15 Super Fun Things To Do in the Inland Empire with Kids

Updated for 2023

The Inland Empire is a growing community, encompassing cities and towns within both Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Covering over 20,000 square miles of land, and home to 4 million people, you’ll find dozens of fun things to do in the Inland Empire with kids.

For families, that means there are plenty of child-friendly activities, and plenty of adventures to have. Explore the region and find your favorites. Use this list of family-friendly ideas to get started.

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Family Fun in the Inland Empire

Planes of Fame Air Museum
14998 Cal Aero Dr., Chino, CA 91710-9085

For families who are aviation enthusiasts, the Planes of Fame Air Museum is a definite must-see! The museum, located on the north side of the Chino Airport, strives to preserve aviation history, teach, and honor aviation pioneers with its exhibits.

The Planes of Fame Air Museum boasts a collection numbering close to 160 aircraft and “nearly a quarter of these fly regularly.” You can choose to explore by taking a self-guided tour or request a guided tour online.

The Sawdust Factory
1525 Howard Access Rd., Bldg. F, Upland, CA 91786

The Sawdust Factory is a special place where kids (and adults) can create their own woodcrafts. Kids select their projects, add their own artistic touches, and create unique pieces of artwork. There are a variety of projects to choose from including birdhouses, bug boxes, race cars, picture frames, and much more.

You pay for the project plus a workshop fee. But check the website before visiting; there are periodic no-workshop-fee days! The Sawdust Factory also hosts birthday parties.

Amy’s Farm
7698 Eucalyptus Ave., Ontario, CA 91762

Amy’s Farm is a working farm that strives to provide visitors with the opportunity to experience an operating “urban farm.” Amy’s Farm focuses on sustainable, organic farming methods and tries to show visitors how they can incorporate those same methods at home with their own gardens.

Guided tours require a reservation, which can be made online. Families are also invited to stop by and visit or shop without reservations. Check the website for details on hours and prices. 

California Citrus State Historic Park
9400 Dufferin Ave., Riverside, CA 92504

A visit to the California Citrus State Historic Park will provide families with an understanding of the citrus industry and its influence on our state. The Park is a “living history museum,” with citrus groves still producing oranges, grapefruit, and lemons.

Once you arrive at this open-air museum, you’ll find a replica of a roadside fruit stand. There’s also a Visitor’s Center as well as plenty of picnic spots available. Take advantage of tastings and guided tours of the groves. Check the website for details on hours and prices. 

Looking for Hotels Near the Inland Empire?

• Holiday Inn Express Colton-Riverside North, an IHG Hotel, 2830 S. Iowa Av., Colton, CA 92324
• Americas Best Value Inn & Suites San Bernardino, 395 North H. Street, San Bernardino, CA 92410
• Ayres Hotel & Spa Moreno Valley, TownGate Promenade, 12631 Memorial Way, Moreno Valley, CA 92553
• Bear Springs Hotel, 27959 Highland Ave., Highland, CA 92346
• Hyatt Place Riverside/Downtown, 3500 Market St., Riverside, CA 92501

Related: Where to pick your own fruit in SoCal

Pennypickle’s Workshop — Temecula Children’s Museum
42081 Main St., Temecula, CA 92590

At Pennypickle’s Workshop, it’s all about play — and learning about science while you play. This special hands-on children’s museum is designed to look like Professor Pennypickle’s Workshop.

Different rooms include the Library where kids can learn about time and travel, the Dining Room for children to learn about electricity, the Music Room for learning about sound. the Kitchen to learn about chemistry, and the Bedroom for kids to learn about perception and illusion. There’s also the Bathroom, Pantry, Play Room, and Basement. Special family-friendly events are periodically planned at the Workshop.

Southern California Railway Museum
2201 S. A St., Perris, CA 92570

For train enthusiasts, the Southern California Railway Museum, formerly known as Orange Empire Railway Museum, is the place to go. This 90-acre site houses over 200 historic railway cars and locomotives. You’ll find artifacts dating back to the 1870s. Additionally, families can take rides on certain trolleys and trains each weekend and on major holidays. Special events are planned throughout the year; check the website for an updated list before visiting.

Related: Things to do in Temecula with Kids

Hidden Valley Nature Center
11401 Arlington Ave., Riverside, CA 92505

The Hidden Valley Nature Center is located on 1500 acres and includes 25 miles of hiking and equestrian trails. The Nature Center includes a variety of interactive activities for children, including the chance to observe live animals. Families will also enjoy the pond and picnic area. A variety of educational activities are held throughout the year; check the website for details on hours and pricing.

Chino Youth Museum
13191 Sixth St., Chino, CA 91710

The Chino Youth Museum welcomes families to come and explore. There’s plenty of space for kids to move around and plenty of opportunities for them to use their imaginations. They can pretend to cook, hop on a police motorcycle, work at a bank, and more.

The Museum plans a variety of special monthly events, seasonal events, and special summer programs with more information available online. The Museum also serves as a venue for birthday parties. Admission is charged and you should check the website for pricing and hours of operation before visiting. Generally, the museum is closed on holidays but it may be closed for other events as well. 

Related: Farms for apple picking in Socal

Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center (JMDC)
7621 Granite Hill Dr., Jurupa Valley, CA 92509

Open Saturdays and Sundays, the Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center offers free admission to a portion of the property including its 9 acres of botanical gardens — which includes over 20 dinosaur sculptures as well as a turtle pond, tortoise paddock, and picnic areas.

Inside the Museum, you’ll find one of the largest collections of Chinese dinosaur eggs on public display in North America as well as other fossils, rocks, and more. Additionally, the JMDC hosts field trips and special events throughout the year.

Related: Things to do in Palm Springs with kids

Western Science Center
2345 Searl Pkwy., Hemet, CA 92543

The Western Science Center is the “largest natural history museum in Riverside County.” Families will learn about a wide variety of subject matter including, “Ice Age giants to archeological mysteries,” with permanent exhibits including the Hall of Archaeology and Snapshots in Time — which is a “hands-on look at the fossil discoveries made during the excavation of Diamond Valley Lake.” The museum also hosts special free activities on Science Saturday held once each month.

Related: Things to do in Riverside with Kids

San Bernardino County Museum
2024 Orange Tree Ln., Redlands, CA 92374

The San Bernardino County Museum is a “regional museum with exhibits and collections in cultural and natural history.” Families can explore: the Hall of Biodiversity; the Hall of History; and Sculpted by Time Our Mountains, Faults, Lakes, and Caves to name just a few of the exhibition areas. The exploration continues outside where you’ll also find a Southern Pacific locomotive, a Santa Fe caboose, the “only dinosaur footprints ever found in southern California,” and more.

Van Buren Drive-In Theatre
3035 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, CA 92503

Located in the historic Arlington district of Riverside, Van Buren Drive-In is one of the few remaining drive-in theatres in the country. It was built on the site of a former orange ranch in 1964 and has had a facelift and some modern touches added over the years. As they say, “Why just go and see a movie when you can experience one?”

Castle Park
3500 Polk St., Riverside, CA 92505

Castle Park is a fun-filled amusement park filled with rides for all ages as well as miniatures golf courses, carnival games, shows, a water playground, and more. You’ll also find shops and food if your family gets hungry while you’re there. Check the website for pricing information as well as hours of operation.

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