Los Angeles is a playground! It is no secret that our beautiful sunny city is a fantastic destination for families because of the endless kid friendly activities, and fun venues all around. But what special events are happening this year? What venues have you forgotten about, or which ones are new to be discovered?
Today in this post we unveil some of the best activities to do with the youngest members of your family. Enjoy all these exhibits, and activities filled with unforgettable adventures, this year your calendar will be full of magic, entertainment and fun.
1 – Best Kid Friendly Museums and Exhibits
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When it comes to family fun mark seasonal exhibits at all of our majestic museums! If you’re looking for a fun and educational outing for your kids, look no further than LA’s vibrant museums and their seasonal exhibits like the Butterfly Pavilion at the Natural History Museum. Also take advantage of free admission days provided by our generous city to all of its residents and their families.
For free visit schedules click here: https://socalmuseums.org/free-days/
For the youngest museum enthusiasts Cayton Children’s Museum in Santa Monica is a true wonder. This fantastic museum that opened its doors only a few years ago, has captivated the heart of many families in LA. It boasts over 20 hands-on exhibits spread across five beautiful themed wings. Find climbing structures, an art studio, a market place, a playhouse and more fun exhibits.
Upside Down House at the World of Illusions in Hollywood. This is a great exhibit for your tweens and teens who like a great photo op. Beyond the photo opportunity, this immersive exhibit features seven upside-down rooms! Imagine walking on the ceiling, peering down at furniture hanging from above, and preparing breakfast in a topsy-turvy kitchen. The possibilities for wacky photos and hilarious memories are endless.
Aquarium of the Pacific Kids Wonderland. This venue is a favorite among little oceanographers. Visit ocean depths at the Honda Blue Cavern Exhibit. This massive tank replicates a kelp forest teeming with sharks, eels, batfish, and more.
Kids will be mesmerized by the graceful movements of these underwater residents, and the viewing tunnel allows them to feel like they’re part of the action. During your visit to the Aquarium of the Pacific, your kids can enjoy touch tank experiences, birds forest, sea otters and penguins exhibits.
Location: various
Pic Credit: @aquariumofthepacific
2 – Best Adventure Parks and Kid Friendly Beaches
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Let’s start with Playa Del Rey Lagoon and Children’s Playground. This hidden gem is tucked away in beautiful Marina del Rey and it offers a large size park, lagoon and a splendid playground for young kids. Pack a picnic too and enjoy a beautiful day with your kids and friends.
Calling all Ninja Warriors! If your kids and teens love a ninja warrior obstacle course, we highly recommend you throw some water in the mix with a trip to Adventure Lagoon in Anaheim. This fun packed venue offers thrilling floating obstacle courses and gigantic slides. That’s right, you get to navigate your way across a series of inflatable slides, ramps, and climbing walls that will lead you right into the cool water lagoon. There is also a Little Splasher’s Paradise for the youngest ninjas, and plenty of relaxing beach chairs for spectators.
Many families in LA enjoy visiting Long Beach Mother’s Beach, which has a great shallow swimming area for little children. Also, Long Beach features Wibit, this seasonal water inflatable playground is a sensation during the summer months. It’s located south of Ocean Boulevard and east of Shoreline Drive, your kids will love the multiple floating play structures such as springboards, bouncers, and monkey bars.
More ideas for fun friendly beaches and adventure parks? Visit Seaside Lagoon in Redondo Beach, Santa Monica Pier and Beach, and the Griffith Park and Observatory. Also check out our past post on best splash pads in Los Angeles and pick your new favorite park and splash pad.
Location: various
PIC Credit: @lonbeachlocalnews
3 – Spend the Day at a Theme Park
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Choose one of the amazing theme parks available in Southern Cali and spend a fun filled day with the kids. Theme parks are the perfect venues to spend the day with the kids because they have all the entertainment needed to please crowds of all ages.
Let’s start with Disneyland, there is a reason why it is called the happiest place on earth. Disneyland really knows how to deliver pure fun, your kids can meet their favorite characters, and princesses plus ride their favorite thrilling roller coasters. Theme food and souvenirs make the day even more exciting. Don’t forget to download the Disney app, and stay for Fireworks magic at the end of the evening. To add more adventure to the day, swing to California Adventure and take the kids to see their favorite stories come to live! Let them enjoy the Avengers campus, Pixar Pier, and Cars Land. A true Disney magic experience.
Want to see Hollywood for the day? Stop at Universal Studios Hollywood for a day of fun. You should arrive bright and early and head towards Nintendo World, secure a reservation at Toadstool cafe and then head straight to Mario Kart Bowser Challenge ride. Then continue on your quest to explore every corner of the land and don’t forget the cafe reservation. After that, take your family to visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! Your kids will spend hours at their favorite Harry Potter theme shops, rides, and immersive experiences. Universal Studios features a lower lot where the bravest guests can find the most thrilling experiences including Revenge of the Mummy, and Jurassic World. Plenty of other fun rides here for the whole family to spend a day of fun including Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride, Transformers 3D, and the Simpsons ride.
More fun theme parks to take the family for the day? Visit Snoopy at Knott’s Berry Farm, Soak City, Wolf Lodge, and Six Flags Magic Mountain. Looking for more budget friendly parks with plenty of fun activities? Consider Buccaneer Cove at Castle Park
Location: various
PIC Credit: @sanBernardinosun
4 – Greatest Libraries for LA Kids
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Our first pic is the recently renovated Beverly Hills Children’s Library on Rexford Dr. It is considered by Angelenos as one of the best libraries for kids. This children’s library is bright, inviting and it is completely separated from the main library. It features a generous play area with toys, blocks, and even a toy kitchen. And of course there is an oasis of books for kids of all ages, and a great stage for story time.
Next in our list is Cerritos Library. This beloved community treasure features a beautiful and giant books frame right at the entrance. Whimsical exhibits highlight a “Save the Planet” theme, and a domed ceiling showcases a changing constellation display. Even the floor features a compass rose design to help little ones navigate their surroundings. It’s one of our favorites, and we are sure your kids will love it too.
Huntington Library is known for its vast art, rare book collections, and historical artifacts. This beautiful venue also welcomes young explorers to participate in classes and workshops. It also features a beautiful children’s garden where kids of all ages can experience interactive sculptures, and observe animals and plants. The garden also features fun exhibits perfect for kids including a tunnel illuminated by prism-diffracted sunlight. But there is more, the library offers a Just for Kids Tour, this fantastic experience takes visitors through the most magnificent galleries in a very playful way where they become detectives, and will participate in finding precious pieces of art and artifacts while learning and exploring the galleries.
Last in our list is The Children’s Literature Department at the Los Angeles Central Library. Equipped with over 250,000 books in English, Spanish, and 22 other languages, this department caters to the diverse tapestry of Los Angeles. It’s a place where every child can find stories that resonate with their own heritage or pique their curiosity about new cultures. The Children’s Literature Department comes alive with a year-round calendar of engaging programs including captivating puppet shows, interactive author readings, creative craft activities and special story-times. Find this awesome space on the second floor of the beautiful and historical Goodhue building.
Location: various
PIC Credit: @huntingtonlibrary
5 – Best Kids Shows and Presentations This Year
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Here in Los Angeles we are of course the center of the entertainment industry! So let’s take the kids to the best shows coming up this year that are specially curated for the younger years. Disney has several wonderful presentations this year for the young audience. Let’s start with The Little Mermaid at La Mirada theater! This fabulous presentation is back by popular demand, and it will captivate everyone’s heart with its magical kingdom beneath the sea, and the beautiful young mermaid Ariel. This show is for audiences 3 years and up. Starting on May 31st through June 23rd, tickets are on sale on their website.
Probably one of our favorite events to take the kids to is Disney on Ice. Check out the extensive calendar and amazing list of upcoming shows with several fantastic locations around town. Disney on Ice experiences include Mickey’s Search Party, Frozen and Encanto, Magic in the Stars and more. Take your little ones to see their favorite princess performing beautiful ice skating shows, and singing their favorite songs. Check out disneyonice.com for tickets, and schedules this year.
Sesame Street Live! Say Hello is bringing the Sesame Street fun to California. Get ready for a fuzzy hug of nostalgia and delight because Sesame Street Live is rolling into town with their brand new interactive show, “Say Hello.” This exciting production brings your favorite Sesame Street friends to life on stage for a sing-along, laugh-out-loud experience. This beautiful event featuring characters including Elmo, Cookie Monster and Abby Cadabby will be in Southern California this June with presentations in Long Beach, Riverside, Thousand Oaks and San Diego. Visit sesamestreetlife.com for tickets.
And there are many more fun and interactive shows to take the whole family to in Los Angeles. Monster Jam lovers can attend the show coming to Sofi Stadium on May 18th. Cirquedusoleil is also inviting guests to attend their kid friendly show Kooza in Laguna Hills, Peter Pan will be at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood on July 9th, and the Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus will be at Crypto Arena on August, and also at the Honda Center in Anaheim.
And there you have it dear Angelenos. Plenty of activities to do with kids this year in our glorious city of LA. Enjoy everyone!
Location: various
PIC Credit: @allevents
Do you agree with our list or did we miss an obvious one? Let us know by commenting below!