29 of the best things to do in Los Angeles with kids

Think of LA and it might be Hollywood glamour that comes to mind first (or big city traffic) – but there’s so much to do in Los Angeles with kids, that makes it a great city break for families.

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Whether you’re planning a California road trip or looking for an alternative to San Francisco and San Diego, you won’t be short of family-friendly attractions in California’s biggest city – from theme parks to museums, outdoor activities to family attractions.

Yes, you need to take its size into account and plan how to get around, but with so many great things to do in Los Angeles with kids, here’s why it’s well worth visiting.

Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood is one of the most popular things to do in Los Angeles with kids for a good reason. This famous theme park features fun rides themed around famous movies like Jurassic World, Transformers, The Minions, and more.

Take a photo with your favorite film and TV characters or join the World-Famous Studio Tour for a behind-the-scenes look at a real working movie studio!

Kids will love experiencing the magic of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter too – soar above Hogwarts with Harry, then stroll the streets of Hogsmeade and choose a wand at Ollivander’s. Flight of the Hippogriff is just one of the thrilling rides that await you in this wizarding world.  

Warner Bros Studio tour

Get your own taste of Hollywood on a Warner Bros Studio tour, looking behind the scenes of a string of hit TV shows, including a chance to sit on the Central Perk couch.

You can also climb aboard Harry Potter’s broomstick and enjoy a sorting ceremony, explore Stage 48’s interactive soundstage and act out a scene, and check out movie sets along the way – you can even recreate scenes from the DC Universe where you can explore superheroes and supervillains.

Not suitable for kids under five years old, the three-hour experience includes a guided and a self-guided section.

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Ever dreamed of walking onto that famous stage and accepting your own Oscar? Plan in a trip to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures while you’re in Los Angeles with kids and you can do just that.

It’s just one of the interactive experiences on offer at the museum, which aims to inspire the next generation of film makers as well as taking you on a walk through movie history.

Along the way, you can spot the original ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz, meet R2D2 and ET, see vintage cine-cameras and original scripts, as well as learning more about the costume designers and make-up artists who help bring the stories to life.

Don’t miss the views of the city from the Dolby Family Terrace either, plus there are also regular family-friendly events including drop-in workshops, screenings and Saturday matinees to appeal to kids.

The Oscars Experience requires an extra ticket – walk-up tickets are available or you can prebook a timeslot.

If your kids are huge movie buffs, join a Hollywood Walk of Fame walking tour too

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles

If your kids love dinosaurs, head to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles. Kids will delight in exploring their award-winning dinosaur exhibition, which contains 20 giant mounted skeletons and over 300 fossils. With over 35 million objects, some as old as 4.5 billion years, this kid-friendly museum has something for all ages. 

Stop by the Nature Lab for its hands-on interactive exhibits and live animal habitats housing spiders, snakes, rats, and frogs. You’ll find daily live animal presentations showcasing Odin the owl and Bean the tarantula too.

The Butterfly Pavilion is another highlight, as this seasonal exhibition allows you to see over 30 species of butterflies take flight.

Admission is free for children 2 and under, or book tickets with free cancellation here.

The Natural History Museum is set in Exposition Park, with several other museums in the grounds of the 160-acres park – check out the California African American Museum (temporarily closed) and California Science Center at the same time

La Brea Tar Pits

Want to see the only Ice Age fossil site in the world that’s being actively excavated in the middle of a city? If yes, then head over to La Brea Tar Pits and Museum. This popular family attraction boasts ancient plant and animal fossils exhibits, including massive mammoths and saber-toothed cats. 

Take the kids on an excavator tour of the pits to see what the scientists are digging up, then visit the Fossil Lab to see how they work on these excavated fossils. 

Prebooking is recommended, and you can book tickets with free cancellation here.

Aquarium of the Pacific 

One of the top family-friendly attractions in California, the Aquarium of the Pacific features more than 11,000 sea creatures in over 100 exhibits. It’s the largest aquarium in California with over 360,000 feet of square space, home to sea otters, sharks, sea jellies, coral reefs, penguins and more. 

You can also book tickets for Animal Encounters (only ages 7 and above) for the chance to help feed bamboo sharks and step into the touchpool to interact with sting rays.

Or if you love birds, make sure to purchase a cup of nectar and feed the brightly colored lorikeets in the Lorikeet Forest outdoor aviary. They will often land on your arm, shoulder, or arm for a sip of the sweet treat!

The aquarium is in Long Beach, and you will have to reserve your entry in advance – book skip-the-line tickets here.

Entry is included with the Go City Pass, among over 40 attractions in LA

Kidspace Children’s Museum

Imagine a museum where kids are encouraged to get hands-on with outdoor play – all while learning about the world around us.

Just a 20-minute drive from the Los Angeles city center, Kidspace Children’s Museum is perfect for kids 10 and under. Designed with ‘kid-driven experiences,’ this unique museum boasts tons of opportunities for little learners on its 3.5 acres of land. 

The interactive Physics Forest is an interactive exhibit that explores levers and pulleys, trajectory, and momentum, while the popular Trike Tracks puts kids in the driver’s seat with two-seater trikes on a mini-highway. 

Kids will have fun getting messy at the Muddy Boot Farm, where they can learn about planting and growing, while the Arroyo Pequeno encourages little ones to play in the water. Bringing a change of clothes and water shoes is highly recommended! 

Griffith Park & Observatory

Bring along your little astronomers for a day with the stars at the Griffith Observatory. Dating back to 1935, the observatory features one of the best vantage points in the city.

It has plenty to keep kids engaged, featuring 60 sky and space exhibits as well as public telescopes where you can take a peek at the different galaxies. 

You can also get guided tours of the Griffith Observatory

The observatory itself is just one of the places to discover in Griffith Park though. With a free ticket entry to more than 4,000 acres of land, Griffith Park has 50+ miles of hiking, biking, horseback riding trails, and campgrounds.

Another exciting stop at the park is the Travel Town Train Museum, which features multiple life-sized railroads and train exhibits – one highlight for kids who love trains is The Griffith Park Railroad, which takes visitors around the Travel Town complex throughout the day. 

And if your kids love getting outdoors, you can combine the attractions with a family-friendly hike to the Griffith Observatory?

Hollywood Sign  

Have you really been to Los Angeles if you haven’t seen the world-famous Hollywood sign? 

While the iconic sign is visible all across the city, most visitors are surprised to know that it’s actually illegal to get close to it – it’s under strict protection by Park Rangers, with gates and security cameras to stop sightseers. 

However, there are multiple treks offering a perfect vantage point for you to get pictures with the sign. You can find maps of all the different trails to find one which suits your family.

If you prefer a guided trek, there are plenty of options – this 2 1/2 hour hike is suitable for families, this one-hour tour promises Hollywood gossip as you hike while this tour is led by a comedian. Alternatively this tour takes you to a few photo stops without too much strenuous walking.

Los Angeles hop on hop off bus tour

A hop-on hop-off bus tour is always a great way to get your bearings and save little legs from getting tired, with the added bonuses of spotting the city’s famous landmarks without having to drive in LA if you’d prefer not to.

And there are a couple of options for family friendly bus tours to try, including two routes from Big Bus tour passing locations like Sunset Strip on Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, Museum Row, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Venice Beach.

You can also use it to get to Universal Studios and Warner Bros, as well as an optional TCL Chinese Theatre Walking tour, all with digital commentary sharing more about LA’s history and life in the City of Angels.

The Red Route covers the secrets of Hollywood, while the Blue Route heads to Santa Monica to show off LA’s coast, with one-day and two-day tickets available.

Or Starline tours has its own hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tour, with over 40 stops and 3 routes and tickets valid for one to three days.

The Red Route heads to Hollywood and Beverly Hills, while the Purple Route focuses on Downtown LA culture, and the Yellow Route takes you to Santa Monica and Venice Beach.

California Science Center 

Spark an interest in science with a visit to the California Science Center, a fun and educational museum for kids.

It houses special exhibits like the Art of the Brick, which features the world’s largest display of LEGO art. The World of Life is another favorite with its 50-foot human body simulator, as well as the Extreme Zone touch tank with sea stars, urchins, and more.  

Designed for children seven years of age and younger, the museum’s Discovery Rooms encourage young kids to explore the world around them. You can also immerse yourself in scientific wonders at the impressive IMAX theater, which shows movies like “Deep Sky” and “Journey to Space.”

Entry is free and you don’t need to prebook, although timed tickets are required for the IMAX Theater and special exhibits, which have an admission fee. The Space Shuttle Endeavour is being moved into the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, to be displayed as if it’s about to take off.

The California Science Center is set in Exposition Park, with several other museums in the grounds of the 160-acres park – check out the California African American Museum (temporarily closed) and Natural History Museum at the same time

Discovery Cube Los Angeles

One of the top things to do in Los Angeles with kids who love learning about the world, the Discovery Cube encourages hands-on STEM learning with over 50 interactive science-based exhibits.

From a virtual helicopter tour of California’s natural resources to learning about the science of hockey and even a scavenger hunt at a grocery store, there is so much for your kids to see and do at this museum. 

It’s around a 30-minute drive from Griffith Observatory, so it’s worth trying to combine the two unless you’re spending a lot of time around North Hollywood.

Top tip: The Hansen Dam Recreation Area next door features an on-site playground with slides and swings.

Battleship USS Iowa Museum

Battleship Iowa is a piece of living history, having previously served the country in the Second World War, Korea, and the Cold War. In fact, this award-winning attraction is the only naval museum on the West Coast to feature a capital ship that saw action in the Second World War.

Climb aboard the ship on a self-guided tour to explore the decks and see how the sailors actually lived back in the day.

You can browse a collection of real-life naval exhibits, then step inside the captain’s cabin. Kids will love the museum’s fun scavenger hunt with the mascot Vicky the Dog.

Book skip-the-line tickets here.

Madame Tussauds Hollywood

If you want to guarantee seeing a celebrity in Los Angeles, head to Madame Tussauds Hollywood which has over 100 stars, past and present.

Like the other waxwork museum locations worldwide, Madame Tussauds Los Angeles has plenty of opportunities to take photos with A-listers galore – you could post on the red carpet with The Rock and Angelina Jolie, or strike a pose on stage with Beyonce and Lady Gaga, to name just a few.

There’s also an option to get tickets to see the Marvel Universe 4D film, as well as exploring the different zones including A-List Party, Spirit of Hollywood, Making Movies, Country & Western and more.

Los Angeles Zoo

The 133-acre LA Zoo is home to thousands of animals – including one of the largest troops of chimpanzees in North America – and a perfect day out in Los Angeles with kids who love animals.

In all, there are more than 270 different species, including endangered animals, and a total of 2,100 mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles.

The zoo has its own Safari Shuttle tram to take you from one end to the other, with six stops along the way, while you can check out shows including the World of Birds. Save some time for kids to ride on the Conservation Carousel as well and keep an eye out for special events.

Entry is included with the Go City Pass, among over 40 attractions in LA

Los Angeles County Museum of Art

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is the largest art museum in the western United States, with a collection of over 152,000 objects that cover an incredible 6,000 years.

Already thinking your family is going to bored? What makes it a must-visit in Los Angeles with kids is the Boone Children’s Gallery, with family-friendly activities like painting, drawing, and making art in free workshops. 

Kids can also admire oversized sculptures like giant pool balls in the Ahmanson Building, and then see the bright colors and shapes featured in the Abstract Expressionist galleries. Afterward, they can burn energy exploring the collection of large-scale works in the outdoor Cantor Sculpture Garden. 

Prebooking tickets is recommended – although walk-up tickets may be available, popular slots can sell out. You can also find tickets including an audio guide.

Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Garden

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Garden has something for the whole family, whether your kids love art or the chance to get outdoors.

The 16 themed gardens span over 120 acres, and the Children’s Garden is a must-visit with kids. After entering a kid-sized door, young explorers can play with water features, make music with pebbles, and marvel at a tunnel illuminated by sunlight. 

For a look at what’s blooming, you can take a stroll through the Chinese Garden, Rose Garden, and Jungle Garden, and check out the museum’s activity-packed calendar, which features paid and free events throughout the year for kids and families. 

Inside, you can also discover the library with its collection of rare books and three galleries on various art periods.

Entry is included with the Go City Pass, among over 40 attractions in LA

El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument

If you and your family are fans of history, add the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument to your itinerary.

You can travel back in time with a visit to Avila Adobe, the oldest house in Los Angeles, or the Plaza Firehouse, the city’s first-ever fire station. Also known as the birthplace of Los Angeles, this attraction has tons of fun-filled activities for the family. 

You can stroll, shop, and eat along the world-famous Olvera Street too – visit one of the free admission museums, such as the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles and the Chinese American Museum of Los Angeles for a dose of culture during your family day out as well.

And in summer, it hosts cultural activities such as food festivals, art exhibits, family-friendly concerts, and dance performances. 

The Los Angeles Public Library

Are there book lovers in the family? If so, take them to the Los Angeles Public Library, which has a dedicated children’s section for young readers.

Explore the impressive collection of over 250,000 children’s books in English, Spanish, and 22 other languages and browse the colorful murals depicting California’s past, present, and future while you’re there. 

Check the library’s calendar too, as they regularly host storytime events for children ages 3 to 8. Perfect if you’re looking for free things to do in Los Angeles with kids.

The Last Bookstore

Get lost in the collection of books at The Last Bookstore, the largest new and used bookstore in California.

This 22,000-square-foot store includes an Arts & Rare Book Annex, a comic book store, five art studios, a yarn shop, and a huge collection of vinyl records.

There’s a children’s section on the first floor, while the upstairs section has a unique layout, including the bookstore’s whimsical book tunnel which is a must-see. You’ll also find little nooks to sit with a book and other photogenic book art installations.

Time Travel Mart

If you’ve got older kids to entertain, then make a stop at the Time Travel Mart. The time-travel-themed store features the slogan, “Whenever you are, we’re already then”, and prides itself on being the only store that sells items from the past, present, and future. 

The Time Travel Mart sells a range of unique souvenirs, with everything from clothing and bags to household items and writing supplies on offer. Kids will love fun toys like silly putty, slinkies, and mood rings.

The store is also the headquarters of Barnacle & Barnacle Publishers, a publishing house specializing in original student-authored books. 

El Capitan Theatre

Owned by the Walt Disney Company, the El Capitan Theatre is an iconic venue in the heart of Hollywood, dating back to the 1920s – and the unique movie-going experience is unbeatable for families. 

With over 1,000 seats, the spacious theatre features multiple levels of seating and a collection of kid-friendly films to pick from.

If you time your visit at the premiere of a new movie, you might even see live performances and live-action performances.  

Grand Central Market

If you have foodies in the family, Grand Central Market is a must-visit. Opening its doors in 1917, this is the largest and oldest public market in Los Angeles, and the entire family can enjoy the sights, smells, and sounds.

Visit food stalls like China Cafe and Roast To Go, which have been around for half a century, or enjoy sweet treats at McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams, Bastion Bakery, and The Donut Man.

If you book onto a guided food tour of Los Angeles, you’ll also be sure to stop here along the way, including this three-hour food tour of Downtown LA.

Angels Flight Railway

An essential Los Angeles experience, the Angels Flight Railway boasts a 118-year-old funicular that’s been featured in numerous films (including La La Land).

Take a ride on the “shortest railway in the world” via one of its two trolleys (named Sinai and Olive) – and as a bonus, avoid climbing the steps at one of Los Angeles’ steepest streets. 

The ride costs $1 each way, or you can purchase a souvenir round-trip ticket for $2. Connecting Grand Central Market with the Water Court shopping mall, you’ll find plenty of places to eat and shop too.

Descanso Gardens

Take a break from the bustle of the city in the spectacular Descanso Gardens. The 150-acre botanical gardens are one of the best in Los Angeles, featuring impressive seasonal displays as well as events for families.

Hop on the Enchanted Railroad via the electric train, which takes you on a short ride around the gardens.

Or stop and smell the roses in the Rose Garden, see what’s blooming in the California Garden, then take a break under the shade of towering 100-feet-tall trees in Oak Forest. 

The garden also hosts storytimes and kid-friendly activities throughout the year. 

Or check out the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, a short drive away to the east of Pasadena

Echo Park Lake

Looking for a nice picnic spot with the kids? Echo Park Lake is a beautiful green space in Central Los Angeles. Rated as one of the top activities to do in Los Angeles with kids, this city landmark is a great destination if you’re looking to spend the day in nature. 

Take a stroll through the tranquil pathways or pedal around on the lake on a swan boat. Once you work up an appetite, find some sweet treats at the on-site Beacon Cafe. There’s lots of local wildlife roaming around, so keep your eyes peeled for wild geese and swans.

This park also serves as a hub for community events, including the Lotus Festival and Dragon Boat Race.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

If you need an escape from city life, the Santa Monica Mountains is perfect, with a chance to enjoy the mountains and the beach on the same day.

With more than 500 miles of trails, you can trek up a canyon and dip your feet in the Pacific Ocean – all on the same day. 

The park is also a great place for a lesson on Native American history, as well as some more unexpected sights including old movie ranches.

Santa Monica Pier

If you’re planning a family beach day in Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Pier is a must-see. The lively pier is home to an amusement park with rides and arcade games in addition to the iconic Ferris Wheel with its panoramic views of the Southern California coastline. 

Take a trip to Heal the Bay Aquarium at the pier. With over 100 local species and kid-friendly hands-on activities, this award-winning attraction is a great place for younger kids to learn about marine science. 

Or if you’re visiting with teens, take an electric bike tour around the neighborhoods of Santa Monica and Venice. Tongva Park is also a short walk from the end of the pier.

BONUS FAMILY DAY OUT: check if one of the CicLAvia events are taking place during your visit – the car-free street initiative in Los Angeles closes certain streets during the day and features live music, street performers, and food trucks along its routes.

Venice Beach

You’ve seen Venice Beach so many times on screen that you’ll feel like you’ve visited before, as you stroll the boardwalk buzzing with street performers, souvenir shops, and places to eat.

Families certainly won’t be bored; as well as people-watching and soaking up the atmosphere, there’s everything from kayaking and paddle boarding to surfing, swimming, and bodysurfing. 

Prefer a quieter day basking in the California sunshine? Venice Beach is also perfect for an afternoon of building sandcastles along its sandy shoreline.  

Want to explore more of California? Check out my 10-day Pacific Coast Highway itinerary with kids, as well as things to do in San Diego with kids and San Francisco with kids

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