Things to Do With Kids in Los Angeles - Explore Together

Kelly R:  I think this is the best zoo in the US. One of the things that strikes me about it is how beautiful all of the surroundings and plant life are, even as you're just walking around between exhibits. There is definitely a lot of uphill walking that can tire us out pretty quickly, but the benefit of that is many of the exhibits can be viewed from different high and low vantage points. The new children's area is pretty amazing and has so much to do (including water features, so plan for that if your kids can't resist getting wet).

Alexandra F.:  I visited SeaWorld recently for the first time in years and our whole family had so much fun! It was honestly way better than I remembered from when I was a kid. They had just enough thrill rides to keep my teens happy, and so many fun animal exhibits and incredible shows. My 5- and 3-year-olds could have spent the entire day playing at the incredible playground, and my husband and I thought the whole day felt a lot more manageable than most other large theme parks. We'll definitely be going back! An online search turned up quite a few deals, too, so it was way more affordable than a day at Disney. Beware the food lines are crazy long for much of the day, though they were pretty fast when the park first opened. You can also order ahead on the app, and while it still takes a while, it does save some time.

Legoland has all kinds of thrilling rides and attractions where kids can build (and power) their own creations. The water park has its own unique attractions, plus there's a SEA LIFE Aquarium where kids can get up close and personal with sharks, octopi, and more!

Five tour options let you choose the length and activities that are right for your family and your kiddo, with the shortest, Quest Tour, starting at 1.5 hours long. Participants have four or more opportunities to ride the zip line, viewing wildlife and the landscape from high above the ground. You can even reach speeds of up to 55mph!

Llamas, sheep, guinea pigs, bunnies, goats, & cows...Zoomars Petting Zoo has them all! For a small petting zoo, Zoomars packs a lot of punch! In addition to up-close animal encounters, kids love the mini train, pony rides, mining for 'gold', and the outdoor playground.

Pretend City Children's Museum is an enclosed indoor facility that has more than a dozen interactive exhibits (bank, beach, cafe, dentist office, gas station, & more) tailor-made for little ones where they can pretend to be just about anything and stretch their imagination! The Trader Joe's market is a popular exhibit; kiddos love pushing around grocery carts and going shopping. Parents can bring their own snack and lunches or dine at the "Real Cafe."

The year round pick-your-own experience at Tanaka Farms includes a 1-hour guided wagon tour. This educational ride around the farm ends in picking your own fruit and veggies. Along with strawberry picking, they also host similar experiences like corn tours, melon tours, and u-pick vegetables. Tours also include admission to the farm, visiting with chickens, entrance to the play area, and a seasonal maze during the Fall. This is a very kid-friendly farm, especially during Pumpkin Patch Season and holidays.

Kelly R:  Head to this incredible playground with your imagination, plenty of extra time, and a change of clothes for the kids - things might get messy! The fully enclosed 2-acre complex is filled with features that inspire unstructured play, including plenty of open space to explore. Kids can get messy in a mud hole, decorate an art wall, build structures with giant Legos, and unwind in a sensory garden. Standard playground fun can be had with equipment that is anything but ordinary, like cement hill slides and a towering fortress-inspired jungle gym.

Alexandra F.:  We are at this zoo almost every week, and I can’t speak highly enough about it! It is the perfect place for curious toddlers and preschoolers, as the zoo is small enough that you can walk around to all or most of the exhibits without little legs getting too tired. Plus, there are so many cool animals to see even with the smaller size (the sloth, giant anteater, bald eagle, monkeys and camels are a few favorites!), and even opportunities to pet the goats and other small animals from time to time. We always make a stop at the playground, too, so it’s a fun and full couple of hours. It’s my favorite outing with my two active little guys!

Alexandra F.:  We LOVE the Discovery Cube. Personally, I think it is best suited for elementary-school kids, given the science concepts that are the focus of the exhibits, but my preschooler is obsessed with the OC location, and it has been one of the better memberships we've gotten since we end up going there almost every week. I also think it has gotten better and better over the last couple of years that we've been going. The new touch tank with rays and sharks is a special favorite, as well as the lunar rover remote control cars, the laser maze, and the build-your-own race car tracks. My preschooler also loves to get soaked at their awesome water table (so bring a change of clothes if this is your kiddo).

Alexandra F.:  Growing up my entire family would gladly drive the hour it took to get to the original Porto's in Glendale, because their Cuban sandwiches, potato balls and especially their flaky guava and cheese pastries were just that good. Fast forward a couple decades or three, and word has obviously spread. Southern Californians are now lucky enough to have several Porto's locations from which to choose. Lines are still as long as I remember from when I was a kid, but trust me, the guava and cheese pastries are worth the wait.

Alexandra F.:  This may be my favorite beach in the area, and the one I'd probably recommend first to any friends or family visiting from out of town. It's just so beautiful and well-maintained, and an easy and enjoyable outing for families, with clean bathrooms and the parking lot right next to the beach for easy access. The rock formations and cliffs add to the natural beauty, and the gorgeous homes nearby are fun to look at, too. If you can, be sure to walk up to Inspiration Point for an incredible view!

From pirates and princesses, to everyone's favorite mouse, there is lots of family fun to be had at Disneyland! Attractions range from tot-friendly rides to exciting roller coasters, as well as popular themed adventures like Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. Families can also choose from a great selection of fast-casual and sit-down dining, as well as enjoy shows, fireworks, and the kids' favorite Disney characters. Extend your fun with a visit to Disney California Adventure Park & Downtown Disney.

Alexandra F.:  You don't need to be a guest at the Disneyland Hotel (or have a park ticket) to enjoy a buffet meal surrounded by your favorite Disney characters! Of our many Disney experiences in both California and Florida, I really think our brunch at Goofy's Kitchen was one of the biggest highlights for my kids when they were little. I love that you can enjoy the experience on its own, but it's also a great way to get your character autographs and interactions in during a Disney vacation without having to spend extra time on them inside the parks.

The Children's Museum at La Habra offers seven educational and entertaining, permanent hands-on exhibits such as the nature walk exhibit, dress up room, science station, farm exhibit, and a featured exhibit which changes twice a year. The hand-carved carousel and1942 railroad caboose are extra special touches.