Kids can be tough critics when it comes to city outings, but here in L.A. we’re lucky to have an abundance of all-ages activities at our fingertips. We’ve gathered some of our favorite things to do in Los Angeles with kids for a range of ages, budgets, and lifestyles. Read on for inspiration for everything from weekend plans to birthday parties.
1. Explore L.A.’s most famous attractions
Looking for a fun-filled day with your kids in Los Angeles? Why not go be tourists in your own city and explore some of the most iconic attractions that we think everyone, from visitors to locals, should visit at least once. Start your adventure with breathtaking views of the city at Griffith Observatory, or explore the serene beauty of The Huntington‘s gardens and library.
2. Explore all the best theme parks in and around LA
Los Angeles (and our surrounding areas) is home to some of the world’s most famous theme parks. From the enchanting Disneyland, where beloved Disney characters come to life, to Universal Studios, where visitors can immerse themselves in the world of TV and film with behind-the-scene studio tours and attraction rides, there’s something in LA for everyone in the family to enjoy.
3. Grab a scoop of ice cream at this 100-year old pharmacy and soda fountain shop
The Fair Oaks Pharmacy And Soda Fountain has been serving South Pasadena since 1915, making it one of the oldest places you can grab a milkshake around L.A. This historic gem can satisfy almost any sweet tooth, offering one scoop cones, hand-dipped milkshakes, hand-dipped malts, floats and ice cream soda concoctions.
📍 1526 Mission Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030
4. Make even the pickiest eater’s mouth water at the Smorgasburg LA Food Fair
If you’ve never been to Smorgasburg, or never taken the kids, they’ll love the diverse options of food, sweet treats, and more. Whether your child has dietary restrictions or is simply choosey, they’ll certainly find something. There are also brand new additions to the lineup of vendors, like Champion Eats and All About Cinnamon. The food festival takes place every Sunday so you can round out your weekend on a high (and very full) note.
📍 777 S Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90021
🎫 View all the Smorgasburg details here
5. Watch a movie on the lawn, listen to live music, and eat from tasty food trucks at Street Food Cinema
Coming to beautiful venues like The Autry Museum and LA State Historic Park, Street Food Cinema (SFC) is back with another season of classic flicks and fun for the whole family. The picnic-style series invites guests to arrive early and sit on the grass as they enjoy the sunshine. And when the stars come out, the movies begin! From seasonal film selections to pre-movie activities, there’s a screening for everyone.
📍 Various locations
🎫 Book your tickets to Street Food Cinema here!
6. Play, discover, create, and explore at the Kidspace Children’s Museum
Kidspace is the museum of every child’s dreams and one of the best things to do with kids in Los Angeles. They can get messy at the Muddy Boot Farm, where kids are given a wheelbarrow and a trowel and told to get digging. They can also dance in fountains, walk across a rope bridge, ride on the Trike Track, and get hands-on with science in the Physics Forest. With just as much fun to be had outdoors as indoors, the Kidspace Children’s Museum is the definition of making learning fun. And for other great museum ideas, click here!
📍 480 N Arroyo Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91103
🎫 Get your tickets to Kidspace here!
7. Get topsy turvy at the Upside Down House
Get a whole new look on life at The Upside Down House! Located at World of Illusions, this mind-bending exhibit consists of seven rooms (including a living room, bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen), that have been flipped. Walk on the ceiling, challenge your own perceptions, and snap photos of your kiddos defying gravity!
📍 6751 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
🎫 Book your tickets for The Upside Down House here!
8. Let fairies guide you through an enchanted forest at A Faery Hunt Enchantment
Named the “Best Children’s Theater in Los Angeles” by Nickelodeon, A Faery Hunt Enchantment is an outdoor show that weaves original stories, dancing, and songs into a unforgettable experience. A Faery Hunt Enchantment also invites kids to dress up as fairies, princesses, or whatever else their hearts desire for this enchanted journey through nature!
📍 Various locations
🎫 Book your tickets to A Faery Hunt Enchantment here!
9. Set your heart aflutter at one of these vibrant L.A. butterfly pavilions
These Los Angeles butterfly pavilions make for a delightful afternoon, whether or not your kid is going through a bug phase. Visit in the spring to learn all about the butterfly life cycle from the Natural History Museum, the South Coast Botanic Garden, or the aforementioned Kidspace Children’s Museum. It’s a great way to connect as a family through nature and welcome the arrival of the warmer seasons.
10. Dive into L.A.’s best aquariums
Here on the California coast, we’re lucky to enjoy a bountiful array of aquariums inspired by our local ecosystems. From Long Beach’s famous Aquarium of the Pacific to San Pedro’s Cabrillo Marine Aquarium and education facility, you’ll find plenty of possibilities to enjoy with kids in Los Angeles whether you’re planning a SoCal road trip or just killing time on a weekend afternoon.
Written by William Barrios, Cat Huynh, and Jamie Ferrell