As a mom, I know the question always comes up: “What should we do today?” or “What should we do this weekend?”Sometimes it’s nice to have a quick list of go-to places for easy family fun. Here are a few local spots that are great for getting out of the house and making simple memories together. Hopefully this can help with planning. If you have additional adds, please feel free to share! This will be a growing list as more and more things pop up :)
💡 Tip: Hours and pricing may vary during school breaks. I reviewed each site, but it’s always best to double-check before heading out.
🔬 The Tech Interactive
📍 201 S Market St, San Jose, CA 95113
🕘 Typical Hours: 10:00am–5:00pm (often extended during school breaks; usually closed Mondays—double-check)
💲 Admission: ~$38 adults | ~$28 kids (3–17)
⭐ Perk: 1 free ticket with Bank of America Museums on Us
🚗 Parking: Paid parking garages nearby (Market Street Garage, Convention Center Garage)
🌧 Rain-Friendly: ✅ Yes (indoors)
🔍 Hands-on science exhibits, innovation labs, and interactive experiences for all ages
🔗 thetech.org
🐾 Happy Hollow Park & Zoo
📍 748 Story Rd, San Jose, CA 95112
🕘 Typical Hours: 10:00am–5:00pm (Open Monday & Tuesday for Presidents Day week)
💲 Admission: $22 adults & kids | Kids under 2 free
🚗 Parking: Paid on-site parking lot - $10
🌧 Rain-Friendly: ⚠️ Partial (mostly outdoors)
🐾 Zoo exhibits, petting zoo, gentle rides, playgrounds, and affordable food options
💡 Tip: Outside food is allowed—great for saving money!
🔗 happyhollow.org
🧱 LEGOLAND Discovery Center Bay Area (Great Mall)
📍 447 Great Mall Dr, Milpitas, CA 95035
🕘 Typical Hours: 10:00am–6:00pm (last entry ~1.5 hrs before close)
💲 Admission: ~$30+ per person (online deals available)
🚗 Parking: Free Great Mall parking
🌧 Rain-Friendly: ✅ Yes (indoors)
🧱 LEGO rides, 4D cinema, build zones, and MINILAND Bay Area
🔗 legolanddiscoverycenter.com/bayarea
🐓 Emma Prusch Farm Park
📍 647 King Rd, San Jose, CA 95116
🕘 Hours: 8:00am–dusk
💲 Admission: Free
🚗 Parking: Free on-site parking
🌧 Rain-Friendly: ❌ No
🐓 Farm animals, gardens, large playgrounds, and walking paths. Bathrooms available
🔗 pruschfarmpark.org
🌱 Rotary PlayGarden
📍 438 Coleman Ave, San Jose, CA 95110
🕘 Typical Hours: 10:00am–4:00pm
💲 Admission: Free
🚗 Parking: Free nearby parking
🌧 Rain-Friendly: ❌ Mostly outdoor
🌱 Inclusive, nature-based play for children of all abilities
🔗 grpg.org
🐠 Aqua Plus Aquarium (Milpitas)
Note this is a store, but kids find this super entertaining depending their age
📍 1535 Landess Ave, Milpitas, CA 95035
💲 Cost: Free to visit
🕘 Typical Hours: Around 11:00am–7:00pm (hours may vary)
🚗 Parking: Free shopping center parking
🌧 Rain Friendly: ✅ Yes (indoors)
What to Expect:
Aqua Plus Aquarium is a fun little stop for families who love sea life. Kids can explore colorful tanks filled with tropical fish, corals, and unique aquatic creatures while learning about aquarium habitats. It’s a quick and easy outing—perfect to pair with nearby errands or a family lunch.
🔗 Learn more:
https://aquaplusfish.com
💡 Macaroni Tip: Little ones love spotting the bright reef fish and unique underwater plants! 🐟
🧠 Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose
📍 180 Woz Way, San Jose, CA 95110
🕘 Holiday Hours: 9:30am–4:30pm (Special Hours: open all week for holiday)
💲 Admission: ~$18 | Kids under 1 free | Memberships available
🚗 Parking: Paid lot across the bridge; easy access via Light Rail
🌧 Rain-Friendly: ✅ Yes (indoors)
🧠 Interactive learning exhibits, water play, art, and imaginative spaces
🔗 cdm.org
🎳 Big Al’s (Milpitas)
📍 27 Ranch Dr, Milpitas, CA 95035
💲 Cost: Pay per activity (bowling, arcade games, food)
🕘 Typical Hours:
- Mon–Thurs: 12pm–11pm
- Fri–Sat: 12pm–12am
- Sun: 9:30am–11pm
🚗 Parking: Free on-site parking
🌧 Rain Friendly: ✅ Yes (indoors)
What to Expect:
Big Al’s is a large entertainment center where families can bowl, play arcade games, and enjoy food all in one place. The venue features bowling lanes, a big arcade, and games like pool, shuffleboard, and ping-pong, making it a fun option for older kids, teens, and family outings.
⭐ Daily Deals to Watch For:
- Happy Hour: Monday–Friday, 3–6pm
- Margarita Mondays
- Two Buck Tuesday specials
- Half-Off Wednesday deals
🔗 Learn more:
https://www.ilovebigals.com/silicon-valley/
💡 Macaroni Tip: Pair bowling with arcade time for an easy rainy-day family activity that keeps everyone entertained.
🎨 Whirlygig Parties
📍 1095 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126
🕘 Holiday Hours: Mon 2/16: 10am - 1pm & 2pm - 5pm // Wed 2/18: 10am -1pm // Fri 2/20; 10am -1pm. Possibility for Hours on Tues / Thurs: “Note: If this week ends up rainly we will likely add Tuesday and Thursday open play times”
💲 Admission: ~$20 purchased online –$25 at the door
🚗 Parking: Free street parking nearby
🌧 Rain-Friendly: ✅ Yes
🎨 Creative open play with crafts and themed activities
🔗 whirlygigparties.com/openplay
🛝 Luv 2 Play San Jose
📍 2200 Eastridge Loop, San Jose, CA 95122 - in Eastridge Mall
🕘 Typical Hours: 11:00am–7:00pm *Friday and Sat 11:00am - 8:00pm
💲 Admission: Infants 0-5 months: free; 6months - 12yrs: $22; Adults/13+: 2 free w/ paid child; Additional adults/13+: $6 (Note: prices a few dollars more for Friday - Sunday)
🚗 Parking: Free in mall
🌧 Rain-Friendly: ✅ Yes
🛝 Indoor play structures, toddler zones, and arcade games
🔗 luv2play.com/sanjose
🛝 Altitude Trampoline Park Milpitas (Great Mall)
📍 147 Great Mall Dr, Milpitas, CA 95035
💲 Cost: Varies by jump pass (hourly jump tickets available)
🕘 Typical Hours:
- Mon–Thurs: 10am–8pm
- Fri–Sat: 10am–9pm
- Sun: 11am–7pm
🚗 Parking: Free parking at Great Mall (Entrance 5 is closest)
🌧 Rain Friendly: ✅ Yes (indoors)
What to Expect:
Altitude Trampoline Park is a high-energy indoor playground where kids can jump wall-to-wall trampolines, play trampoline dodgeball, try the ninja course, and burn off lots of energy. It’s a great option for rainy days, birthday parties, or when you just need a fun place for kids to jump and play.
🔗 Learn more:
https://www.altitudetrampolinepark.com/locations/california/milpitas/147-great-mall-drive/
🎮 Dave & Buster’s (Milpitas – Great Mall)
📍 940 Great Mall Dr, Milpitas, CA 95035
💲 Cost: Pay-per-game (game cards available) (Tip - happy hour food from 4-7pm and half off games Wednesday nights!)
🕘 Typical Hours:
- Sun–Thurs: 11am–11pm
- Fri–Sat: 11am–12am
🚗 Parking: Free parking at Great Mall
🌧 Rain Friendly: ✅ Yes (indoors)
What to Expect:
Dave & Buster’s is packed with arcade games, virtual reality experiences, and interactive attractions that older kids and teens especially love. Families can play games together, win prizes, and grab a meal all in one place.
🔗 Learn more:
https://www.daveandbusters.com/us/en/about/locations/milpitas-great-mall
⛳ Golfland Milpitas
📍 1199 Jacklin Rd, Milpitas, CA 95035
💲 Cost: Mini golf starts around ~$16–$18 per round (packages available)
🕘 Typical Hours: Around 10:00am–9:00/11:00pm depending on the day
🚗 Parking: Free on-site parking
🌧 Rain Friendly: ⚠️ Partial (golf outdoors, arcade indoors)
What to Expect:
Golfland is a classic family fun center featuring themed mini-golf courses, a large arcade, laser tag, bumper cars, and a snack bar—making it an easy spot for a few hours of family entertainment.
🔗 Learn more:
https://www.golfland.com/milpitas/
💡 Macaroni Tip: Go in the evening for a fun mini-golf + arcade combo night with the kids.
🎳 Lucky Strike (Milpitas)
📍 1287 S Park Victoria Dr, Milpitas, CA 95035
💲 Cost: Pay per game or lane reservation
🚗 Parking: Free on-site parking
🌧 Rain Friendly: ✅ Yes (indoors)
What to Expect:
Lucky Strike is a modern bowling and entertainment center featuring 40 bowling lanes, arcade games, and a sports-bar style dining area, making it a fun outing for families, teens, and group hangouts.
⭐ Deals to Watch For:
- Daily Special: Buy 2 games, get the 3rd 50% off.
- Night Strike: Unlimited bowling starting at 8pm on select nights.
- Seasonal promos like unlimited bowling + arcade play during special weeks.
🔗 Learn more:
https://www.luckystrikeent.com/location/lucky-strike-milpitas/
💡 Macaroni Tip: Reserve a lane online ahead of time—weekends fill up quickly!
🚗 SLIGHTLY OUTSIDE OF MILPITAS - NORTH SJ - EAST SJ
🧪 Slime Kitchen (San Jose – Oakridge Mall)
📍 925 Blossom Hill Rd #1457, San Jose, CA 95123
💲 Cost: DIY slime sessions and workshops available (prices vary)
🚗 Parking: Free mall parking
🌧 Rain Friendly: ✅ Yes (indoors)
What to Expect:
Slime Kitchen is a hands-on creative experience where kids can design and make their own custom slime. During the DIY session, participants follow a 10-step process to mix colors, textures, scents, and add-ins to create a personalized slime to take home.
It’s a fun sensory activity that’s especially popular for birthday parties, workshops, and rainy-day outings, with staff guiding kids through the slime-making process in a playful environment.
🔗 Learn more: https://theslimekitchen.com/locations/california/san-jose-oakridge-mall/
💡 Macaroni Tip: Kids who love sensory play or crafts usually spend 20–30 minutes creating their slime before taking it home to play with.
🏴☠️ Jolly Roger Land (San Jose – Oakridge Mall)
📍 925 Blossom Hill Rd, San Jose, CA 95123
💲 Cost: About $20–$27 per child depending on play time and day
🕘 Typical Hours:
- Mon–Wed: 10:00am–7:30pm
- Thurs–Sun: 10:00am–8:00pm
🚗 Parking: Free mall parking at Westfield Oakridge
🌧 Rain Friendly: ✅ Yes (indoors)
What to Expect:
Jolly Roger Land is a large indoor playground designed for kids 12 and under, featuring a huge multi-level soft play structure with slides, climbing areas, and ball pits where kids can run, crawl, and explore. The climate-controlled play center makes it a great option for rainy days or when kids need to burn off energy indoors.
🔗 Learn more:
https://sanjose.jollyrogerland.com/
💡 Macaroni Tip: Bring socks—both kids and adults need them to enter the play area.
🐐 Deer Hollow Farm (Cupertino)
📍 22500 Cristo Rey Dr, Cupertino, CA 95014
💲 Cost: Free
🕘 Hours: Tues, Thurs–Sun 8am–4pm | Wed 8am–1pm | Closed Mon
🚗 Parking: Free parking at Rancho San Antonio Preserve (about a 1-mile flat walk to the farm)
🌧 Rain Friendly: ❌ Mostly outdoors
What to Expect:
A charming working farm where kids can see goats, pigs, chickens, cows, and more. The easy walk to the farm makes it a fun little adventure for families, with beautiful nature views along the way.
💡 Tip: Bring snacks or a picnic—no food is sold onsite.
🐒 Safari Kid (Sunnyvale)
📍 1271 W El Camino Real, Sunnyvale, CA 94087
💲 Cost: Varies by program
🚗 Parking: Free plaza parking
🌧 Rain Friendly: ✅ Yes (indoors)
What to Expect:
Safari Kid offers early childhood programs, play-based learning, and enrichment activities for young children in a nurturing environment designed to spark curiosity and exploration. Programs include preschool, after-school care, and summer camps for kids up through elementary school.
🔗 Learn more:
https://www.safarikid.com/sunnyvale/
✈️ Moffett Field Museum (Mountain View)
📍 Building 126, Severyns Ave, Moffett Field, Mountain View, CA 94035
💲 Cost: ~$10 adults | ~$5 youth (5–17) | Kids under 5 free
🕘 Typical Hours: Wed–Sat, 10am–3pm (closed Sun–Tue)
🚗 Parking: Free parking at the museum (ID required to enter the federal airfield gate)
🌧 Rain Friendly: ✅ Yes (indoors)
What to Expect:
This aviation museum is a fun hidden gem where families can explore the history of Moffett Field, NASA Ames, and Silicon Valley aviation. Kids can see real aircraft, historic artifacts, and space-related exhibits that bring the story of flight and exploration to life.
🔗 Learn more:
https://www.moffettfieldmuseum.org/visit.html
💡 Macaroni Tip: Bring a photo ID for adults — it’s required to enter the airfield gate.
🏗 Kidtopia
📍 4620 Auto Mall Pkwy, Fremont, CA 94538
🕘 Typical Hours: 10:00am–6:00pm
💲 Admission: Mon - Fri: $16/child $5/adult; Sat - Sun: $18/child $5 adult
🚗 Parking: Free parking
🌧 Rain-Friendly: ✅ Yes
💡 Tip: Bring your own socks to avoid needing to purchase
🏗 Large indoor playground with climbing, slides, and pretend play. Separate section for non-walkers (although it isn’t monitored)
🔗 kidtopia.zone
🦖 Lost Worlds Funtropolous
📍 5401 Camden Ave, San Jose, CA 95124
🕘 Typical Hours: Wed - Sun - roughly 10:00am-6:00pm or 8:00pm depending on the night
💲 Admission: $20–$25
💡 Tip: Specials Available: Weekday Family Deal available (Special $15 all day pass Mon/Wed) // Tues $20 for 1 adult + child
🚗 Parking: Free on-site parking
🌧 Rain-Friendly: ✅ Mostly indoors
🦖 Arcades, indoor attractions, and themed fun
🔗 funtropolous.com
🦎 Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo
📍 1451 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94301
🕘 Typical Hours: 10:00am–5:00pm
💲 Admission: ~$10–$12
🚗 Parking: Free on-site lot
🌧 Rain-Friendly: ⚠️ Partial
🦎 Small zoo and hands-on science exhibits
🔗 paloaltozoo.org
🚜 Ardenwood Historic Farm
📍 34600 Ardenwood Blvd, Fremont, CA 94555
🕘 Typical Hours: Tues - Sun 10:00am–4:00pm
💲 Admission: $4/adults (18+ years), $3/seniors (62+ year), $2/children (4-17 years), under 4 years - free.
🚗 Parking: Free on-site parking
🌧 Rain-Friendly: ❌ Mostly outdoor
🚜 Historic farm, animals, trains, and open space
🔗 ebparks.org/parks/ardenwood
