Los Angeles family guide
Things to Do in Norwalk with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Norwalk on the map
📍 Where Norwalk is
Norwalk sits in Los Angeles, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Long Beach (~7 mi / 12 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.
🏡 New to Norwalk? Start hereRec classes, library cards, school lookup, alerts and getting around.OpenClose
- Rec classes & camps: Norwalk Recreation and Park Services posts a seasonal Schedule of Activities, currently Fall 2026, and runs 12 city parks and a teen center.
- Library card: Norwalk has two LA County Library branches, Norwalk Library on Imperial Highway and Alondra Library; cards are free to California residents.
- Storytime: Norwalk Library currently hosts Smarty Pants Storytime for ages 2-5 on Thursdays and a parents-and-babies welcome program on Fridays.
- Find your school: Most of Norwalk is in Norwalk-La Mirada Unified; enter your address in the district's School Locator before you sign a lease.
- Aquatic Pavilion: At the city's Aquatic Pavilion on Sproul Street, children 10 and under or under 48 inches need an adult 16 or older beside them.
- Alerts: Norwalk uses RAVE for official emergency alerts; sign up free through the city's Emergency Alert System page.
- City events: Norwalk's events include Concerts in the Park, the Arturo Sanchez Sr. Halloween Parade, a Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting, and Las Posadas.
- Norwalk Transit: Norwalk Transit charges $1.25, or $1 for K-12 students, and up to two children under 5 ride free with a paying adult.
- Local insider: Norwalk has two rail stations, the Metro C Line terminus and the Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs Metrolink on Imperial Highway; Norwalk Transit Route 4 links them.
Things to do in Norwalk
Parks & Hiking
Glazier Park
A small 1.6-acre park at 10810 Excelsior Dr with a playground, a spray pool, a snack bar, restrooms and two ball diamonds. Six barbecues and lots of picnic tables make it an easy birthday spot. The city doesn't post spray-pool days, so call (562) 929-5566 before a hot-day trip.
FreeLakeside Park
A 4-acre park at 11620 Studebaker Rd with a playground, two ball diamonds, a snack bar and restrooms. It's a quieter choice in north Norwalk for a picnic during Little League season.
FreeNorwalk Aquatic Pavilion
The city pool next to the Norwalk Arts & Sports Complex at 13000 Clarkdale Ave runs summer rec swim, swim lessons, dive-in movie nights and a pumpkin float. Kids 10 and under or under 48 inches need an adult (16+) with them in the water, one adult per child. Everyone entering pays the fee even if they don't swim.
Per-person entry fee (check site)Norwalk Park & Arts and Sports Complex
The 8.3-acre civic park at 13000 Clarkdale Ave is home base for the Arts & Sports Complex, the Aquatic Pavilion and many of the city's big events. That includes the summer concerts and the Holiday Festival. Youth memberships for ages 8–17 cover the basketball and racquetball courts but not the fitness center.
Free park; NASC day pass $10 resident / $20 non-residentRamona Park
A 3.6-acre neighborhood park on Mapledale St with a playground, a spray pool, a snack bar, restrooms, two full basketball courts and handball. It's a few blocks from the Hargitt House Museum, so pair splash time with a Saturday-afternoon house tour (the city lists third Saturdays, 1–4pm; call (562) 929-5521 to confirm).
FreeSara Mendez Park
A 4.5-acre park at 11660 Dune St with a spray pad, a soccer field, two ball diamonds, outdoor fitness equipment and restrooms. It's home to Toddler Town, the city's weekday preschool-readiness program for potty-trained 3–5-year-olds (Mon–Fri 9am–noon). Call (562) 929-5566 to sign up.
FreeVista Verde Park
A 6.5-acre park at 11459 Ratliffe St with a playground, a spray pool, a snack bar, restrooms, three ball diamonds and handball courts. It hosts the city's Park Pals and Summer Lunch programs. It's also one of the Santa Sleigh stops in December.
FreeZimmerman Park
A 9.4-acre park at 13031 Shoemaker Ave with a playground, outdoor fitness equipment, three ball diamonds and restrooms. Its five large barbecues and on-site parking suit big family picnics. It's a short drive from the Don Knabe Golf Center.
FreeHolifield Park
A 16-acre city park at 12500 Excelsior Dr with a playground, spray pool, four ball diamonds, a soccer field, a basketball court and two snack bars. The city doesn't publish spray-pool dates, so call (562) 929-5754 before a hot-day trip.
FreeGerdes Park
An 8.3-acre park at 14700 Gridley Rd with a playground, spray pool, snack bar, two ball diamonds, handball and basketball courts and a reservable community center. Two large and four small barbecues make it easy to picnic; call (562) 929-5706 to confirm spray-pool days.
FreeRobert White Park
A 4.8-acre park at 12120 Hoxie Ave with a playground, snack bar, picnic tables, barbecues and separate small-dog and large-dog areas — a handy stop if the family dog comes along.
Free
Museums & Learning
Alondra Library (LA County Library)
A small south-Norwalk LA County Library branch at 11949 Alondra Blvd with Smarty Pants Storytime for ages 2–5 on Wednesdays at 12:30pm, plus occasional kids' art workshops. Note that it's closed on weekends.
FreeNorwalk Library (LA County Library)
A large LA County Library branch at 12350 Imperial Hwy with Smarty Pants Storytime for ages 2–5 on Thursdays at 10:30am. It also runs a parents-and-babies welcome program, MākMō maker crafts and teen STEAM nights. It's a Family Place library with toys and early-learning computers in the children's area.
FreeArts & Culture
EGG-Stravagant Egg Hunt
A free spring festival at Holifield Park with egg hunts by age group, including a dedicated hunt for children with disabilities, plus games, crafts and Spring Bunny photos. Arrive before your child's time slot. Use the shuttle from the City Hall parking structure if the main lot fills.
Free (bunny photo prints $5)Norwalk Cultural Arts Center & Mary Paxon Art Gallery
The city's arts building at 13200 Clarkdale Ave runs classes for toddlers through teens, including Mariachi for ages 7–18. It also hosts the Creative Li'l Hands preschool-readiness program for potty-trained 3–5-year-olds (Tue–Thu 9am–noon). The free Mary Paxon Art Gallery shows local artists, and the March Artastic festival is held here.
Gallery free; classes priced per sessionNorwalk Independence Day Celebration
The city's big Fourth of July party draws about 10,000 people, with a kids' zone (face painting, inflatables, crafts, and a Foam Zone in 2026), food trucks, live music and fireworks. It moved to Holifield Park in 2025. Arrive early for parking.
FreeNorwalk Las Posadas
The city's first event of the year at the Norwalk Arts & Sports Complex, with free pastries and hot chocolate, crafts, live music and dancing, night-market vendors and food trucks. Kids receive candy bags (500 available) and about 500 toys were handed out in 2026, so come early.
FreeNorwalk Santa Sleigh
Santa's sleigh float plays holiday music as it rolls through neighborhoods and stops at schools and parks like Vista Verde Park for free visits and photos. The city posts each year's stop schedule. Arrive a few minutes early because stops run on a tight evening timetable.
Free (printed photos $2)Norwalk Summer Concert Series
Free evening concerts at Norwalk Park with food trucks, children's activities and raffles. The National Night Out night has included a Sheriff's helicopter landing. Bring blankets or lawn chairs.
Free
D.D. Johnston-Hargitt House Museum
An 1891 Eastlake Victorian home and water tower, and Norwalk's nationally registered landmark, with family heirlooms and local memorabilia at 12426 Mapledale St. It may close in bad weather, so call (562) 929-5521 if it's raining.
Free (donations welcome)
More for families in Norwalk
From our researched guides: the Norwalk spots for mini golf, arcades. Hours and prices change, so check the venue's site before you go.
Mini golf
All SoCal mini golf →Golf N' Stuff
Retro landmark park with elaborately themed 18-hole courses (it appeared in The Karate Kid), plus go-karts, bumper boats and an arcade.
Per-round pricing
Venue website ↗Arcades & fun centers
All SoCal arcades →Golf N' Stuff Norwalk
A family fun park operating since 1970 with mini golf, arcade games, rides and themed castle attractions at 10555 E Firestone Blvd. It welcomes guests of all ages, and rides open later in the day than the arcade.
Pay per game / card; see site (parking $5 after 5pm Fri and after 2pm Sat–Sun, redeemable as a $5 Fun Card)
Venue website ↗Festivals & annual events in Norwalk
What Norwalk is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Norwalk Holiday Festival & Tree Lighting
Snow play, slides, game booths, crafts and face painting at Norwalk Park, ending with the tree lighting. Tip: free shuttles run every 20 minutes from the City Hall parking structure starting 4:30pm.
Free entry (food extra)
Norwalk 5K Run/Walk (4th Annual)
The city's community 5K on Civic Center Dr with a Children's 1K Dash at 8am, the 5K at 8:30am and awards at 9:45am. Same-day registration and bib pick-up runs 6:30–8:20am. Tip: registration opens Dec 1, 2026, so sign up early and use the 1K dash for kids too young for the 5K.
Registration fee (registration opens Dec 1, 2026)
Artastic
A free evening arts festival at the Norwalk Cultural Arts Center with an artwalk of local artisan booths, a student art exhibit and the Mary Paxon Art Gallery.
The 15th annual (Mar 20, 2026) has passed; the city posts the next date in winter
Arturo Sanchez Sr. Halloween Parade (41st)
Norwalk's family Halloween parade with costumes and marching bands, from Norwalk Blvd & Excelsior Dr to Sanchez Elementary. Tip: watch near the Sanchez Elementary end for a shorter walk with little kids.
Norwalk Halloween Festival
Game booths with candy, costume contests, live music, food trucks and crafts at Norwalk Park. Tip: costume contests run in several age categories, so arrive early to sign up.
Local restaurants in Norwalk
El Marquez
Authentic Mexican on the Norwalk border serving handcrafted dishes since 1996.
Mr. Rosewood Family Restaurant
All-day family diner at 10640 Rosecrans Ave, open 6am–10pm daily, with breakfast classics, burgers, a Monte Cristo, pozole, menudo, fajitas and seafood plates, and online ordering.
Angie's Mexican Food
Homestyle Mexican breakfast-and-lunch spot at 14346 Pioneer Blvd known for chorizo, bacon and carne asada breakfast burritos, red pozole and chilaquiles. The dining room is small; the site lists 7am–4pm hours and says it is closed Wednesdays.
Don's Teriyaki Grill
Family-owned teriyaki spot at 12327 Imperial Hwy serving flame-grilled chicken, bulgogi beef and kalbi plates with rice, macaroni salad and potato salad, plus Spam musubi. Closed Sunday.
Wok's Deli
Neighborhood Chinese takeout at 11575 Rosecrans Ave (beef chow fun, orange chicken, dumplings), open daily 11am–9pm for pickup and delivery.
Dulce Canella
Churro and dessert shop at 15012 Pioneer Blvd frying churros to order (12, 16 or 50 at a time) plus Dubai-style strawberry cups and a Foodie Plate of mini pancakes, mini churros and fried Oreos. Open daily from 11am.
Mariachi Bakery
Family-run Mexican-inspired bakery and cafe at 11042 Rosecrans Ave, Norwalk, serving pan dulce, empanadas, birria and chorizo items, and specialty coffee drinks such as café de olla. Open daily, with in-house dining and online ordering.
Seasonal & outdoors near Norwalk
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Norwalk.
More Los Angeles family guides
Norwalk family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Norwalk with kids?
Family favorites in and around Norwalk include EGG-Stravagant Egg Hunt, Norwalk Cultural Arts Center & Mary Paxon Art Gallery, Norwalk Independence Day Celebration and Norwalk Las Posadas, 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 Norwalk?
Yes — free family spots near Norwalk include EGG-Stravagant Egg Hunt, Norwalk Cultural Arts Center & Mary Paxon Art Gallery, Norwalk Independence Day Celebration and Norwalk Las Posadas. Our free things to do page lists more across Southern California.
What can kids do in Norwalk on a rainy day?
Indoor options in and around Norwalk include Norwalk Cultural Arts Center & Mary Paxon Art Gallery, Norwalk Teen Center, Alondra Library (LA County Library) and Norwalk Library (LA County Library). Each listing in our guide is marked indoor or outdoor, so you can filter for the weather.
How can families spend a day in Norwalk?
One easy plan: start outside at EGG-Stravagant Egg Hunt while kids have the most energy, break for lunch at El Marquez, then head indoors to Norwalk Cultural Arts Center & Mary Paxon Art Gallery for the afternoon. Our guide has prices and tips for each stop, plus 20 more ideas to swap in.
Where can families eat in Norwalk?
Local, family-friendly spots in Norwalk include El Marquez, Mr. Rosewood Family Restaurant, Angie's Mexican Food and Don's Teriyaki Grill, and more — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Norwalk guide cover?
Our Norwalk family guide includes 22 things to do and 7 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 Norwalk
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Norwalk on one map — then book on your favorite site.