Things to Do with Kids in Los Angeles

Free admission. Interactive space exhibits, free public telescope viewing every evening (7-9:30pm, weather permitting), and the best panoramic views of the city and Hollywood Sign. Planetarium shows $10 adults, $8 kids. Open until 10pm -- one of the few family outings that works after dinner.

Free general admission -- walk in and see the actual Space Shuttle Endeavour, ecosystems hall, and creative world gallery. IMAX and special exhibitions cost extra ($5-$20). Right next to the Natural History Museum and Rose Garden -- easy to fill a whole free day. No reservation needed.

Dinosaur hall, gem vault, nature gardens, rotating exhibitions spanning 4.5 billion years. Discovery Center lets kids get their hands on things. LA County residents: free admission weekdays 3-5pm. Right next to the California Science Center -- do both.

Indoor/outdoor museum for ages 1-10. Climbing structures, physics forest, water play. The outdoor arroyo adventure is the highlight -- actual creek wading, bug hunting, real nature exploration. Timed tickets required; book online. No cash accepted.

21,000 square feet above Santa Monica Place mall. Ball pit, building zone, art studio, RE:MAKER space -- all for kids up to 8. Two blocks from Santa Monica Pier, so you can do both in one trip. Book online in advance.

Walking the pier is free -- you only pay for rides. 12 rides including the solar-powered Ferris wheel ($10) and West Coaster ($10). Unlimited ride wristbands $40 online ($20 for 7 and under). Sunset Deal after 5pm: $24.95. Street performers, arcades, ocean views.

133 acres in Griffith Park, 1,400+ animals, 270 species. Rainforest of the Americas and LAIR (reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates) are the standouts. Animals head inside around 4pm, so arrive early. Pair with a Griffith Park hike or Train Ride for a full day. Online reservation required.

1926 Spillman carousel with 68 hand-carved horses. $3 per ride. Adjacent pony rides ($5) have been running since 1948. Combine with the nearby Train Rides and a picnic at the park tables for a $15 afternoon.

Free urban hike with panoramic city views. Main loop is 3.5 miles, 789 feet of elevation gain -- manageable for school-age kids. Multiple entry points, easy to moderate trails. Go early morning or late afternoon to dodge heat and parking. Note: West Trail currently closed due to 2025 Sunset Fire damage.

Free nature preserve. 3.5-mile round-trip trail to a 40-foot waterfall. Mostly flat, doable for kids 5+ (rocky near the falls). Nature center with live animals and free programs. Free parking. Dogs welcome on the main trail. Check fire closure status before going.

Seven acres, 15,000+ rose bushes, 190 varieties -- all free. Sits between the California Science Center and Natural History Museum, so it's an easy pitstop. Kids run the paths. Peak bloom April-May. Closed Jan 1 through March 15 for maintenance.

Working farm with pick-your-own produce, animal encounters, wagon rides. Fall Harvest Festival (late Sep-Oct) is the main event: corn mazes, pumpkin patches, tractor rides -- weekday $16, weekends $30-$38. Farm Market open year-round. About 50 minutes from central LA. Worth the drive.

Disney runs this 1926 movie palace showing first-run Disney, Pixar, and Marvel films with live pre-shows, 4D effects, and character meet-and-greets. VIP admission: reserved balcony and free popcorn. Worlds apart from a multiplex. Check for themed events tied to new releases.

Free admission. Kids love the tram ride up, the garden maze, and the family room with art-making activities. Central Garden built for exploring. Bring a picnic -- eating on the terrace with city views is half the experience. Parking $20, free after 3pm.

Stories of the American West told through art, history, and Native perspectives. Interactive exhibits for kids, a family discovery gallery, and rotating exhibitions. Free admission Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 1-4pm. Located in Griffith Park -- pair with the zoo or a hike.

Free splash pad and playground on the Santa Monica waterfront. The pool is $10 per session (seasonal). The splash pad, lawn area, beach courts, and gallery are all free year-round. Pack a lunch and bring towels -- you can spend a full day here without buying anything.

A fern-lined, shaded trail along a small creek inside Griffith Park. Completely flat and paved -- stroller and toddler friendly. About a half-mile walk that ends at the Griffith Park playground. Free parking at the trailhead. One of the best easy family walks in LA for young kids.

A free aquarium at the end of the Manhattan Beach Pier with touch tanks, local marine life exhibits, and educational programs. Small but well-run by volunteers. Kids can handle sea stars, anemones, and urchins. Combine with a beach day for a full outing. Donations accepted.

Always free. A museum of Cold War art, artifacts, and culture inside a converted 1949 National Guard Armory. The outdoor mural garden has sections of the Berlin Wall. Rotating exhibitions cover political art, propaganda, and personal stories from both sides. Older kids (10+) find it fascinating. Open Fri-Sun only.

575 acres of trails, playgrounds, wide-open fields, and picnic areas near Dodger Stadium. Multiple playground areas scattered throughout. Trails range from flat paved paths to moderate hill climbs. Less crowded than Griffith Park and closer to the Eastside. Free parking, free entry.

A children's museum focused on global awareness and community engagement for kids 0-8. Interactive exhibits, a play grocery store, art studio, and dramatic play areas. $10 per person, kids under 1 free. Smaller and calmer than the bigger children's museums -- manageable for toddlers who get overwhelmed.

Miniature train rides through a mile of Griffith Park, operating since 1948. $3.50 per ride for adults and kids (under 18 months free). The train passes through a dark tunnel that toddlers either love or hate. Near the merry-go-round and pony rides -- easy to combine all three.

Free outdoor movie screenings on the sand at Dockweiler Beach during summer Friday evenings. Bring a blanket and firewood -- the beach has public bonfire pits. Planes from LAX fly directly overhead at low altitude, which kids find mesmerizing. Films start at sunset. Free parking after 6pm.

605 acres of trails and nature between Beverly Hills and the Valley. The lake is where the Andy Griffith Show filmed its opening. Multiple easy trails suitable for families with young kids. The Sooky Goldman Nature Center offers free programs. Free parking, free entry. A genuinely peaceful escape from the city.

A life-size wooden Noah's Ark made entirely from recycled materials -- kids climb through it, build with blocks, play with puppets, and interact with folk-art animals. It is genuinely impressive for adults too. Free admission every Thursday. Regular admission $18 adults, $10 kids. Combine with a visit to the gallery upstairs.