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5 Brilliant Things to Do in Buena Park with Kids

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My son and I spent a few days finding the best things to do in Buena Park, California during his Kindermoon. Scroll down for all our adventures!
This list of the best things to do in Buena Park CA was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.

I love taking 1-on-1 trips with each of my boys. It’s the perfect way for us to get away from our regular life distractions and make special memories.

We spent a few days in Buena Park, California before my oldest went to kindergarten and we had a BLAST!

Keep scrolling for all the Buena Park things to do with kids!

Why Did We Visit Buena Park?

I visited Buena Park in Orange County for the first time earlier this year as part of the AWEsome Retreat, a conference for theme park bloggers.

I was blown away by the sheer amount of kid-friendly activities and things to do in Buena Park for families.

So, after showing my son photos and videos of some of Buena Park’s best attractions, he was pumped!

My 5-year-old got to decide how long we spent in places, what activities to do, and what treats to indulge in!

We spent a few nights at the Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel, which is within walking distance of Knott’s Berry Farm and Knott’s Soak City and is just a short drive from tons of kid-friendly things to do in Buena Park.

It also makes a great jumping off point for other kid-friendly things to do in Orange County.

5 Best Things to Do in Buena Park, CA with Kids

Pirates Dinner Adventure

I’m sure you’ve heard of Medieval Times, a themed dinner theater restaurant where you can gnaw on turkey legs while watching knights joust.

Image of a boy holding two flags at the Pirates Dinner Adventure in Buena Park CA
We loved this fun photo op before we headed in for our Pirate Dinner Adventure in Buena Park. Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

The Pirates Dinner Adventure is very similar, except that it’s pirate-themed and it’s incredibly interactive.

If your child is remotely outgoing, the Pirates Dinner Adventure in Buena Park is a MUST! And it’s a great excuse to dress like a pirate!

There are so many opportunities for kids to participate in the show. We saw children carrying treasure chests, helping with cannons, and high-fiving pirates!

Image of a mom and son dressed as pirates at the Pirates Dinner Adventure in Buena Park
We had to practice our pirate faces! Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

There’s even a part where kids are selected to go on stage and mimic a pirate’s silly dance before officially becoming pirates themselves!

My son got to wear a life jacket and race around the pirate ship in a little boat while making silly faces as part of a competition between the pirates!

His favorite part was cruising through the ship where he got to see more pirates!

What’s for dinner?

Dinner is a 3-course meal. There’s the option for soup or salad to start. The main course for adults was 1/4 chicken, mashed potatoes, and sauteed vegetables.

They do a really nice job with the kids’ meals. My son got a plate with macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, chicken nuggets, and cantaloupe. And none of the food was touching!

Dessert was chocolate cake with raspberry drizzle and even though we were full, we managed to gobble up the entire piece!

Image of a boy posing with a pirate at the Pirates Dinner Adventure in Buena Park
Make sure to snap a photo with a pirate! Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

At the end, there was plenty of time to take photos with the pirates!

Insider tip: There are some loud noises from a pop gun, so you might want to warn kids who are sensitive to loud sounds.

Check the latest rates for Pirates Dinner Adventure tickets.

Knott’s Berry Farm

One of the most popular things to do in Buena Park is play at Knott’s Berry Farm. It started as a farm nearly 100 years ago and now it’s a huge regional theme park.

Image of a boy in a red baron airplane at Knott's Berry Farm
Camp Snoopy is filled with fun, kid-friendly rides like this one! Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

What I love about Knott’s Berry Farm is that they have super crazy roller coasters for older kids, teens, and adults, but they also have a large selection of rides geared for little ones.

My son and I spent almost all of our time playing at Camp Snoopy, which is geared for toddlers, preschoolers, and young kids.

If your child is taller than 42 inches, there are lots of rides they can do without an adult! This was perfect for our family because my son can hop on rides more frequently than I can, so it was win-win!

Even though we came in the summer, the lines for the rides weren’t very long. And because of all the trees, we were shielded from the sun while we waited.

Plus, Camp Snoopy had a lot of places to sit and relax in the shade!

If you are a Snoopy fan, you can meet him and other Peanuts characters throughout the park as well as in a special photo op area.

Image of a boy posing with Franklin and Snoopy at Knott's Berry Farm
We loved seeing the Peanuts characters! Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

And you can watch a Peanuts show multiple times a day. There’s tons of seating and it’s a nice place to rest.

Insider tip: If your kids need to burn off some sugar, have them do Huff and Puff. It’s a ride where they have to power themselves in order to move. And then, take them to the swinging bridges where they can run and climb on the rocks.

Get your Knott’s Berry Farm tickets here.

Knott’s Soak City

Summer vacations and water parks go hand in hand. Thankfully, there’s a kid-friendly water park right across the street from Knott’s Berry Farm.

Knott's Soak City is a fun thing to do in Buena Park, CA this summer with kids.
This water playground is awesome for kids who want medium-sized water slides. Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

It’s called Knott’s Soak City and it has everything from super high water slides to a wave pool and little kid play structures.

My 5-year-old started off braving the medium size slides at Beach House, a 3 story structure with water cannons and a huge bucket of water that gets dumped every few minutes!

And then he headed to Gremmie Lagoon where he spent hours exploring the submarine, splashing in the water, and repeatedly riding the small water slides in this kid play area.

My favorite thing to do at Knott’s Soak City was relaxing in the lazy river. My son and I hopped on inner tubes and it reminded us of when we went tubing on Kauai.

Image of a boy playing with Duplos at Knott's Soak City
The cabana area was perfect for taking a break from the sun. Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

We had a cabana and it was nice to have a shady spot to relax and recharge before heading back out to play!

I appreciated that it came with a safe so I was able to easily access my camera and wallet and then lock them up when we hit the slides.

Plus, we had a waiter who brought me the best shrimp ceviche to enjoy on a sunny California day! Find out the best tips for Knott’s Soak City.

Insider tip: Don’t forget to bring your own towels!

The Source

We love exploring Asian malls around Seattle and Vancouver because you just never know what you’ll find.

While not strictly Asian, The Source is a shopping center that features some unique places to eat, shop and play in Buena Park.

Basilur Tea

We started off with incredibly light and fluffy souffle pancakes from Basilur Tea. We tried both the trendy ube as well as the classic strawberry and both were incredible!

Basilur Tea in Buena Park, CA is known for their souffle pancakes.
The ube pancakes were so fluffy and not too sweet! Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

They also have a large selection of coffee and tea drinks so you can be fully caffeinated to explore with your kids!

The restaurant is set up so beautifully that you’ll want to just hang out.

PlayPie

Next, we headed to PlayPie, an indoor playground that has activities for all types of children.

Living in Seattle, my family frequents ALL the indoor playgrounds and I can say that we’ve never seen a play area as inclusive as this one.

If your child is more physical, they will love the half of PlayPie that is full of slides, climbing walls, obstacle courses, and climbing structures I haven’t even seen before (and I really thought I’d see them all!)

One of the most unique things is a bristled slide where kids can race down in inner tubes!

And if your child is more imaginative, there’s a full line of playhouses where kids can become firefighters, police officers, restaurateurs, veterinarians, grocery store clerks, etc.

There’s also a whole room where kids can draw on screens and interact with technology. My son loved the activity where he got to basically be a part of an iPad game by jumping on things on the floor!

And I was super impressed with the extensive reading area featuring books in many different languages!

They also have a cafe featuring Asian and American snacks and lots of chilled drinks.

Oh, and I absolutely have to talk about their bathrooms. It’s completely set up for kids (which you’d hope for.)

But, they also have Dyson faucets that include a powerful hand dryer right at the sink! And they have slippers available for those who don’t want to wear just their socks into a public restroom. I love this so much!

Insider tip: Remember to bring socks or you’ll have to buy some there.

What Else to do in The Source

We spent a lot of time walking around The Source and I was impressed with the amount of wall art they have. And it’s all so different from each other.

We also saw tons of cute cafes and one place that sold adorable animal-shaped macarons.

We were so sad they were closed when we were there because my son had his heart set on getting some Angry Bird macarons!

Another cool store had a section that was an art gallery. It featured an artist who repurposes paper products to create huge robots.

We probably spent a full 15 minutes just looking at all the creations through the windows!

And moms might get a kick out of the KPOP makeup shop and kids’ clothing stores. Plus, there’s a movie theatre.

It seemed like half the shopping center was still under construction, so there are about to be even more cool places to visit at The Source!

Big Air Trampoline Park

Trampoline parks are popping up all over the country. We have quite a few in the Seattle area and each one seems to be a bit different.

If you're heading to Buena Park with kids, be sure to play at Big Air Trampoline Park.
Kids will love running and jumping at Big Air Trampoline Park. Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

Big Air Trampoline Park is set up almost exclusively for kids (as opposed to the American Ninja Warrior style ones for kids and adults.)

There are a couple of sections geared specifically for kids 6 and younger: a foam pit with a bunch of seats around and a little trampoline wall where kids can throw balls around.

Now, the thing that sets Big Air Trampoline Park apart from the others is that they have a kid-friendly mechanical bull for kids ages 5 and older.

Kids get 30 seconds to try to stay on the bull or get thrown into the inflatable pit.

I think the operator has a lot of control over the speed/intensity because my son’s first ride was very gentle and then it got crazier the more times he went on!

My son spent a lot of time in their Zero-Gravity Court, which is just a bunch of trampolines put together on the ground and walls where kids can run, jump and bounce.

He attempted to battle another kid on the Galactic Gladiators Battle beam for the first time, but almost immediately got knocked off.

There’s also climbing walls, places to jump into foam pits, dodgeball courts, etc.

Insider tip: You can rent small or large lockers for a fee. And you’ll need to wear their sticky socks in order to jump.

Buena Park with Kids

And that sums up my top 5 best things to do in Buena Park CA with kids.

We spent a full 3 days playing hard and we could have easily added another day or two just in Buena Park. We would have added the Medieval Times dinner (theme dining experiences are just so fun!)

And we could have easily added another day to hang out at Knott’s Berry Farm. I was surprised by how quickly the day flew by and we mostly just explored Camp Snoopy.

Where to Stay in Buena Park CA

Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel

My son and I stayed at Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel. It was my second time staying there and I have to say it’s really convenient if you are planning on spending a lot of time at the parks.

I mean, where else can you stay where you can snap a selfie with Snoopy in the lobby?

They also have on-site laundry. And if you download the app, it will tell you when your laundry is ready!

There’s also a nice pool area with a small water feature for kids.

Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim

If you are planning to do Medieval Times and the Pirates Dinner Adventure, you might consider staying at the Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim.

Both of these top attractions are a 3-minute walk, which is really nice if you have kids and just want to get back to the hotel room for bed.

I think we spent about 10 minutes trying to get out of that parking lot with our Uber.

It’s also 3 minutes from Porto, an amazing Cuban-style bakery and cafe that is extremely popular (and delicious!)

They also just renovated their lobby.

Hampton Inn Buena Park

Another option is the Hampton Inn Buena Park. The rooms are huge and people are raving about the facilities.

What’s cool about this Hampton Inn is that they offer free breakfast, wifi, and parking. Knott’s Berry Farm is just 3.3 miles away and Medieval times and the Pirate Dinner Adventure are less than 2 miles away.

Image of a boy in front of a Knott's Berry Farm store
You won’t run out of things to do in Buena Park, California! Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

Things to do in Buena Park California FAQs

What is Buena Park CA known for?

Buena Park is known for being the home of Knott’s Berry Farm, one of the most popular theme parks in California. The city is also home to a number of other attractions, including the Movieland Wax Museum, Medieval Times, and Pirate’s Dinner Adventure. Buena Park is also a popular destination for shopping and dining.

How far is the beach from Buena Park California?

The closest beach to Buena Park is Huntington Beach, which is about 15 miles away. Other nearby beaches include Seal Beach, Sunset Beach, and Long Beach.

What are some fun facts about Buena Park?

Buena Park CA was founded in 1887 by James A. Whitaker, a grocer from Chicago. The city was originally named “Whitakerville,” but the name was changed to “Buena Park” in 1890. Buena Park is home to Knott’s Berry Farm, one of the oldest and most popular theme parks in California.

What is Buena Park close to?

Buena Park is a city in northwestern Orange County, California, located approximately 12 miles northwest of downtown Santa Ana and about 20 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. It is also located close to other Orange County cities such as Anaheim, Fullerton, and La Mirada.

Are there any seasonal events in Buena Park?

Yes! During Halloween, Knott’s Berry Farm transforms into Knott’s Scary Farm and Knott’s Spooky Farm. There’s also a holiday-themed seasonal event called Knott’s Merry Farm. Both are great for the whole family.

Buena Park in Southern California Wrap-Up

Buena Park, California is a fantastic destination for anyone visiting Southern California, offering a range of exciting attractions and activities that are sure to delight visitors of all ages.

From the thrilling carnival rides and entertainment of Knott’s Berry Farm and the refreshing water park fun at Knott’s Soak City, to the many other Buena Park attractions and amenities that make this city a top West Coast destination.

Whether you’re visiting Buena Park for a family vacation, a weekend getaway, or a day trip from nearby cities like Anaheim or Los Angeles, there is something for everyone to enjoy in this vibrant and exciting community.

So why not plan your visit to Buena Park today and experience the fun and excitement of this unique and dynamic destination?

With so much to see and do, it’s the perfect place for a memorable vacation that the whole family will love.

Thanks to Visit Buena Park for hosting us on this media trip. All opinions are my own.

Looking for more fun things to do in Buena Park? Check out my tips for Knott’s Berry Farm and Knott’s Soak City water park!

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