Los Angeles family guide
Things to Do in Los Angeles with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Los Angeles on the map
📍 Where Los Angeles is
Los Angeles sits in Los Angeles, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Hollywood Burbank (~12 mi / 19 km). It's roughly 112 mi (180 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 Los Angeles
Griffith Observatory
Iconic hilltop observatory with free space exhibits, public telescopes, and sweeping skyline views.
Free (planetarium ~$10)
Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens
130+ acres of animals plus a kids' playground and botanical gardens inside Griffith Park.
~$27 adult / $22 child
Travel Town Museum
Outdoor railroad museum where kids climb vintage locomotives and ride a miniature train.
Free (mini train ~$5)
Griffith Park Pony Rides & Merry-Go-Round
Massive park with easy hikes, a historic carousel, and acres of picnic lawns.
Free (rides extra)
California Science Center
Hands-on science museum home to the Space Shuttle Endeavour and a kids' Discovery Center.
Free (Endeavour ticket extra)
Natural History Museum of LA County
Dinosaurs, gems, a butterfly pavilion, and outdoor Nature Gardens to explore.
~$18 adult / $7 child
La Brea Tar Pits & Museum
Active Ice Age fossil site with mammoths, saber-tooth cats, and bubbling tar pits.
~$18 adult / $7 child
The Getty Center
Hilltop art museum with a fun tram ride, sculpture gardens, and grassy lawns.
Free (parking ~$25)
The Autry Museum of the American West
Family-friendly Western history and Native American art museum with hands-on kids' areas.
~$14 adult / $6 child
Heritage Square Museum
Open-air museum of restored Victorian houses with costumed guides and living-history days.
~$12 adult / free under 6
The Grove & Original Farmers Market
Open-air shopping plaza with a trolley, fountain shows, and a classic food market.
Free (trolley rides)
TCL Chinese Theatre & Hollywood Walk of Fame
Famous movie palace and star-studded sidewalk where kids spot celebrity handprints.
Free to walk
Hollywood Sign Griffith Park Trails
Family hikes with up-close Hollywood Sign views along marked Griffith Park trails.
Free
Eagle Rock Recreation Center
Neighborhood park with playgrounds and sports courts below the namesake Eagle Rock formation.
Free
Highland Park Bowl
LA's oldest bowling alley, beautifully restored, fun for older kids and families.
~$7-9/game
Bob Baker Marionette Theater
Historic puppet theater delighting young kids with live marionette shows.
~$18-20/person
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
Sprawling hilltop park with lakes, picnic areas, easy trails, and panoramic views of the LA basin.
Free (~$6 parking weekends)
Skirball Cultural Center & Noah's Ark
Noah's Ark is a magical, hand-built menagerie of puppet animals where little ones climb aboard a giant ark, ring bells, and slide down the gangplank. One of LA's best indoor destinations for under-10s.
~$18 adult / $12 kid; free parking
Olvera Street (El Pueblo)
The oldest part of LA — food stalls, folklorico and Mexican crafts, right by Union Station on the East-LA edge.
Free to walkFree days in Los Angeles
Free or free-on-certain-days admission. Rules change and some are residents-only — confirm with the venue before you go.
California Science Center
Always free
A huge hands-on science center (Space Shuttle Endeavour, ecosystems, kid zones) with free general admission; special exhibits & IMAX are ticketed. Reservations recommended — confirm before going.
The Broad
Always free
A contemporary-art museum downtown (Warhol, Basquiat, Kusama's Infinity Rooms). Admission is free but advance/same-day reservations are strongly advised.
Getty Center
Always free
A hilltop art museum with gardens, a tram ride and family activity stations; admission is free but parking is paid. Worth it for the views and grounds alone.
Hammer Museum
Always free
A UCLA art museum in Westwood with rotating contemporary shows, a courtyard café and public programs; always free admission (parking is paid).
Fowler Museum at UCLA
Always free
A free museum of global arts and cultures (Africa, Asia, the Americas, Pacific) on the UCLA campus, open Wed–Sun. Good for families curious about world cultures.
Natural History Museum of LA County
Free Mon–Fri 3–5pm for LA County residents (ID)
A major natural history museum (dinosaurs, gems, dioramas) with free weekday-afternoon admission for LA County residents with ID. Note: a multi-year renovation began in 2026 — confirm it's open first.
La Brea Tar Pits & Museum
Free Mon–Fri 3–5pm for LA County residents (ID)
An active Ice Age fossil site with mammoths and saber-tooth cats — a hit with kids. Free weekday afternoons for LA County residents with ID; the outdoor tar pits are free. Confirm current status.
Farmers markets in Los Angeles
Bank of America Plaza Certified Farmers Market
Downtown Bunker Hill lunchtime market with produce and quick prepared-food options.
Central Avenue Farmers' Market
Downtown DTLA market with California produce and prepared food; accepts EBT/CalFresh.
Larchmont Village Farmers Market
Beloved neighborhood market on Larchmont Blvd with produce, hot food, and a strolling village atmosphere.
Silver Lake Certified Farmers Market
Hip eastside market on Sunset with produce, prepared foods, and flowers (also Tuesday afternoons).
Echo Park Farmers' Market
Friendly evening market at Sunset & Logan with local farmers, fresh flowers, and prepared food; accepts CalFresh EBT.
Brentwood Farmers Market
Westside market in front of Nunn Elementary with seasonal produce, hot food, and free street parking.
Hollywood Farmers' Market
One of LA's biggest Sunday markets with farm-fresh produce, hot food, and live music in the heart of Hollywood.
Mar Vista Farmers Market
A community Sunday market on Grand View with produce, prepared food, and family activities on the Westside.
Atwater Village Farmers' Market
A friendly neighborhood Sunday market with local farms, food trucks, and an easygoing vibe.
Festivals & annual events in Los Angeles
What Los Angeles is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Central Avenue Jazz Festival
A street festival on historic Central Avenue in South LA with three music stages, food and market pavilions, honoring the corridor's 1940s jazz history.
Free
Watts Towers Day of the Drum & Jazz Festival
Two days of drumming, jazz, and Black cultural arts at the historic Watts Towers campus.
Free
Los Angeles Korean Festival
A four-day Koreatown festival at Seoul International Park with food booths, Korean product and artisan vendors, performances and cultural exhibits. Running since the 1970s.
Free
Taste of Soul Family Festival
A one-day street festival closing Crenshaw Boulevard for food vendors, multiple music stages, small businesses and community health resources. 2026 is the 21st annual.
Free
Día de los Muertos at Hollywood Forever
A large Day of the Dead gathering at Hollywood Forever Cemetery with community altars, Aztec dancers and live music. 2026 is the 27th annual; tickets sell in advance and it draws big crowds.
Ticketed; see site for pricing
Boo at the LA Zoo
The LA Zoo turns into a not-too-spooky Halloween wonderland with trick-or-treat stations, costume fun, and animal encounters made for younger kids.
~$22 adult, ~$17 child (zoo admission)
Día de los Muertos at Self Help Graphics
A Boyle Heights Day of the Dead celebration held block-party style on Anderson Street. 2026 is the 53rd annual — the longest-running Día de los Muertos event in Los Angeles.
See site for admission
Hollywood Christmas Parade
A televised holiday parade of floats, marching bands and celebrity cars looping Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards. Held since 1928 — one of the oldest parades in Los Angeles.
See site; grandstand seating sold separately
Thai New Year Songkran Festival
A Thai New Year street festival closing Hollywood Boulevard through Thai Town, with Thai food vendors, temple blessings, music and Muay Thai demonstrations. Running since 2004.
See site for admission
Larchmont Family Fair
Larchmont Boulevard closes between Beverly and First for carnival rides, a children's stage, and costume and pie-baking contests. The 2025 edition was the 60th annual.
See site for admission
Golden Dragon Parade
A Lunar New Year parade through Chinatown along Hill Street and Broadway. The 2026 edition was the 127th, one of the longest-running Lunar New Year parades in the country.
The 2026 parade (Feb 21) has passed; no 2027 date posted
Kodomo no Hi (Children's Day) Celebration
A Japanese Children's Day festival in Isamu Noguchi Plaza in Little Tokyo, with hands-on craft workshops, traditional games, storytelling, performances and food vendors. Aimed squarely at young children.
2026 celebration (May 3) has passed; no 2027 date posted
Lummis Day Festival
A Northeast LA arts festival in Highland Park with free outdoor music, poetry and dance, founded in 2006 and named for Arroyo Seco writer Charles Lummis.
2026 festival (May 22-24) has passed; no 2027 dates posted
Pacific Palisades Americanism Parade
An Independence Day parade down Via de la Paz run by a volunteer association, followed by an evening event at Palisades Charter High School with kids activities, food trucks and a drone show. 2026 was the 77th annual.
2026 edition has passed; 2027 details not yet posted
Watts Summer Festival
A three-day community festival at Ted Watkins Memorial Park with music, food and vendors. Founded in 1966 after the Watts uprising; 2026 was the 60th festival.
2026 festival (Aug 7-9) has passed; no 2027 dates posted
Lotus Festival
An Asian & Pacific Islander cultural festival at Echo Park Lake with dragon-boat races, food, and performances.
Nisei Week Japanese Festival
A long-running Japanese-American festival in Little Tokyo with a grand parade, taiko, ondo dancing, and cultural exhibits.
Local restaurants in Los Angeles
El Coyote Cafe
Festive, family-run LA Mexican cafe since 1931 — roomy and welcoming for big groups, with a kids menu.
Philippe the Original
Birthplace of the French dip (1908) — communal tables and sawdust floors make it a hit with curious kids.
Casa Bianca Pizza Pie
A 1955 family-owned Eagle Rock pizzeria with red-sauce Italian classics and a warm, kid-welcoming dining room (cash only).
Guelaguetza
James Beard-honored Oaxacan restaurant with colorful moles and live music in a festive, family-welcoming room.
Bludso's Bar & Que
Five-generation Texas-style barbecue with brisket and ribs — roomy and casual, good for big hungry families.
The Apple Pan
A 1947 counter-only burger-and-pie institution where kids love watching the cooks work the griddle from the U-shaped counter.
Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles
LA's chicken-and-waffles legend — casual, generous portions made for sharing.
Pink's Hot Dogs
LA hot-dog landmark since 1939 — a fun, cheap, walk-up bite the kids will remember.
El Tepeyac Cafe
Boyle Heights institution since 1956, famous for the gargantuan Manuel's Special burrito.
Langer's Delicatessen
Family-run Jewish deli by MacArthur Park since 1947, home of the #19 pastrami.
Phoenix Bakery
Chan-family Chinatown bakery since 1938; its strawberry cream cake tops Angeleno birthdays.
Colombo's Italian Steakhouse
Eagle Rock family Italian since 1954 with red-sauce classics and live jazz.
Eagle Rock Italian Bakery & Deli
Old-school Italian bakery-deli for cookies, fresh bread, and giant sandwiches.
Park's BBQ
Koreatown's premier tabletop Korean BBQ since 2003 — families grill premium beef together.
Soot Bull Jeep
Old-school charcoal-grill Korean BBQ — a hands-on, smoky table experience.
Mateo's Ice Cream & Fruit Bars
Mid-City paleteria since 2000 with 30+ Mexican fruit bars and nieves.
The Oinkster
Eagle Rock 'slow fast food' burger and pastrami stand with shakes and ube fries.
Masa of Echo Park
Echo Park bakery-cafe famous for Chicago deep-dish pizza and brunch.
Cindy's Restaurant
Eagle Rock's restored vintage Route 66 diner serving all-day breakfast.
Kim Chuy
Chinatown Chiu Chow noodle house since 1980 serving big bowls of noodle soup.
John O'Groats
Generational Westside breakfast spot known for buttermilk pancakes and house biscuits.
Casa Bianca Pizza Pie
Family-run since 1955, a cozy old-school Italian pizzeria where families line up for thin-crust pies.
Langer's Deli
Iconic 1947 Jewish deli famous for its #19 pastrami on rye near MacArthur Park.
Guisados
Family-owned taqueria known for braised-stew tacos on handmade tortillas, with a kid-friendly sampler.
Knead & Co. Pasta Bar
Fresh handmade pasta bar inside historic Grand Central Market, an easy kid stop for noodles.
Wat Dong Moon Lek
Husband-and-wife Thai noodle house with playful pink decor and slurpable boat noodles.
Soban
Family-owned Korean spot famous for its dozen-plus banchan spread and comforting stews for sharing.
Hangari Kalguksu
Bustling family favorite for handmade knife-cut noodle soups and dumplings in hearty portions.
Bub & Grandma's
Sourdough bakery-turned-pizzeria with meaty, chewy pies and fresh bread that's a neighborhood hit.
Villa's Tacos
Strip-mall taqueria famous for crispy-cheese quesatacos on blue corn tortillas with mesquite-grilled meats.
Howlin' Ray's
Family-founded Nashville hot chicken with mild-to-fiery heat levels, a fun rite of passage for older kids.
Wallflour
Sourdough-crust pizzeria with bold, tangy pies that's become an Eagle Rock go-to.
Old Gold Tomato Pies
Crispy-edged Sicilian-square pizza spot, an easy grab-a-slice favorite for families.
Villa's Tacos
Over-the-top quesatacos on Dodger-blue corn tortillas with mesquite-grilled proteins; the Villa's Trio is the move. One of LA's most talked-about taco makers, counter service.
La Tostaderia
Bright ceviches, seafood tacos, and tostadas from a stall inside Grand Central Market. Counter service, easy for a downtown outing.
Tacos Tumbras a Tomas
Longtime Grand Central Market stall famous for enormous, cheap carnitas tacos and burritos.
Villa Moreliana
Michoacan carnitas specialist serving cuts by the pound and in tacos; order the mixed cuts.
Local shops in Los Angeles
Kip's Toyland
LA's oldest toy store (1945), a third-generation family shop full of classic non-electronic toys.
Skylight Books
Cultural-anchor indie bookstore (1996) built around a ficus tree, with a renowned arts annex.
The Pop-Hop Books & Print
Worker-owned indie bookshop and print studio focused on small press, zines, and kids' books.
Wacko / Soap Plant
Wonderfully weird pop-culture emporium (1971) of books, toys, oddities, and gifts.
Poketo
Design-driven shop from a husband-and-wife team with colorful art, stationery, and home goods.
Hammer and Spear
Curated Arts District showroom blending vintage finds and local artisan goods.
Iguana Vintage Clothing
Cavernous, long-running LA vintage emporium beloved by stylists and costumers.
Galco's Soda Pop Stop
Historic shop stocking 700+ rare and small-batch sodas plus a build-your-own soda station.
Lawson-Fenning
LA-made mid-century-inspired furniture and curated home accessories from a local design duo.
Arroyo Records
Tiny York Blvd record shop strong on punk, jazz, soul, and psych vinyl.
Gimme Gimme Records
All-vinyl new-and-used shop on Figueroa stocking rock, jazz, soul, and hip hop.
Wombleton Records
York Blvd vinyl staple specializing in imported and rare records.
Mount Analog
Figueroa space mixing records, artwork, books, graphic tees, and live events.
Shorthand
York Blvd stationery and gift shop, home of Shorthand Press letterpress cards.
Big Bud Press
Size-inclusive, brightly colored LA-made unisex clothing with its York Blvd flagship.
Sunbeam Vintage
Highland Park favorite for vintage and upcycled furniture, rugs, and decor.
Merci Milo
Curated handmade and artisan kids' toys from local makers and traditional toymakers.
Platform
Part-gallery, part-retail home staging and styling shop on York Blvd.
Native Boutique
Cozy Colorado Blvd women's boutique with fashion-forward and timeless pieces.
Comics VS Toys
Colorado Blvd shop packed with comics, graphic novels, and collectible toys.
The Green Bean
Eagle Rock kids' resale and toy shop for gently-used children's goods and toys.
Yolk
Sunset Blvd design and gift shop with artisan goods, modern home wares, and kids' items.
OK Store
Gallery-like Silver Lake design store of handcrafted jewelry, home goods, and objects.
Dream Collective
Jewelry designer's Sunset Junction shop featuring her line plus local designers.
Secret Headquarters
Victorian-drawing-room comic shop curating comics, books, and self-published zines.
The Reckless Unicorn
Mom-and-pop child's lifestyle store with toys, clothing, and accessories.
Spitfire Girl
Quirky gift shop with trademark thin wooden cards, candles, jewelry, and wood goods.
Treehaus
Boutique spotlighting local makers of LA-made fashion, jewelry, gifts, and toys.
Alias Books East
Long-standing used and rare bookstore strong in academia, arts, and classic literature.
The Social Type
Stationery and gift shop with greeting cards, custom notepads, and pens.
Myrtle
Female-founded boutique of clothing, apothecary, home, and gifts from women designers.
Esqueleto
Sunset Blvd jewelry shop of handcrafted pieces and local artisan goods.
Shout & About
Colorful stationery-and-gift boutique with cards, jewelry, plants, and gifty items.
Alchemy Works
Traction Ave retail and gallery hybrid mixing fashion, home goods, and rotating local makers.
Now Serving
Husband-and-wife cookbook and kitchenware shop in Chinatown's Far East Plaza.
Chunky Things
Chinatown Central Plaza gift shop where everything is designed by an artist duo.
Landis' Labyrinth Toy Shop
Family-run classic toy shop of timeless and modern toys, puzzles, and games.
Chevalier's Books
LA's oldest independent bookstore (1940), a Larchmont hub with a strong kids' section.
Landis Gifts & Stationery
Family-run Larchmont stationer doing custom invitations, calligraphy, and paper goods.
Village Heights
Cozy Larchmont gift shop stocking candles, kitchenware, jewelry, and home trinkets.
Giggles LA
Neighborhood baby-and-toddler boutique with curated clothing, toys, books, and gifts.
Toy Crazy
Independent toy shop at the Brentwood Country Mart curated by a longtime toy-trade owner.
Sugar Paper
LA letterpress studio and stationery boutique making cards and invitations in its own shop.
Pygmy Hippo Shoppe
Quirky W. 3rd Street shop of handmade gifts, letterpress cards, and trinkets by LA artisans.
Wasteland
Landmark Melrose vintage and consignment store with a sharply curated secondhand mix.
TenOverSix
Playful indie boutique stocking LA-based labels plus gifts, books, and home goods.
Mohawk General Store
Husband-and-wife indie boutique mixing international designers with local ceramics.
Melrose Trading Post
Sunday flea market at Fairfax High with ~200 vendors of vintage and handcrafted art.
Jet Rag
La Brea vintage warehouse famed for its chaotic Sunday $1 clothing-bin sale.
Iron Curtain Press
Indie letterpress studio-and-shop hand-printing cards and notebooks with custom work.
CH Boutique
Larchmont Village boutique of imported Italian clothing, jewelry, scarves, and gifts.
Wittmore
Independent men's shop curating well-made clothing from emerging designers.
Blue Rooster Art Supplies
Independent art-supply store championing indie suppliers and creativity workshops.
Squaresville
Long-running indie vintage and consignment shop with affordable retro clothing.
Lost & Found
Pioneering lifestyle boutique of small clothing lines, textiles, and handcrafted home pieces.
Dotter
Mother-daughter York Blvd shop of cookbooks, bespoke children's toys, handmade pottery, jewelry, and soap.
Crush + Touch
Artist-run York Blvd art-supply and gift shop with essential-to-pro materials, art books, and maker objects.
Clover
Curated Sunset Junction lifestyle shop of home goods, jewelry, candles, and thoughtful gifts.
The Last Bookstore
California's largest used-and-new bookstore, set in a former bank with a famous book tunnel and an upstairs labyrinth. A photo-magnet outing for families.
Bunkado
Little Tokyo gift shop carrying Japanese goods from origami paper and calligraphy supplies to kitchenware and home decor.
Poketo
Arts District design boutique with modern home decor, stationery, accessories, and kids' items.
Hightide Store
A Japanese stationery-lover's paradise at ROW DTLA, with planners, office supplies, and retro-nostalgic lifestyle goods.
Kinokuniya
Japanese bookstore in Little Tokyo's Weller Court with manga, art and design books, and stationery. Great for kids and teens into manga.
Seasonal & outdoors near Los Angeles
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Los Angeles.
More Los Angeles family guides
Los Angeles family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Los Angeles with kids?
Family favorites in and around Los Angeles include Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Travel Town Museum and Griffith Park Pony Rides & Merry-Go-Round, and more. Our guide lists 19 spots, sorted by distance from you with hours, prices and tips.
Are there free things to do in Los Angeles?
Yes — free family spots near Los Angeles include Griffith Observatory, Travel Town Museum, Griffith Park Pony Rides & Merry-Go-Round and California Science Center. Use the "free only" filter in the finder above to see them all.
Where can families eat in Los Angeles?
Local, family-friendly spots in Los Angeles include El Coyote Cafe, Philippe the Original, Casa Bianca Pizza Pie and Guelaguetza, and more — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Los Angeles guide cover?
Our Los Angeles family guide includes 19 things to do, 47 local eats, 65 local shops and 9 farmers markets — all hand-curated, locally owned, and sorted by distance from you.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Book Los Angeles tours & tickets
Bookable via Viator · we may earn a commission (no extra cost to you)Bookable experiences, skip-the-line tickets, and tours in Los Angeles — reserved through Viator.
Free cancellationWarner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood
Free cancellationLos Angeles Bubble Planet Immersive Interactive Experience
Free cancellationFull-Day Iconic Sights of LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Beaches and More
Free cancellationGuided Whale Watching Tour from Long Beach
Free cancellationHollywood, Beverly Hills & Celebrity Homes Tour by Open Air Bus
Free cancellationUniversal Studios Hollywood General Admission Ticket, California
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Where to stay in Los Angeles
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Los Angeles on one map — then book on your favorite site.