If you are a travel enthusiast, there’s nothing more exhilarating and therapeutic than planning a vacation. As a mother, I love going on fun-filled family day with my kiddo. It gives us a chance to explore this wonderful world together and create some lovely memories for a lifetime. I’ve lived in LA for 15 years now and I know lots of things to do in Los Angeles with kids.
When it comes to planning a picture-perfect family day (minus the traffic), there are very few places as amazing and with as many options as Los Angeles!
Los Angeles has some of the most amazing family-friendly spots that you can explore with your lovely family. From relaxing beaches to exciting museums, there are a ton of great things that you can do with your little munchkins in L.A.
As a travel-lover and a fellow parent, I have curated a list of eleven epic things to do in Los Angeles with kids and make your trip more exciting and memorable!
So, let’s get started…
Things to do in Los Angeles with Kids
1. Zuma Beach
If you want to soak up the blissful sunshine and have a relaxing family time, then Zuma Beach is the place for you. It is one of the most famous beaches in L.A. county.
The beautiful white sand of the beach is a sight to behold! Your kids can spend their time building sandcastles or you can play family volleyball together. You can also see migrating gray whales. The beach has plenty of good restaurants, picnic tables, and a kids’ play area, too.
2. Los Angeles Zoo
When it comes to family trips, you can never go wrong with the zoo, right? There are several amazing things that you can do with your children at the L.A. Zoo. You can see over 1400 animals and more than 270 different species.
Apart from that, your kids can enjoy a ride on the Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel, view The Sea Cliffs exhibit, and visit the Australia House to spot some kangaroos. If you are planning to visit L.A. during the holidays in December, you can enjoy the biggest event of L.A. Zoo- the L.A. Zoo Lights!
3. Descanso Gardens
Descanso Gardens is one of my favorite family-friendly spots in L.A. This botanical garden is filled with stunning and colorful flowers. There are cute little ponds filled with lilies, roses, daffodils, etc. The waterfall there is a true delight and it looks breathtaking during the golden hour.
The children will love exploring the natural beauty. You can also take them to the Enchanted Railroad to make the trip more enticing.
4. Warner Bros. Studio Tour
A tour to L.A. is incomplete without experiencing the magic of movies! Warner Bros. Studios is one of the busiest working studios in Hollywood and an amazing place to visit with your family. From the wizarding world of Harry Potter to the DC Universe to the Central Perk of F.R.I.E.N.D.S, you can take a tour of everything here.
You can see authentic costumes, real props, experience an interactive soundstage, and click hundreds of terrific photographs. Your family can experience the magic of cinema here and it will surely leave you spellbound!
5. Kidspace Children’s Museum
Plan a day of creativity and fun-filled activities at the Kidspace Children’s Museum. The museum has several interactive exhibits for kids. There is an outdoor activity area where your little ones can indulge in adventures like climbing the hawk’s nest or playing in the mud kitchen.
The indoor activity area offers many fascinating recreations that will give wings to your kids’ creativity. This includes an imagination workshop, an interactive greenhouse, etc. If your children like adventures and activities, this is the perfect place for them.
6. Griffith Observatory
A family vacation to L.A. is incomplete without exploring the famous Griffith Observatory. You can learn about ancient landmarks, see the astronomy-themed exhibition, or watch a show in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium.
You can also hike to the hilltop and enjoy the iconic view of the Hollywood sign and the majestic L.A. skyline. Trust me, the feeling is surreal!
7. LACMA
LACMA or the Los Angeles County Museum of Art is an outstanding museum that has a variety of unique pieces of modern art. It also has world-famous urban lights, and it is the perfect spot for some Instagram-worthy photos.
Additionally, you can see the works of Pablo Picasso, have fun at the Japanese Pavilion, witness the Levitated Mass, and do so much more! It’s one of my favorite things to do in Los Angeles with kids, since it has things that both my daughter and I enjoy.
8. La Brea Tar Pits & Museum
La Brea Tar Pits & Museum is popular for its ice-age fossil fuel site. If science excites you, then you’ll absolutely love this place! There is a museum dedicated to the Ice Age, a 3D movie show, an excavator tour for your little scientists, and so much more!
Plus, It is just next door to the LACMA, so you can visit two amazing places together.
9. Los Angeles Public Library
If you are a family of book lovers, then there’s no better place than the Los Angeles Public Library for you. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. The library has stunning historic murals, a fully dedicated children’s and young adult’s book section, and story times for your little bookworms. Going to the library is a very popular outing among residents, too. It’s for sure a staple when you think about things to do in Los Angeles with kids!
10. Natural History Museum
If your kids are into Dinosaurs and everything related to them, then you are in for a treat at the Natural History Museum. This museum has a collection of over 35 million objects, some of which are older than 4.5 billion years! Sounds exciting, right?
You will get to see Dinosaur bones, explore the Nature Lab that has live animals and touchable species, and enjoy several other exhibits. You can also visit the fascinating Dinosaur Hall there and have your own little Jurassic Park experience!
11. Discovery Cube Los Angeles
This is a kid-friendly science center that has a lot to offer. You can enjoy a huge variety of different exhibits (including a DC Super Heroes exhibit!) and learn about the wonders of science. Children can enjoy virtual helicopters, learn about the various objects through the “try and touch” method, visit the Aquavator, etc. The Discovery Cube Los Angeles offers a perfect blend of learning and fun.
So there you go! Those were my favorite things to do in Los Angeles with kids. I hope you found this article helpful, and that I could help you plan your family trip to Los Angeles.
While you are here, if you are soon planning a fun family day, then why not end it with a family photography session? If you wish to plan a session, get in touch with me! It would be a honor to capture the happy moments with your family!
Click this link to view my work and let’s start the conversation!
Thank you so much for checking out this post all about things to do in Los Angeles with Kids!!
Happy Planning!!
