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. From toddlers to pre-teens, we’ve gathered some of our favorite things to do in LA for the entire family! Read on for inspiration for everything from weekend plans to birthday parties.
1. Explore La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
Exploring dinosaurs and fossils is one of the quintessential activities for kids. Many children experience a delightful paleontological phase, which they can immerse themselves in at the La Brea Tar Pits. And what’s even better? This spot is also dog friendly!
In 1875, amateur paleontologists discovered animal remains in the tar pits of Rancho La Brea, now Hancock Park. Today, professionals continue to excavate, unearthing millions of fossils. Visit the museum to see these fossils and tour the active tar pits.
📍5801 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
2. Step into the world of soccer at The Messi Experience: A Dream Come True
L.A.’s brand new Messi Experience is easily one of the best activities to enjoy with kids in the city right now. Whether you’re a die-hard Messi fan, or are simply looking for a unique interactive experience, the engaging exhibition invites visitors of all ages to explore the life and career of Leo Messi. The kids will love testing their soccer skills through hands-on exercises, practicing the famous tiki-taka, and conversing with Messi using AI.
📍 2800 Casitas Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90039
3. 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 is a great addition to your list of kids activities. It 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!
4. Explore all the best theme parks in and around LA
Looking for fun things to do with kids? 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.
📍 Various locations
5. 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!
6. Dive into L.A.’s best aquariums
Here on the California coast, we’re fortunate to have a diverse selection of aquariums inspired by our local ecosystems. Visiting an aquarium is an ideal activity to introduce toddlers to the beauty of marine ecosystems.
From Long Beach’s renowned Aquarium of the Pacific to San Pedro’s Cabrillo Marine Aquarium and educational facility, there are numerous opportunities for enjoying time with kids in Los Angeles, whether you’re planning a SoCal road trip or looking for a weekend activity.
📍 Various locations
7. 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 to grab a milkshake around L.A. This historic gem is perfect for family activities, as it can satisfy almost any sweet tooth with its offerings of one-scoop cones, hand-dipped milkshakes, hand-dipped malts, floats, and ice cream soda concoctions.
📍 1526 Mission Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030
8. Catch a mesmerizing Candlelight concert
It’s never too early to learn about the incredible composers and musicians that have shaped the musical landscape that we know today. And a Candlelight concert is both a unique and educational experience, where your kids can experience iconic music from the past and rediscover modern-day hits in a breathtaking setting. Taking place at premier venues across L.A., they cover a range of genres for every taste.
👤 Age requirement: 8 years old or older
9. 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.
This family entertainment series is picnic-style, inviting guests to arrive early, sit on the grass, and enjoy a movie screening in the outdoors. 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!
10. Have fun at one of these mini golf courses
In a castle, among waterfalls, or surrounded by dinosaurs, you’ll find some of the most fun mini golf courses near Los Angeles. These courses offer perfect activities for kids, adults, and basically the entire family when looking for a great time. Discover all the places where you can make an amazing hole-in-one!
📍 Various locations
11. 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. It’s ideal for kids ages 10 and under with dedicated areas and games for toddlers.
📍 480 N Arroyo Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91103
🎫 Get your tickets to Kidspace here!
12. Los Angeles Zoo
The L.A. Zoo’s greatest assets are its scenic location, nestled in the verdant hills of Griffith Park, making it a perfect spot for family fun activities. Despite its popularity, the zoo’s extensive 133 acres and ample parking area ensure it never feels overcrowded, offering a pleasant experience for toddlers and adults alike.
Kids will delight in observing the elephants and reptiles, as well as enjoying a ride on the beautifully adorned Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel.
📍 5333 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027
13. 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. Plus, there are 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. Make sure to check out this spot before your toddler gets picky with food!
📍 777 S Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90021
🎫 View all the Smorgasburg details here
14. 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.
📍 Various locations
15. 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.
📍 Various locations
16. Visit one of the many sunflower fields near L.A.
Taking a day trip out of Los Angeles is always a great idea for family fun, and it’s even better if you can connect with nature! Fortunately, the warm months of June and July not only bring us fields of purple lavender but also give us stunning yellow landscapes of sunflower fields. Visiting these spots is perfect for capturing unforgettable photos and picking your own sunflowers!
17. Enroll your kids in a summer camp
Does your child love nature, sports, arts, crafts, technology, or fashion? Whatever sparks their interest, Los Angeles offers an impressive variety of summer camp options. From day camps to overnight stays lasting several weeks, this summer is the ideal chance for them to make new friends, have a blast, and develop new skills!
18. Go roller skating around Los Angeles
Of all the activities to enjoy with kids in Los Angeles, roller skating is a must-add to your list. The city offers a variety of places where children (and adults, too) can learn or improve their skills, from scenic beachside boardwalks to dedicated roller skating rinks.
19. Catch a film at a drive-in theater
One of the most magical ways to watch movies in the international capital of cinema is to do it the old-school way. Just grab your car, load it up with some snacks, lawn chairs, and blankets to keep warm, and head over to one of the drive-in movie theaters around Los Angeles.
Many of them have a vintage style from the ’50s and ’60s, offer inexpensive prices, and are family and pet-friendly, so you can catch the latest releases.
Written by William Barrios, Cat Huynh, Jamie Ferrell and Sofía Delpueche.