Los Angeles family guide
Things to Do in Venice with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Venice on the map
📍 Where Venice is
Venice sits in Los Angeles, Southern California. Nearest major airport: LAX (Los Angeles Intl) (~5 mi / 7 km). It's roughly 14 mi (22 km) from Downtown LA and 116 mi (186 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 Venice
Family attractions near Venice
The closest kid-friendly attractions in neighboring towns — with driving distance from Venice.
Marina del Rey / Mother's Beach
Calm, lifeguarded harbor beach ideal for young kids, with kayak, paddleboard, and pedal-boat rentals.
Free; paid parking; rentals vary
Santa Monica Pier & Pacific Park
Iconic oceanfront pier with a solar-powered Ferris wheel, roller coaster, midway games, and an aquarium.
Pier free; ride wristbands ~$40
Heal the Bay Aquarium
Small hands-on aquarium tucked beneath the Santa Monica Pier with local sea creatures and touch tanks.
~$5 suggested; kids under 12 free
Cayton Children's Museum
Large hands-on children's museum at Santa Monica Place with imaginative play zones for young kids.
~$20 per person
Third Street Promenade
Pedestrian shopping street with street performers, dancing topiary fountains, shops, and treats.
Free to stroll
Will Rogers State Historic Park
Former ranch with a polo field, the historic Rogers home, and the popular Inspiration Point hike.
~$12 parkingFestivals & annual events in Venice
What Venice is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Abbot Kinney Festival
A one-day street festival closing Abbot Kinney Boulevard for three music stages, food and artisan vendors, and a kids' area. Run by a nonprofit that funds Venice youth and arts groups.
See site for admission
Venice Pride Block Party
A free all-ages street party at the Venice Sign with DJs, food trucks, a queer market, and community booths.
Local restaurants in Venice
Taqueria Chihuahua
Old-school neighborhood taqueria, a low-key Venice institution.
Ospi
Lively Italian trattoria channeling a Brooklyn red-sauce joint, great for family brunch and pasta.
Local shops in Venice
Small World Books
General indie bookstore on the Venice boardwalk since 1969, a quiet cultural landmark.
Tortoise General Store
Wife-and-husband shop of imported Japanese crafts, ceramics, and housewares in a wabi-sabi setting.
Mystic Journey Bookstore
Spiritual shop and crystal gallery on Abbot Kinney with crystals, tarot, and incense.
Burro
Curated stationery, local-artisan jewelry, and whimsical home goods on Abbot Kinney since 1999.
Skylark
Independently owned boutique of vintage and reworked-vintage women's clothing and art.
Strange Invisible Perfumes
Organic, hand-blended botanical fragrance house and apothecary made on Abbot Kinney.
Waraku USA
Tokyo street-style shop importing limited sneakers and Japanese designer apparel.
Aviator Nation
California-made, 1970s-surf-inspired clothing; the Abbot Kinney flagship feels like a time capsule.
LCD
Shopkeep-helmed indie-designer boutique on Abbot Kinney with a minimalist, avant-garde bent.
Seasonal & outdoors near Venice
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Venice.
More Los Angeles family guides
Venice family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Venice with kids?
Family favorites in and around Venice include Venice Beach Boardwalk and Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Our guide lists 2 spots, sorted by distance from you with hours, prices and tips.
Are there free things to do in Venice?
Yes — free family spots near Venice include Venice Beach Boardwalk and Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Use the "free only" filter in the finder above to see them all.
Where can families eat in Venice?
Local, family-friendly spots in Venice include Taqueria Chihuahua and Ospi — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Venice guide cover?
Our Venice family guide includes 2 things to do, 2 local eats and 10 local shops — 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 Venice
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Venice on one map — then book on your favorite site.