Los Angeles family guide
Things to Do in Lakewood with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Lakewood on the map
📍 Where Lakewood is
Lakewood sits in Los Angeles, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Long Beach (~3 mi / 4 km). It's roughly 16 mi (26 km) from Downtown LA and 96 mi (154 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.
🏡 New to Lakewood? Start hereRec classes, library cards, school lookup, alerts and getting around.OpenClose
- Rec classes & camps: Lakewood's Recreation Catalog comes out in fall, spring and summer, and residents get first crack at registration through the online eCatalog.
- Library card: Lakewood has two LA County Library branches, Angelo M. Iacoboni at the Civic Center on Clark Avenue and George Nye, Jr. on Del Amo.
- Storytime: Iacoboni Library hosts Smarty Pants Storytime for ages 2-5 on Wednesdays plus an infant storytime Saturdays; Nye Library's runs Friday mornings.
- Find your school: Lakewood is split among ABC, Bellflower, Long Beach and Paramount Unified; the city's In My Neighborhood page shows your district.
- Pools: The city runs Mayfair and McCormick pools plus six wading pools in summer, with the season starting around Memorial Day weekend.
- City events: Lakewood's community events include the Pan Am Fiesta, Concerts in the Park, Halloween carnivals and the Tree Lighting festivities.
- Alerts: Lakewood offers a monthly E-Watch public safety newsletter; for emergency texts and calls, register with Alert LA County.
- Getting around: Long Beach Transit serves Lakewood, and Routes 191 and 192 connect to the Metro A Line's Del Amo Station.
- Student bus passes: Students at participating schools get a free GoPass for Long Beach Transit and Metro; 2026-27 passes work through September 30, 2027.
Things to do in Lakewood
Parks & Hiking
Biscailuz Park
A four-acre park at 2601 Dollar St (Candlewood St, east of Paramount Blvd) with a tot lot, playground, picnic pad with a barbecue and restrooms. Its one-third-mile perimeter route makes an easy loop for a stroller.
FreeBloomfield Park
A 15-acre east Lakewood park at 21420 Pioneer Blvd with a tot lot, playground, shade areas, a summer wading pool, a half-mile fitness route and a youth center. It is a good toddler stop on the Cerritos side of town.
FreeBolivar Park & McCormick Pool
A west Lakewood park at 3300 Del Amo Blvd with a tot lot and school-age playground, picnic shelters, a half-mile perimeter fitness route and McCormick Pool, one of the city's two summer public pools. Swim lessons and recreation swim are booked through Lakewood's eCatalog. Young swimmers below the posted height or swim level must have an adult within arm's reach.
Park free; summer recreation swim fees in the city eCatalogDel Valle Park ("Airplane Park")
Nicknamed Airplane Park for the Korean War-era Douglas F3D Skyknight jet mounted nose-up on a pylon since 1964. The park at 5939 Henrilee St also has Veterans Memorial Plaza, a five-eighths-mile perimeter walk and the grove where the free summer Concerts in the Park are held. The Lakewood Youth Center is at its edge.
FreeMae Boyar Park
A 12-acre park at 6701 Del Amo Blvd, dedicated in 1964, with a tot lot, playground, picnic shelter and a summer wading pool. It connects to the West San Gabriel River trail system, so you can add a paved walk or bike ride.
FreePalms Park & Community Center
An east Lakewood park at 12305 207th St with a tot lot, playground, summer wading pool and a two-thirds-mile fitness loop. The city's gymnastics program is in the Weingart Room here, and the monthly second-Friday Play at Palms family nights are held on site.
Park free; gymnastics classes are fee-basedWest San Gabriel River Parkway Nature Trail
A mostly decomposed-granite path through native plants along the west bank of the San Gabriel River, from Carson St north to Monte Verde Park and on to Candlewood St (about 3 miles round trip). You can enter at Monte Verde Park (4626 Shadeway Rd), Carson St, Del Amo Blvd or Candlewood St at Knoxville Ave. Monte Verde's lodge and amphitheater open only for scheduled programs.
FreeMayfair Park
The city's flagship 18-acre park since 1951 at 5720 Clark Ave, with school-age and tot-lot playgrounds, picnic shelters with BBQs, tennis and game courts, a fitness trail and the John S. Todd Community Center. The seasonal wading pool and tot lot make it the best pick here for toddlers.
Free to visit; seasonal pool and wading pool are separateRynerson Park
A 40-acre park at 20711 Studebaker Rd along the San Gabriel River with playgrounds, picnic shelters with BBQ grills, walking paths, ball diamonds, an outdoor fitness station, a bike trailhead and an adjacent dog park. The paved paths give an easy family bike ride onto the river trail.
FreeSan Martin Park ("Pumpkin Park")
A storybook-themed park at 5231 Ocana Ave, nicknamed Pumpkin Park for its large pumpkin carriage, horses and castle-style play area, with a tot lot, wading pool, picnic areas with BBQs and basketball courts. Staffed hours are limited, so aim for weekend afternoons.
FreeAnimals & Nature
Lakewood Earth Walk
A free guided nature walk at Monte Verde Park where kids collect passport stamps at activity stations, such as seed planting, nature crafts and recycling, and earn a gift. The Woody the Tree mascot may appear. In rain, activities move into the lodge or under canopies.
FreeLakewood Family Camp at Monte Verde Park
An overnight campout in the city at Monte Verde Park with games, crafts, nature walks, s'mores and a campfire sing-along. Camp guides help with setup and meals, so it is a low-stress first camping trip for young kids. The supply list is on the eCatalog registration page.
Per-person fee plus materials fee; register in the eCatalogLakewood Equestrian Center (Barnyard Buddies petting zoo and pony rides)
A city-owned equestrian center at 11369 E Carson St where the on-site Barnyard Buddies runs a petting zoo, pony rides and birthday parties, and the center offers riding lessons. The petting zoo is only open Wed–Sun, so call ahead before driving out.
Pricing not published; call Barnyard Buddies at 562-405-1010
Museums & Learning
Angelo M. Iacoboni Library (LA County Library)
Lakewood's main LA County Library branch at 4990 Clark Ave, next to the Civic Center, with children's and teen spaces, a seed library and a Friends bookstore. Baby programs such as Infant Storytime are scheduled on some Saturdays, so check the LA County Library events calendar.
FreeGeorge Nye, Jr. Library (LA County Library)
A small LA County Library branch at 6600 Del Amo Blvd, next to Mae Boyar Park. It hosts Smarty Pants Storytime (ages 2–5 with a caregiver) on Friday mornings around 10:15am. Registration is used and sessions can wait-list, so sign up early.
FreeArts & Culture
Daddy/Daughter & Mother/Son Date Nights
Two long-running semi-formal city dances at The Centre (5000 Clark Ave) with dinner, dancing, contests and a keepsake photo. Grandparents, aunts and uncles can also attend. The Mother/Son night has an active park-based alternative called Mother/Son Mayhem.
Ticketed; register in the eCatalogFUN-Tastic Family Night at The Centre
Friday dinner-and-show nights at The Centre (5000 Clark Ave), where a kid-friendly meal is followed by music, puppetry, magic or animal acts. Register ahead through the city eCatalog or by calling 562-866-9771 ext. 2408.
Small fee includes a kid-friendly meal; register in the eCatalogLakewood Civic Center Block Party & Fireworks
A summer night at the Lakewood Civic Center with live music, food booths and trucks, and a fireworks show. The Family Fun Zone with kids' activities is in the parking lot south of the Iacoboni Library.
Free entry; food extraLakewood Concerts in the Park
A free summer concert series in the grove at Del Valle Park, with changing music styles, food trucks and community booths. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Pets, barbecues and alcohol are not allowed, and the Woodruff service road is open for drop-off until 5:30pm.
Free; food trucks extraPlay at Palms (monthly family nights)
A city-run family night at Palms Park every second Friday, rotating through a free movie in the park in July (indoors in October), concerts in the outfield, family bingo, a car show series in April and June, and a free community BBQ in August. Check the eCatalog for that month's event.
Many events free; some ticketed or with food for sale
Holidays in Lakewood
Lights, parades, Santa and more this season. Confirm details with the organizer before you go.
Lakewood Holiday Home Decoration Showcase
Typically December, after dusk; the city publishes a map of participating homes
A city program where residents sign up their decorated homes, get a lawn sign, and appear on a map for a self-guided drive.
Free
The Rinks – Lakewood ICE
Year-round daily public sessions
A family rink with a full rental fleet and longer 2-hour sessions.
$18 (90 min) or $20 (120 min) + $8 skate rental; skate aid $18
Festivals & annual events in Lakewood
What Lakewood is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Lakewood Tree Lighting Festivities
Free tree lighting at Lakewood City Hall with Santa, carnival games, food trucks and carolers. Tip: the lighting is at 6:30pm, so arrive around 5pm for games before it gets crowded.
Free
Pan American Fiesta
Lakewood's largest annual event at Mayfair Park, with amusement rides, food booths, a craft and exhibit fair and live entertainment. It traces back to 1945.
The 2026 fiesta has passed; the city posts dates each spring
Lakewood Fest-of-All
Lakewood's multicultural festival at Palms Park with a stage of taiko, Chinese and Irish dance and Latin pop, a global food court, craft vendors and free inflatables. Tip: come at 3pm for the shortest food lines.
Lakewood Halloween Carnivals
Free themed carnivals at eight city parks (Biscailuz, Bloomfield, Bolivar, Boyar, Del Valle, Mayfair, Palms, San Martin), each with a different theme, game booths and candy; haunted houses at Bolivar, Del Valle and San Martin. Tip: Mayfair has inflatables for a fee; pick the park whose theme matches your kid's costume.
Mosey with the Mayor (Lakewood)
A free community walk and resource fair at Del Valle Park (5939 Henrilee St) with Mayor Jeff Wood, council members and residents, tagged by the city as a kids and family event. Tip: it starts at 9am, so bring water and a stroller for little walkers.
Lollipop Lane Craft Boutique (33rd Annual)
More than 100 vendors selling handmade Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas crafts at Mayfair Park (5720 Clark Ave), plus a Kids Crafter Corner where young entrepreneurs ages 6–17 sell their own creations. Tip: park free at City Hall's east lot and ride the shuttle, which typically runs every 15 minutes from 9am to 3:30pm.
Local restaurants in Lakewood
George's Greek Cafe (Lakewood)
Family-friendly Greek cafe at 5252 Faculty Ave with gyros, Greek salads, appetizer combos and vegetarian options, Sunday brunch, catering, takeout and delivery.
Foggia Italian Market & Deli
Authentic Italian deli and market at 5522 Del Amo Blvd with hot and cold sandwiches (Philly cheesesteak, hot pastrami), homemade soups, pasta and imported Italian wines, meats and cheeses. It caters party platters and 3-foot and 6-foot subs.
Sugar From the Heart Bakeshop
Independent cupcake and cookie bakery at 4328 South St selling cupcakes, cookies, French macarons, pie slices, cake pops and gluten-free and vegan (pre-order) cupcakes. Open Tue–Sat.
Local shops in Lakewood
Mini Motorz (The Kidz Car Dealership)
Ride-on car and toy store at 89 Lakewood Center Mall, Lakewood, selling electric ride-on vehicles (6V to 48V), remote control toys and diecast collectible models. It also does ride-on car repair and party rentals.
Seasonal & outdoors near Lakewood
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Lakewood.
More Los Angeles family guides
Lakewood family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Lakewood with kids?
Family favorites in and around Lakewood include Lakewood Earth Walk, Lakewood Family Camp at Monte Verde Park, Daddy/Daughter & Mother/Son Date Nights and FUN-Tastic Family Night at The Centre, and more. Our guide lists 22 spots, each with a price note and practical tips where we have them.
Are there free things to do in Lakewood?
Yes — free family spots near Lakewood include Lakewood Earth Walk, Lakewood Civic Center Block Party & Fireworks, Lakewood Concerts in the Park and Angelo M. Iacoboni Library (LA County Library). Our free things to do page lists more across Southern California.
What can kids do in Lakewood on a rainy day?
Indoor options in and around Lakewood include Daddy/Daughter & Mother/Son Date Nights, FUN-Tastic Family Night at The Centre, Lakewood ICE (The Rinks) and Angelo M. Iacoboni Library (LA County Library), and more. Each listing in our guide is marked indoor or outdoor, so you can filter for the weather.
How can families spend a day in Lakewood?
One easy plan: start outside at Lakewood Earth Walk while kids have the most energy, break for lunch at George's Greek Cafe (Lakewood), then head indoors to Daddy/Daughter & Mother/Son Date Nights for the afternoon. Our guide has prices and tips for each stop, plus 20 more ideas to swap in.
Where can families eat in Lakewood?
Local, family-friendly spots in Lakewood include George's Greek Cafe (Lakewood), Foggia Italian Market & Deli and Sugar From the Heart Bakeshop — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Lakewood guide cover?
Our Lakewood family guide includes 22 things to do, 3 local eats and 1 local shop — with independent, non-chain eats and shops.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Where to stay in Lakewood
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Lakewood on one map — then book on your favorite site.