Things to Do in Perris with Kids

Things to do in Perris

Parks & Hiking

Lake Perris State Recreation Area

Big sandy swim beach, boat/kayak/paddleboard rentals, fishing and camping. Arrive early for parking on hot days.

Day-use fee per vehicle

Museums & Learning

Southern California Railway Museum

California's largest railway museum (formerly Orange Empire) — admission and parking are free, and weekends you can ride real trolleys all day.

Grounds free; ride tickets ~$8–13

Museums & Learning

Southern California Railway Museum

The West Coast's biggest railway museum, where kids can actually ride restored trolleys and trains on weekends. Walking the grounds and climbing aboard parked locomotives is free any open day, so you can come just to explore. Bring hats and water in summer since most of the yard is in full sun.

Free admission & parking; train/trolley rides ~$12–14

Parks & Hiking

Lake Perris State Recreation Area

A big reservoir with a sandy swim beach, easy shoreline trails, and good spots for fishing and picnics. The swim beach and shaded ramadas fill up fast on summer weekends, so arrive before 10am to grab parking and a table. The water is the cheapest way to beat Inland Empire heat with kids.

$10/vehicle day use ($20 summer weekends/holidays)

Theme Parks & Rides

DropZone Waterpark

A city-run waterpark with slides, a lazy river, a FlowRider, and a shallow Lil' Jumpers area for little ones. It's seasonal and won't open if the weather turns cool, so check the hours calendar before you drive out. Twilight or weekday tickets are the budget-friendly move.

Day tickets ~$25–35; season passes available

Parks & Hiking

Mercado Park

One of the nicest free parks in town, with a splash pad, multiple play structures, basketball, and a stage that hosts Movies in the Park and the End of Summer Splash. The splash pad is the local go-to for cooling off on a hot afternoon. Mornings are best in summer before the equipment heats up.

Free

Museums & Learning

Cesar E. Chavez Library

Freshly renovated in late 2024, this downtown branch of the Riverside County library is a cool, free indoor option with kids' programs and story times. A reliable midday escape from the heat when outdoor parks get too hot. Parking is easy in the downtown civic area right nearby.

Free

Parks & Hiking

Big League Dreams Perris

A 35-acre sports complex with scaled-down replicas of Yankee Stadium, Fenway, Dodger Stadium and the Big A, plus a playground, batting cages, and a restaurant with an arcade. Even if your family isn't playing, kids love watching games in the mini ballparks. A fun, free spot to wander, with a sit-down meal on site.

Free to visit/spectate; activities vary

Seasonal & outdoors near Perris

The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Perris.

More Inland Empire family guides