10 Family-Friendly Activities in Sacramento

We’ve got you covered in the Sacramento date night department, helping you enjoy this beautiful city and its surrounding areas as a couple. But what happens when you’re searching for things to do in the area with the whole family in tow?

Thankfully, there are so many kid-friendly activities to choose from in the greater Sacramento area — so, you’re in luck.

Maybe you want to learn about a new activity to get out of your typical Saturday routine, or you are new to the area and need to stock up on family outing activity ideas. Whatever it is, we’re here to help! These are a few of our favorite family activities in Sacramento that we think are worth a shot.

Unlock Sacramento’s hidden secrets on an Urban Adventure Quest

Embark on a unique tour of Sacramento with Urban Adventure Quest, an interactive scavenger hunt tour available in many popular urban locales. The concept is similar to The Amazing Race, but happens in just one day, in your city, and on your schedule. Interested? See how it works!

Photo courtesy of Urban Adventure Quest

The Sacramento Urban Adventure Quest starts in the heart of the state’s Capitol and takes you on a journey among the historic points within the Capitol district and then into the fabled streets of Old Sacramento. You will encounter some famous and historic sites but also some lesser-known hidden secrets within the city and along the scenic riverfront. So get out there and experience Sacramento in a brand-new and highly interactive way as a family with Urban Adventure Quest!

Explore your artistic side at ArtBeast Children’s Studio

ArtBeast Children’s Studio promotes a “free-range childhood”, as they understand that discovering who you are is usually messy and loud. They also believe in the power of art exploration at a young age, and invite children under 6 to their open studio, art classes and arts exploration rooms to do just that. This creative art center benefits both your children and children in the local community, as proceeds from ArtBeast Children’s Studio help fund Tubman House, a residential community for homeless youth and children.

Photos courtesy of ArtBeast Children’s Studio

Have a happily ever after at Fairytale Town

As a parent, one of the things you value most is the opportunity for your kids to completely wear themselves out and get all of their bottled up energy out. Sacramento’s Fairytale Town provides the perfect venue for such an energy release, with its 36 exciting features and attractions. This is like a mini Disneyland — right in your backyard! The “town” holds 25 playsets based on nursery rhymes and fairytales, a friendly flock of farm animals, two performing arts stages and several gardens. What a fun and interactive way to learn and spend time together as a family.

Photos courtesy of Fairytale Town.

Examine the creatures at the Sacramento Zoo

What is a kid-friendly activity list without mention of the local zoo? But for good reason! The zoo is the perfect place to enjoy the great outdoors, see some fascinating creatures, spend time together as a family, and get a little exercise. The experience is all the better at the Sacramento Zoo, as it is located in sunny Sacramento!

The Sacramento Zoo is home to over 140 native, exotic and endangered species, so you’ll have plenty of furry, slimy, scaly and feathery creatures to look at, learn about and admire!

Photo courtesy of the Sacramento Zoo

Take a ride at Funderland Amusement Park

There’s something for everyone to do at Funderland Amusement Park, an action-packed amusement park located right next to the Sacramento Zoo. The park has tons of rides and various attractions scattered across its map.

If you’re in it for the long haul, grab a family value pack including 30 rides for just $44.95, or buy tickets individually if you’re just stopping by. Whatever your approach, your family will have a blast at Funderland Amusement Park!

Photos courtesy of Funderland Amusement Park

Enjoy America’s pastime at a River Cats game

Enjoy a classic American family tradition by watching a River Cats baseball game at Raley Field — as long as your family outing falls during their season! Grab a blanket, buy your tickets and some snacks at the concession stand, and sit in Home Run Hill as a family! Tickets only cost $10 per person in the wide-open grass area, and you’ll love the picnic-style approach to watching America’s favorite pastime.

Photo courtesy of the Sacramento River Cats.

Interact with nature at Discovery Museum & Science Space Center

Science does not have to be that dreaded subject you study in school that involves testing, charts, graphs and textbooks. Discover the fascinating and exciting scientific world together as a family with a visit to Discovery Museum & Science Space Center. You can take on the roles of NASA astronauts in the Challenger Learning Center, uncover relics in the Archaeological Dig, tour our celestial neighborhood in the Planetarium, or get up close and personal with nature in the Nature Discovery Room.

Photos courtesy of Discovery Museum & Science Space Center

Create and explore at Sacramento Children’s Museum

Another local museum we’re quite fond of is the Sacramento Children’s Museum. This nonprofit corporation strongly believes that play is an essential part of a child’s “work”. The space provides an imaginative and hands-on environment that allows children ages 0–8 years old the opportunity to develop new abilities, build confidence and learn about science, technology, engineering, and math in a highly interactive manner. Check out the list of exhibits ahead of time to see what’s store at the Sacramento Children’s Museum.

Photo courtesy of Sacramento Children’s Museum

Pick some apples at Apple Hill orchards and farms

Because a lot of these activities take place indoors, we thought we would recommend a great way to spend some time outside as a family. If you’ve been following our blog, you’ll know that we love Apple Hill Farms. While it makes a great destination for date night, as you can sample their wines and tour their vineyards, it also makes for the perfect place to go as a family. Apple Hill Farms have plenty of kid-friendly activities and attractions, from pony rides to you-pick blueberries, apples and pumpkins. The farms host several annual family events — particularly in the fall!

Photos courtesy of Apple Hill Farm

Hop on board an excursion train with the California State Railroad Museum

Kids love trains and parents value education, so a trip to the California State Railroad Museum is the perfect way to bring the two together. The museum is one of Sacramento’s largest and most popular visitor destinations, including numerous exhibits filled with 21 meticulously restored locomotives and cars. Your family will be fascinated by railroad history and learn a lot about how railroads have shaped lives over the years. Overwhelmed? Check out some of the museum’s favorite exhibits.

Photos courtesy of California State Railroad Museum

Hop on board an excursion train ride along the Sacramento River to see these vintage trains in action. Trains depart from Old Sacramento every hour on the hour between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday. The trains are in operation between April and September, so be sure to add this to your summer to-do list before it’s too late. In fact, get your tickets ahead of time and you’ll be set!

We hope this enhances your family’s experience in Sacramento!

What activities do you enjoy as a family in and around Sacramento? Let us know and we just might add it to our list!