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Best Things to Do in Anaheim with Kids Besides Disneyland
- Jun 15
- 7 min read
Disneyland is the obvious answer when people think about things to do in Anaheim with kids.
But it is definitely not the only answer.
Maybe you have an extra day in town. Maybe you need something fun after checkout. Maybe your family needs a break from long lines, crowds, and walking. Or maybe you live nearby and want a kid-friendly activity in Anaheim that does not require a full theme park day.
The good news is that Anaheim and the surrounding Orange County area have plenty of fun options for families. From hands-on activities to food halls, escape rooms, museums, and interactive experiences, here are some of the best things to do in Anaheim with kids besides Disneyland.
1. Play a family-friendly escape room
Escape rooms can be a great choice for families because everyone gets to work together. Instead of sitting and watching something, kids get to search, solve, notice clues, open locks, push buttons, and feel like they are part of the adventure.
At Exit Game OC in Anaheim, our most kid-friendly escape room is Meow! I’m a Cat! In this game, players become cats trying to find their way home. It is colorful, silly, playful, and designed to be approachable for families and newer escape room players.
This is a good choice if you want something:
Indoors
Air-conditioned
Private for your group
Around one hour
Fun for kids and adults together
Different from another arcade, movie, or playground
For families with older kids, teens, or kids who enjoy spooky stories, The 13th Basement may also be an option. It is a funny-scary escape room with a horror-comedy tone.
If you are visiting Anaheim with kids and want something memorable that is not another full-day attraction, a family-friendly escape room can be a great fit.
The Anaheim Packing District is a great family stop when everyone is hungry but nobody agrees on what to eat.
Instead of choosing one restaurant, families can walk around, look at different food options, grab dessert, and take a break together. This can be especially helpful with kids because one person may want something simple, another may want something sweet, and the adults may want actual food that is not shaped like a cartoon character.
It is also a nice option if you want something casual before or after another Anaheim activity.
A simple family plan could be:
Play an escape room
Go to the Anaheim Packing District for food
Head back to the hotel or continue your Anaheim day
3. Check out Discovery Cube Orange County
Discovery Cube Orange County is a hands-on science museum in nearby Santa Ana. It is not in Anaheim, but it is close enough that many families visiting Anaheim consider it for a non-Disney day.
This is a good option for younger kids, curious kids, and families who want something educational without it feeling like school.
Kids can explore interactive exhibits, learn through play, and get some energy out in a more structured environment than a mall or restaurant. It can be especially useful if you are looking for something to do during the day before heading back to Anaheim for dinner or an evening activity.
4. Try a flight or racing simulator
For older kids and teens, Flightdeck + Rogue Racing in Anaheim can be a very different kind of family activity.
Instead of a traditional attraction, it offers simulator experiences where guests can try flying or racing in a more immersive setting. This may be especially fun for kids who love planes, cars, video games, racing, or anything that feels technical and hands-on.
This is probably not the best fit for very young kids, but for the right age group, it can be a memorable Anaheim activity that feels completely different from Disneyland.
5. Go to an arcade or game center
Arcades are an easy win for families because kids can play at their own pace and adults do not have to over-plan every minute.
They are also helpful when you need something flexible. You can stay for a short time, make it part of a bigger day, or use it as a backup plan when another activity ends earlier than expected.
Arcades are especially good for:
Mixed-age groups
Cousins or birthday groups
Kids with extra energy
Families who want something casual
A low-pressure activity after a long day
If you want the day to feel more special, pair the arcade with a more structured activity first, like an escape room or museum.
6. Plan a kid-friendly birthday activity
If you live near Anaheim, birthday planning can start to feel repetitive. Pizza places, trampoline parks, bowling, arcades, and movie theaters are all fun, but sometimes kids want something different.
A private escape room can be a strong birthday idea because the group gets a shared mission. Instead of everyone scattering, the kids work together toward one goal.
For younger kids and family groups, Meow! I’m a Cat! is a playful option because it is not scary, not dark, and not built around adult themes. It gives kids the feeling of doing a “real escape room” while still being designed to feel approachable and fun.
This can work well for:
Cousin outings
Family celebrations
Visiting relatives
End-of-school activities
Summer break activities
7. Explore a park, playground, or library activity
Not every family activity needs to be expensive or highly produced.
Anaheim has parks, libraries, and community programs that can be a good fit for younger kids, especially if you live nearby or are staying in town for more than one day. These can be useful for filling a morning, giving kids a calmer activity, or balancing out a busier afternoon plan.
A good family day does not have to be one giant event. Sometimes the best plan is one paid activity, one simple activity, and one good meal.
For example:
Morning playground or library activity
Afternoon escape room
Early dinner at the Anaheim Packing District
That kind of day gives kids variety without exhausting everyone.
8. Choose an indoor activity when the weather is too hot
Anaheim summers can get warm, and kids do not always handle heat, crowds, and walking with grace. Honestly, adults do not always handle it with grace either.
That is why indoor activities are worth planning ahead.
Escape rooms, museums, arcades, movies, food halls, and simulators can all give your family a break from the sun while still making the day feel fun.
If you are visiting Anaheim during summer, it is smart to have at least one indoor backup plan. That way, if the kids get tired or the day gets hotter than expected, you are not stuck choosing between “go back to the hotel” and “push through until everyone melts.”
9. Pick something adults will actually enjoy too
The best family activities are not just tolerable for adults. They should be fun for adults too.
That is one reason escape rooms can work well for families. Kids get to explore and solve, while adults get to participate instead of just supervise. A good family escape room gives everyone something to do.
At Exit Game OC, Meow! I’m a Cat! was created to be fun for kids without making adults feel like they are just standing in a children’s play area. It is silly and family-friendly, but still gives the whole group an actual game to play together.
10. Build a mini Anaheim family itinerary
If you are trying to plan a non-Disney day with kids in Anaheim, here is a simple version:
For younger kids
Start with a park, library activity, or Discovery Cube. Then do an early dinner and a family-friendly escape room like Meow! I’m a Cat!
For tweens
Try an escape room, arcade, food hall, or hands-on museum. Tweens usually like activities where they feel like they have some control and are not just being dragged around.
For teens
Consider a funny-scary escape room like The 13th Basement, a simulator experience, an arcade, or a food stop with lots of choices.
For mixed-age families
Choose one activity that everyone can do together, then pair it with food. Escape rooms, food halls, movies, and museums are usually easier for mixed-age groups than activities that only appeal to one age range.
FAQ: Things to do in Anaheim with kids besides Disneyland
What are the best things to do in Anaheim with kids besides Disneyland?
Some of the best things to do in Anaheim with kids besides Disneyland include family-friendly escape rooms, the Anaheim Packing District, arcades, nearby museums, simulator experiences, parks, libraries, and indoor activities for hot days.
Are escape rooms good for kids?
Yes, escape rooms can be great for kids when the game is designed with families in mind. A good kid-friendly escape room should be approachable, not too scary, and fun for adults too. Meow! I’m a Cat! at Exit Game OC is designed as a family-friendly escape room in Anaheim.
What can families do in Anaheim on a hot day?
On a hot day in Anaheim, families can choose indoor activities like escape rooms, museums, arcades, movies, food halls, and simulator experiences. Indoor activities are especially helpful during summer or after a long theme park day.
What is a good Anaheim activity after hotel checkout?
After hotel checkout, look for something that is easy to schedule and does not take the whole day. A one-hour escape room, lunch at the Anaheim Packing District, an arcade visit, or a nearby museum can work well before a flight or drive home.
What is a good birthday party idea for kids in Anaheim?
A family-friendly escape room can be a fun birthday party idea for kids in Anaheim because the group gets a private adventure and a shared goal. Meow! I’m a Cat! is a playful, cat-themed escape room designed for families and kids.
Is there anything to do in Anaheim if we are not going to Disneyland?
Yes. Anaheim has escape rooms, food halls, entertainment centers, simulators, parks, libraries, nearby museums, restaurants, and family activities that do not require a Disneyland ticket.
Looking for a family-friendly activity in Anaheim?
Exit Game OC is an Anaheim escape room company with two private escape room experiences.
For families and kids, Meow! I’m a Cat! is our colorful, silly, cat-themed escape room. For older kids, teens, adults, and groups who like spooky comedy, The 13th Basement offers a funny-scary adventure.
If you are looking for something fun to do in Anaheim with kids besides Disneyland, we would love to host your family.
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