is a one-stop-shop for exhilarating family entertainment. There’s something for everyone, with tons of rides, arcade games, miniature golf, batting cages, and restaurants. Make sure you don’t miss the Crazy Dune Coaster or the Sky Screamer, which both tower over the family fun center!

See the Animals at The Sacramento Zoo

You can never beat the Sacramento Zoo for summertime fun — thanks to their jampacked events calendar, educational kids programs, and of course, the amazing animal exhibits on display. Make the zoo part of your summer routine, which is even easier (and cheaper!) if you become a member.

Learn about Trains at the California State Railroad Museum

Photo Courtesy of Kelly B. Huston via the California State Railroad Museum

The California State Railroad Museum provides endless opportunities to learn about and explore a kid favorite — trains. This museum in Old Sacramento showcases the feats of engineering and ingenuity that have kept the Golden State steaming along for nearly 200 years. Take a tour of immaculately restored engines and cars, attend an event, or take a scenic 45-minute ride on the Sacramento Southern Excursion Train running every weekend along the Sacramento River.

Attend a River Cats Game

Photo Courtesy of the Sacramento River Cats

Head to Raley Field for a Sacramento summer tradition — a River Cats game. Grab a blanket and get $10 general admission tickets for the lawn, and enjoy a cool summer night under the lights. Just add popcorn, hot dogs and coke! Check out the River Cats’ schedule to plan your family outing to the ballpark.

Go River Rafting

Photos Courtesy of American River Raft Rentals

Cool off with an action-packed adventure along the American River with American River Raft Rentals, located in Rancho Cordova. It is the largest and most experienced rafting company in California offering self-guided raft trips on the lower American River through class I-II rapids. Book a raft for the whole family or a group of friends for a fun and exhilarating summer experience!

Escape the Heat at Rocknasium

Photo Courtesy of Rocknasium

Keep the kids active while escaping the summertime heat at Rocknasium in Davis. This indoor rock climbing and fitness facility is one of the oldest climbing gyms in the country, and has been focused on their community and climbing since they opened their doors in 1992. There are plenty of options for kids, including after-school classes, summer camps and more.

Take Flight at The Aerospace Museum of California

Photo Courtesy of the Aerospace Museum of California

Got a future pilot in your family? The Aerospace Museum of California is a popular museum filled with aerospace wonder — perfect for kids interested in all things related to flying. Take a ride in their new Morphis Simulator and explore the many aircraft exhibits on display at the Aerospace Museum of California!

Explore the City With a Sacramento Underground Tour

Photo Courtesy of the Sacramento History Museum

Who says history class has to end once summer break begins? Explore the fascinating underground world of our city on the Old Sacramento Underground tours departing from the Sacramento History Museum. This half-mile guided historical walking tour lasts approximately one hour, during which time you will learn how the streets and buildings were lifted to avoid further flooding. Explore hollow sidewalks, sloped alleyways, and underground spaces with the guidance of an informative tour guide!

Take a Day Trip to Apple Hill Farms

A day spent on the farm is always good for the soul. Apple Hill Farms has an amazing collection of farms offering up year-round fun — including a number of farms operating during the spring and summer. Take a trip to Bluestone Meadow, Bolster’s Hilltop Ranch, Rainbow Camino Ridge Berry Patch, 24Carrot Farm, Goldbud Farms, Harris Tree Farm, Mill View Ranch or Patrick’s Berry Farm for family-friendly farm fun!

Happy Summer!

How is your family spending the summer? We’d love to know what kid-approved activities we’re missing out on!