Los Angeles has a way of overwhelming families with options. Theme parks, beaches, museums, hikes, studio tours, the list runs long, and half your weekend can disappear just trying to decide where to go. If you’re searching for fun things to do in Los Angeles with family, you probably want a clear, no-filler list that actually helps you plan your Saturday or Sunday without the decision fatigue.
We get it. At Another Side Tours, we’ve spent years helping families navigate this city, showing them the spots worth their time and steering them past the tourist traps. That experience gave us a pretty solid read on what works for kids, teens, parents, and grandparents all at once.
This guide covers 12 family-friendly activities you can realistically do this weekend, from outdoor adventures and interactive museums to budget-friendly picks that won’t require a second mortgage. Whether you’re visiting LA for the first time or you’re a local looking for something new, every recommendation here is worth the drive.
1. Take a private family sightseeing tour with Another Side Tours
When you’re trying to plan fun things to do in Los Angeles with family, a private guided tour might be the smartest move on this list. Instead of piecing together a day from scattered search results, you get a local expert behind the wheel who knows the city, the stories, and the shortcuts that save you real time.
Why it works for a weekend plan
A private tour removes the biggest frustration families face in LA: logistics. You don’t have to park in five different spots, navigate unfamiliar freeways, or debate what to do next. Everything is organized for you, from pickup to drop-off, so you spend your weekend actually seeing the city rather than managing it.
A well-planned tour can cover in four hours what would take a family two full days to piece together on their own.
What you can see in one tour
Another Side Tours covers a lot of ground. Hollywood Boulevard, the Walk of Fame, Beverly Hills, and Rodeo Drive are common stops, and many tours swing through neighborhoods like Los Feliz or Silver Lake depending on the itinerary. Your guide fills each stop with context and local stories, not just photo opportunities.
Best ages and group types
These tours work well for a wide age range, from curious 8-year-olds to grandparents who want to see the city without a lot of walking. Private tours are especially good for families with mixed mobility needs or kids who need a flexible pace. Groups of 3 or more also qualify for pricing discounts, which helps with larger family trips.
What to budget for
Tour prices at Another Side Tours start around $75 per person for shorter experiences and scale up depending on tour length, group size, and transportation type. A private vehicle tour for a family of four typically lands in the $300 to $600 range for a half-day outing. Limousine options are available if you want something more elevated for a special occasion.
Tips for booking and meeting up
Book your tour at least a few days in advance, especially if you’re visiting on a weekend or during the busy summer months. Most tours offer hotel pickup, so you don’t need to figure out where to meet your guide in an unfamiliar part of the city. Check the specific tour page for meeting point details and confirm your headcount early since group pricing depends on the final number.
2. Hike in Griffith Park and visit Griffith Observatory
Griffith Park gives your family over 4,300 acres of trails, open space, and landmark views without a single admission fee to get through the gate. It’s one of the best fun things to do in Los Angeles with family when you want fresh air, a little exercise, and a payoff at the top that actually impresses everyone.
What families do here
Families typically split their time between hiking the trails and visiting the Observatory, which sits at the top with a sweeping view of the LA skyline and the Hollywood Sign. Beyond those two anchors, the park also has picnic areas, pony rides, a carousel, and the LA Zoo nearby, so you can layer on activities depending on how long you want to stay.
Best hikes for kids and first-timers
The West Observatory Trail is the most family-friendly route to the building, running about 1.5 miles each way with a manageable incline. For younger kids, the paved road up to the Observatory works fine for strollers or little legs that need a gentler path. Avoid the Brush Canyon or Beachwood Canyon trails if you’re with small children since those runs are longer and steeper.
The hike up to Griffith Observatory rewards families with one of the best views in the entire city, and it costs nothing to earn it.
Observatory highlights and what’s free
Admission to the Observatory building is completely free, including the main exhibits and the outdoor terrace. Planetarium shows require a ticket, typically around $7 to $10 per person, and are worth booking ahead on weekends since they sell out quickly.
What to budget for
Plan for $0 to $30 for a family of four if you skip the planetarium. Add $15 to $40 for parking or a rideshare drop-off if you’d rather avoid the lot search.
Timing, parking, and crowd tips
Arrive before 10 AM on weekends to secure parking at the Observatory lot. After that, the lot fills up fast and you may get redirected to a lower lot with a shuttle. Weekday mornings are significantly quieter if your schedule allows it.
3. Spend the day at Santa Monica Pier and the beach
Santa Monica Pier is one of the most recognizable spots in Los Angeles, and it holds up well as a full-day family destination beyond the obligatory photo at the entrance sign. The combination of beach, rides, food, and free entertainment makes it one of the easier fun things to do in Los Angeles with family without much advance planning.
What to do beyond the pier photo
The pier itself has Pacific Park, an amusement park with a solar-powered Ferris wheel, a roller coaster, and carnival games that kids of all ages can enjoy. Below the pier, the beach stretches wide in both directions, giving families plenty of room to set up, build sandcastles, or wade in the water without feeling crowded.
The Ferris wheel at Pacific Park gives you a clear view of the coastline that’s hard to match anywhere else in the city.
Best kid-friendly stops nearby
Santa Monica Pier Aquarium sits right under the pier and runs a suggested donation of $5 for adults and free for kids under 12. A short walk north puts you at Tongva Park, a modern public space with splash pads and climbing structures that younger kids tend to love.
Ride and arcade strategy for families
Buy ride wristbands rather than individual tickets if your kids plan to ride more than three times. The arcade inside Pacific Park burns through credits quickly, so set a spending limit before you walk in and stick to it.
What to budget for
Plan for $20 to $60 per person depending on rides, food, and aquarium entry. Parking adds another $15 to $30 on top of that.
Parking, bathrooms, and stroller tips
Parking structures on 2nd and 4th Street cost less than the beachfront lots and are a short walk to the pier. Clean public restrooms and rinse stations sit at the base of the pier, and the pier’s flat surface handles strollers without any trouble.
4. Bike or walk the path from Santa Monica to Venice
The Marvin Braude Bike Trail runs along the Pacific coast and connects Santa Monica to Venice Beach in a way that’s genuinely enjoyable for families. This stretch of paved, flat path sits right along the water, making it one of the most low-effort, high-reward fun things to do in Los Angeles with family when the weather cooperates.
Best routes and starting points
Start at the Santa Monica Pier parking lot and head south. The full Santa Monica to Venice leg runs about 3 miles one way, which is manageable for kids 6 and up on bikes. If your group includes younger children, sticking to the first mile or two and turning around keeps things comfortable without anyone hitting a wall.
What you’ll see along the way
You’ll pass Muscle Beach, beach volleyball courts, the Venice Boardwalk, and street performers without needing to detour off the trail. The Venice Boardwalk section especially keeps kids entertained, with artists, vendors, and activity that changes every weekend.
The final stretch into Venice gives families a front-row view of the boardwalk scene that you simply can’t get from a car.
Bike rental options and safety basics
Several rental shops cluster near the Santa Monica Pier, offering cruisers, tandems, and children’s bikes by the hour. Helmets typically come included, but confirm that when you book. Keep kids on the bike path rather than the pedestrian walkway, since both run parallel and foot traffic gets heavy near Venice.
What to budget for
Bike rentals run $15 to $30 per person per hour, depending on the shop and bike type. Walking the path costs nothing beyond parking.
Timing, crowds, and where to stop for food
Go before noon on weekends to beat the crowds on the boardwalk. For food, grab tacos or pizza along the Venice Boardwalk on your way back before the lunch rush hits.
5. Do Hollywood Boulevard the smart way
Hollywood Boulevard is one of the most visited streets in Los Angeles, but showing up without a plan can turn it into a frustrating experience for families. Done right, it’s one of the more memorable fun things to do in Los Angeles with family, combining history, photo opportunities, and enough street-level entertainment to keep everyone moving without burning out before lunch.
What to prioritize and what to skip
Focus your time between Highland Avenue and Vine Street, where the Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre, and the Dolby Theatre sit close together. Skip the souvenir shops unless you have a specific reason to browse, since they eat up time without adding much to the day.
Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre, and photo spots
The TCL Chinese Theatre forecourt is the top photo stop for families, with celebrity handprints and footprints that kids find surprisingly engaging. The Walk of Fame stars stretch in both directions, so pick a few names your family recognizes and build the walk around those rather than trying to cover every block.
Spending 20 focused minutes at TCL Chinese Theatre beats an aimless two-hour walk up and down the boulevard every time.
Add-ons that keep kids engaged
The Hollywood Wax Museum and the Ripley’s Believe It or Not location on the boulevard give kids interactive stops that break up the walking. Both run about $20 to $25 per person and can fill 45 minutes to an hour comfortably.
What to budget for
Plan for $10 to $30 per person for the boulevard visit itself, mostly covering food and optional paid attractions. Add museum entries on top of that if your group wants structured indoor stops.
Safety, timing, and parking tips
Arrive before 10 AM to walk comfortably before the crowds build. Use the Hollywood and Highland parking structure for the most direct access without hunting for street parking on side streets.
6. Make it a theme park day at Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood ranks among the most popular fun things to do in Los Angeles with family, and for good reason. It combines working studio history with full-scale theme park attractions, giving you more variety than a single-concept park can offer.
Best rides and areas for mixed ages
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter works for nearly every age group, with butterbeer, detailed theming, and multiple ride intensity levels. Younger kids gravitate toward the lower lot, where rides like the Jurassic World ride and the Secret Life of Pets attraction tend to run shorter wait times earlier in the day.
How to plan your day to avoid long lines
Arrive at least 30 minutes before the park opens and head directly to the most popular rides before the crowds build. Check the Universal Studios app for real-time wait times and adjust your route throughout the day based on which areas are thinning out.
Hitting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter first thing in the morning can save your family an hour or more of waiting compared to going mid-afternoon.
Shows and experiences families tend to love
The Studio Tour tram ride is a consistent family favorite, covering real backlot sets and special effects demonstrations. The WaterWorld stunt show runs multiple times daily and holds up as one of the more genuinely entertaining live shows in any LA theme park.
What to budget for
Tickets run $109 to $200 per person depending on the date and whether you add an Express Pass. Budget an additional $30 to $60 per person for food and souvenirs inside the park.
What to know about parking, lockers, and food
Parking costs $45 to $60 for standard general lots. Rent a locker near high-intensity rides rather than carrying bags onto water attractions. Food quality varies across the park, but the Three Broomsticks restaurant in the Wizarding World section offers reliable meals without a long detour.
7. Explore the California Science Center and Exposition Park
The California Science Center sits in Exposition Park near downtown LA and ranks as one of the most engaging fun things to do in Los Angeles with family, especially for kids who like to touch, build, and figure things out. The centerpiece of the visit is the Space Shuttle Endeavour, a retired NASA orbiter displayed in full vertical stack with its fuel tank and solid rocket boosters still attached.
What to see first with kids
Walk straight to the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center when you arrive so you can see Endeavour before the crowds fill in. The shuttle’s scale surprises most families, even adults who think they know what to expect. Younger kids also respond well to the World of Life exhibit, where interactive stations break down how living systems work in ways that stay accessible without oversimplifying.
Hands-on exhibits that keep attention
The Ecosystems section lets kids experiment with real ecological concepts through tactile displays and moving parts rather than walls of text. Families with older kids tend to spend the most time in the Air and Space section, which covers flight mechanics and aerospace engineering with enough depth to hold a teenager’s interest.
Standing next to a real space shuttle tends to make everything else your family does that day feel small by comparison.
What else to pair nearby in the park
Exposition Park surrounds the Science Center with the Natural History Museum, the California African American Museum, and a rose garden, all reachable from the same parking lot. You can fill a full day here without moving your car.
What to budget for
General admission to the Science Center is free, though the Endeavour experience requires a timed ticket that runs about $12 to $25 per person depending on the viewing option you select.
Tickets, time slots, and practical tips
Book your Endeavour tickets online before you arrive, since same-day availability runs short on weekends. Plan to get there when the facility opens at 10 AM to work through the most popular exhibits before the mid-morning rush builds.
8. See Ice Age fossils at La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
La Brea Tar Pits sits in the middle of Hancock Park in the Miracle Mile district, making it one of the most unexpected and genuinely fascinating fun things to do in Los Angeles with family. Active Ice Age fossil excavations happen right on the grounds, so your family watches real paleontologists working in real time, not a recreation or a display.
What kids find most interesting
Kids tend to fixate on the bubbling tar pits visible from the outdoor paths, especially the large lake pit where replica mammoths appear to be sinking. Inside the museum, the mammoth and saber-toothed cat skeletons draw the most attention and hold it longer than most exhibits families encounter on a typical LA weekend.
Watching paleontologists excavate actual fossils through the glass wall of the Fossil Lab tends to be the moment families remember long after the visit ends.
What you can do outdoors vs indoors
The outdoor grounds are free to walk and include multiple active tar seeps, fossil markers, and signage explaining the excavation history. The museum building adds depth with full skeleton displays, fossil preparation labs, and multimedia exhibits covering the Pleistocene era in enough detail to satisfy curious older kids without losing younger ones.
How long to plan for the visit
Plan for 90 minutes to two hours if you combine the outdoor grounds with a full museum walkthrough.
What to budget for
General admission runs around $15 to $20 for adults and $7 to $10 for children. The outdoor areas cost nothing to access.
Smell, accessibility, and best times to go
The tar smell is noticeable but not overwhelming, especially outdoors on warmer days. Arrive before 11 AM on weekends to avoid peak crowd buildup, and note that all paved paths are stroller-friendly.
9. Visit the Getty Center for views, gardens, and art
The Getty Center sits on a hilltop in Brentwood and delivers something most museums can’t match: a reason to be there even before you walk inside. The views of the city, the Pacific Ocean on clear days, and the Central Garden make this one of the more visually rewarding fun things to do in Los Angeles with family, regardless of how your kids feel about art.
What makes it family-friendly even if kids "hate museums"
Unlike traditional art museums that lean on text-heavy walls and quiet galleries, the Getty’s outdoor spaces carry a lot of the experience on their own. The Central Garden holds kids’ attention with winding paths, flowing water channels, and a maze-like layout. Free family activity guides at the entrance turn the gallery visit into something closer to a scavenger hunt, which keeps younger visitors moving with purpose.
The architecture, gardens, and city views often impress families more than the art itself, and that’s a perfectly fine way to spend the afternoon.
Must-see stops that don’t feel overwhelming
Focus your time on the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist galleries, where recognizable paintings tend to click quickly with kids. The decorative arts rooms with ornate furniture and clocks consistently surprise children who arrive expecting only paintings.
How to structure a short visit vs a long visit
A 90-minute visit covers the gardens and two or three gallery buildings without rushing. A three-hour visit lets you work through the family activity guide, have lunch on-site, and explore the upper and lower levels at a relaxed pace.
What to budget for
Admission is completely free, but parking costs $20 per car. Set aside another $15 to $40 for the café or restaurant on-site.
Parking, tram, and food tips
Enter from the 405 freeway and park in the Getty’s main structure, then ride the free tram up to the entrance, which kids genuinely enjoy. The café on the upper level offers outdoor seating with views that make a sit-down lunch worth building into your schedule.
10. Eat your way through Grand Central Market and ride Angels Flight
Grand Central Market has operated in downtown LA since 1917, and it holds up as one of the most diverse and affordable fun things to do in Los Angeles with family when you want a break from ticketed attractions. The combination of a historic food hall and a century-old funicular railway right across the street gives your family a genuinely full afternoon without much logistical planning.
How to turn it into a family mini-adventure
Walk into the market from Broadway or Hill Street and let the layout guide you. Stalls run the full length of the building, so moving from one end to the other becomes the activity itself rather than a chore. Assign each family member a job, whether that’s finding dessert, picking a savory dish, or spotting the most interesting menu board, and the visit turns into a shared experience rather than a simple lunch stop.
Grand Central Market rewards slow walkers who browse before they commit, so resist the urge to order at the first stall that looks good.
What to eat with picky kids and adventurous eaters
Egg Slut and Sticky Rice cover opposite ends of the comfort spectrum and both work for families with mixed preferences. Younger kids typically land on quesadillas, fresh fruit cups, or egg sandwiches, while adults and older teens can find Thai, Mexican, and Vietnamese options within the same building.
The quick Angels Flight ride plan
Angels Flight sits directly across Hill Street from the market and runs the two-car funicular up Bunker Hill in under two minutes. Ride it up, walk around the top briefly, and ride back down.
What to budget for
Budget $15 to $30 per person for food and about $1 per ride on Angels Flight.
Parking, timing, and safety tips
Arrive between 11 AM and noon to beat the lunch crowd. Use the Joe’s Auto Parks structure on Hill Street for the most direct walk to both stops.
11. Shop, snack, and people-watch at The Grove and Farmers Market
The Grove and the Original Farmers Market sit side by side in the Fairfax District, and together they make one of the more relaxed and genuinely enjoyable fun things to do in Los Angeles with family when you want variety without a tight schedule. The combination of outdoor shopping, street-level entertainment, and decades-old food stalls gives your group plenty of ways to move through the afternoon at whatever pace works for everyone.
What to do that isn’t just shopping
Beyond the stores, The Grove’s outdoor plaza runs a free trolley that loops around the property, which younger kids tend to find disproportionately exciting for a two-minute ride. The central fountain runs water shows on a scheduled loop, and the open space surrounding it gives families room to sit, snack, and watch without needing to spend anything.
The Farmers Market section, which dates back to 1934, adds a layer of history to the visit that makes the stop feel more substantial than a typical shopping trip.
Best kid-friendly bites and treats
Bob’s Coffee and Doughnuts in the Farmers Market has operated for decades and remains the most reliable quick stop for families with younger kids. Bennett’s Ice Cream, also inside the market, handles the dessert portion of your visit with scoops that consistently land well with every age group.
Fun stops nearby if you want to extend the outing
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art sits about a five-minute walk from The Grove, and the outdoor Urban Light installation on its front steps is free to visit anytime.
What to budget for
Plan on $20 to $50 per person for food and small purchases, with the plaza and fountain costing nothing on their own.
Parking and timing tips for weekends
The Grove’s parking structure fills quickly after 11 AM on weekends, so arriving before then saves significant time. Validate your parking inside any of the shops or restaurants to reduce the hourly rate.
12. Do a low-key beach day in Manhattan Beach or Hermosa Beach
If you want fun things to do in Los Angeles with family without the chaos of Santa Monica, the South Bay delivers a noticeably calmer version of the LA beach experience. Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach both sit about 20 miles south of downtown and offer the same Pacific coastline with smaller crowds and a more relaxed pace.
Why families like the South Bay for a weekend
Both beaches run wide, clean, and flat, making them far easier to navigate with kids, chairs, and coolers than some of the narrower strips closer to the city. Hermosa Beach’s strand path runs directly behind the sand and gives families a separated walking route away from bike traffic.
What to do besides sit on the sand
Beach volleyball nets line both beaches, and pickup games are common enough that older kids can join in without much awkwardness. Manhattan Beach also has a small aquarium at the end of its pier that runs free admission and gives younger kids a structured stop that breaks up the afternoon.
The Manhattan Beach pier aquarium is one of the few genuinely free, genuinely interesting stops you’ll find anywhere on the LA coastline.
Easy add-ons like piers and playgrounds
Both piers are short walks from the main beach parking areas and worth the ten minutes it takes to walk to the end and back. Polliwog Park in Manhattan Beach adds a playground and a small lake for families who want to extend the outing after the beach.
What to budget for
A basic beach day here costs under $20 for most families, covering just parking and snacks.
Parking, sunsets, and "windy day" tips
Arrive before 9 AM on summer weekends to secure street parking near the strand. Both beaches face west, making late-afternoon visits worthwhile for the sunset alone. On windy days, the sand blows harder near the waterline, so set up closer to the strand path.
Plan your weekend and make it easy
Los Angeles rewards families who show up with a plan. Every option on this list gives you a solid, standalone day, but the combinations that work best tend to pair one high-energy stop with one slower, lower-cost activity nearby. Mix a beach morning with a boardwalk bike ride, or follow a museum visit with lunch at Grand Central Market. Your weekend gets easier the more intentional you are about sequencing what you want to do and when.
If you want someone else to handle that sequencing for you, a guided tour takes the pressure off entirely. Another Side Tours builds the route, supplies the local expertise, and handles the logistics so your family actually enjoys the day instead of managing it. Browse the full lineup of fun things to do in Los Angeles with family and book the experience that fits your group at Another Side Tours Los Angeles Sightseeing Tours.
