All-aboard for holiday fun at during the Brookhollow Barnyard Under the Stars. Photo courtesy of Brookhollow
Santa Sightings, Holiday Farm Fun, and More Things To Do this Weekend in New Jersey
Donations to Fanwood's Famous Christmas House support charity. Photo courtesy of the family
Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights in New Jersey 2025
It costs nothing to take in the display at Fanwood's Famous Christmas House. Photo courtesy of Fanwood's Famous Christmas House
34 Free Holiday and Christmas Events in New Jersey for Kids 2025
GUIDE
Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for NJ Families
The Turtle Back Zoo holiday lights show in West Orange is one of our top picks for family fun this Christmas. Photo by Kaylynn Ebner
21 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in New Jersey for Kids in 2025
The spectacular Winter WonderLights drive-thru boasts more than 1.5 million lights animated to favorite holiday tunes,
Best 2025 Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in New Jersey
Grab a spot in the Car Menorah Parade or catch the end of the cavalcade for candle lighting and refreshments. Photo courtesy of Chabad Center Cherry Hill
18 Best Things To Do in New Jersey with Kids December 2025, from Mommy Poppins Editors
More than 50,000 illuminated tulips will line the fields of Holland Ridge Farms' Winter Wonderland show. Photo courtesy of the farm
New Jersey's Most Popular Christmas Events to Book Now Before They Sell Out for 2025
Join a magical trip on the Polar Express powered by the Morristown & Erie Railway. Photo courtesy of the railway
Polar Express Trains in New Jersey for Families in 2025
Spend a day running around at Johnson's Corner Farm this November. Photo courtesy of the farm
25 Things To Do in New Jersey During November 2025 School Holidays
Get drawn into the art at the Morris Museum next time you're looking for indoor activities for kids in New Jersey. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner
40 Things To Do Indoors in New Jersey on a Rainy Day
Romp with the triceratops and other dinos at Field Station: Dinosaurs in Leonia. Photo by Janet Bloom
Ultimate New Jersey Bucket List: 100 Things To Do with Kids in NJ
Admission to the Cohanzick Zoo in Bridgeton is completely free. Photo by Lisa Warden
100 Free Things To Do in New Jersey with Kids
Get ready for back to school with all the right supplies, classes, and tips.
GUIDE
Back-to-School Guide 2025-2026
The Rainforest Cafe has two family-friendly restaurants in New Jersey. Photo courtesy of Rainforest Cafe
Themed Restaurants in New Jersey for Family-Friendly Interactive Dining
Cruise in the Playmobil Fire Truck during your trip to Toys
Top Free Things To Do Indoors in New Jersey: Free Places to Play Indoors
Make a splash at a Jersey Shore waterpark, like Ocean Oasis at Morey's Piers. Photo by Kip Dawkins
100 Things To Do at the Jersey Shore with Kids in 2025
Attractions at Morganville's Play Big Zone include arcades games and a 2,000-square-foot obstacle course.
20 Best Kids' Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in New Jersey
GUIDE
Summer Camps Guide for New Jersey Kids
The Battkeship New Jersey is an amazing hands on experience for families. Photo by Lisa Warden
Best NJ Children's Museums in South and Central Jersey
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for New Jersey Kids
At Genius Gems in Millburn, kids under 2 get in free with an older sibling.
Budget-Friendly Indoor Play Spaces in New Jersey: Drop-in Play for $25 or Less
Hang out with the giant hippos at Camden's Adventure Aquarium. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner
The Best New Jersey Zoos and Aquariums to Visit with Kids
New Jersey kids can find free fun climbing the pirate ship at the free Garden State Plaza Westfield mall. Photo by Mommy Poppins
GUIDE
Guide to Free Fun Things To Do with NJ Kids
The accessible playground at Watsessing Park works for children of all abilities. Photo by Margaret Hargrove
Best Playgrounds in New Jersey Worth the Drive
Pet baby goats on a visit to Brookhollow's Barnyard in Boonton. Photo by Kaylynn Ebner
Meet the Animals at these New Jersey Petting Zoos and Animal Farms
Beyond the casinos, Atlantic City is an all-ages playground, with Island Waterpark, boardwalk amusements, beach access, and more fun.
Atlantic City with Kids: 34 Top Things To Do in Atlantic City, NJ
The Funplex has two New Jersey locations for families to explore and enjoy.
Best Family Fun Centers & Indoor Amusement Parks in New Jersey
Palmer Square is a great place to relax in the heart of Princeton. Photo courtesy of Palmer Square
22 Best Things To Do in Princeton, NJ, with Kids
At a Bach to Rock birthday party, kids can sing karaoke or record their own CD.
18 Top Birthday Party Places in New Jersey for Kids
Nickelodeon Universe is one of the can't-miss destinations at American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo courtesy of the venue
  VIDEO
Visiting American Dream Mall in New Jersey: 26 Fun Things To Do and Tips For Your Visit
Bounce, climb, and jump at BounceU in Paramus, one of our top indoor play spaces in northern New Jersey.
Top Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Northern New Jersey
Hike 1.6 miles to reach the dramatic beauty of South Mountain Reservation's Hemlock Falls. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
Easy Waterfall Hikes in Northern New Jersey for Kids in 2025
Cheesequake State Park in Middlesex County offers hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, and much more. Photo by Ali Chandra
Great Day Trips to New Jersey State Parks and Forests
The Camden Children's Garden offers free admission for children under 2.
Free Admission for Kids at 50+ Top New Jersey Family Attractions
Cruise in the Playmobil Fire Truck during your trip to Toys
Top Free Things To Do Indoors in New Jersey: Free Places to Play Indoors
Hop aboard a stagecoach for a ride back in time at Wild West City, one of New Jersey's top attractions.
Top Attractions in New Jersey: Best Things To See and Do With Kids
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home
Teach 'em to tie during downtime.
65 Life Skills to Teach Kids at Every Age
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
GUIDE
New Jersey Amusement Parks and Water Parks Guide

Best Summer Horse Riding Camps around Los Angeles and Orange County

2/3/21 - By Martha Hall

It's hard to believe that only a few decades ago many LA kids could pat and even ride horses in their own neighborhoods. My friend who hails from Brentwood remembers feeding carrots to front yard horses just blocks from the now bustling and trendy San Vicente Blvd. Wouldn't that be nice? If you have a little rider-wanna-be but no riding ring next door, don't despair: there are many horseback riding summer camps with lessons for kids right around the corner.

Along with our recommendations for the LA area's best musical theater camps and science camps, we offer our picks for LA and Orange County's best summer horse riding camps. Be sure to check our camp guide for more camp ideas! Or, if you want to get the whole family in the saddle this weekend, check out our picks for the best stables offering kid-friendly trail rides around Los Angeles.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Horseback Riding Day Camps

Enterprise Farms

Griffith Park
For more than 20 years Enterprise Farms has offered a horse-filled summer program right in the heart of LA (just east of Griffith Park). Hands-on time with horses, fun with friends, arts and crafts, games, and lots of learning round out full days here. Camp is for kids ages 6 and up. READ MORE

San Pascual Stables

South Pasadena
San Pascual, a public equestrian facility, offers a day camp for kids ages 5-12, where kids learn horsemanship, English riding, and grooming/horse care. Each camp day includes a riding lesson, a horsemanship lesson, and additional activities, such as scavenger hunts and arts and crafts. READ MORE

Elvenstar Riding Academy

Moorpark
Elvenstar offers full-day camps for spring and summer. Visits from vets and farriers (horseshoers) supplement the already rich formal morning lesson and afternoon fun. Fridays offer pony parades and horse show where kids get to show off their skills. All levels are welcome. READ MORE

Hayden Show Jumping and Riding School

Laguna Hills
Camp time includes instruction and practice in horse care, grooming, terminology, different riding styles, and horse breeds. Kids can watch riders train and jump horses and hop aboard themselves. Most instruction is in the English Riding style, though Western saddles are available. READ MORE

Epona Riding Academy

Lakeview Terrace
Campers ride in a morning lesson which focuses on the fundamentals of horse and rider and proper communication with their horse. Fun afternoon activities include riding bareback, horse-themed games, arts and crafts, horsemanship, and more. Kids also learn about how to care for and groom horses. READ MORE

Traditional Equitation School

Burbank
The goal of the TES is to teach riders to be true horsepeople. This includes not only learning to ride, but caring for horses as well. Camp is designed for all levels. Instructors help develop horsemanship skills through games and activities, both on and off the horses. READ MORE

All About Horses OC

Huntington Beach
Campers learn and participate in grooming, tacking, and horse care along with lessons riding both English and Western, bareback, hunt seat, and vaulting. As part of their horsemanship, campers also learn horse first aid. Camp culminates in a horse show each session. READ MORE

Westside Riding School

Pacific Palisades
Westside Riding School offers a full range of experiences in the saddle without leaving the city, including guided trail rides in Will Rogers State Park, Pony Camp or Mini Camp for young and beginning riders, and pony birthday parties. READ MORE

Callie Bell

Rancho Palos Verdes
A little horse care, a lot of riding practice, and even more fun fills the half days at Callie Bell. Campers receive a workbook filled with information about horse safety and anatomy, as well as puzzles and games. Campers as young as age three are welcome. READ MORE

Places featured in this article: