Things to Do With Kids in Los Angeles - Explore Together
This interactive family fun list isn't curated by an editor...it's crowdsourced from regular parents adding the best family attractions they've tried with their kids in Los Angeles, Orange County and other neighboring counties in Southern California.
Zoom in on the map to see fun kids activities near you in the greater Los Angeles area, read parent reviews, and remember to chime in to share your own favorites.
This is only the beginning of the OC & Los Angeles family activities you'll find on Upparent. Set your location at the top of the screen, check out our family event calendar, and browse Upparent for many more things to do in Los Angeles with kids.
If you have a few extra days to explore, check out our favorite kid friendly Pacific Coast Highway stops!
Los Angeles Dodgers
Catching a baseball game at Dodger Stadium is a fun Los Angeles experience, complete with a great view of the city.
In N Out Burger
This quintessential California burger chain is a must-do for both visitors and locals.
Corona del Mar State Beach
Alexandra F.: This may be my favorite beach in the area, and the one I'd probably recommend first to any friends or family visiting from out of town. It's just so beautiful and well-maintained, and an easy and enjoyable outing for families, with clean bathrooms and the parking lot right next to the beach for easy access. The rock formations and cliffs add to the natural beauty, and the gorgeous homes nearby are fun to look at, too. If you can, be sure to walk up to Inspiration Point for an incredible view!
Time Travel Mart
Jenny: A unique learning center and gift shop
San Diego Zoo
Kelly R: I think this is the best zoo in the US. One of the things that strikes me about it is how beautiful all of the surroundings and plant life are, even as you're just walking around between exhibits. There is definitely a lot of uphill walking that can tire us out pretty quickly, but the benefit of that is many of the exhibits can be viewed from different high and low vantage points. The new children's area is pretty amazing and has so much to do (including water features, so plan for that if your kids can't resist getting wet).
Tanaka Farms
The year round pick-your-own experience at Tanaka Farms includes a 1-hour guided wagon tour. This educational ride around the farm ends in picking your own fruit and veggies. Along with strawberry picking, they also host similar experiences like corn tours, melon tours, and u-pick vegetables. Tours also include admission to the farm, visiting with chickens, entrance to the play area, and a seasonal maze during the Fall. This is a very kid-friendly farm, especially during Pumpkin Patch Season and holidays.
Pretend City Children's Museum
Pretend City Children's Museum is an enclosed indoor facility that has more than a dozen interactive exhibits (bank, beach, cafe, dentist office, gas station, & more) tailor-made for little ones where they can pretend to be just about anything and stretch their imagination! The Trader Joe's market is a popular exhibit; kiddos love pushing around grocery carts and going shopping. Parents can bring their own snack and lunches or dine at the "Real Cafe."
California Science Center
Admission to the permanent galleries at the California Science Center is always free and does not require a reservation. Permanent exhibits include World of Life, Fire! Science & Safety, and Ecosystems. Timed tickets are required for the IMAX Theater and special exhibits.
LEGOLAND California Theme Park
Legoland has all kinds of thrilling rides and attractions where kids can build (and power) their own creations. The water park has its own unique attractions, plus there's a SEA LIFE Aquarium where kids can get up close and personal with sharks, octopi, and more!
Knott's Berry Farm
From its roots as a berry stand in the 1920s, Knott's has long since evolved into one of Southern California's most popular theme parks, home to thrill rides, family rides, kids' rides, and live shows and entertainment.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Little kids and big kids alike love Universal Studios Hollywood! Check out kid-friendly attractions like Despicable Me Minion Mayhem and Super Silly Fun Land, or have some pulse-pounding fun on Jurassic Park the Ride and King Kong 360 3-D. And no visit to Universal Studios is complete without a trip to Diagon Alley and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, or Super Nintendo World! Keep your eyes peeled for character sightings of Dora, Sponge Bob, Scooby Doo, The Simpsons and others. Families can also enjoy great dining, shopping, and entertainment both in the park and at CityWalk.
La Brea Tar Pits & Museum
Plenty of amazing finds have surfaced at this active paleontology location, and your admission gives you a glimpse into what scientists are working on in the Fossil Lab, and a chance to talk with scientists and volunteers about recent finds that make the past come to life. Changing programs can include 3D movies and new fossils as they're found.
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
The whole family can learn about birds, dinosaurs, insects, mammals, and more at the Natural History Museum. Beyond their regular family-friendly exhibits, the museum caters to kids with touchable minerals, furs and fossils, authentic scientific exploration tools, and an insect zoo. Interactive shows (some feature actors dressed as dinosaurs!) round out the educational entertainment.
The Children's Museum at La Habra
The Children's Museum at La Habra offers seven educational and entertaining, permanent hands-on exhibits such as the nature walk exhibit, dress up room, science station, farm exhibit, and a featured exhibit which changes twice a year. The hand-carved carousel and1942 railroad caboose are extra special touches.
Discovery Cube
Alexandra F.: We LOVE the Discovery Cube. Personally, I think it is best suited for elementary-school kids, given the science concepts that are the focus of the exhibits, but my preschooler is obsessed with the OC location, and it has been one of the better memberships we've gotten since we end up going there almost every week. I also think it has gotten better and better over the last couple of years that we've been going. The new touch tank with rays and sharks is a special favorite, as well as the lunar rover remote control cars, the laser maze, and the build-your-own race car tracks. My preschooler also loves to get soaked at their awesome water table (so bring a change of clothes if this is your kiddo).
Primary photo: Cedric Letsch on Unsplash
Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.