Gates Canyon Park / Brandon's Village - Calabasas

The 7 acre Gates Canyon Park at 25801 Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Calabasas includes picnic areas with barbeques, fitness course, children's play area, basketball court, tennis courts and plenty of open grass area.  The park is north of the 101 freeway and east of Las Virgenes.

Brandon’s Village at Gates Canyon Park originally opened in October 2006 as a universally accessible playground. It was completely renovated in 2024 with a million dollar upgrade and the theme “Above the Tree Line.” This 15,000 sq ft all-inclusive playground has play structures for ages 2-5 and 5-12. There is also a new sand area and trike zone for creative play.

Visit www.cityofcalabasas.com/government/community-services-parks-recreation/parks-trails-and-facilities for more information.

Photo of a portion of the original Brandon’s Village play structure that was remodeled in 2024.

Spotlight Dance and Acting Studio in Thousand Oaks

Spotlight Dance and Acting Studio is located at 1655 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd in Thousand Oaks. Spotlight offers classes in dance, acting, tumbling, and singing year round and there are classes available for ages 18 months to 17 years. Spotlight also hosts fun themed birthday parties and camps!

For more information, visit SpotlightDanceAndActing.com or call/text 805.719.1555

Casitas Water Adventure in Ventura

Casitas Water Adventure is a water park at the Lake Casitas Recreation Area that is open throughout the summer, generally from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend (mid-Sept for weekend sessions).

There are two distinct areas. For younger children, there is an aquatic play structure designed for all ages, with two water buckets and five slides - two for kids and three for teens and adults.

The new Aquatic mega play unit Structure completed in 2023

The 1,200 foot long Lazy River offers a cool water ride on inner tubes along a scenic waterway featuring waterfalls, fog filled bridges and jet sprays. The inner tubes are available on a first-come, first-served basis, but usually there are plenty of them on hand.

The 1,200 foot long lazy river at Casitas Water Adventure is my kids' favorite.

For the very youngest tots, a zero-depth pool sprays water from all angles, providing a safe, fun play area.

Shaded decks, lounge chairs, showers, restrooms and a snack bar are available, but food is not allowed inside the park (though you can bring bottled water). Certified lifeguards are on hand at all times and life jackets are available at no extra charge while supplies last. Locker rentals are available for a nominal fee.

Do take note that they don't heat the water here. It is a bit on the cold side for many, though on hot days this can be a good thing.

Lake Casitas Recreation Area is located at 11311 Santa Ana Road, Ventura. Take Highway 33 from Ventura towards Ojai, make a left turn on Santa Ana Blvd, then a right on Santa Ana Road 3 or 4 miles to the park entrance.

Weekend morning sessions 10:30 am to 2 pm and afternoon sessions 3 to 6:30 pm. Weekday hours are 11am to 6pm. The cost for the 2024 season is $20 per person on weekdays and $23 on weekends.

Visit www.casitaswater.org/casitas-water-adventure for details.

Parking inside Lake Casitas is $20 on weekends/holidays and $10 on weekdays. There is parking available on Santa Ana Road if you don't mind walking.

This is the “old” (Pre-2023) aquatic Play Structure (for historical purposes)

Coach Patty's School of Gymnastics in Camarillo

Coach Patty’s School of Gymnastics is located near Old Town Camarillo at 300 S. Lewis Road, Suite E.  The school has programs for recreational artistic gymnastics, preschool gymnastics, competitive team gymnastics for boys and girls, tumbling & trampoline programs for both children and adults.

The facility is over 16,000 sq ft and is loaded with state of the art equipment, including 60’ Tumble Trak, trampolines, double Mini Trampoline, high bars, balance beams spring floors, vault systems and a 84 foot fiberglass rod floor for power tumbling and a ring tower.  Just for kids preschool equipment.

Coach Patty’s also offers fun-filled gymnastic birthday parties, gymnastic camps, and more.

For more information, visit www.coachpattyusa.com or call 805.383.9460.

Gold Coast Gymnastics in Ventura

Gold Coast Gymnastics, a 5,000 square foot facility located at 4005 E. Main Street in Ventura, offers classes for boys & girls 15 months to adult. Recreational through competitive gymnastics including open gym (Fridays 8-9:30PM), tumbling and trampoline, birthday parties, day camps, summer camps, field trips and more. 

Visit www.goldcoastgymnasticsclub.com or call 805.658.2825 for more information.

The Arterie Art Studio in Thousand Oaks

The Arterie Art Studio at 2219 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Suite 105, Thousand Oaks is an art studio for both kids and adults that offers art classes, camps, birthday parties and more.

Visit www.thearterie.org or call 805.379.1426 for more information.

Chuck E. Cheese's - Thousand Oaks and Ventura

The kids absolutely love it at Chuck E. Cheese's, there's plenty of things to do, and I am a fan of the grilled chicken sandwich, fries and, yes, a nice cold beer to wash them down.  And the kids ALWAYS wolf down the pizza there.  Chuck E. Cheese's is geared towards kids ages 2 to 12. www.chuckecheese.com

New Chuck E. Cheese’s facade in Thousand Oaks in 2024

Chuck E. Cheese's Thousand Oaks location front entry (before the 2024 remodel)

On the 10th Anniversary of 9/11, my 5 year old and I spent some fun time together at the Thousand Oaks Chuck E. Cheese's. You know what...adults can have just as much fun there as kids. Plenty of fun 1 token games. Colorful and noisy. My kid likes the pizza.

Here is a quick walkthrough of Chuck E. Cheese's in Thousand Oaks to give a flavor as to all the fun stuff they have in there. It's actually pretty fun when it no't too crowded. Plus, they serve BEER there and ice cream bars are a bargain at only $1 apiece!

Chuck E. Cheese's is at 130 West Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks (805.497.2522) locations.chuckecheese.com/us/ca/thousand-oaks/130-w.-hillcrest-dr. and 4714 Telephone Road in Ventura (805.644.9777) locations.chuckecheese.com/us/ca/ventura/4714-telephone-rd.

We stopped by Chuck E. Cheese in Ventura today to burn off some steam on a rainy day. This is a large location packed full of games and a stage area for parties. This location uses token cards instead of actual tokens, which is more convenient but not quite as fun for my 5 year old.

Starlight Dance Academy in Ojai

Located at 407b Bryant Circle in Ojai, Starlight Dance Academy provides dance classes to children and adults. Current classes include jazz, ballet, tap, Zumba and hip hop as well as Pilates, yoga and mommy and me sessions. Also a great place for children's birthday parties! For more information, visit www.ojaistarlightdance.com or call 805.646.3732.

Kids Club at The Collection at RiverPark on Designated Wednesdays in the Summer

The Collection at Riverpark is offering free, family-friendly fun at Kids Club, sponsored by Sunny Smiles Dentistry for Children and Young Adults. Kids Club events are open to all children and families. Don’t give the little ones a chance to say they’re bored this summer!
 
Kids Club will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon on the grass at Collection Park and take place on the following Wednesdays: June 12, 26, July 10, 24 and August 7.
 
Bring the kids and a picnic blanket to the grass at Collection Park for a fun-filled morning of entertainment, crafts and fun surprises.

Face painting 10AM – 12PM
Character performances 10:30AM – 11:00AM
Character meet & greet 11:00AM – 12PM
 
thecollectionrp.com/portfolio/summer-kids-club-series

Kids Fun Zone and Outdoor Play Area at Janss Marketplace

Janss Marketplace announces the themes for the 2024 FREE Kids Fun Zone, held from 12 – 2 p.m. on the last Saturday of each month from April through October. Each month children, ages 12 and younger, who are accompanied by an adult, are invited to enjoy free shows, crafts, music and dance at the Kids Fun Zone at Janss Marketplace, located at 275 North Moorpark Road East in Thousand Oaks, just off the 101 Freeway at Moorpark Road and Hillcrest Drive. Register NOW for one, or all Kids Fun Zone events at eventbrite.com.  

Kids Fun Zone upcoming dates and themes:

• April 27th: Bunnies in Spring

• May 25th: Totally Turtles & Tortoises

• June 29th: Musical Puppet Show & Balloons

• July 27th: Bubbles, Puppets & Balloons

• August 31st: Summer Music Jam

• September 28th: Friendly Frogs & Cheerful Bugs

• October 26th: Character Dress-up Fun

Visit janssmarketplace.com for more information about the monthly Kids Fun Zone and other free community events.

The playground area at Janss Marketplace.