Los Angeles family guide
Things to Do in Paramount with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Paramount on the map
📍 Where Paramount is
Paramount sits in Los Angeles, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Long Beach (~5 mi / 9 km). It's roughly 12 mi (19 km) from Downtown LA and 100 mi (161 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 Paramount? Start hereRec classes, library cards, school lookup, alerts and getting around.OpenClose
- Rec classes: Set up a Paramount ActiveNet account with proof of address first; arts scholarships cut 60-100 percent off classes for qualifying families.
- Library card: Paramount Library on Colorado Avenue is an LA County Library branch that reopened after a $4.8 million renovation in July 2024.
- Storytime: Paramount Library currently holds Smarty Pants Storytime for ages 2-5 on Friday mornings.
- Find your school: Paramount Unified serves the city; check your address with the district's School Locator on its enrollment page.
- Pool & splash pad: Paramount Park Pool's summer rec swim costs $5 for adults and $3 for kids, and the Orange Avenue splash pad opens summers.
- Alerts: Text 90723 to 888777 to get Paramount's Nixle alerts on emergencies, road closures and public safety.
- City events: The city events page lists happenings such as the Halloween Festival and Haunted House at Paramount Park.
- Getting around: Paramount's local fixed-route buses are operated by Long Beach Transit, and GoPass students ride LBT free.
- Local insider: A Paramount/Rosecrans station is planned on Metro's Southeast Gateway Line, now in design with completion estimated in 2035.
Things to do in Paramount
Parks & Hiking
All-American Park
A neighborhood park at 13330 Orizaba Ave with a playground, a basketball court, a multipurpose field, restrooms and a quarter-mile walking path with exercise stations. Its picnic shelters can be booked by Paramount residents at least seven days ahead.
Free; picnic shelter rental $50/day plus $200 deposit (Paramount residents only)Garfield Park
A pocket park at 14751 Garfield Ave with a playground and picnic tables. The city lists no restrooms, so plan a quick visit.
FreeMeadows Park
A small neighborhood park at 15753 Gundry Ave with a playground and picnic shelters. The city lists no restrooms, so it works best as a short playground stop.
FreeSalud Park
A fitness-focused park at 7167 Somerset Blvd with a quarter-mile rubberized track, a decomposed-granite trail, exercise stations, a synthetic multipurpose field and a sand volleyball court. There's no playground and only portable restrooms, so it suits older kids and teens.
FreeVillage Skate Park
A city park at 7718 Somerset Blvd built around a 12,500 sq ft skate park, with a lighted basketball court, a playground and restrooms. Younger siblings can use the playground while older kids skate.
FreeParamount Park & Pool
A city park at 14400 Paramount Blvd with two playgrounds, a pool, a gym, picnic shelters and BBQs, soccer fields and a ½-mile walking path with exercise stations. Picnic shelter rentals are for Paramount residents.
Park is free. Summer rec swim was $5 adults / $3 kidsProgress Park
A park at 15500 Downey Ave with two playgrounds, two community centers, a ½-mile walking path with exercise stations, lighted ball diamonds, basketball courts, picnic and BBQ areas and restrooms. Dogs are permitted except in posted areas.
FreeSpane Park
A park at 14400 Gundry Ave with playground equipment, a pond, a lighted basketball court, a multipurpose field and restrooms. It has a quarter-mile walking path, and picnic shelters can be reserved.
FreeOrange Avenue Splash Pad
A city splash pad at 14618 Orange Ave. There's no on-site parking, only limited street parking, so arrive early on hot days.
No admission fee listed by the city (call (562) 220-2121 to confirm)
Indoor Play
LA Kings Iceland (Paramount Iceland)
The rink at 8041 Jackson St opened in 1940, and Frank Zamboni built his first ice resurfacer here; the original Model A Zamboni is still at the rink. Public skate needs no reservation. Kids can't be carried while skating, so little ones need their own skates.
Public skate: adults (7+) $18.50, kids 6 & under $16.60, seniors/military/college $16.50; skate rental freeMommy and Me and Daddy Too (Mariposa Center)
Free play, music and art classes for babies and toddlers ages 1–4 with a parent, at the Mariposa Center (8550 Jefferson St). Each family gets one class per session, one child per adult, and you must register in person at 15300 Downey Ave on a weekday from 8am to 5pm.
Free; Paramount residents and PUSD families only
Arts & Culture
Paramount Halloween Festival & Haunted House
A city festival at Paramount Park (14400 Paramount Blvd) with candy, costume contests, game booths and face painting, plus a haunted house in the Paramount Park Gym. Proceeds support the Paramount Education Partnership scholarship program. It's separate from the resident-only Halloween Hootenanny earlier in October.
Festival entry free; inflatable zone and haunted house are ticketedParamount Pond & Zamboni Replica
At the northeast corner of Paramount Blvd and Jackson St, a block from Iceland, the city's Outdoor Art Museum groups a replica Zamboni machine with skating sculptures by Dee Clements, including Speedskater and Crack the Whip. It's a quick photo stop before or after public skate.
FreeParamount Tree Lighting & Holiday Events
The city's season starts with the Downtown Dazzle and tree lighting at Paramount Blvd and Jackson St, with Santa's Workshop, hot chocolate and live music. In past years it has been followed by a Santa Train through neighborhoods and Santa's Snowfest with real snow at Paramount Park. The 2026 dates weren't posted yet.
FreeFestivals & annual events in Paramount
What Paramount is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Paramount Heritage Festival
An evening street festival on a closed stretch of Paramount Boulevard, run by the city's Community Services Office.
The 9th annual (Aug 1, 2026) has passed; no 2027 date posted
Friday Night Paramount (October)
A city street-fair evening on Jackson St off Paramount Blvd with food, artisan booths and music. Call the Community Services Office at (562) 220-2121 for details. Tip: go around 5pm for shorter food lines and easier parking.
Paramount Halloween Hootenanny
A city Halloween evening with a dance party, food, candy and music. The city page does not list the venue (the map pin shows City Hall until the venue is announced), so confirm the location with the Community Services Office at (562) 220-2121. Tip: costumes are encouraged, so plan an early-evening arrival.
Xantolo: A Día de los Muertos Celebration (Paramount)
A community Día de los Muertos celebration hosted by the Latina's Art Foundation at Progress Park (15500 Downey Ave). The city page has no program list yet. Tip: it falls on a Sunday afternoon, so go before dusk for the best light on the altars.
Local restaurants in Paramount
Cafe Corleone Italian Restaurant
Italian restaurant at 15337 Paramount Blvd with handmade pizzas (homemade sauce, daily-made dough, whole-milk mozzarella), pastas, chicken and seafood entrees, and homemade tiramisu and cannoli. Pickup and delivery available.
Alas Kitchen & Bar
Seafood-focused (mariscos) kitchen and bar at 15516 Paramount Blvd, Suite B, open 7 days. Takeout by phone at (562) 633-1348.
Casa Gamino
Mexican restaurant at 8330 Alondra Blvd serving seafood plates and cocktails, molcajetes, fajitas, tacos de asada and antojitos, with online ordering.
Fu Plus Chinese Kitchen
Chinese kitchen at 7508 Rosecrans Ave with an all-day menu, a lunch menu (11am–3pm), party trays and steamed lighter dishes, with online ordering.
Seasonal & outdoors near Paramount
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Paramount.
More Los Angeles family guides
Paramount family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Paramount with kids?
Family favorites in and around Paramount include Paramount Halloween Festival & Haunted House, Paramount Pond & Zamboni Replica, Paramount Tree Lighting & Holiday Events and LA Kings Iceland (Paramount Iceland), 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 Paramount?
Yes — free family spots near Paramount include Paramount Halloween Festival & Haunted House, Paramount Pond & Zamboni Replica, Paramount Tree Lighting & Holiday Events and Mommy and Me and Daddy Too (Mariposa Center). Our free things to do page lists more across Southern California.
What can kids do in Paramount on a rainy day?
Indoor options in and around Paramount include LA Kings Iceland (Paramount Iceland), Mommy and Me and Daddy Too (Mariposa Center) and Paramount 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 Paramount?
One easy plan: start outside at Paramount Halloween Festival & Haunted House while kids have the most energy, break for lunch at Cafe Corleone Italian Restaurant, then head indoors to LA Kings Iceland (Paramount Iceland) for the afternoon. Our guide has prices and tips for each stop, plus 14 more ideas to swap in.
Where can families eat in Paramount?
Local, family-friendly spots in Paramount include Cafe Corleone Italian Restaurant, Alas Kitchen & Bar, Casa Gamino and Fu Plus Chinese Kitchen — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Paramount guide cover?
Our Paramount 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 Paramount
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Paramount on one map — then book on your favorite site.