Whether you live nearby, across the country, or on the other side of the world, LA is a great place to travel with your family. Sure, it’s known for being a celebrity hotspot with a larger-than-life vibe, but it’s also one of the best kid-friendly travel destinations in the country. The whole family will absolutely love everything going on here.
Even for us locals, there’s never a shortage of things to do in Los Angeles, California with kids. There are mega-popular activities, like Disneyland and the Legoland and Universal Studios theme parks, but there’s so much more to Los Angeles than the big-name, world-class attractions.
Our family still has plenty left to discover, but there are several things I recommend to others every chance I get. So, today I’m sharing a round-up of things you can do in Los Angeles with kids. What are you waiting for? Let’s dive in!
13 Family Things To Do In Los Angeles
Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood is one of the number one top attractions in LA, and a total must-visit for families with kids. If you have movie lovers, thrill-seekers, or adrenaline junkies in your group, this is the place you’ll want to be. It’s a full-blown theme park and working film studio all in one, which makes it a unique and really cool experience you won’t find anywhere else.
From a studio tour to a thrilling ride, this is one of the best spots for the whole family when visiting LA. Just remember, if you have little ones in tow, some attractions do have height limits, but there are play areas and plenty of chill spots for babies and toddlers too!
Kidspace Children’s Museum
The Kidspace Children’s Museum in Pasadena is consistently mentioned among the best places to visit with kids in Los Angeles. It’s a fantastic option for families with kids 10 or younger, but to be honest, even the adults really love it. There are more than 40 indoor and outdoor exhibits offering a ton of activities for your kids to enjoy. They can climb, splash, make music, and so much more. Visiting Kispace is arguably the best thing to do with young kids in LA.
Also, if you’re traveling with babies or toddlers, be sure to check out my baby travel essentials and toddler travel essentials. Nothing says fuss-free trips like good organization in advance!
Griffith Observatory and Griffith Park
Let me start by saying Griffith Park is massive. It’s like the West Coast’s Central Park. Within Griffith Park you’ll find numerous family-friendly attractions like the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, the Travel Town Museum, and Shane’s Inspiration Playground. But one of my favorite things to do in Griffith Park with my kids is to visit Griffith Observatory.
With space-themed exhibits and a mesmerizing planetarium, the Observatory has something for every member of your family to enjoy.
Los Angeles County Museum of Arts (LACMA)
We visited the Los Angeles County Museum of Arts (LACMA) for the first time nearly a decade ago and I still recommend it to families visiting LA. If you’re looking for an educational activity that’s anything but boring, I urge you to check it out. As you explore the massive museum, you’ll discover more than 150,000 objects spanning 6,000 years of art. You never know what will catch your (or your child’s) eye!
You can read more about our first visit to LACMA here.
La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
Just a five-minute walk from LACMA is another top-rated, kid-friendly attraction, the La Brea Tar Pits. There you’ll find the only active urban fossil dig site in the world, which means there is truly no other place on Earth like this!
Bring the whole family and watch as fossils are carved out of the asphalt in real-time, or get a glimpse at how each discovery is prepared in the see-through Fossil Lab. And, of course, there are jaw-dropping exhibits featuring mammoths, saber-tooth tigers, mastodons, and so much more.
Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Beach is worth visiting on its own, but Pacific Park is the real attraction for families. Although Pacific Park is small compared to the other theme parks in the area, it’s a landmark that’s worth experiencing as a family. It has 13 rides, including a roller coaster and Ferris wheel, and plenty of sweet treats.
Hike to the Hollywood Sign
A trip to LA wouldn’t be complete without seeing the world-famous Hollywood sign. You can catch glimpses of it from all over the city, but if you’re up for a couple of hours of moderate exercise, I recommend taking your family on one of the hiking trails that lead to the sign on Mount Lee. Plus, you never know who you might see on the trail!
There are various trails to choose from, but the Bush Canyon Trail via Canyon Drive is one of the best for families with kids.
Aquarium of the Pacific
If you’re feeling up to a drive to Long Beach, the Aquarium of the Pacific is worth every minute of traffic you encounter. With more than 100 exhibits, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. If I had to guess, I would say their favorites would be the shark lagoon and sea otter habitat. But those are just two of the many mesmerizing things to see at the aquarium.
Grand Central Market
If you’re looking for a unique place to grab a bite to eat, head to downtown Los Angeles and visit Grand Central Market. The gigantic marketplace is lined with stalls offering everything from raw oysters to ice cream. It’s a great place to visit with older kids but doesn’t cater as well to little ones. It can get pretty packed and navigating a stroller through the market is cumbersome, to say the least. I highly recommend visiting if you have older children, especially if they’re open to trying new and different foods.
Venice Beach
Venice Beach is quintessential LA. It’s eclectic, entertaining, and full of energy. You can soak up the sun on the beach, spot performers on the boardwalk, watch skaters at the skatepark, enjoy a stroll along the Canals, or do some shopping on Abbot Kinney Boulevard. It can get pretty crowded, so you’ll want to stick together and keep a close eye on your kiddos, but it’s worth visiting just for the experience.
Los Angeles State Historic Park
If you’re looking for something more laidback, a.k.a. quiet, to do with your kids, consider visiting Los Angeles State Historic Park. LASHP is more of a “make your own fun” kind of activity, but it’s the perfect setting for easy-going family time in LA. Enjoy a picnic, go for a walk, ride bikes, or relax and take in the gorgeous scenery.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is just one of those classic touristy things you have to tick off your list. Even the kids can get in on the fun if they enjoy movies, music, or pop culture. From spotting their favorite celebrities’ stars on the sidewalk to snapping pics with fun costumed characters along the way (yes, Spider-Man and Mickey Mouse are usually hanging around ready to snap some pics), there’s plenty to keep kids entertained while you fangirl over your teen crushes stars.
You can find over 2,700 stars stretching across Hollywood Boulevard, and it’s actually kind of fun to just walk, explore, and see who you recognize along the way.
California Science Center
If you’re looking for a fun (and completely FREE!) place to take the kids in LA, the California Science Center is a total win. It’s hands-on, educational, and way more exciting than your average museum visit. I think it’s a huge favorite for most kids.
Kids (and adults) can climb walls, touch tanks to experiment with air and water, and so much more! There are tons of interactive exhibits that kids can actually play with and enjoy to the max.
When Is The Best Time To Go To Los Angeles?
The very best time to visit Los Angeles will largely depend on what kind of experience you’re trying to go for on your trip. However, in general, March through May and September through November are the most ideal times to visit in terms of temperature and busy times.
Here are some of my top seasonal tips:
- Spring (March–May): This time of year is absolutely perfect for outdoor activities like hiking in Griffith Park or strolling along Santa Monica Pier. At this time, all of the wildflowers bloom, and the city starts to feel very fresh and vibrant.
- Fall (September–November): During this time, the weather is warm but not scorching. I love that fall offers great weather and a more relaxed vibe as the summer crowds slowly taper off.
- Summer (June–August): Summer is the perfect time for beachgoers and event lovers to visit. However, you should expect hotter temps and bigger crowds, especially at theme parks and tourist hot spots like the ones we’ve mentioned above.
- Winter (December–February): Winter has the chance to be pretty cold, but still relatively mild. It’s a quieter season, with fewer tourists around, and much cheaper accommodation. Just beware that the occasional spot of rain is possible.
If your goal is to explore this beautiful city without the stress of crowds, fuss, rush, or extreme heat, late spring to early fall is definitely your best bet! Otherwise, you may find yourself lining up for long periods of time and even sweating while you do so. It’s best to prepare in advance.
There are countless things to do as a family in Los Angeles!
Los Angeles is a fun, fantastic, family-friendly destination with a ton of things to do and see no matter what your individual interests are. Whether you’re traveling with teens or a baby, there’s something for everyone in LA, I can promise you that!
Before you go, be sure to check out my post on the best airplane snacks so you can start your trip on the right note–because who doesn’t love and feel better after some good snacks? Then, head over to the blog for more great reads on family travel and so much more. See you there!
Have you been to Los Angeles? What did you like most? Tell me about your trip!
