Los Angeles is a hotspot for family fun. From iconic sites to unique interactive exhibits, there are a ton of kid-friendly activities to bring laughter and togetherness, and create core memories to last a lifetime.
Millions of people visit Los Angeles each year to find some fun in the sun. Whether you are a local family looking for a new adventure to try or a family visiting from out of town, here are the top 20 family favorite Los Angeles experiences to help you plan your next adventure.
The Griffith Observatory is a treat for the whole family. This space-filled activity combines astronomy and the natural beauty and wonder of our skies. View the sky through a telescope and learn the incredible phases of the moon.
Inside, catch a popular show in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium and check out the other interactive displays. Learn from professionals about the Tesla Coil, or see a live image of the sun on a solar telescope.
Enjoy lunch in one of the picnic areas in Griffith Park surrounding the observatory. Or, grab a bite in the Cafe at the End of the Universe, while sitting inside or outside on Sunset Terrace overlooking the famed Hollywood sign. This is a popular educational spot for families to enjoy the views and one another.
Quest Room is a top escape room company in Los Angeles with interactive adventures ideal for family bonding. We have a wide range of Hollywood-quality rooms that all ages enjoy. Each room is decked out with extensive props and some games have costumed actors to bring the experience to life.
For families that are new to escape room adventures, ask for a beginner-level challenge. These family-friendly escape rooms are a great place to start!
All our escape room experiences are private (just for your group), making them perfect for a family outing or indoor escape on a very hot or rainy day in Los Angeles. Escape games allow families and groups to bond over a unique and exciting timed challenge. A definite Los Angeles family must!
The Natural History Museum is a place for families to immerse themselves in the history of the world. Exciting huge dinosaur skeletons, interactive insect displays, hands-on world of cats exhibits, and a butterfly pavilion are all engaging activities for eager hands and minds to explore.
Whether you are wandering the expansive outdoor gardens or watching scientists prepare fossils in the Dinosaur Lab, kids and adults alike will enjoy the many intriguing ways to learn about the world. Plan to take your time.
This classic LA pier boasts fun for all ages. The Santa Monica Pier has been a family favorite beachside spot for decades. It offers an iconic Ferris wheel, merry-go-round, games arcade, and more!
Santa Monica Beach (next to the pier) is also a great place to find activities, including the Santa Monica Trapeze School. Pay by the hour to have a trapeze lesson out above the sand.
If trapeze is not your thing, chill out while building sandcastles, or simply people-watch while savoring a bite or drink from the pier. The Santa Monica Pier is the summer spot for both visiting and local families alike.
The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens are home to more than 1,700 animals that visitors can view. The LA Zoo, designed specifically for immersive views, boasts an amazing range of animals in their habitats. From poison frogs and orangutans to alligators and snow leopards, this zoo has it all.
The Botanical Gardens provide a fun way to learn about the plants around us. Plants include exotic species ranging from Hong Kong orchid trees to Mexican fan palms. Whether you are learning about how the ecosystem works or checking out the bird show, the LA Zoo and Botanical Gardens are a win for families.
Kidspace Children's Museum is a hands-on learning place geared for young kids. This activity features interactive exhibits designed to inspire creativity and learning. While activities are focused on young children, parents will also enjoy seeing their little ones play with all the colorful and joyful hands-on areas.
Play areas include the Muddy Boot Farm, where kids can prepare, sort, weigh, and sell produce to friends. At Trike Tracks, kids can get in two-seater trikes and do their best to maneuver down a curvy highway of fun! This safe and imagination-encouraging environment is a sure bet for families.
La Brea Tar Pits on Museum Row is a journey into ancient Los Angeles. Here you can see fossilized remains and even an active excavation site! Teams at La Brea Tar Pits have excavated over three million fossils, and they are still digging for more!
Inspire the little rock lovers in your family to learn about the importance of paleontology and how it works. This activity combines science, history, and fun!
The El Capitan Theatre is relaxing and fun for the whole family. This theater is a historical monument in the middle of Hollywood. Families will appreciate the original, elegant architecture while enjoying state-of-the-art viewing technology.
The theater, owned by Walt Disney Studios, often holds family-friendly events and viewings. Younger and older kids alike will enjoy this nostalgic outing.
The California Science Center is the West Coast's largest hands-on science center. Ready to explore? Check out exhibits on space, technology, and the natural world.
A new popular exhibit onsite is called Game On! Science, Sports & Play. This 17,000 sq. ft. exhibition explores the transformative power of play and the body in motion.
Test your swing against a 60 mph pitch, or improve your soccer using high-tech kicking drills. The fun never runs out at The California Science Center.
Tip: Plan to spend an entire day at this destination!
Venice Beach is an exciting, bright hotspot for families. Families ready to people-watch, shop, and watch street performers will have a day of fun at the Venice Beach Boardwalk.
When you tire of walking through unique shops, grab a bite or ice cream and walk to the beach to enjoy a time of sun and sand together. For older kids who enjoy sporty activities, there is a nearby bike trail and skate park.
Travel Town Museum preserves and celebrates LA's railroad history. The museum boasts vintage locomotives like the "Little Nugget" lounge car and the historic Southern Pacific steam locomotive No. 219.
There are family-friendly exhibits teaching how railroads helped shape the city of Los Angeles. The museum offers a miniature train ride that kids adore, as well as opportunities for kids to explore trains themselves.
This memorable outing is perfect for families that want a good mix of fun and education.
This botanical garden is a beautiful, peaceful family outdoor space for all ages. For families needing a bit of calm-down time, these gardens offer a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Let your mind wander as you follow meandering paths past bright red roses or lavender-colored woolly blue curls. This garden hosts family-friendly events and seasonal festivals throughout the year.
When you want a quiet afternoon walk or a nature-filled adventure, Descanso Gardens does not disappoint.
The Aquarium of the Pacific boasts over 100 exhibits and 19 major habitats for onlookers to explore. This fun place has many kids' activities, including interactive displays and touch tanks that kids and adults absolutely love.
Ocean conservation is taught through feeding lessons and special events. Some exhibits include Stars of the Sea, the June Keyes Penguin Habitat, the Shark Lagoon, and the Sea Otter Habitat.
There are many show opportunities as well, so be sure to plan your days to catch at least one.
Get a behind-the-scenes look at your family's favorite movies with a Warner Bros. Studio Tour. Kids and adults will enjoy seeing where some of their favorite movies and television shows are made. On this studio tour, you will see iconic sets and costumes, and even learn about special effects.
These guided tours are great for families to bond over their shared love of entertainment while learning how it all comes together. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour is one of the main attractions for families visiting LA.
Whale watching in Long Beach is an exciting opportunity for any family! Catch a ride on a whale-watching tour boat for a chance to see whales, dolphins, and other marine life.
These guided tours are an educational opportunity for families to learn about the animals in the wild as well as how people can do their part to take care of our oceans. Families will never forget the moment they spotted a whale breaching the surface of the water on one of the most exciting outdoor activities in LA.
Universal Studios Hollywood is a huge, exciting, and popular theme park experience for both local and visiting families. This theme park offers thrills, roller coasters, entertainment, and a glimpse into movie-making.
Harry Potter fans will enjoy exploring the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. If you are not into Harry Potter, no worries! Universal Studios Hollywood has several other noteworthy experiences, including the Secret Life of Pets, Jurassic World Ride, Super Nintendo World, Kung Fu Panda Adventure, and Transformers - The Ride 3D.
Theme parks are always a hit with families, and Universal Studios Hollywood is no exception. If your family is headed to Los Angeles, be sure to include Universal Studios Hollywood in your plans.
The Getty Center is an art exhibit with beautiful gardens and amazing views of the city. They have an interactive room for children to create and explore. Take a tram ride up to the center and enjoy the stunning views of gardens and LA's art.
Pro Tip: Admission is free, but requires a timed entry reservation. For families looking to save money, check out this museum for the afternoon!
The Los Angeles County Museum is the largest art museum in the Western United States and houses works from around the world. LACM is known to host family-friendly days and kids’ workshops, making it a great spot for families to come for California's artistic culture.
Angels Flight Railway has been a unique historical attraction since 1901. The Angels Flight Railway is located in Downtown Los Angeles and offers a short, charming ride along Bunker Hill.
Although it is the world's shortest railway, it has given over 100 million rides. This activity is perfect for families who are exploring Downtown LA and want to appreciate a bit of history and Los Angeles culture.
Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles is filled with fun experiences for the whole family. It is more than a museum; it is an interactive play area teaching about Jewish and American culture, life, and art.
Kids love the Noah's Ark exhibit, complete with a large wooden ark, handcrafted animals, a misty rainbow arbor, and a storm wall families can enjoy together. Skirball Cultural Center offers days with interactive artifact digs and craft projects, story times, and more!
Marina Del Rey is a sunny harbor where families can enjoy both surf and turf. Located just south of Santa Monica, Marina Del Rey is filled with fun things for the whole family. Rent kayaks, paddleboards, and pedal boats, or rest on the beach for some calm water play.
Bike paths, like the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, run along the beach for more kid-friendly sporty action. Both local and visiting families in Los Angeles will enjoy a visit to this sunny spot.
Follow these tips for safe and enjoyable family outings in Los Angeles:
Los Angeles is home to thousands of remarkable activities for families to play, learn, and discover together. From beachside fun to Hollywood-quality escape rooms, there is truly something for everyone.
Each activity brings a bit of California culture and fun to experience. Whether your family is planning for a full week of fun or a simple Sunday out, these ideas will ensure your crew has the best, most memorable experience possible.
Ivan is an expert in escape room design and development for almost a decade. He and his team have developed dozens of 5-star escape rooms across multiple genres in the United States, focusing on amazing live experience and unforgettable storytelling.
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