Article: Things to Do in Sonoma County with Kids
Things to Do in Sonoma County with Kids
Sonoma County is far more than just wine country, it's one of the most genuinely family-friendly destinations in California. From ancient redwood forests and wild Pacific beaches to world-class museums and a Peanuts-themed ice rink, there's something here to delight every kid and every parent. Here's our guide to the best things to do in Sonoma County with kids, capped off with a few of our favorite wineries that actually welcome the whole family.
Children's Museum of Sonoma County, Santa Rosa, California
The Children's Museum of Sonoma County offers joyful, transformative experiences for children ages 10 and younger and their families, with unique and interactive hands-on exhibits and programs that unlock the benefits of playful learning in science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Inside, kids can be a chef in a retro diner, investigate the human body in the Science & Medical Lab, discover TOTopia (a wonderland for children ages 2.5 and younger), or blast off in a rocket in the Space Odyssey exhibit. The museum also offers programs, summer camps, and a weekly Spanish-language story time, and is proud to announce plans to break ground on a major expansion in August 2026. It's a rainy-day savior and a sunny-day destination in equal measure, and it sits right next door to two more iconic Sonoma County stops.
Charles M. Schulz Museum, Santa Rosa, California
Santa Rosa is the hometown of Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz, and the museum dedicated to his legacy is a genuine delight for kids and nostalgic adults alike. The museum spans 8,000 square feet of whimsy and art, including about 7,000 original cartoons, the largest collection in the world. Guests will find a range of family-friendly activities from hands-on crafts to drawing demonstrations by professional cartoonists, and can watch their favorite Peanuts characters come to life on screen in the museum theatre. Highlights include a recreation of Schulz's actual drawing board and studio, a towering stairwell mosaic assembled from decades of his artwork, and Warhol-worthy oversized Snoopy canvases in the main gallery. Plan for about 60 to 90 minutes, and save time for the arts and crafts room, where kids have been known to lose track of time entirely.
Snoopy's Home Ice, Santa Rosa, California
Just across the street from the Schulz Museum, Snoopy's Home Ice is a Peanuts-themed institution the whole family will love. Built and owned by Charles M. Schulz himself, the Redwood Empire Ice Arena has been open since April 1969, and it remains one of the most charming and unique ice rinks in California. Even if you don't skate, there's plenty to do: the Warm Puppy Café is a cozy spot to grab lunch or a Peppermint Patty hot chocolate by the fire while watching the action on the ice, and Snoopy's Gallery & Gift Shop across the parking lot features the largest selection of Peanuts merchandise in the world. Public skating sessions run daily, with lessons and freestyle sessions also available. Together, the museum, rink, café, and gift shop make for a full and memorable Peanuts-themed day.
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, Guerneville, California
For a dose of awe that no screen can replicate, a morning among the ancient coastal redwoods at Armstrong Redwoods is hard to beat. This 805-acre reserve is home to the 1,400-year-old Colonel Armstrong Tree and the Parson Jones Tree, which towers the length of an entire football field. For families with little ones, the Pioneer Nature Trail is a great 1.5-mile round-trip walk that is mostly flat, ADA accessible, and includes a picnic area. More energetic families can venture out on longer rim hikes deeper into the park. The cool, cathedral-quiet shade of the redwood grove has a way of slowing everyone down in the best possible way.
Safari West, Santa Rosa, California
For something genuinely unexpected, Safari West in Santa Rosa offers a taste of the African savannah right here in Sonoma County. Families can take a guided safari tour to see giraffes, zebras, and other exotic animals up close, with a wonderful opportunity for kids to learn about wildlife conservation. The guided open-air jeep tours run morning and afternoon, and the experience of spotting a giraffe against the backdrop of rolling Sonoma hills is as surreal and delightful as it sounds. Overnight glamping on the property is also available for families who want to make a full adventure of it.
Now for the Grown-Ups: Family-Friendly Wineries Worth the Visit
One of the great joys of Sonoma County family travel is that the parents don't have to skip wine country entirely. These three wineries do it right.
Bricoleur Vineyards, Windsor, California
Bricoleur is the gold standard for family-friendly wine tasting in Sonoma County. With exceptional wines, thoughtfully crafted foods, and sweeping vistas, a visit to Bricoleur Vineyards offers a laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere featuring lawn games, board games, scavenger hunts, and catch-and-release fishing. The signature Essentials Picnic sends families off across the estate with a red wagon and a gourmet wicker basket, letting everyone choose their own scenic spot to settle in, by the pond, in the rose garden, or under the pavilion trellis. Family Night events (coming up June 12, August 14, and October 23) bring the community together for an evening of wine, seasonal food, pizza, and lawn games where the whole crew is welcome, including dogs!
Belden Barns, Sonoma, California
Belden Barns is an intentionally family-focused winery, providing a fun wine experience for all, from events such as the Fall Grape Stomp and Spring Cork Hunt to an on-site basketball court and plenty of outdoor space for kids to burn off energy while parents taste. It's one of the rare wineries where children are genuinely part of the experience, not an afterthought.
Benziger Family Winery, Glen Ellen, California
Tucked into Glen Ellen on the slopes of Sonoma Mountain, Benziger's beloved Biodynamic Tractor Tram Tour is one of the most kid-friendly vineyard experiences in Sonoma County, a 60-minute adventure that takes guests on a tractor tour of the vineyard to learn about sustainable farming practices. Children are welcome on the tour, the grounds are beautiful and spacious, and the whole experience doubles as a genuine nature and science lesson that curious kids tend to love.Sonoma County rewards families who explore it, there's always something new to discover, and the combination of outdoor adventure, cultural richness, and genuine hospitality makes it one of the best family destinations in Northern California.
