Best Mommy & Me
MOMS Orange County
MOMS Orange County aims to empower mothers and families and help them ensure their babies are healthy. The nonprofit focuses on providing resources for low-income pregnant women and their families. The free classes are offered in English and Spanish and include anything from childbirth preparation, postpartum to Mommy & Me, all in a supportive, judgment-free environment. There are also workshops for fathers.
momsorangecounty.org | Santa Ana
Best Party Caterer
Mendocino Farms
Mendocino Farms is still the top choice for our readers’ catering needs. The restaurant offers classics, but also sends customers on culinary adventures with surprising flavor combinations. The catering menu has a variety of options, including gluten-free and vegan, for gatherings of different sizes. Customers can choose from boxed lunches to mini, small, medium and large foodie packages and salads.
mendocinofarms.com | Multiple Locations
Best Playground
Adventure Playground
Once again, Adventure Playground takes the top spot in this category. Available to everyone, the drop-in facility features a sensory garden, a tree house, slides, poles and stumps to climb on and a kids’ fort zone to explore. Visitors can create fun childhood memories in the natural play areas as well. No pets allowed though except for service animals.
cityofirvine.org | Irvine
Best Skatepark
Etnies Skatepark
At 57,000 square feet, Etnies outdoor concrete skatepark in Lake Forest is one of the largest skateparks in the country. It features multiple bowls, mini ramp, wall ride, stairs, banks and more. Riders at the skatepark can also sign up for private lessons or camps, and there are opportunities for birthday parties.
lakeforestca.gov | Lake Forest
Best Storytelling Time
Huntington Beach Central Library Storytime
Huntington Beach Central Library takes the top spot in the storytelling time category again. It’s never too early to get your child to love books, and the library offers plenty of options for different age groups from Baby & Me to toddlers, preschool, tweens and family. There are also bilingual storytime sessions.
huntingtonbeachca.gov | Huntington Beach
Best Party Entertainment
The Reptile Zoo/Prehistoric Pets
The 5,000-square-foot store houses a wide variety of exotic species of reptiles, amphibians and arachnids from all over the world. Visitors can book private animal experiences and feedings and come face-to-face with some of the signature giant creatures. Prehistoric Pets is also available for birthday parties with hands-on educational reptile adventures.
prehistoricpets.com | Fountain Valley
Best Roller Rink
Fountain Valley Skating Center
If you’re ready to roll, Fountain Valley Skating Center has you covered no matter your skill level. The family-friendly spot specializes in skating classes, open-skating sessions, fundraisers, birthday parties and more. You can also save money on your visits through memberships, a loyalty program or by attending on cheap skate nights and family nights.
fvsc.com | Fountain Valley
Best Ice Skating Rink
Great Park Ice & FivePoint Arena
The four-rink ice hockey facility is where Anaheim Ducks and competitive skaters train, and our readers once again chose it as the winning spot. Non-professional skaters have plenty of opportunities to get on the ice during one of the public skating sessions. Great Park Ice also has youth and adult hockey leagues, skating and figure skating classes.
greatparkice.com | Irvine
Best Batting Cage
Home Run Park
Home Run Park maintains the top spot in this category. One of the largest and longest running batting cage facilities around is open seven days a week, doesn’t require reservations unless you’re coming as a team or group, and is used by local teams as well as the public. Home Run Park also offers hitting and pitching lessons with professional league players.
homerunpark.com | Anaheim
Best Trampoline Place
Sky Zone Trampoline Park (formerly DEFY OC)
Have your kids jump for joy and use up some of their energy. Sky Zone has a wide variety of activities and programs for visitors of all ages, from toddlers through adults. The trampoline park’s dodgeball, zip line, ninja warrior course, toddler zone and more take the fun to a new level.
skyzone.com | Multiple locations
Best Laser Tag/Virtual Reality Center
Laser Land
Laser Land continues to be our readers’ favorite. The facility, which is open seven days a week, has a very big two-level arena with three castles incorporated into game modes. You can also compete against your friends on interactive trampolines or have your next group event or birthday party there.
laserlandusa.com/mv | Mission Viejo
EDITORS’ CHOICE WINNER
Best Party Entertainment
Creative Parties for Kids
If your child dreams of hanging out with his or her favorite princess or superhero, Creative Parties for Kids is ready to make the dream come true. Aside from known characters, face-painters, balloon artists, caricature artists and more, Creative Parties staff is open to working with you on custom themes. Want to preserve the magical memories? Photographers and videographers are available for hire too.
creativepartiesforkids.com | Orange
EDITORS’ CHOICE WINNER
Best Ice Skating Rink
Lake Forest Ice Palace
The Lake Forest Ice Palace skating school is for all ages and levels. Classes are 30 minutes long and include free practice on the day of class. It is a training center for dedicated figure skaters and hockey players, but public ice skating hours are also available. Check the website for an up-to-date schedule. Price of admission ($20) for public ice skating includes skate rental.
lficepalace.com | Lake Forest
EDITORS’ CHOICE WINNER
Best Skate Park
Vans Off the Wall Skatepark
Featuring more than 35,000 square feet of rails, bowls, stair sets, rollers, gaps and more, the Vans Off the Wall Skatepark is free and open seven days a week from 9 am-8 pm, weather permitting. The spot also features a Vans retail store and a popular burger joint named Bunz. Skateboarding is allowed every day except for Wednesday, which is reserved for BMX bikes.
surfcityusa.com | Huntington Beach
EDITORS’ CHOICE WINNER
Best Trampoline Park
Rockin’ Jump
Instead of stair climbers and weight machines, the founders of Rockin’ Jump decided to create a place where you can somersault on a trampoline for both fun and exercise. They also wanted to create an alternative for birthday parties and family gatherings with food and private party rooms and where kids could safely play. Rockin’ Jump’s indoor attractions include dodgeball, ninja course, a stunt bag arena, traverse wall and more.
rockinjump.com | Santa Ana
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