Things to Do With Kids in Los Angeles: Explore Together

Catching a baseball game at Dodger Stadium is a fun Los Angeles experience, complete with a great view of the city.

This quintessential California burger chain is a must-do for both visitors and locals.

Alexandra F. said:  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!

This unique retail store was created by 826LA, a non-profit organization that provides free tutoring and creative writing programs for students ages 6-18. It's a whimsical shop filled with humorous and imaginative items with a time travel theme. All proceeds support 826LA's educational programs, so it's a fun and quirky spot to visit for a unique souvenir and to support a good cause.

Jenny said:  A unique learning center and gift shop

The San Diego Zoo is a world-renowned 100-acre wildlife park located in Balboa Park, San Diego. It's home to a vast collection of rare and endangered animals, representing hundreds of species, and it also boasts an impressive botanical collection. The zoo is a leader in conservation efforts, dedicated to protecting wildlife and their habitats.

Kelly R said:  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).

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.

Strawberry picking

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."

If you're looking for things to do with kids in Los Angeles on a budget, admission to the permanent galleries at the California Science Center is always free, and does not require a reservation. Permanent exhibits include World of Life, Fire! Science & Safety, and Ecosystems. Timed tickets are required for the IMAX Theater and special exhibits.

Always free admission

From its roots as a berry stand in the 1920s, Knott's has long since evolved into one of Southern California's most popular theme parks, home to thrill rides, family rides, kids' rides, and live shows and entertainment.

One of the most well known amusement parks in Los Angeles, kids and big kids alike love Universal Studios Hollywood! Check out kid-friendly attractions like Despicable Me Minion Mayhem and Super Silly Fun Land, or have some pulse-pounding fun on Jurassic Park the Ride and King Kong 360 3-D. And no visit to Universal Studios is complete without a trip to Diagon Alley and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, or Super Nintendo World! Keep your eyes peeled for character sightings of Dora, Sponge Bob, Scooby Doo, The Simpsons and others. Families can also enjoy great dining, shopping, and entertainment both in the park and at CityWalk.

An active paleontology site, this is one of the more unique kid-friendly activities in Los Angeles. Your admission gives you a glimpse into what scientists are working on in the Fossil Lab, and a chance to talk with scientists and volunteers about recent finds that make the past come to life. Changing programs can include 3D movies and new fossils as they are found.

Though the weather will almost always be perfect for going outdoors, if you are looking for things to do with kids in Los Angeles indoors, check out one of its many excellent museums! The Natural History Museum will appeal to the whole family, with family-friendly exhibits about birds, dinosaurs, insects, and mammals, and caters to kids in particular with its touchable minerals, furs and fossils, authentic scientific exploration tools, and insect zoo. Interactive shows (some feature actors dressed as dinosaurs!) round out the educational entertainment.

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.

One of the best kids museums in Los Angeles, Discovery Cube was created with children in mind. Both the LA and the Orange County locations have wonderful interactive exhibits that allow children of all ages to explore science concepts, including space exploration, physics, engineering and more.

Alexandra F. said:  We LOVE the Discovery Cube, and it is for sure one of the best kids museums in Los Angeles and Orang County. 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. said:  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.