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How to Entertain your Toddler in Santa Barbara
15
items Do you have a toddler and lots of time to fill in Santa Barbara? Here's some fun you can have for cheap, free, or, y'know, expensive.
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Free Things
Things that cost money
Free Things
One word: topiaries. Two words: giant topiaries. Also sometimes some free samples of food(?), and a little magical stream out back. Park and spend some time with your toddler in the outside area, looking at all the topiaries. Be the most magical pare...
La Sumida Nursery
Some magical details inside for a kid if you catch them when they're open. However, the shopping center it's in also has giant outdoor Connect Four, Legos, and a chess set. Entertained my toddler for longer than you'd think!
Grace Fisher Foundation Inclusive Arts Clubhouse
There is a great new children's area downstairs at this location. Magnatiles, train table, play kitchen (the shopping cart is a hotly desired item). And of course, zillions of books. Many events every week for kids as well - check their calendar!
Santa Barbara Public Library
Shoreline park has a playground with baby and big kid swings, good sized slides, sand on the ground. There's also stairs (three flights) down to the beach and some tide pools if you catch it right. We always see the same giant sea star when we go. A ...
Shoreline Park
Just happens in the fall: but come touch trucks. Climb on them. Last time we went there were also many non truck related activities and the bubble guy.
About Touch-A-Truck
DUCKIES AND TURTLES. And across the street is an elaborate playground "kids world". Worth it!!!
Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden
This is exactly what it sounds like. Kind of novelty. Toddler could get mad they oughtn't take them home.
'Wall of Frogs' - Atlas Obscura
There are worse places to serve jury duty. Walk through or take the elevator up to the lookout tower. (Security there when court is in session). Your kid may also enjoy running around the sunken garden grass outside and seeing how many brides you can...
Superior Court Of California County Of Santa Barbara
Just up the road from Shoreline Park, you have Mesa park. Another good playground, open grass area, and views of the ocean. Mesa Burger is also nearby which is quite tasty.- as well as the fancy grocery store Lazy Acres.
La Mesa Park - Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation
Best for fall/Halloween season with a corn maze, tractor rides and some farm animals, plus tons of pumpkins to walk through. Get a pumpkin! But otherwise, free to hang out. My toddler wanted to visit daily during spooky season.
Lane Farms
Things that cost money
This location has an enormous toddler play area. Great for parents! Food is alright, but they always have a tasty double IPA on the menu.
Brass Bear Uptown
Great small zoo with many headliner animals. Also a children's play area, a small train, different events throughout the year. Feed a giraffe! Squish a penny. Worth it.
Santa Barbara Zoo
Honestly, I think the best stuff is at what is now called Mission Street Ice Cream featuring McConnell's fine ice cream but it's an argument you can have while you take your toddler to each location, probably.
McConnell's Fine Ice Creams
Live butterflies, animatronic dinos, a planetarium with daily shows - something for everyone.
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Tootle around the harbor on this smiley guy.
Lil' Toot Santa Barbara | Discover the Magic of Lil' Toot SB, CA