For the kids · Los Angeles, United States
14 Things to Do in Los Angeles with Kids
Parks, zoos, hands-on museums and rides: the Los Angeles the kids will actually remember.
Chosen by venue type (family-oriented categories), ordered by real review volume. Updated monthly.
California Science Center
MuseumFree entryThe California Science Center in Los Angeles is a large, free science museum whose star exhibit is genuinely once-in-a-lifetime: the Space Shuttle Endeavour, a real flown orbiter you can stand…
Read our full guide →Runyon Canyon Park
Park & natureFree entryRunyon Canyon Park is a 160-acre urban park in the Hollywood Hills, renowned for its hiking trails and spectacular vistas.
Read our full guide →Dolby Theatre
EntertainmentThe Dolby Theatre is a premier entertainment venue in the heart of Hollywood, best known as the permanent home of the Academy Awards (Oscars) since 2002.
Read our full guide →The Magic Castle
EntertainmentThe Magic Castle is a legendary private club for magicians and enthusiasts, nestled in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles.
Read our full guide →Scot Nery's Boobietrap
EntertainmentScot Nery's Boobietrap is a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience hidden behind a Hollywood Boulevard storefront.
Read our full guide →Los Angeles Theatre
EntertainmentThe Los Angeles Theatre is a stunning example of 1930s movie palace architecture, located on Broadway in downtown LA.
Read our full guide →Pershing Square (Los Angeles)
Park & naturePershing Square is a historic five-acre park in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, established in 1866.
Read our full guide →Grand Park
Park & natureGrand Park is a vibrant 12-acre linear park that connects Los Angeles City Hall with the Music Center, creating a green corridor through downtown.
Read our full guide →Quest Room
EntertainmentQuest Room is a popular escape room venue located at 170 S Western Ave in the heart of Koreatown, Los Angeles.
Read our full guide →Maze Rooms
EntertainmentMaze Rooms is an escape room entertainment center located on South Robertson Boulevard in Los Angeles' Mid-Wilshire district.
Read our full guide →MacArthur Park
Park & natureFree entryMacArthur Park is a longstanding public park in the Westlake neighborhood of Los Angeles, bordered by Wilshire Boulevard and Alvarado Street.
Read our full guide →Geffen Playhouse
EntertainmentGeffen Playhouse is a premier not-for-profit theater located in the heart of Westwood Village, Los Angeles.
Read our full guide →Stash House
EntertainmentStash House is a clandestine cocktail bar tucked away in a nondescript storefront on West 3rd Street in Los Angeles' vibrant Koreatown neighborhood.
Read our full guide →UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden
Park & natureFree entryNestled within the bustling Westside of Los Angeles, the UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden offers a tranquil escape into nature.
Read our full guide →
How we pick these
We keep only child-appropriate venue types — parks, zoos, hands-on museums, theme parks — then rank them by how many families actually review them well, out of the 51 Los Angeles places we track. Refreshed monthly, with no paid placement.
Good to know
Most picks suit ages 2 to 10; a few also work for older kids and teens.
Popular museums and parks in Los Angeles are calmest right at opening or after 3pm.
Keep one indoor pick in your back pocket in case the forecast turns.
Common questions
Is Los Angeles good to visit with kids?+
Yes. Parks, boat rides and hands-on museums make it easy to break up sightseeing with things children enjoy, and every spot on this list is one families rate highly.
What can you do for free with kids in Los Angeles?+
Plenty of parks and playgrounds cost nothing. See our free things to do in Los Angeles for the full set.
How many days do you need in Los Angeles with children?+
Two to three days is enough to cover the highlights at a relaxed, kid-friendly pace.
Rather have a human do the planning? A Local Friend can build this day for you, at local prices.