Inland Empire family guide
Things to Do in Perris with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Perris on the map
📍 Where Perris is
Perris sits in Inland Empire, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Ontario Intl (~29 mi / 46 km). It's roughly 62 mi (99 km) from Downtown LA and 75 mi (120 km) from San Diego — SoCal traffic can make a drive take far longer than the distance suggests, so plan around it.
Visiting? See SoCal at a glance, getting around and which airport.
Things to do in Perris
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
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
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
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
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
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 varyFestivals & annual events in Perris
What Perris is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Perris Halloween Harvest Festival / Trunk or Treat
The City of Perris lists a Halloween Harvest Festival with trunk-or-treat starting at 5pm on Friday, Oct 16. Venue and activities aren't shown on the calendar summary. Tip: call the city (951-943-6100) or open the calendar entry for the venue before heading out.
Not listed; check city calendar
Perris Veterans Celebration
The city's annual Veterans Celebration on the city calendar for Saturday morning, Nov 7. Tip: confirm the venue on the city calendar entry, and expect a short ceremony that suits school-age kids.
Not listed; check city calendar
Perris 36th Annual Christmas Parade
Perris' long-running holiday parade runs through the historic downtown, drawing big crowds. Tip: it is a morning parade, so there is time to combine it with Norco's evening Parade of Lights the same day; check the city calendar for the route and street closures.
Free
Perris Breakfast with Santa
The city lists a 9am Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec 19. Tip: the calendar summary doesn't show price or venue, so check the entry or call 951-943-6100 to see if reservations are needed.
Not listed; check city calendar
Perris Cinco de Mayo Festival
A city-run Cinco de Mayo celebration on the Perris City Hall grounds with food and artisan vendors, live music, ballet folklorico and Lucha Libre matches.
The 3rd annual ran May 2, 2026; no 2027 date posted
Seasonal & outdoors near Perris
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Perris.
Perris is part of the Inland Empire family guide — see the region's best things to do, local eats and events.
More Inland Empire family guides
Perris family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Perris with kids?
Family favorites in and around Perris include Lake Perris State Recreation Area, Southern California Railway Museum, DropZone Waterpark and Mercado Park, and more. Our guide lists 6 spots, each with a price note and practical tips where we have them.
Are there free things to do in Perris?
Yes — free family spots near Perris include Mercado Park, Cesar E. Chavez Library and Big League Dreams Perris. Our free things to do page lists more across Southern California.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Where to stay in Perris
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Perris on one map — then book on your favorite site.