While at Disneyland sometimes you need a place to let the kids play and get the wiggles out. In this post I’m sharing 10+ kid friendly places where you can go with no lines or waiting required in both Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure. We’ll begin exploring in Disneyland first!

Toon Town

Head to Toon Town for lots of ways to entertain the kiddos. There are three different areas the kids can explore.

1 – Chip ’n Dale’s Treehouse where you can climb the winding spiral staircase into the heart of the tree. Be sure to check out the view of Mickey’s Toontown from the top.

2 – Donald’s Boat has lots to explore. Climb a spiral staircase up top to spin the Captain’s Wheel, ring the boat bell and pull the ship’s whistle to trigger water spouts on deck. Plus the panoramic views of Mickey’s Toontown are fantastic.

3 – Goofy’s Playhouse is a great area to rest and watch the kids run around in the shade. Explore the wacky garden or go down the kid slide. Plus explore inside the house, take a peek inside Goofy’s crazy cupboards and play the piano specially designed to make Goofy noises instead of notes.

Look closely above on the Goofy sign for a hidden Mickey!

4 – Water fountain near Mickey’s House. The musical water fountain is centrally located in Toon Town. Did you know that you can interact with the water fountain and play the instruments? All around the water fountain are circles on the ground with different musical instruments. Go over and tap or jump on the circle. Each one will sound off a different instrument. The kids will get a kick out of the sounds that come from the water fountain.

Stomp on the circles on the ground to make noises.

5 – Explore over near the Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin. There is a post office with lots of things to push that make noise and open the mailbox. Kids will enjoy checking out all the fun places in this area.

6 – Walk through Mickey’s house and Minnie’s house. Explore the living room, kitchen, bedroom and more in each house on a self-guided tour. Lots of fun things to see and explore. Plus you can meet each character, Mickey inside at the end of his house. Minnie can be found outside her house.

7 – Goofy’s Water is located next to Pluto’s Dog House. When you push on the water fountain to take a drink funny noises come from the water fountain. Be sure to push it a few times and listen to the different funny sounds.

Main Street Cinema

Located in the heart of Main Street is the best place indoors to watch 6 old Mickey cartoons on separate movie screens. Plus there are benches to sit on inside! The cartoons play continuously and include:

Steamboat Willie, 1928
Plane Crazy, 1928
The Moose Hunt, 1931
Traffic Troubles, 1931
The Dognapper, 1934
Mickey’s Polo Team, 1936

Each short is 6 to 8 minutes long and originally aired before a full-length feature film.

Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island

Hop on a raft in front of the Haunted Mansion and set sail for the island where you can roam and explore to your hearts content.

There are many paths shaded by sycamore and oak trees with scenic views of the riverbanks. You can cross creaky suspension bridges in Smuggler’s Cove, dare to explore the haunted caves of Dead Man’s Grotto, climb through a fort built by the frontier’s early settlers and more. Plus be sure to hunt for the long-lost pirate treasure!

Exploring with the kids on Tom Sawyer’s island.

Star Wars Launch Bay

If you head to Tomorrowland you’ll want to stop inside the air-conditioned building and explore Star Wars Launch Bay. Watch an exclusive documentary, wander around the Mos Eisley cantina or test your skills by playing the latest Star Wars video games.

Tarzan’s Treehouse

Over in Adventureland you’ll find a fun place to explore. Tarzan’s Treehouse is the legendary vine-swinger’s jungle home—built in an 80-foot-tall tree.

Climb the tree stump and cross a rope bridge high in the sky. Overgrown with vines and constructed out of parts salvaged from his tragic shipwreck, the tree house features ingenious inventions and vignettes from Tarzan’s epic life story. Down below, explore the gear Tarzan and Jane left behind at Base Camp. Investigate Jane’s collection of scientific equipment and improvised cooking gear. Inspect a magic lantern, play with musical pots and pull on the vines to discover fun surprises.

Fun exploring Jane’s musical instruments at the bottom of the treehouse.

And lastly across from the entrance of Space Mountain you will find the giant water ball or Germ ball as I like to call it. Kids are entertained and get a chance to cool off as they play.

Now that we’ve covered Disneyland park let’s head over to Disney California Adventure and see what we can find over there.

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail

This large play area is located near Grizzly River Run. Here the kids can explore, climb, swing and play in a wilderness adventure. There’s fun for the whole family. Enjoy a “forest” range of activities for everyone. Practice the art of traverse climbing at the Cliff Hanger Traverse Rock Climb. Glide down a natural rock slide. Explore the ropes course to the lookout towers high above the tree line. Practice your park ranger skills on the tire swing at Sequoia Smokejumpers Training Tower. There are benches to rest on plus lots of shade.

Most of the experiences of Redwood Creek Challenge Trail have no height or age requirements except:

Cliff Hanger Traverse Rock Climb – Guests must be 42 inches or taller.
Hoot n’ Holler Log Slides – Guests must be 32 inches or taller.
Sequoia Smokejumpers Training Tower – Guests must be between 42 inches and 63 inches tall. Guests must also be under 13 years of age.

Animation Building

Located over in Hollywood land you will find the Animation Building. Inside there’s lots of carpeted area to let little ones get out their wiggles, plus sofas to sit down and rest. You can watch video clips and music from Disney movies on the giant screens play continuously.

Also inside there are various things to do. Find the Sorcerer’s Workshop and venture inside the Magic Mirror Realm for several interactive things the kids will enjoy.

Find this sign and go inside to discover the Beast’s Library.

Then keep going and you will discover the best kept secret, the Beast’s secret library from Beauty and the Beast. It’s magical as the room turns from night to day as the petals on the rose fall. A Magical Book is an interactive game with an enchanted book where you discover which Disney character your personality most resembles. There’s so much to explore and do inside the Animation Building.

Disney Junior Dance Party

During this show kids get to wiggle, shimmy and sing along at a high-energy show starring Disney Junior Characters. Check the entertainment schedule to see when the next 18 minute show is taking place. Now this option does require standing in line for the next show, but once inside the air-conditioned building the kids get to shake it off and laugh with characters like Vampirina, Doc McStuffins and Timon. The DJ plays songs from Disney Junior shows while bubbles float through the air. Other appearances include Kion and his animal pals from The Lion Guard live via satellite from the Pride Lands. Even Mickey and Minnie Mouse from Mickey and the Roadster Racers are driving in from Hot Dog Hills to join the fun. Get ready to party like a Disney Junior star!

And lastly as mentioned over in Disneyland they also have a giant Pixar water (germ) ball on Pixar Pier in front of the Pixar Pal A Round.

I hope you found this list helpful as you plan for your next visit with your little ones. Other helpful posts include which rides your baby or toddlers can go on here. And for my pregnant mamas you should look at this post!

Be sure to pin this post to your favorite Disney board!