So you want to explore Los Angeles but you’ve got one or more kids in tow, which—let’s be honest—limits your options quite a bit (nohappy hoursorromantic hotelsfor you, womp). But don’t despair because we’ve got you covered. The activities on this list are like a Pixarmovie—made for kids but thoroughly enjoyable for adults as well. Whether you’re looking for learning experiences at a museum, outdoor activities in the nearly perfect weather, or a sweet treat for the entire fam, these fun things to do with kids in Los Angeles will keep the whole brood happy.
20 Fun Things to Do with Kids in Los Angeles
Family-friendly activities for babies, toddlers, tweens and up
1.Take a Ride on a Train at Travel Town and Griffith Park & Southern Railroad
- Neighborhood:Griffith Park
- Price:$3 to $5 per person
- Where to Stay:Modern Farmhouse(从356美元/晚,睡9);Quiet Home(从美元189/night, sleeps 4);Equestrian Zen Suite(从美元157/night, sleeps 4)
All aboard the historic Southern Railroad! Go back in time as your kids ride through forests, over a bridge, and past the historic Old Western Town on this mile-long ride. There are five different operating trains that run on this track, which is sure to excite any fans of Thomas the Tank Engine. On the other side of Griffith Park is Travel Town anchored by the Travel Museum, where kids can explore dozens of antique locomotives and cars. There is also a miniature train that runs twice around the perimeter of the museum.
2.Get Great Views at Griffith Observatory
- Neighborhood:Griffith Park
- Price:free
- Where to Stay:Airy House with Backyard Oasis(从美元236/night, sleeps 5);Luxury Home in Los Feliz(从美元183/night, sleeps 4);Tree House Getaway in the Hollywood Hills(从美元280/night, sleeps 4)
A trip to L.A. is not complete without a visit to the iconic Griffith Observatory. If you have slightly older kids, or a baby carrier and some muscle power, you can hike up to the Observatory on the two-mile West Observatory Trail. If you have younger kids in tow, drive directly up and park at the front. Once there, take in the gorgeous views of Hollywood and beyond, look through the many free telescopes, or see a live show at the Samuel Oschin Planetarium (additional fees apply). Note: The Observatory is closed on Mondays.
3.Hang with an Orangutan at the L.A. Zoo
- Neighborhood:Griffith Park
- Price:$17 to $22 per person (children under 2 are free)
- Where to Stay:Cozy Cottage($123/night, sleeps 3);Cheerful 2-Bedroom Bungalow($190/night, sleeps 4);Astonishing 2 Bedroom(从美元334/night, sleeps 6)
Located at the northeast corner of Griffith Park, roaming around the L.A. Zoo is a great way to spend your day. Kids will be in awe of the many animals they’ve likely never heard of (like the addax, babirusa and binturong) and be excited to see some more familiar friends like elephants, snakes and frogs. The Campo Gorilla Reserve is also a must-see while there.
4.Ride the Ferris Wheel at Santa Monica Pier
- Neighborhood:Santa Monica
- Price:free
- Where to Stay:Private Studio on the Beach(从美元280/night, sleeps 2);Super Cute Apartment(从美元399/night, sleeps 4);Fairmont Miramar - Hotel & Bungalows(从美元500/night)
The Santa Monica Pier is a National Historic Landmark and has been around since 1909. Experience the salty ocean air and wholesome feels as you play carnival games with your kids, take them toPacific ParkPacif兜风ic Wheel (rides range from $5 to $12 per person), and indulge in larger-than-their-head cotton candy.
5.Play Away at Cayton’s Children Museum
- Neighborhood:Santa Monica
- Price:$15 per person (children under 1 are free)
- Where to Stay:Artistic 1 Bedroom(从美元251/night, sleeps 2);Heart of Downtown Santa Monica(从美元524/night, sleeps 4);Santa Monica Proper Hotel(从美元499/night)
Amidst the hustle and bustle of Santa Monica Place shopping center is this children’s museum that is all about play. The 21,000-square foot space has tons of discovery-based exhibits and immersive experiences. The youngest of visitors will be captivated by the many mobiles and flying shapes in Skyscape while toddlers will get their energy out while jumping in the ball pit atTo The Rescue! where the balls are made from recycled Coast Guard rescue boats. (Note: The museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.)
6.Explore Film & TV History on The Warner Bros. Studio Tour
- Neighborhood:Burbank
- Price:$60 to $70 per person ($58 for CA residents)
- Where to Stay:Charming Poolside Guest House(从美元185/night, sleeps 4);Fancy Studio(从美元139/night, sleeps 3);Vintage Oasis(从美元275/night, sleeps 4)
Explore the Warner Bros. studio lot where tons of classic film and television shows get made. Learn the secrets of Hollywood production, step onto the sets of some of your favorite shows (you’ll explain to your kids the significance of the orange couch), and maybe even spot a celebrity at work on this hour-long guided tour. There are even interactive exhibits likeHarry Potter and Fantastic Beast, andDC SuperHeroesand Super Villians,在那里你可以看到从那些著名的定位球films.
7.Swing Golf Balls at Angry Birds at Top Golf
- Neighborhood:El Segundo
- Price:$47 to $75/bay
- Where to Stay:Lovely Townhouse(从美元205/night, sleeps 4);Steps to Sand(从美元250/night, sleeps 4);Manhattan Beach Ocean View(从美元295/night, sleeps 6)
El Segundo’s Top Golf has made the sport of golf accessible to those of all ages and skill levels. In your own private bay (which we recommendreserving in advance) you’ll get setup with the help of a Bayhost, who will show you how to choose from the many games available. While looking at a big screen, kids can take aim at giant outfield targets, which correlate to the animated games on the screen (Angry Birds is a firm favorite). All that exertion swinging will likely work up an appetite—fortunately, food and drinks (adult beverages for the parents) are readily available and can be delivered right to your bay.
8.Ignite Curiosity at the Discovery Cube LA
- Neighborhood:Sylmar
- Price:$16 to $18 per person (children under 2 are free)
- Where to Stay:LA Cottage(从美元125/night, sleeps 4);Best 2 Bedroom(从美元175/night, sleeps 5);Luxury Little Italy(从美元289/night, sleeps 8)
Science is made cool at this museum which boasts tons of hands-on exhibits and interactive experiences for children of all ages, like a “helicopter” tour where kids can hop into a helicopter-shaped theater and watching aerial footage of L.A (cool, right?). From tornado exhibits to The Science of Hockey—where kids can see the nutrition science that fuels the L.A. Kings—there’s a wide-range of science-based programming to keep little minds engaged.
9.Give a Big Applause at a Live Show Taping
- Neighborhood: varies
- Price: free
L.A. is the mecca of TV and there are tons of shows that tape in front of a live studio audience. VisitOn Camera Audiencesto search their available shows—current ones include American Idol, American Ninja Warrior and The Masked Singer. Grab a pair of tickets and get ready to see how these shows work behind the scenes. Your kids will be thrilled to tell their friends at home that they were (maybe) on TV!
10.Explore the Ice Age at La Brea Tar Pits & Museum
- Neighborhood:Mid-Wilshire
- Price:$7 to $15 per person
- Where to Stay:Spacious 2 Bedroom(从美元202/night, sleeps 6);Luxury West Hollywood Apartment(从美元249/night, sleeps 3);Resort-Style Loft(从美元180/night, sleeps 6)
For little fans of theIce Agefranchise, visiting the La Brea Tar Pits will surely pique their interest. This is the only active excavation site in any large city, and kids can watch as paleontologists actually carve out fossils from the asphalt. Inside the museum (known as the George C. Page Museum) kids can see replicas of saber-toothed cats, mammoths, dire wolves, and mastodons, as well as many of the excavated fossils. Psst: Don’t be surprised if you notice a funky smell—that’s the hydrogen sulfide from the still active bubbling pits.
11.Meet the Minions at Universal Studios Hollywood and Sip Milkshakes at CityWalk
- Neighborhood:Universal City
- Price:$109 to $149 per person (children under 2 are free)
- Where to Stay:Modern 6-Bedroom Home(从美元599/night, sleeps 13);Charming 3 Bedroom(从美元263/night, sleeps 7);Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City(从美元216/night)
There is so much happening at Universal Studios for kids (and adults) of all ages, and you never know what characters they might meet. There are tons of immersive rides like the newest one on the scene, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge. Similarly, kids can enter the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Springfield USA (home of The Simpsons), and go on an adventure with The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash. You can also spend ample time at Universal CityWalk, the bustling shopping and dining mall adjacent to the theme park. If you’re looking to win the best mom of the year award, brace yourself for sugar crazies, and get your kids one of Jacques' Specialty Milkshakes from The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen.
12.Splash and Play at Mother’s Beach
- Neighborhood:Marina del Rey
- Price:free
- Where to Stay:Gorgeous 2 Bedroom(从美元359/night, sleeps 6),Lavish Living(从美元400/night, sleeps 6),Stunning Getaway(从美元379/night, sleeps 5)
There are tons of beaches in L.A, but “Mother’s” is great for well, mothers, and young children, because it’s actually a lagoon with water that is protected from the motion of the open ocean. Calm, flat water allows kids to frolic and moms to avoid being helicopter parents. There are also sheltered picnic tables for family lunches, easy access to restrooms for peace of mind, and a beach playground for when your little one needs a break from the water.
- Neighborhood:Exposition Park
- Price:free
- Where to Stay:New Home Near DTLA(从美元202/night, sleeps 6);Secluded Backyard Cottage($138/night, sleeps 2);Spacious Modern Retreat(从美元201/night, sleeps 4)
For those young, curious minds, there are lots of exhibits to explore at the California Science Center and most of them are free, including the famous space shuttleEndeavour(on display until December 31, 2023). Going from the sky to the sea, there’s the underwater kelp forest tunnel which is also a must-visit for little explorers. And don’t miss the IMAX theater if you want to sit for a bit and enjoy a 3D movie (tickets cost $7 to $10 per person).
14.看到一个在wikimedia基金会的发言人moka Pantages玩
- Neighborhood:Hollywood
- Price:varies
- Where to Stay:Beautiful Hollywood House(从美元311/night, sleeps 6);Enchanting Garden Apartment(从美元176/night, sleeps 2);W Hollywood(从美元250/night)
Young theatergoers will delight in the top-notch productions and overall excitement that can be felt while watching a Broadway show at The Pantages. This historic theater constantly has Broadway hits grace its stage— it’s currently runningLes Misérablesuntil September 10th, suitable for kids 10 years old and up, and then comesAladdinfrom September 12 to 23, where kids as young as 6 years old will be sure to enjoy the show.
15.Go Into the Cockpit at the Museum of Flying
- Neighborhood:Santa Monica
- Price:$6 to $10 per person (children under 2 are free)
- Where to Stay:Dazzling 4-Bedroom Home(从美元331/night, 16+ guests);Landscapers Paradise(从美元450/night, sleeps 4);Le Méridien Delfina Santa Monica
如果你有一个老姐的飞机,他们的孩子们l love this small, laid-back museum at the north side of the Santa Monica Airport. Kids can see airplanes that are way different than the ones they took to see Nana last year—here you’ll find several vintage aircraft including many fighter ones from WWII. There are real-sized cockpits kids can go into as well as model aircrafts on display. Note: The museum is only open Thursday through Sunday.
16.Bike Along the Venice Beach Path
- Neighborhood:Venice
- Price:$28 per bike ($48 for tandem)
- Where to Stay:Historic Venice Apartment(从美元178/night, sleeps 3);Loft with Private Roof Deck(从美元289/night, sleeps 4);Venice V Hotel(从美元315/night)
There’s always something that will catch your kid’s eye on the Venice Boardwalk but we recommend hopping on a bike and continuing on the path south, past the bustle and through to calmer towns like Marina Del Rey, Playa Del Rey and Manhattan Beach. At Venice Bike Rental you can get great quality bike cruisers for both adults and children. Got a real little one with you? For an additional fee you can rent a child seat or a child wagon to attach to your bike.
17.Shop Away and Play at The Grove
- Neighborhood:Fairfax District
- Price:free
- Where to Stay:Spanish Oasis(从美元413/night, sleeps 8),Luxury 2 Bedroom in Gated Community(从美元269/night, sleeps 4);Short Stories Hotel(从美元259/night)
This iconic shopping destination in the Fairfax District of L.A. has things to do for the whole family. The outdoor mall features several high-end designer shops, but what keeps the kids entertained are things like The Kids Club, which happens every Thursday on the center green and includes performances by bands, storytellers, puppeteers and more (going on now through October). There’s also a trolley that runs throughout The Grove and connects to The Original Farmer’s Market, where you can grab a quick treat for the kids and get them those souvenirs you promised.
18.Play Mini Golf or Hit the Arcarde at Sherman Oaks Castle Park
- Neighborhood:Sherman Oaks
- Price:$6 per person (Batting Cages); $8 to $12 per person; children under 4 free (Mini Golf)
- Where to Stay:Hillside Villa with Pool(从美元341/night, sleeps 6);Home with Panorama Deck(从美元279, sleeps 6);Bright & Modern Dream Home(从美元330/night, sleeps 6)
For a wholesome family outing (the place reminds us of somewhere you’d see in an ‘80s rom-com), head to Castle Park. The mini golf course is pretty adorable as you make your way over bridges, hitting balls through windmills, barns and more. Within the castle is the arcade, where you can challenge your kids to a game of air hockey, show them your ski-ball skills, or let them run wild trying to win prizes. If you’ve got a little slugger on your hands, head to the batting cages to hit some balls.
19.Eat Some Epic Cake and Bake Your Own at The Milk Bar Melrose Flagship
- Neighborhood:West Hollywood
- Price:$125/pp
- Where to Stay:Resort-Style Home with Pool(从美元650/night, sleeps 6);Beautiful Condo(从美元299/night, sleeps 4);24th Floor Luxury High-Rise(从美元296/night, sleeps 6)
Little foodies will delight in famed pastry chef Christina Tosi’s flagship store of The Milk Bar (originally from NYC). The Cake Truffles, Cereal Milk Soft Serve and a slice of their vanilla funfetti Birthday Cake are worth a visit alone but for a more interactive experience, try one of the kid-friendly baking classes. Book through reservation siteResyand make one of their famed layer cakes or an XL cookie pie alongside your kids (and don’t worry that this may be a bit too advanced—some of the courses, like the Birthday Cake one, are assembly only).
20.Ride a Horse to the Hollywood Sign
- Neighborhood:Hollywood
- Price:$75 to $175 per person
- Where to Stay:Spanish Style Villa(从美元484, sleeps 6);Celebrity Hideaway(从美元427, sleeps 4);Treetop Retreat(从美元497, sleeps 4)
For a picture-perfect experience, head to Sunset Ranch in the Hollywood Hills for three different horseback ride experiences that all include sweeping views of Los Angeles as well as the famed Hollywood sign. No skills necessary—the staff there will take good care to get you and your kids onto their well-behaved horses. Take the one-hour Mulholland Trail tour, or the two-hour Mt. Hollywood one, which is offered both day and night. Just know that the minimum age is 8 years old, so leave the toddlers behind.