Los Angeles family guide
Things to Do in Lynwood with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Lynwood on the map
📍 Where Lynwood is
Lynwood sits in Los Angeles, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Long Beach (~8 mi / 13 km). It's roughly 9 mi (15 km) from Downtown LA and 103 mi (166 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 Lynwood? Start hereRec classes, library cards, school lookup, alerts and getting around.OpenClose
- Rec classes & camps: Lynwood Recreation runs youth sports, tiny tot classes, day camp and specialty classes across nine parks; register online through LeagueApps.
- Library card: Lynwood Library on Bullis Road is an LA County Library branch that reopened after renovation in September 2026.
- Storytime: Lynwood Library currently hosts Smarty Pants Storytime for ages 2-5 on Friday mornings.
- Find your school: Lynwood Unified serves the city; its enrollment page links the Find Your Neighborhood School locator.
- Pool & parks: Lynwood's recreation facilities include an indoor Olympic-size pool, a sports complex with a gym, and a skate park.
- City events: Check the city calendar for programs such as Movies in the Park at Yvonne Burke-Ham Park.
- Lynwood Breeze: The Lynwood Breeze, formerly the Lynwood Trolley, costs 25 cents exact fare and shuttles riders to the Metro A Line's Willowbrook station.
- Student bus passes: GoPass students ride the Lynwood Trolley, Metro and other participating buses free; 2026-27 passes work through September 30, 2027.
- Alerts: Alert LA County is the county's opt-in emergency notification system by text, email and phone.
Things to do in Lynwood
Parks & Hiking
Adolfo Medina Park
A 2.2-acre neighborhood park at 11915 State St with a playground, an outdoor basketball court, two picnic shelters and public restrooms.
FreeLos Amigos East & West Parks
Two small side-by-side parks on El Segundo Blvd (3203–3223). West has a playground and picnic area, and East has a mini playground, two mini picnic areas and a half basketball court. No restrooms are listed.
FreeRose Park
A 1.5-acre palm-lined lawn at Flower St and State St with picnic tables, benches and a walkway around the edge. It has no playground, so it's best for a picnic or a stroller loop.
FreeLynwood City Park
A 23-acre park at 11301 Bullis Rd with two children's play areas, a skate park, a roughly 1-mile walking path, an outdoor fitness zone, five picnic shelters, ball fields and tennis and basketball courts. It has restrooms and a concession stand, and the shelters can be reserved for parties.
FreeYvonne Burke-John D. Ham (Burke-Ham) Park
A 9-acre park at 11832 Atlantic Ave with a playground, a ¾-mile walking path with exercise stations, a baseball field, a basketball court and two picnic areas with charcoal grills. Restrooms and a concession stand are on site.
FreeSenator Lara Linear Park
A 5.25-acre, five-block linear park at 3850 Fernwood Ave with a 1-mile walking trail, community art, two playgrounds, two dog parks, a community garden and a covered pavilion. The long, narrow layout suits kids on scooters and bikes.
FreeIndoor Play
Henning Youth Center
A city youth center at 11409 Birch St with a game area, an outdoor basketball court and a computer room for homework. It runs after-school programs, classes, summer camps and field trips, and has a welcome packet for new families at the front counter.
Program fees vary; call (310) 603-0220 ext. 453Lucy Avalos Community Center
A community center at Burke-Ham Park (11832 Atlantic Ave) that opened in 2017, with a game room, a computer lab and three multipurpose rooms. It runs recreation classes, after-school activities and camps.
Class fees vary; call (310) 603-0220 ext. 325Lynwood Community Center (Sports & Leisure)
The indoor gym at Lynwood City Park (11301 Bullis Rd) is home to the city's youth baseball, softball, soccer and basketball leagues, with three seasons a year. It also has a reservable racquetball court, and AYSO Region 1288 plays locally.
League and rental fees varyLynwood Natatorium
An indoor, heated, 50-meter Olympic-size pool at 3770 MLK Jr Blvd, open since 1953, with a one-meter diving stand, sun deck and locker rooms. Being indoors, it works on hot or smoggy days, but public swim times aren't posted online, so call first.
Public swim fees not published online; call (310) 886-0414
Arts & Culture
Día de los Muertos Cultural Festival at Plaza Mexico
An evening festival honoring the Day of the Dead at Plaza Mexico. The plaza's yearly calendar also includes Fiestas Patrias in September and Children's Day in spring.
Free (registration link on site)Lynwood Independence Day Fireworks
The city's public fireworks show is held at Lynwood City Park (11301 Bullis Rd) and is listed in the LA County Fire Department's public fireworks directory. Arrive early for parking on Bullis Rd.
FreeMovies in the Park at Burke-Ham Park
The city's summer outdoor movie nights at Yvonne Burke-John D. Ham Park (11832 Atlantic Ave). Bring blankets or low chairs, and call Recreation at (310) 603-0220 for start times.
FreePlaza Mexico Holiday Tree Lighting
Plaza Mexico's yearly tree-lighting celebration opens its holiday season. The plaza also hosts a Día del Payaso clown festival in early December (Dec 6 in 2026).
Free (registration link on site)
Local restaurants in Lynwood
La Pasta Italian Cafe
Family-owned Italian cafe at 3614 MLK Jr Blvd putting its own twist on traditional Italian dishes, with pasta, lasagna and pizza. Dine-in, takeout, catering and online ordering. Open Mon–Sat 11am–9pm and Sun 11am–8pm.
Hacienda Mariana Mexican Restaurant
A Mexican comfort-food restaurant at 11035 Long Beach Blvd, Unit 1 known for menudo, pozole tradicional, albondigas, caldo de res, birria de res and chilaquiles with handmade tortillas, open daily from 8am with pickup and delivery.
El Torogoz Pupuseria & Restaurante
Salvadoran restaurant at 10406 Long Beach Blvd serving handmade pupusas and traditional Salvadoran dishes with tamarind and horchata drinks. Open Mon–Thu 11am–9pm and Fri–Sun 11am–10pm.
Ten-Raku All You Can Eat Korean BBQ
All-you-can-eat Korean BBQ at 3102 E Imperial Hwy with dine-in and takeout, and a call-ahead note for group orders. Its site lists no hours or prices, so call before going.
Seasonal & outdoors near Lynwood
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Lynwood.
More Los Angeles family guides
Lynwood family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Lynwood with kids?
Family favorites in and around Lynwood include Día de los Muertos Cultural Festival at Plaza Mexico, Lynwood Independence Day Fireworks, Movies in the Park at Burke-Ham Park and Plaza Mexico Holiday Tree Lighting, and more. Our guide lists 16 spots, each with a price note and practical tips where we have them.
Are there free things to do in Lynwood?
Yes — free family spots near Lynwood include Día de los Muertos Cultural Festival at Plaza Mexico, Lynwood Independence Day Fireworks, Movies in the Park at Burke-Ham Park and Plaza Mexico Holiday Tree Lighting. Our free things to do page lists more across Southern California.
What can kids do in Lynwood on a rainy day?
Indoor options in and around Lynwood include Henning Youth Center, Lucy Avalos Community Center, Lynwood Community Center (Sports & Leisure) and Lynwood 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 Lynwood?
One easy plan: start outside at Día de los Muertos Cultural Festival at Plaza Mexico while kids have the most energy, break for lunch at La Pasta Italian Cafe, then head indoors to Henning Youth Center for the afternoon. Our guide has prices and tips for each stop, plus 14 more ideas to swap in.
Where can families eat in Lynwood?
Local, family-friendly spots in Lynwood include La Pasta Italian Cafe, Hacienda Mariana Mexican Restaurant, El Torogoz Pupuseria & Restaurante and Ten-Raku All You Can Eat Korean BBQ — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Lynwood guide cover?
Our Lynwood family guide includes 16 things to do and 4 local eats — with independent, non-chain eats and shops.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Where to stay in Lynwood
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Lynwood on one map — then book on your favorite site.