A CityCheck guide · Updated 2026-10-22 · Independently verified
Free Kids Activities in Los Angeles
LA has more free kids activities than almost any US city. Griffith Observatory, California Science Center (with Space Shuttle Endeavour), Getty Center, Ferndell Nature Trail, Travel Town Museum, Roundhouse Aquarium, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, Annenberg Beach House splash pad, and Venice Beach Boardwalk are all completely free.
Free. Open until 10pm. Free telescope viewing every evening. Best city views in LA.
2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027 · Tue–Fri 12–10pm, Sat–Sun 10am–10pm. Closed Mon. · Ages 0+
Space Shuttle Endeavour is here. Free. Combine with Natural History Museum and Rose Garden next door.
700 Exposition Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037 · Daily 10am–5pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day. · Ages 0+
Free to walk. $10 Ferris wheel. Sunset Deal wristband: $24.95 after 5pm.
380 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401 · Pier open 24hrs. Rides generally 11am–11pm summer, shorter off-season. Check pacpark.com for daily schedule. · Ages 0+
Free. 3.5-mile loop. Go before 9am or after 4pm. West Trail closed (fire damage).
2000 N Fuller Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046 · Daily 6am–9pm · Ages 5+
3.5-mile hike to a 40-foot waterfall. Free parking. Check fire closures first.
1750 N Altadena Dr, Pasadena, CA 91107 · Park open daily sunrise–sunset. Nature center hours vary. · Ages 5+
15,000 rose bushes. Free. Between the Science Center and Natural History Museum.
701 State Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037 · Daily 8:30am–dusk. Closed Jan 1–Mar 15. · Ages 0+
Free admission. Tram ride up. Pack a picnic -- terrace views are the real exhibit.
1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049 · Tue–Fri & Sun 10am–6:30pm, Sat 10am–9pm. Closed Mon. · Ages 0+
Free splash pad on the beach. Pool and playground too. Santa Monica waterfront.
415 Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica, CA 90402 · Daily 8:30am-5:30pm (seasonal hours vary) · Ages 0+
Fern-lined creek trail, totally flat, stroller-friendly. Free playground at the end.
5375 Red Oak Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027 · Daily 5am-10:30pm · Ages 0+
Free. At the end of the Manhattan Beach Pier. Touch tanks and local marine life.
309 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 · Mon-Fri 3pm-sunset, Sat-Sun 10am-sunset · Ages 0+
Always free. Cold War art and artifacts in a converted armory. Mural garden outside.
10808 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230 · Fri-Sun 10am-5pm. Closed Mon-Thu. · Ages 8+
Free. 575 acres near Dodger Stadium. Playgrounds, trails, wide-open fields.
929 Academy Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90012 · Daily 5am-10:30pm · Ages 0+
Free movies on the beach. Bonfire pits. Planes flying overhead from LAX.
12000 Vista Del Mar, Playa del Rey, CA 90293 · Summer Fridays, film at sunset · Ages 0+
Free. 605 acres. The lake from the Andy Griffith Show opening. Easy trails.
2600 Franklin Canyon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 · Daily sunrise-sunset · Ages 0+
Free outdoor train museum. Kids climb on real locomotives. Miniature train ride $3-$4.
5200 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027 · Tue–Sun 10am–5pm. Closed Mon, Thanksgiving, Christmas. · Ages 0+
No waves. Playground on the sand. The calmest beach in LA for toddlers.
4101 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292 · Daily, dawn to dusk · Ages 0+
Free aquarium. Touch tanks with baby sharks. Just reopened after $8M renovation.
3720 Stephen M White Dr, San Pedro, CA 90731 · Tue–Fri 12–5pm, Sat–Sun 10am–5pm. Closed Mon. · Ages 0+
Free. Street performers, Muscle Beach, world-famous skate park. Only-in-LA energy.
1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291 · Boardwalk open 24hrs. Skate park 8am–sunset. · Ages 0+
202 vintage street lamps. Free. Open 24/7. Best at sunset or after dark.
5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 · 24/7 (outdoor installation) · Ages 0+
Free park, $11 pedal boats. The lotus flowers in July are worth planning around.
751 N Echo Park Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90026 · Daily 5:30am-10:30pm · Ages 0+
Free splash pad downtown. Metro accessible. The only free water play in DTLA.
200 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012 · Daily 6am-10pm (splash pad summer only) · Ages 0+
70 sculptures on a lawn, kids run free, Fowler Museum is free. Park on Westwood Blvd.
405 Hilgard Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90095 · Campus open daily, museum Tue-Sun 12-5pm · Ages 0+
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