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At the renowned San Diego Zoo, kids shriek in delight over the latest creepy-crawly in Bugtown, and build crafts at the animal-themed events. During seasonal holidays and summer, Dr. Zoolittle presents his entertaining science shows. The zoo also offers summer camps and art classes (see San Diego Zoo).

Kids love to press their faces against glass tanks, inches away from whales, sharks, and manatees. And there’s nothing more fun than to be drenched by a performing dolphin (see SeaWorld).

Science can be fun for all. At the Little Learners Lab, children aged 2–6 can play with musical instruments, soft blocks, and puppets. Older kids go wild with many hands-on activities. In the Virtual Zone, the Deep Sea Ride plunges 9,000 ft (2,743 m) to ocean depths and encounters a Giant Squid.

Children are fascinated by the 30 million plastic bricks fashioned into famous landmarks, life-sized African animals, and landscapes. In Fun Town, kids can drive real electric cars or pilot a helicopter; at the Imagination Zone, they can build race cars and robots. Magicians, ventriloquists, and puppeteers add to the fun.

Located on the museum’s second floor, kids dress up as pharaohs and learn about ancient Egypt by building a pyramid, deciphering hieroglyphics, and listening to the god Anubis explain the mummification process. At a re-creation of an archeological dig, children dig through sand for treasure and also learn about dating artifacts (see San Diego Museum of Man).

This old-fashioned fun zone keeps the kids entertained for hours. They can take a ride on the Giant Dipper roller coaster, Tilt-a-Whirl, and an antique carousel; enjoy the Bumper Cars; or play in Pirates Cove, an enormous area with slides and tunnels. If the ocean is too cold, try The Plunge, a 175-ft (53-m) indoor pool (see Swimming).

Children used to swim at this sheltered cove, but harbor seals and sea lions had much the same idea. The beach is now closed, and children must view the entertaining crowds of marine animals swimming and sleeping from behind a rope.

Named after the park’s beloved “puppet lady” who delighted audiences with her magical skills, the Balboa Park Puppet Guild entertains kids and adults alike with a wonderful collection of marionettes and hand, rod, and shadow puppets. The Magic of Ventriloquism, Pinocchio, and Grimm’s fairytale classics are some of the shows presented. Guest puppeteers are often featured as well.

At this park, herds of animals roam freely in enclosures that replicate their natural African habitats. Compatible animals are mixed, allowing you to observe their interac-tions. Children enjoy the Petting Kraal and seeing the newborns at the Animal Care Center. Those over 8 can accompany their parents on a photo caravan for an encounter with giraffes and rhinos (see Roar & Snore at San Diego Wild Animal Park).

Coral reefs, seahorses, octopi, and undulating jellyfish have a high ooh-and-ah factor for kids. The aquarium (see Birch Aquarium at Scripps) presents special hands-on activities, scavenger hunts, craft workshops, and slumber parties throughout the year, among more than 30 tanks filled with brilliantly colored fish. Guided tide-pool adventures for tots, seasonal whale-watching and grunion runs take place off site.