5 Great Things to Do with Kids in San Jose

Marilyn Ritchie, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Aug 13, 2010 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."

Searching for something fun to do with kids in San Jose?

Locals recommend these classic, easygoing excursions. Even better, most are budget-friendly.

Powell's Sweet Shoppe
Who can resist the candy store of dreams? This friendly neighborhood candy store offers sugar galore, along with everyone's favorite childhood toys. Powell's is literally covered in candy, providing a vintage feel with retro candy along with current faves. There's a perpetual video loop of "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" in the back, where customers can relax on a few movie-theater style seats while enjoying purchases. Chocoholics will love the candy bar section, wide range of truffles, and gelato selections. The burgeoning chain was founded in 2003 with about a dozen locations throughout the west.

Hicklebee's Children's Bookstore
Just down the street from Powell's is another San Jose favorite. An independent bookstore, Hicklebee's has a national reputation for its fantastic selection. The beloved store regularly hosts author signings and other events for young literati (author J.K. Rowling of the Harry Potter series has visited.) The knowledgeable staff is adept at recommending the perfect book...something about trucks for a six year-old boy just beginning to read? Middle school girl who loves magic but has read everything? No problem! Purchases can be wrapped too, making it ideal place to shop for gifts. Older children (and their parents) will enjoy spotting the quotes and other "graffiti" left by authors and illustrators - including in the hallways and bathroom.

Children's Carousel on Arena Green
Next to HP Pavilion in downtown San Jose, this beautiful example of a merry-go-round is usually crowd-free and only a buck a ride. Featuring thirty-three animals, including colorfully-painted sharks in honor of the city's NHL team, the carousel is adjacent to a playground with a tot park and section with fun rope-climbing challenges for older kids. Plenty of lawn ensures kids can run around; families can also stroll on the bridge over the nearby Guadalupe River.

San Jose Giants
You don't have to head to San Francisco or Oakland to take in a professional baseball game. The San Jose Municipal Stadium, near San Jose State University, is home to the San Jose Giants, a minor league team associated with the San Francisco Giants. League champs in 2009, the small scale stadium is ideal for taking in the boys of summer from April to September. The weather is usually perfect, the sightlines good-and then there's the lip smackin' Turkey Mike's Baseball & BBQ offering tasty fare too.

Happy Hollow Park and Zoo
A San Jose favorite since the 1960s, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo recently had a dramatic $72 million green renovation, and now it's better than ever. Happy Hollow is perfect for younger kids for whom a large zoo is just too daunting. Sophie the Jaguar is the zoo's animal star; she's joined by lemurs, monkeys, meerkats, snakes and geckos, among others. Happy Hollow also features about a half-dozen pint-size rides (including local favorite Danny the Dragon and a gentle new roller coaster), and attractions like a puppet theater, education center, and animal hospital.

Information:

Powell's Sweet Shoppe

http://www.powellsss.com

1140 Lincoln Avenue, Suite 6

San Jose, California

Phone: (408) 279-4090

Hicklebee's

http://www.hicklebees.com/

1378 Lincoln Ave

San Jose, California

Phone: (408) 292-888

Children's Carousel on Arena Green