Things to do in Los Angeles with Kids

things to do in los angeles with kids

Need some things to do in Los Angeles with Kids?  Here is a great list of 48 things to do with your kids in Los Angeles separated by the type of activity it is.

 

Animals and Nature in Los Angeles

Mount Wilson Observatory
Leave the stress of the city below and drive to Mount Wilson Observatory with your kids! The Mount Wilson Observatory (MWO) is an astronomical observatory in Los Angeles County and also the home of two historically important telescopes: the Hale telescope and the Hooker telescope.
Learn more here.

Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Discover and appreciate the wonder of other living things with your kids! Visit the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens and teach and inspire your kids how to preserve wildlife.
Learn more here.

Griffith Park Observatory
Griffith Observatory is an icon of Los Angeles, a national leader in public astronomy, a beloved civic gathering place, and one of southern California’s most popular attractions. Let your kids observe and play with their imagination through exposure to the awe and wonder inherent in astronomy!
Learn more here.

 

Attractions and Landmarks in Los Angeles

Travel Town
The northwest corner of Griffith Park is the destination for train enthusiasts and curious kids. Travel Town, open all week, is a “railroad petting zoo” full of historic rail stock like an 1880 Southern Pacific locomotive and an 1881 Union Pacific caboose that also does a good job explaining how the railroads helped build Southern California.
Learn more here.

Petersen Automotive Museum
The Petersen Automotive Museum is dedicated to the exploration and presentation of the automobile and its impact on American life and culture using Los Angeles as the prime example. Encompassing more than 300,000 square feet, its exhibits and lifelike dioramas feature more than 150 rare and classic cars, trucks and motorcycles.
Learn more here.

Olvera St.
Visit this Mexican Marketplace located in the El Pueblo De Los Angeles Historical Monument on the general site of the birthplace of the city of Los Angeles. Come and explore Mexican and Latino shopping and dining experiences with the whole family!
Learn more here.

 

Fun and Games in Los Angeles 

Peekaboo Playland
Peekaboo Playland is a popular hang-out for children as well as their parents or caregivers. Besides numerous arts and crafts, there’s an inflatable bounce house, a tube slide, and plenty of games, puzzles and toys. Peekaboo Playland offers a variety of classes for children, including art workshops, music events, specially designed workouts, even a playful version of Pilates.
Learn more here.

Play
Play specializes in music and art, and all of our activities are designed for children to participate in along with parents or caregivers. In the design of our space and of our programs, we strive to create an environment that encourages exploration, and is fun and exciting both for kids and their adults.
Learn more here.

Giggles N’ Hugs
Giggles N’ Hugs is the first and only restaurant that brings together high-end, organic food with active, cutting-edge play and entertainment for children.
Learn more here.

The Treehouse Social Club
Have great family fun day out at The Treehouse Social Club! The Treehouse Social Club’s showcase piece is a treehouse surrounded by a safe, picket fenced area for toddlers 3 and below, an arts and crafts area and a room for age 3 and above with iMac computers and a Wii.
Learn more here.

Echo Park
Relax and spend the weekend with your family at Echo Park!
Learn more here.

 

Kid-Friendly Eats in Los Angeles

Zankou Chicken
Try middle-eastern food with your kids here!
Learn more here.

 

Village Pizzeria
Try handmade pizzas and calzones made from scratch with your family – dough made in house daily, pizza sauce with fresh local herbs and the finest California tomato products.
Learn more here.

 

The Apple Pan
Try this reastaurant locally famous for its hamburgers and apple pies served with vanilla ice cream with your kids.
Learn more here.

 

Siete Mares
Don’t miss to try their seafood all over your tostada, taco and burrito with your family.
Learn more here.

 

Shik Do Rak
Try this good korean bbq place and don’t miss to eat their delicious seafood pancake, dumplings, and jap chae (noodles).
Learn more here.

 

Philippe the Original
Don’t dare to miss eating at the one of the oldest restaurants in Los Angeles.
Learn more here.

 

Pazzo Gelato
The freshest, purest, tastiest, handmade gelato in LA!
Learn more here.

 

Palms Thai
Thai cuisine has become an international phenomenon and it’s here to prove it to you.
Learn more here.

 

Ocean Seafood
They used to be one of the best dim sum restaurants in the area, one of the best Chinese restaurants
Learn more here.

 

Nyala Ethiopian Cuisine
Nyala is a family owned and operated restaurant that has been serving the Los Angeles area since 1988.
Learn more here.

 

La Parrilla
Come to the home of the .50 Taco in Compton with your family.
Learn more here.

 

Grand Central Market
Don’t dare to go to the first open air market in the city of Los Angeles.
Learn more here.

 

Clifton’s Cafeteria
Try the oldest surviving cafeteria style eatery in Los Angeles and the largest public cafeteria in the world with your family.
Learn more here.

 

Carney’s
Try this hot dog and burger restaurant in a yellow Union Pacific rail car on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, California with your kids.
Learn more here.

 

Asahi Ramen
Enjoy their good and cheap Japanese ramen with your kids.
Learn more here.

Beard Papa’s
Try their Fresh’n natural cream puffs with your kids.
Learn more here.

 

Live Performances in Los Angeles

 

Staples Center
Visit this large multi-purpose sports arena in Downtown Los Angeles and home to the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers.
Learn more here.

 

Hollywood Bowl
Go to this amphitheater in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles, California, United States that is used primarily for music performances.
Learn more here.

 

Bob Baker Marionette Theater
The oldest children’s theater company in Los Angeles.
Learn more here.

 

Greek Theatre
Visit this 5,870-seat greek theatre, located at Griffith Park, in Los Angeles, California.
Learn more here.

 

American Girl Place
Visit the place of the 18-inch doll that portrays nine– to eleven–year–old girls of a variety of ethnicities. They are sold with accompanying books told from the viewpoint of the girls.
Learn more here.

 

Local Unique in Los Angeles

New Beverly Cinema
Visit this historic movie theater located in Los Angeles, California, United States
Learn more here.

 

Farmer’s Market
Don’t forget to visit this area of food stalls, sit-down eateries, prepared food vendors, and produce markets in Los Angeles, California.
Learn more here.

 

Museums, Exhibits and Art Galleries in Los Angeles

Skirball Cultural Center and Museum
Visit this educational institution in Los Angeles, California devoted to sustaining Jewish heritage and American democratic ideals.
Learn more here.

 

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
It opened in Exposition Park, Los Angeles, California, United States in 1913 as the Museum of History, Science, and Art.
Learn more here.

 

Museum of Tolerance
Visit this multimedia museum in Los Angeles, California, United States, designed to examine racism and prejudice around the world with a strong focus on the history of the Holocaust.
Learn more here.

LACMA Boone Children’s Gallery
A place for kids and families to learn about brush painting and art from Korea and China.
Learn more here.

 

Getty Center
The museum specializes in “pre-20th-century European paintings, drawings, illuminated manuscripts, sculpture, and decorative arts
Learn more here.

 

California Science Center/IMAX
Visit this state agency and museum located in Exposition Park, Los Angeles.
Learn more here.

 

Autry National Center
Visit this museum dedicated to bringing together the stories of all peoples of the American West, connecting the past with the present to inspire our shared future
Learn more here.

 

Shopping in Los Angeles

Westwood Village
Visit this main shopping and commercial center of the Westwood district in the City of Los Angeles, California with your family.
Learn more here.

 

The Grove at the Farmers Market
Visit this retail and entertainment complex in Los Angeles, California
Learn more here.

Secret Headquarters
Dont forget to buy boards, bags and both short and long boxes.
Learn more here.

 

La La Ling
Visit this contemporary baby & kids lifestyle boutique providing Los Angeles with a unique, fresh and different hub of fashion, accessories and furnishings for cool babies, kids and their fashion and design-savvy parents.
Learn more here.

 

Amoeba Records
An independent music chain with stores in Berkeley, San Francisco, and Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.
Learn more here.

 

Aahs
The Ultimate gift store, with a large selection of Gifts,Novelties, Party Supplies, Toys, Gag Gifts, Clothing, Halloween, Movie and Music related items.
Learn more here.

 

Sports in Los Angeles

Dodger Stadium
Visit this stadium in Los Angeles located adjacent to Downtown Los Angeles.
Learn more here.

 

Waterparks in Los Angeles

Lego land Water Park
Visit this theme park and miniature park located in Carlsbad, California, based around the Lego toy brand with your kids.
Learn more here.

 

Lego land Water Park

LEGOLAND® California Resort features the world’s first and only LEGOLAND Water Park. The centerpiece is a 45-foot-tall tower designed to immerse children in the creative world of LEGO. The Water Park also features more than 20 LEGO models including giant LEGO friends who splash or spray water on guests, two sandy beach wading areas, retail shops and snack carts.

Contact number: (760) 918-5346

Location: One LEGOLAND Drive Carlsbad, CA 92008

Learn more here.

New Beverly Cinema

One of the oldest revival houses in the area, the New Beverly began life in the twenties as a vaudeville theater and went through a few more incarnations before emerging as the repertory movie-house it is today. Double features run daily for a set price of seven dollars. A lot of the programming is of the arty European sort, but there’s a fair share of blockbusters and cult favorites (“Raiders of the Lost Ark,” for example) that children will love seeing on a big screen with a packed audience.

Contact number: (323) 938-4038

Location: 7165 Beverly Boulevard  Los Angeles, CA 90036

Learn more here.

Farmer’s Market

When you need to please a wide range of tastes, the Farmers Market is the perfect place to take your children. Located next to the Grove shopping center, this enclosed market landmark has dozens of restaurants and food stands that reflect the diversity of LA cuisine. Korean BBQ, crepes, New Orleans gumbo, and homemade ice cream are just a few of the incredibly broad range of options to be found. If you’re overwhelmed by too much choice, head to Loteria, renowned for its delicious gourmet interpretations of traditional Mexican dishes like enchiladas and chilaquiles.

Contact number: (323) 900-8080

Location: 6333 West Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90036-6222

Learn more here.

Westwood Village

Located by UCLA, this heavily pedestrian shopping district feels quaintly out of place in Los Angeles, home of the car culture. Historic art deco movie theaters proudly display neon marquees and frequently host film premieres. children may be drawn to the giant novelty store, while clothing stores and restaurants appeal to local college students

Contact number:
Location:Veteran Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 98126

Learn more here.

The Grove at the Farmers Market

If you can’t make it to Disneyland on your trip, this upscale Hollywood mall recreates some of the magic of Main Street USA with a trolley car, musical fountain with footbridge, and changing seasonal displays. Bracketed by Nordstrom’s and an American Girl store, and featuring a luxurious Pacific Theaters multiplex you can head over to the adjoining Farmer’s Market when you’re done shopping.

Contact number:(323) 900-8080

Location: 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90036-6222

Learn more here.

Secret Headquarters

In the hip Silver Lake neighborhood, this comic book store embodies its name by acting as a sort of fortress for comic-loving children and the grown-ups they grow up to be. Unlike some cluttered and chaotic comic stores, Secret Headquarters has a lovingly curated feel. Employees are knowledgeable, with a deep love for the form. New titles are here, displayed on the wall, along with collections of old and recent favorites. Alternative comics are as plentiful as their more traditional counterparts.

Contact number: (323) 666-2228

Location: 3817 West Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Learn more here.

La La Ling

Situated in the hipper-than-thou Los Feliz area, La La Ling is a complete, one-stop lifestyle boutique for children aged 0 to 6. The 1,000-square-foot, bright and funky storefront houses the latest in kids’ clothes, furniture, toys and art, and carries local designers and manufacturers you might not find anywhere else. The store also puts together cool and unique gift baskets for parents (think backpacks or messenger bags packed with baby essentials), in case you and your grandkids feel like picking out something for their folks.

Contact number: (323) 664-4400

Location: 1810 North Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Learn more here.

Amoeba Records

The largest independent record store in the state, Amoeba boasts two floors of CDs, DVDs, and vinyl, along with other cultural memorabilia like posters and toys. They also host live performances and release events, which attract a broad swatch of LA’s many generations of hipsters. Your children are sure to find whatever hot new album they’re looking for, while you can indulge your nostalgia digging through the endless crates of records. Prices are reasonable, especially on used items, and the selection is nothing short of outstanding.

Contact number: (323) 245-6400

Location: 6400 West Sunset Boulevard at Cahuenga Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Learn more here.

Aahs

An emporium for every kind of pop culture ephemera, “Aahs” is a childrens’ shopping dream. Gag gifts, novelty toys, t-shirts, and mugs featuring everything from The Munsters and I Love Lucy to The Simpsons and The Family Guy are housed here, among countless other useless knickknacks that children just absolutely need to have. Their parents usually lecture them about the disposability of such items, so it’s up to you to indulge such memorable whims.

Contact number: (310) 824-1688

Location: 1090 Westwood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90024-2903

Learn more here.