Things to Do with Kids in San Jose — 48 Family-Friendly Places

A charming small zoo and amusement park combo with gentle rides, puppet shows, and close-up animal encounters. Sized perfectly for young children with lemurs, capybaras, and a petting zoo.

Walk-in pottery painting studio where kids can choose from hundreds of ceramic pieces to paint. Staff fires the pieces in a kiln and they're ready for pickup in about a week. Great rainy day activity.

A 13,000 sq ft two-floor indoor playground at Eastridge Mall featuring ball pits, slides, hurdles, a full arcade, and safe spaces for babies, toddlers, and big kids. One of San Jose's most popular play destinations for families.

Northern California's largest water park with over 30 rides and attractions. Features a dedicated kids' area with shallow pools and mini slides, plus thrilling water coasters for older kids and teens.

The largest ice rink facility west of the Mississippi with six NHL-sized rinks in a 370,000 sq ft facility. Offers public skating, hockey leagues, figure skating lessons, and birthday parties. An incredible venue for skating enthusiasts of all ages.

A creative 18-hole indoor miniature golf course in downtown San Jose inspired by the South Bay, combined with a full restaurant and bar. Each hole features distinctive, high-tech designs. Families welcome before 8pm, 21+ after 8pm.

A 4,500 sq ft play space on The Alameda in San Jose for children ages 8 weeks to 8 years, filled with play structures, games, toys, and room to imagine. Offers open play sessions, classes, camps, and private birthday party events.

A pirate-themed indoor playground at Westfield Oakridge Mall filled with nautical-themed slides, climbing sections, and play areas for children under 10. Engaging pirate decor makes every visit an adventure on the high seas.

Entertainment hub at Eastridge Shopping Center featuring bowling, Japanese arcade games, claw machines, rhythm games, karaoke, billiards, ping pong, and darts. Popular for family outings and birthday parties.

A fun-filled trampoline park at 5502 Monterey Rd in South San Jose offering wall-to-wall trampolines, dodgeball, a ninja warrior course, performance trampolines, and a dedicated kids zone. Popular for birthday parties and group events.

Lucky Strike San Jose (formerly Bowlero San Jose) is a massive 59-lane bowling center near Oakridge Mall with a trendy menu, arcade, lounge area, and bumper bowling for kids. One of the Bay Area's largest bowling venues, great for large groups, birthday parties, and family fun.

Massive 240,000 sq ft entertainment complex with inflatable jumpers, rock climbing wall, basketball court, craft area, arcade games, bocce ball, and more. Also offers ice hockey, soccer, and roller skating.

A massive 4,163-acre park with 37 miles of trails on historic mercury mining grounds. The free Mining Museum has Gold Rush-era exhibits. Kids love the mine tunnel diorama.

The largest park in Santa Clara County at 9,560 acres with 51 miles of trails through oak woodlands, grasslands, and Grant Lake. The easy 1-mile loop around Grant Lake is stroller-friendly. Spring wildflowers are spectacular. 22 family campsites available for overnight stays.

One of California's oldest municipal parks (1872) with 720 acres of rugged beauty. The flat Penitencia Creek Trail is perfect for strollers, shaded by trees along a scenic creek. Playground in the mid-canyon area.

A free urban farm park with a unique chicken-shaped playground, free-roaming peacocks, ducks, and chickens, plus a barn with goats, sheep, pigs, turkeys, and rabbits. Fruit orchards and community gardens offer peaceful strolling. Saturday classes teach kids cooking, gardening, and animal care.

Gateway to Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge with wetlands, salt ponds, and 200+ bird species. Easy marsh trail and free kayak boat launch.

One of the largest youth theater companies in the country. Produces 11 full-scale productions per season and casts all who audition. Year-round studio classes in voice, acting, and dance, plus summer camps.

The largest children's museum west of the Mississippi with a purple building you can't miss. Features water play, a real fire truck to climb, bubbles exhibit, and a mammoth discovery area. The outdoor play area has a real rescue helicopter.

The Bay Area's #1 after-school coding enrichment program designed by teachers and software engineers. Bringing TK through 8th graders education in STEM, coding, and computer science since 2015. Programs at partner schools.

The San Jose Library system offers free weekly story time sessions at multiple branches in English and Chinese. Features songs, fingerplays, and early literacy activities. The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library is the flagship location.

The largest gymnastics program in the South Bay, with locations in San Jose, Sunnyvale, and Morgan Hill. Preschool, recreational, and competitive classes for all ages plus specialty tumbling and trampoline programs.

The #1 STEM program for kids offering coding, robotics, and maker activities. Mini Makers for grades 1-2 introduces coding and robotics through designing video games and creating robotic inventions. Project-based learning approach.

Serving 100+ Bay Area school locations across all 9 counties with after-school chess programs. Covering public, private, and charter schools, making chess education widely accessible throughout the San Jose metro area.

Best-in-class youth soccer program for ages 2-8 with expert coaching, communication, and curriculum. Non-competitive intro to soccer focusing on character development, teamwork, and fun through the beautiful game.

Parent-child gymnastics classes starting at 4 months with structured programs growing with your child through pre-K and grade school. Multiple San Jose locations offering gymnastics, dance, sports skills, and birthday parties.

A Silicon Valley STEM museum where kids design roller coasters, code robots, and explore biotech. Features an IMAX theater and rotating exhibits focused on innovation, engineering, and solving real-world problems.

World's largest after-school math and reading program helping children become self-learners. Daily worksheets build mastery through repetition and incremental advancement. Multiple Bay Area locations in San Jose, Cupertino, and beyond.

Bay Area pho sensation with bone marrow broth simmered over 24 hours. Fresh noodles and high-quality beef. Multiple locations in San Jose, Cupertino, and Palo Alto.

Authentic Southern-style slow-smoked BBQ with beef brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and homemade sides. Kids' meals for children 10 and under. A San Jose favorite.

Legendary Vietnamese pho restaurant in San Jose with rich broth, tender meats, and fresh noodles. Clean, spacious, and family-friendly. Cash only but worth the trip for some of the Bay Area's best pho.

Three-story Italian food emporium at Westfield Valley Fair with multiple restaurants, a market, and kids' pasta cooking classes. Browse Italian groceries, grab pizza or pasta.

Lively Mexican seafood restaurant with fresh ceviches, grilled seafood, and a fun family-friendly atmosphere. Colorful decor and outdoor seating create a festive vibe. Great margaritas for parents.

A lodge-inspired restaurant with an excellent kids menu featuring real food (not just chicken nuggets), coloring activities, and a dog-friendly patio. The rustic atmosphere and generous portions make it a family favorite.

A beloved Bay Area pizza chain known for its California-style pizza by the slice. Colorful surf-themed decor, quick counter service, and big slices make it a hit with kids. Multiple locations throughout the Bay Area.

Fresh homemade udon noodle chain that started the Bay Area udon craze. Thick-cut noodles in flavorful broths -- hot or cold options. Also in SF Japantown, San Mateo, and Mountain View.

Family-friendly chain restaurant on Blossom Hill Road with the legendary 250+ item menu. Kids love choosing from the extensive kids menu and finishing with cheesecake. High chairs and booster seats available.

Exciting all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ where families grill their own meats at the table. Kids love the interactive cooking experience with various cuts, marinades, and side dishes. Great for special occasions.

Casual dining chain known for deep-dish pizza, craft beer, and the famous Pizookie dessert. Kids menu includes personal pizzas, mac and cheese, and chicken tenders. The Pizookie is a warm cookie in a skillet topped with ice cream.

A family classic in downtown San Jose with Victorian decor and a real trolley car you can eat inside. Affordable pasta dinners include salad, bread, and spumoni ice cream. Kids eat free on certain nights.

Family-oriented pizza chain with large TVs for sports, arcade games for kids, and spacious seating perfect for birthday parties and team events. Crispy curly pepperoni is their signature.

Family-owned Thai and Vietnamese restaurant in San Jose and Hayward serving authentic flavors since 2004. Generous portions, friendly staff, and a welcoming atmosphere for families with children.

Fun and lively gourmet burger restaurant at Eastridge Mall with over two dozen burger recipes. Kids love the bottomless steak fries. Kids menu has mini-burgers, chicken tenders, mac and cheese, and pizza.

Beloved pancake house serving breakfast all day with a dedicated kids menu featuring funny face pancakes, chocolate chip pancakes, and silver dollar pancakes. A breakfast institution with multiple Bay Area locations.

The classic kids' entertainment restaurant with arcade games, trampolines, an animatronic show, and fresh-baked pizza. Birthday party packages available. Kids earn tickets from games to redeem for prizes.

A legendary independent children's bookstore in San Jose's Willow Glen neighborhood, Hicklebee's has been a community treasure since 1979. They stock books, games, and toys for infants through teens, and host regular author events and storytimes.

A teacher and parent favorite for educational toys, games, and classroom supplies. Features a free craft station on Saturdays where kids can make a take-home project. Great selection of STEM toys and learning materials.

One of the West Coast's largest bookstores near Westfield Valley Fair, with a sprawling children's section featuring books, educational toys, stuffed animals, and games. Regular storytimes and kids' events make this a family destination.