2010 - 2011 Winter Activities for Kids in Orange County, California

If you are in Orange County, California, visiting Disneyland or live in Orange County, there are some fun winter activities for children during the 2010 - 2011 season. Winter becomes a busy season with Christmas shopping, Christmas parties, Christmas school activities and planning holiday meals. Take some time out to bring your children to some of the winter events that Orange County, California has to offer. Here are some great activities if you are coming from out of town for a vacation to visit Disneyland and Orange County, California.

Outdoor Ice Skating at the Irvine Spectrum in Orange County, California

Irvine Spectrum Center
71 Fortune Drive
City of Irvine
Orange County, California 92618
(949)748-8280

The Irvine Spectrum in Orange County, California, has an outdoor Holiday Ice Rink that is open until February 21, 2011. Families love to bring their children for some outdoor skating located near the Spectrum's Ferris wheel near Nordstrom's and Macy's at the Irvine Spectrum Shopping Center. Before or after ice skating, children can enjoy the Ferris wheel and carousel. The cost for 1-1/4 hours of ice skating is $12.00 and the cost of the skate rental is $4.50. Helmets are available upon request only for no charge. Hours are Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:15 p.m. (excluding holidays), Friday, Saturday and holiday have an extra session from 9:30 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. They are closed Christmas Day and open Christmas Eve until 6:15 p.m. and New Year's Eve they close at 9:15 p.m. You can check the Irvine Spectrum Schedule and Hours for their holiday dates and season passes are available.

15th Annual Christmas Train in Orange County, California

Irvine Park Railroad
1 Irvine Park Road
Orange, California 92869
(714) 997-3968

The Irvine Park Railroad in Orange County, California is a great place to take your kids during the winter season, especially during the days that the 15th Annual 2010 Christmas train is running to take you to the North Pole to visit Santa Claus. This year the Christmas train and holiday activities are open for the following dates and times:

November 26, 27 and 28 (5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
December 3, 4 and 5 (5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
December 10 through 17 (5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
December 18 and 19 (2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
December 20 through 23 (4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.)

Tickets are $8.00 per person and children under 2 years are free. Tickets for the train are available online with a one-time online ticket purchase service charge of $7.50 per order and the capability to choose the time of the train ride. If the tickets are sold out online, you can purchase a ticket in person, but with no guarantee of the specific time you will get to ride the train that evening. The train leaves the station every 15 minutes. For an additional charge kids can enjoy a Santa Bounce House Jumper, Christmas Cookie Decorating, and Christmas Carnival Games. Activities open one hour prior to the Christmas train hours. Parking is free after 5 p.m. The park opens at 6:00 a.m. during the winter with parking fees of $3 for a weekday, $5 for a weekend and $7 for holiday. The Irvine Regional Park is home of the Orange County Zoo, which is open seven days a week from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. They are closed December 25, 2010 and January 1, 2011. The cost is $2.00 per person and children two years and under are free. Other activities at Irvine Regional Park are bikes, paddle boats, pony rides, hiking and horse rentals. Families can make this a full day winter event.

102nd Annual Newport Beach Boat Parade in Orange County, California

The Bayfront in Newport Beach, California
Bayside of Balboa Peninsula from 18th Street to end of Bay Avenue
Pacific Coast Highway between Riverside Drive and Balboa Bay Club
Balboa Island
Orange County, California
(949) 729-4400

The Newport Beach boat parade will be held December 15th through December 19th this year for their 102nd season. Children love this boat parade and if you haven't seen it, you must. The parade will start off Bay Island at 6:30 p.m. and will end at the same place approximately at 9:00 p.m. On December 19, 2010, a special fireworks display will close out the parade around 9:00 p.m. that will be visible from all around the harbor, launched from Balboa Pier. You can download and view the 2010 Parade Route to figure out which location you would like to watch the boat parade. Arrive early for best parking and best viewing. The boat parade is free, but parking costs will vary in different locations.

Discovery Science Center in Orange County, California

Discovery Science Center
2500 N. Main Street
Santa Ana, California 92705
Orange County
(714) 542-2823

The Science of Gingerbread is the winter program at Discovery Science Center in Orange County, California. The program runs from November 26, 2010 to January 2, 2010. Children can find out all about kitchen tools, recipe science, learn how taste and smell is different and see the display of award winning Gingerbread displays. Photos with Santa Claus is available on November 26, 27, 28, December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Cookie decorating is available to decorate and eat on Saturday and Sundays, November 26 through December 19 and daily from December 20 through 30. There are much more fun things to do and see at the Discovery Science Center in Orange County, California. General Admission is $12.95 for adults and $9.95 for children ages 3 - 17. There is an extra fee for the 4-D movie and the Dino Quest, which must be purchased with the general admission ticket.

Snow Day in Orange County, California

Brea Dam Recreational Area
1700 N. Harbor Blvd.
Fullerton, California
Orange County
(714) 738-6575

The City of Fullerton in Orange County, California at the Brea Dam Park will be giving kids the opportunity to have a snow day on Saturday, January 29, 2011 from 11 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Sleds will be provided by the city with three 75-foot sled runs, a special sled run for children 5 and under, play area for kids, crafts, games, and more. The space is only limited to 900 persons and it is recommended that you register early online or by telephone. The cost for advance registration is $6 per person for residents living in Fullerton, Orange County, California, and $9 for non-residents. The admissions cost the day of the event is $9 per person for Fullerton residents.

*All prices dates and times are subject to change.