Los Angeles family guide
Things to Do in Bellflower with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Bellflower on the map
📍 Where Bellflower is
Bellflower sits in Los Angeles, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Long Beach (~5 mi / 8 km). It's roughly 14 mi (22 km) from Downtown LA and 98 mi (157 km) from San Diego — SoCal traffic can make a drive take far longer than the distance suggests, so plan around it.
Visiting? See SoCal at a glance, getting around and which airport.
Things to do in Bellflower
Los Angeles County Fire Museum
Antique fire engines and interactive displays, including vehicles from the TV show EMERGENCY!, on the ground floor of the Mayne Events Center at 16400 Bellflower Blvd. Park in the city structure across Bellflower Blvd; it is only open mornings to early afternoon on four days.
$5 suggested donation for visitors over 12; free for children 12 and under
Ruth R. Caruthers Park
A 20-acre city park at 10500 E. Flora Vista St with playgrounds, a seasonal splash pad, a skate park, a two-mile fitness course and picnic areas. The Bellflower Bike Trail starts here with a bridge link to the San Gabriel River Trail, so it works for family bike rides.
Free
Carpenter House Museum
A turn-of-the-century home museum inside Caruthers Park with original decor, photos, newspaper articles and furnishings. Open only one Saturday a month, so combine it with the park's splash pad or playground.
No admission fee listed by the city; call (562) 804-1424 ext. 2261 to confirm
Bellflower Aquatic Center at T. Mayne Thompson Park
The city pool complex at 14001 Bellflower Blvd, with indoor and outdoor pools and a playground at the park. The city announced an outdoor-pool renovation while keeping the indoor pool open, so confirm which pool is running. Swimmers under 45 inches must be accompanied in the water by an adult; call (562) 866-2015 first.
$5 per person recreation swim (per the city aquatic center page; re-confirm)Festivals & annual events in Bellflower
What Bellflower is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Bellflower Summer Streetfest
A recurring summer street festival on Bellflower Boulevard, closing the street on Thursday evenings for a live band, food vendors, craft booths and games.
The 2026 series has finished; confirm the next series on the city site
Local restaurants in Bellflower
The Nest - A Breakfast Joint
Independent breakfast spot at 9260 Alondra Blvd, open daily 7am–2pm, that also hosts periodic six-course Chef Series dinners and offers catering. Confirm the address before a special trip.
Omega Burgers
Family-owned charbroiled burger stand at 16310 Bellflower Blvd with all-day breakfast plates, chili cheese fries and hand-scooped shakes. Burgers run about $6–9 and it opens at 7am daily.
Hambone's BBQ Smokehouse
California-style smokehouse at 9827 Belmont St serving smoked ribs, brisket and tri-tip with four house sauces, for dine-in, takeout and catering.
Ricci's Italian Restaurant
A Bellflower Italian deli-and-restaurant with a family history dating to 1941, serving pizza, pasta and calzones, with a patio and all ages welcome, at 16601 Bellflower Blvd. Call (562) 925-1039 for hours.
Bellflower Diner
A mom-and-pop breakfast and lunch diner (originally Omelettes Etc.) with 23 omelettes, chilaquiles, pancakes and hashbrowns at 17018 Bellflower Blvd, open 7:30am–2pm and closed Tuesday.
Thai Chili Express
A family-owned Thai restaurant at 17844 Bellflower Blvd serving pad thai, drunken noodles, curries and noodle soups, with carryout and delivery. Open Tue–Sun.
Local shops in Bellflower
The Guild House
Neighborhood tabletop game shop at 16631 Bellflower Blvd, Bellflower, selling board games, trading card games (Magic, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!), miniatures, role-playing games, paints and hobby supplies. It hosts game nights and organized play.
RailMaster Hobbies
Model railroad shop at 9812 Belmont St, Bellflower, selling locomotives, rolling stock and modeling supplies in all scales, plus DCC sound speakers. Open Tuesday to Sunday.
Stitches in Time Yarn
Local yarn shop at 16706 Bellflower Blvd, Bellflower, selling yarns, knitting and crochet supplies and books. It offers classes from beginner level up, and the site lists events and classes.
Seasonal & outdoors near Bellflower
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Bellflower.
More Los Angeles family guides
Bellflower family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Bellflower with kids?
Family favorites in and around Bellflower include Los Angeles County Fire Museum, Ruth R. Caruthers Park, Carpenter House Museum and Bellflower Aquatic Center at T. Mayne Thompson Park. Our guide lists 4 spots, each with a price note and practical tips where we have them.
Are there free things to do in Bellflower?
Yes — free family spots near Bellflower include Ruth R. Caruthers Park and Carpenter House Museum. Our free things to do page lists more across Southern California.
Where can families eat in Bellflower?
Local, family-friendly spots in Bellflower include El Sabor Tapatio, The Nest - A Breakfast Joint, Omega Burgers and Hambone's BBQ Smokehouse, and more — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Bellflower guide cover?
Our Bellflower family guide includes 4 things to do, 7 local eats and 3 local shops — with independent, non-chain eats and shops.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Where to stay in Bellflower
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Bellflower on one map — then book on your favorite site.