Free Things to Do in the Inland Empire With Kids

Ontario · Indoor Play

Huge indoor outlet mall anchored by Dave & Buster's arcade, an AMC 30 movie theater, and the Improv Comedy Club & Dinner Theatre — a reliable rainy-day plan with dining and entertainment under one roof.

Free entry; attractions extra

Rancho Cucamonga · Shopping & Treats

Open-air, two-level town center with a genuine Cultural Arts Center for performances alongside the retail, plus seasonal splash-fountain play. It's built as a walkable "town square," hosting community events year-round from live performances to holiday celebrations.

Free; shops/dining extra

Temecula · Shopping & Treats

An enclosed regional mall with roughly 170 stores, a food court and an IMAX cinema under one roof — the obvious indoor fallback in the valley.

Corona · Shopping & Treats

Roadside marketplace that grew from a 3,500-square-foot produce stand in 1971 into a sprawling family destination, adding its hamburger stand in 1974. Today it's a fudge shop, weekend pony rides, a mini train and carousel, a petting corral, and burgers, all still built around the original farmers market.

Free entry; food/rides extra

Chino Hills · Arts & Culture

An open-air town center with 70+ shops and restaurants along walkable streets and fountains, easy to stroll with a stroller. Barnes & Noble is a reliable rainy-day stop for kids, with plenty of family dining. Come at dusk when the fountains and lights make it feel festive.

Free (dining/shopping varies)

San Bernardino · Museums & Learning

On the site of the world's first McDonald's (1940) — a quirky free memorabilia museum and fun Route 66 photo stop.

Riverside · Parks & Hiking

Paved 3.2-mile loop to a summit cross with big views, doable with older kids. Park free at Ryan Bonaminio Park, not the residential streets.

Jurupa Valley · Parks & Hiking

Part of a 40-acre parkland along the Santa Ana River with an old pecan grove, native plant gardens and easy walking trails. A quiet, free spot for a stroller-friendly nature walk and a favorite for spotting birds and lizards. Wear closed shoes and bring water, since shade is patchy and the trails are unpaved.

Jurupa Valley · Arts & Culture

A historic little general-aviation airport (established 1925) where you can watch small planes and vintage aircraft take off and land right up close. The old-school Flabob Cafe serves a solid diner breakfast and burgers with a runway view, turning plane-watching into a real family outing. Grab a window table and let the kids count takeoffs.

Riverside · Parks & Hiking

Historic Olmsted-firm park with lakes, a splash pad, playgrounds and swan pedal boats.

Free; boat rentals extra

Riverside · Parks & Hiking

Living-history park among working orange groves with picnic lawns, trails, and a glimpse of SoCal's citrus heyday. Almost half of the 248-acre park is planted with more than 100 citrus varieties, tracing back to 1873, when the USDA sent Riverside resident Eliza Tibbets two of the first navel orange trees grown in California — trees that helped launch the state's entire citrus industry. Trails wind through the working groves past historic buildings and exhibits explaining how citrus reshaped the region.

Free; parking ~$5

Moreno Valley · Parks & Hiking

This county reserve above Moreno Valley is where you go for wide-open Inland Empire views and the trail out to the giant hillside 'M' landmark. Trails are exposed and rocky, so it's best for families with older kids — go early morning to beat the heat and bring plenty of water. Access from Box Springs Mountain Road, and watch for wildflowers in spring.

Colton · Parks & Hiking

A 13.7-acre city park at 290 E O St with a seasonal splash pad, two playground areas (one for tots), ball fields and picnic shelters with BBQs, beside the Luque Community Center and branch library. The city page gives no splash-pad dates, so call before bringing swimsuits.

Jurupa Valley · Parks & Hiking

A well-kept neighborhood park with a playground and a summer splash pad that's a lifesaver on hot Inland Empire afternoons. The whole thing is free — an easy no-plan outing when you just need to burn off energy. Pack towels and a change of clothes in summer, because kids will not leave the splash pad dry.

Fontana · Parks & Hiking

A 150-acre park with trails into the Jurupa Hills, a playground and picnic shelters. Hike early — little shade, scorching afternoons.

Colton · Parks & Hiking

A 2.26-acre park at 955 Torrey Pines Dr with a fully replaced playground, a picnic shelter with tables and BBQs, restrooms and a turf area. Parking is street-only, so plan on a short walk from the car.

Fontana · Parks & Hiking

A low-key nature center with live animal exhibits and easy trails in the Southridge area — great for young kids.

Colton · Museums & Learning

The city library at 656 N 9th St offers weekly preschool story-time craft programs and after-school homework help. Call ahead for the story-time day and current hours.

Eastvale · Parks & Hiking

At nearly 47 acres this is the open-space giant in town, with wide soccer fields, a jogging and biking loop, restrooms, and well-designed playgrounds for various ages. It hosts big community events like Picnic In The Park, and the room to run makes it great for kites, scooters, and tag. Bring your own shade — the grassy expanses are wide open.

Eastvale · Museums & Learning

Eastvale's Riverside County branch sits on the Eleanor Roosevelt High School campus, so plan around its afternoon-heavy hours. It runs free kids' story times and is a reliable cool, quiet escape on triple-digit afternoons. Saturday mornings are the easiest window for a relaxed visit with little ones.

Norco · Museums & Learning

A small room inside the Norco Community Center (2870 Clark Ave) with archived photos, documents and relics from Norco history, staffed by the Historic Preservation Commission. A quick 20–30 minute stop, only open Thursdays, so pair it with a park visit.

Moreno Valley · Museums & Learning

The main branch on Alessandro Blvd is a reliable free rainy-day or beat-the-heat option with a children's section and regular story times. Library cards are free for any Riverside or San Bernardino County resident, so visitors staying nearby can borrow too. Check the online events calendar since family programming changes week to week.

Moreno Valley · Parks & Hiking

A neighborhood favorite for younger kids thanks to its enclosed splash pad right next to a shaded playground. Because the water area is fenced, little ones can't wander off, and the layout lets you park at a picnic table and watch both zones at once. The splash pad runs seasonally, so pack towels and arrive earlier for shade and parking.

Moreno Valley · Parks & Hiking

Six acres of green space next to Bethune Elementary with ball fields, picnic shelters, a playground and a summer splash pad that's a local go-to on hot days. The splash pad runs roughly Memorial Day through early September and also fires up on weekdays when temps hit 95+. Grab a picnic shelter early on weekends.

Rialto · Parks & Hiking

A smaller, mellow 3.4-acre neighborhood park on W Etiwanda Ave with a playground, basketball court and shaded picnic spots. The kind of low-key green space you hit when you just need to burn off energy without a big production. Reserve the shelter through the city if you want a guaranteed table for a gathering.

Rialto · Arts & Culture

Beyond the ball fields, playground and community garden on N Lilac Ave, this park holds Rialto's oldest structure: the Michael White Adobe, built in 1853 and cared for by the Rialto Historical Society. Pair playground time with a walk to the adobe for a little local-history lesson. The perimeter loop even has free exercise machines for parents.

Fontana · Museums & Learning

A large, modern county library with a kids' area and free tech access — a cool, free indoor refuge with regular children's programs.

Loma Linda · Parks & Hiking

Loma Linda's largest neighborhood park at 11800 Mountain View Ave with a playground, lighted walking track, basketball, two lighted tennis courts and a fenced dog park with small- and large-dog sections. The track gives older kids a safe loop for scooters and bikes while little ones use the playground.

Eastvale · Parks & Hiking

The big all-in-one Eastvale park: a large playground, ball fields with batting cages, a walking path, and a 10,000 sq ft skate park with bowls and ramps. There's also a fenced dog park split into big-dog and small-dog sides. Come early on weekends when the youth ballgames pack the lot.

Eastvale · Parks & Hiking

A local favorite for hot days thanks to its free splash pad, plus two playgrounds for different ages, shaded picnic tables with BBQs, and walking paths. Pack towels and water shoes since the splash area has no shade right over it. The picnic tables fill up fast on summer weekends, so stake one out early.