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 (23 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 Norwalk
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)
Holifield 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
Don Knabe Golf Center & Junior Academy
A 9-hole short-game course with holes of 50–100 yards, a double-deck driving range and putting and chipping greens at 13717 Shoemaker Ave, plus a junior academy for ages 5–17. The short holes suit beginner kids, and the lights let you play after school.
Green and range fees vary; see playknabegolf.com or call (562) 921-7047Festivals & annual events in Norwalk
What Norwalk is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
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
Local restaurants in Norwalk
El Marquez
Authentic Mexican on the Norwalk border serving handcrafted dishes since 1996.
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 D.D. Johnston-Hargitt House Museum, Holifield Park, Gerdes Park and Robert White Park, and more. Our guide lists 5 spots, sorted by distance from you with hours, prices and tips.
Are there free things to do in Norwalk?
Yes — free family spots near Norwalk include D.D. Johnston-Hargitt House Museum, Holifield Park, Gerdes Park and Robert White Park. Use the "free only" filter in the finder above to see them all.
Where can families eat in Norwalk?
Local, family-friendly spots in Norwalk include El Marquez — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Norwalk guide cover?
Our Norwalk family guide includes 5 things to do and 1 local eats — all hand-curated, locally owned, and sorted by distance from you.
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.