Los Angeles sells itself as the ultimate family destination, theme parks, beaches, movie studios. But if you’ve ever sat in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the 405 with kids melting down in the backseat, you know the reality can feel pretty different. Finding genuinely fun things to do in LA with family takes more than a quick Google search and a prayer. It takes knowing which spots actually deliver and which ones are overhyped tourist traps dressed up with good marketing.
We’ve spent years guiding families through this city at Another Side Tours. Our local expert guides have logged over a million tours across Los Angeles, taking visitors beyond the obvious and into the neighborhoods, stories, and hidden corners that make LA worth the trip. That experience taught us something: families don’t want a checklist, they want a day their kids won’t stop talking about.
So we put together this list of 13 family-friendly activities that go well beyond the standard "visit the Hollywood sign" advice. You’ll find a mix of outdoor adventures, cultural spots, and only-in-LA experiences that work whether your kids are five or fifteen. Some are free, some are splurge-worthy, and all of them have been vetted by people who actually live and work here. No filler, no recycled suggestions, just the stuff that’s genuinely worth your family’s time.
1. See LA on a guided tour with Another Side Tours
If you want your family to experience the best fun things to do in LA with family without the logistics nightmare, a guided tour is the smartest move you can make. Another Side Tours connects you with local expert guides who know where to go, when to go, and how to keep everyone moving without the chaos of navigating an unfamiliar city on your own.
What you do and why it works
Another Side Tours offers private and small-group guided experiences across Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and beyond. You pick from tour types including celebrity homes tours, Segway rides, e-bike adventures, and limousine packages. Instead of standing in a crowd wondering what you’re looking at, your guide gives you the backstory and local context that makes every landmark genuinely interesting to kids and adults alike.
A good guide turns a street corner into a story, and that’s what keeps kids engaged far longer than any roadside sign ever will.
Best ages and energy level
Most tours work well for kids aged five and up, though the activity level varies by tour type. E-bike and Segway tours suit older children and teenagers who can handle independent riding. The private vehicle tours are the most flexible option for families with toddlers or mixed age groups who need a lower-intensity day out.
How long to budget
Tours range from 90 minutes to 7 hours depending on which experience you choose. For families with younger children, a 90-minute or half-day tour hits the sweet spot before attention spans run out. Full-day options work better for older kids or families who want a comprehensive LA experience packed into a single outing.
Typical cost and how to save
Prices start at $75 per person and go up to $1,996 for private limousine packages. Group discounts apply for parties of three or more, which makes private tours significantly more affordable for families than the sticker price suggests. Booking in advance online also tends to lock in better availability and rates.
Tips to avoid common pain points
Schedule your tour for early morning departures to beat the heat and the crowds at popular stops. Bring snacks and water for younger kids regardless of tour length, and confirm pickup details in advance so your family isn’t scrambling on the morning of your booking.
2. Spend a full day at Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood sits near the top of almost every family’s LA wishlist, and it earns the spot. The park blends real working studio lots with high-energy rides and live entertainment in a way that appeals to kids and adults without feeling like one group got shortchanged.
What you do and why it works
Universal gives you two experiences in one: a theme park with major rides and a behind-the-scenes studio tour through actual film sets. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter draws massive crowds for good reason, and the studio tram tour gives kids a genuine "wait, that’s actually real" moment when they see iconic sets up close.
The studio tram tour alone is worth the price of admission for families with kids who love movies.
Best ages and energy level
The park works well for kids aged four and older, with younger children gravitating toward the lower-intensity shows and character meet-and-greets. Older kids and teenagers get the most out of the thrill rides and immersive attractions like the Jurassic World ride and Transformers 3D.
How long to budget
Plan for a full day, at minimum seven to eight hours, to cover both the theme park and the studio tour without rushing. Arriving at opening time gives your family the best shot at hitting popular attractions before lines build up mid-morning.
Typical cost and how to save
General admission runs $109 to $199 per person depending on the date. Booking tickets in advance online consistently costs less than buying at the gate, and children under three get in free.
Tips to avoid common pain points
Visit on weekdays rather than weekends to avoid the heaviest crowds. Download the Universal Studios app before you arrive so your family can track live wait times and adjust your route on the fly.
3. Explore Griffith Park and the Griffith Observatory
Griffith Park covers over 4,300 acres of trails, picnic grounds, and open hillside right inside Los Angeles, making it one of the largest urban parks in the United States. For families searching for fun things to do in LA with family without draining their budget, this spot delivers a half-day of genuine exploration at almost no cost.
What you do and why it works
The Griffith Observatory crowns the park and gives your family sweeping views of the Hollywood Sign, the LA skyline, and the Pacific Ocean on clear days. Inside, your kids can work through interactive exhibits on astronomy, geology, and space that hold attention without feeling like a school field trip.
The free rooftop telescope viewings on clear evenings are one of the most memorable LA experiences your family can have without spending a dollar.
Best ages and energy level
Griffith Park suits kids of all ages, from toddlers chasing squirrels on the grass to teenagers interested in the science displays upstairs. The hike up to the observatory from the lower parking lot takes about 30 to 40 minutes and works well for kids aged six and older who can handle mild elevation gain.
How long to budget
Plan for three to four hours to cover the observatory, the surrounding grounds, and a short trail. Families with younger children often wrap things up in closer to two hours.
Typical cost and how to save
Observatory admission is free. Parking runs around $3 per hour, so taking a rideshare or the DASH Observatory bus saves money and skips the frustrating parking search on busy weekends.
Tips to avoid common pain points
Arrive on weekday mornings to beat crowds both inside the observatory and on the trails. Pack sunscreen and water because the exposed hillside gets hot fast, especially from late spring through early fall.
4. Bike or e-bike Santa Monica to Venice Beach
The 3-mile coastal path connecting Santa Monica to Venice Beach ranks among the most scenic and kid-friendly stretches of pavement in all of Los Angeles. This ride combines fresh ocean air, flat terrain, and a front-row view of the Pacific that your family will still talk about months after you get home.
What you do and why it works
You rent bikes or e-bikes from one of several rental outfits near the Santa Monica Pier, then ride south along the paved beachfront path toward Venice Beach. Along the way, your family passes Muscle Beach, street performers, skate parks, and some of the most visually interesting people-watching in the city. E-bikes remove the "I’m tired" problem for younger riders who might not make the full round trip on a standard bike.
The Venice Beach Boardwalk at the end of the ride is one of the most genuinely fun things to do in LA with family because there’s something new to look at every few feet.
Best ages and energy level
This activity works well for kids aged six and older who can handle a basic bike independently. E-bikes bring the difficulty level down significantly, making the route accessible for older adults and less confident riders in your group as well.
How long to budget
Set aside two to three hours for the ride, a stop at the boardwalk, and the return trip. Families who want to linger at Venice should budget closer to four hours.
Typical cost and how to save
Bike rentals average $15 to $25 per hour. Renting for a two-hour block rather than hourly typically saves you money overall.
Tips to avoid common pain points
Go on a weekday morning to avoid the weekend crush on the path. Bring a small backpack with sunscreen, snacks, and water because there are limited shade stops along the route.
5. Hang out at Santa Monica Pier and the beach
Santa Monica Pier is one of the most recognizable spots in all of Los Angeles, and it genuinely delivers as a family destination without requiring a reservation, a theme park budget, or a complicated plan. The combination of a working amusement park, ocean views, and wide sandy beach right below the pier makes this one of the easiest fun things to do in LA with family on any trip.
What you do and why it works
The pier itself holds Pacific Park, a small family amusement park with a solar-powered Ferris wheel, roller coaster, and carnival midway games that younger kids go wild for. Below the pier, the beach stretches wide in both directions, giving your family room to spread out, build sandcastles, and wade into the Pacific. The aquarium under the pier offers a surprisingly good hands-on experience where kids can touch sea creatures in open tanks.
The Ferris wheel at Pacific Park gives you one of the best free-feeling views in LA, even though the ride itself costs a few dollars.
Best ages and energy level
This spot works for all ages, from toddlers digging in the sand to teenagers who want to try the roller coaster or explore the boardwalk on their own.
How long to budget
Plan for two to four hours depending on how long your kids want to stay on the sand. Beach time has a way of stretching well past your original timeline.
Typical cost and how to save
Parking runs $10 to $20 depending on proximity. Pacific Park ride tickets cost $5 to $10 each, so buy a ride wristband if your kids plan to go on multiple attractions.
Tips to avoid common pain points
Arrive before 11 a.m. on weekends to claim a good patch of beach before the crowds fill in. Bring cash for parking meters on the surrounding streets, which cost less than the lots.
6. Get hands-on at the California Science Center
The California Science Center in Exposition Park is one of the most genuinely engaging free museums in Los Angeles. Unlike institutions where kids drift politely past displays, this one pulls them in with interactive exhibits that reward curiosity and hands-on experimentation.
What you do and why it works
Spread across multiple exhibit halls, the museum covers human biology, ecosystems, technology, and space exploration in a way that keeps different age groups interested at the same time. The centerpiece is the Space Shuttle Endeavour, a real decommissioned NASA shuttle displayed in full vertical launch configuration inside the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center. Few things make kids go quiet with genuine awe the way a full-sized space shuttle does.
Standing under Endeavour is one of the most unexpectedly powerful moments you can give your kids during a family trip to LA.
Best ages and energy level
This spot works for kids aged three and older, with toddlers gravitating toward the water and air tables in the World of Life section while older children and teenagers dig into the more complex science and engineering exhibits.
How long to budget
Plan for two to three hours to move through the main exhibits without rushing. Families who want to catch an IMAX film in the on-site theater should add another 45 minutes.
Typical cost and how to save
General museum admission is completely free, which makes this one of the best fun things to do in LA with family on a tight budget. IMAX tickets run $9 to $14 per person, and parking costs around $15 at the Exposition Park lot.
Tips to avoid common pain points
Visit on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning when school groups are less common. Book your IMAX tickets online in advance because popular screenings sell out faster than you would expect.
7. See Ice Age fossils at La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
La Brea Tar Pits sits in the middle of Miracle Mile on Wilshire Boulevard, and it might be the most unusual free outdoor experience among the fun things to do in LA with family. Active asphalt seeps still bubble up from the ground right next to the walking paths, making this the only place in the world where you can watch an active Ice Age fossil site in the middle of a major city.
What you do and why it works
The outdoor park lets your family walk around the active tar pits and see ongoing excavations where researchers continue pulling fossils out of the ground today. The adjacent museum holds reconstructed skeletons of mammoths, saber-toothed cats, and dire wolves recovered from the same site, which gives kids a direct connection between what they see bubbling outside and the creatures that got trapped there thousands of years ago.
Watching real paleontologists work through glass in the active dig lab inside the museum is the kind of thing kids remember long after the trip ends.
Best ages and energy level
This works well for kids aged five and older. Younger children enjoy the outdoor grounds and the dramatic skeleton displays, while older kids engage more deeply with the science and excavation process happening on-site.
How long to budget
Set aside two to three hours to cover both the outdoor tar pits and the museum exhibits without feeling rushed.
Typical cost and how to save
Museum admission runs approximately $15 for adults and $7 for children. The outdoor grounds are free to walk anytime.
Tips to avoid common pain points
Visit on a weekday afternoon when tour groups have cleared out and the museum floor is noticeably quieter.
8. Walk Hollywood Boulevard: Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre
Hollywood Boulevard is one of those iconic LA landmarks that your family should see in person at least once, even if you’ve watched it a thousand times on screen. The Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre sit within easy walking distance of each other, making this stretch one of the more concentrated fun things to do in LA with family on a single block.
What you do and why it works
Your family walks along Hollywood Boulevard hunting for the star of a favorite actor, musician, or director embedded in the sidewalk. At TCL Chinese Theatre, kids can match their hands and feet to the impressions left by decades of Hollywood legends in the concrete forecourt outside the main entrance.
Finding a star that means something specific to your kid turns a touristy walk into a genuinely personal moment.
Best ages and energy level
This works for all ages, though younger children get more out of it with some preparation beforehand. Look up which celebrity stars your kids actually care about before you arrive so everyone has something specific to hunt for rather than wandering aimlessly.
How long to budget
Budget one to two hours for the boulevard walk, the TCL forecourt, and a stop at the nearby Hollywood and Highland complex if your family wants to rest or grab food.
Typical cost and how to save
Walking the boulevard and visiting the TCL Chinese Theatre forecourt is completely free. Guided tours of the theater interior run around $15 to $20 per person if your family wants to go inside.
Tips to avoid common pain points
Go early on a weekday morning to avoid costumed street performers who crowd the sidewalk heavily by mid-morning and can overwhelm younger children.
9. Visit the Getty Center for art, gardens, and views
The Getty Center sits high above Brentwood on a ridgeline with sweeping views of Los Angeles, the Pacific, and on clear days, all the way to Catalina Island. For families looking for fun things to do in LA with family that combine culture, fresh air, and stunning scenery without a painful admission cost, the Getty delivers on every front.
What you do and why it works
Your family takes a free tram ride up the hillside from the parking structure to the main campus, which kids treat as part of the attraction before they even set foot in a gallery. Once there, you can move between rotating art exhibitions, a cactus garden, and the Central Garden, a sculpted landscape with flowing water channels and thousands of plants that younger kids gravitate toward naturally even if fine art isn’t their priority.
The Central Garden alone gives your family a reason to visit even on a day when nobody feels like looking at paintings.
Best ages and energy level
The Getty works well for kids aged four and older, with the outdoor spaces, the tram, and the garden keeping younger children engaged while older kids and teenagers explore the architecture and gallery collections at their own pace.
How long to budget
Set aside two to three hours to cover the gardens, at least two gallery wings, and the tram ride without feeling rushed.
Typical cost and how to save
Admission is free. Parking costs $20 per car, so arriving before 10 a.m. on weekdays avoids the lot filling up and secures your spot without circling.
Tips to avoid common pain points
Bring a light jacket year-round because the hilltop sits in consistent ocean breezes that make the campus noticeably cooler than street level in LA.
10. Ride Angels Flight and eat at Grand Central Market
Downtown LA holds one of the most compact combinations of fun things to do in LA with family anywhere in the city. Angels Flight Railway and Grand Central Market sit within steps of each other in the historic Bunker Hill neighborhood, giving your family a genuine slice of old and new Los Angeles in a single outing.
What you do and why it works
Angels Flight is a short funicular railway that has hauled passengers up and down a steep Bunker Hill block since 1901. Your family boards the wooden railcars at the bottom, rides 298 feet up to the top, and steps directly into Grand Central Market, a sprawling indoor food hall packed with vendors selling tacos, ramen, fresh juice, and more. The contrast between the historic railway and the buzzing market floor makes this one of the most satisfying back-to-back stops in the city.
The railcar ride lasts under two minutes, but kids treat it like a full attraction every single time.
Best ages and energy level
This works well for all ages and energy levels because the activity requires almost no walking and no heat tolerance. Families with strollers or young toddlers navigate it easily.
How long to budget
Set aside one to two hours to ride Angels Flight and move through the market stalls without feeling rushed.
Typical cost and how to save
Angels Flight tickets cost $1 per person per ride. Food at Grand Central Market runs roughly $10 to $20 per person depending on what you order, making this one of the most affordable downtown stops you can make.
Tips to avoid common pain points
Visit on a weekday lunch hour to catch vendors at their freshest without the weekend foot traffic pushing through the narrow market aisles.
11. Take a whale and dolphin cruise from Long Beach
A whale watching cruise out of Long Beach gives your family one of the most memorable and genuinely wild experiences among the fun things to do in LA with family. You trade city streets for open ocean and come back with something no theme park can replicate: real wildlife on their own terms.
What you do and why it works
Several operators run two-to-three-hour cruises out of Long Beach Harbor, heading into the Santa Monica Bay and the surrounding waters where blue whales, gray whales, and common dolphins appear year-round depending on the season. Blue whales pass through from late spring through early fall, while gray whales migrate close to shore from December through April. Naturalists on board narrate what you’re seeing and explain the behavior and biology behind each encounter in real time.
Watching a blue whale surface thirty feet from the boat is the kind of moment that resets your kids’ sense of how big the world actually is.
Best ages and energy level
Cruises work well for kids aged five and older. Children who get seasick easily should take a non-drowsy motion sickness tablet before boarding since conditions in the bay vary.
How long to budget
Most cruises run two to three hours from departure to return. Add an hour to explore the Long Beach waterfront before or after your trip.
Typical cost and how to save
Tickets typically run $35 to $55 per adult and slightly less for children. Booking directly through the operator’s website rather than a third-party platform often saves a few dollars per ticket.
Tips to avoid common pain points
Dress in layers regardless of the weather forecast because ocean temperatures on the water run 10 to 15 degrees cooler than onshore temperatures in Long Beach.
12. Do a day trip to Catalina Island
Catalina Island sits 22 miles off the coast of Los Angeles, and getting there is half the experience. A fast ferry from Long Beach or San Pedro drops your family onto an island that feels nothing like the city you left behind, which makes this one of the most distinct fun things to do in LA with family within a single day’s reach.
What you do and why it works
Once you land in Avalon, the island’s main town, your family can explore on foot, rent golf carts or bicycles, snorkel in clear water, take a glass-bottom boat tour, or kayak along the coastline. The town itself is small enough that kids can roam without you losing track of anyone, and the surrounding water is genuinely transparent in a way that catches most visitors off guard.
The glass-bottom boat tour in Avalon Harbor gives younger children their first look at marine life without requiring them to get wet.
Best ages and energy level
Catalina works well for kids of all ages. Toddlers handle the ferry fine, and teenagers have enough outdoor activities to stay engaged for the full day.
How long to budget
The ferry crossing takes about an hour each way, so plan for a total of eight to nine hours from your departure point to make the most of time on the island.
Typical cost and how to save
Ferry tickets run $40 to $80 per adult round-trip depending on the operator and season. Children under two typically ride free.
Tips to avoid common pain points
Book your ferry tickets at least a week in advance during summer because departures fill up quickly, especially on weekends.
13. Make a theme park day trip to Disneyland or Knott’s Berry Farm
Both parks sit roughly 30 to 40 minutes south of downtown LA by car, making them realistic day trips for families staying anywhere in the city. They close out the fun things to do in LA with family on this list with experiences built specifically for full-day immersion.
What you do and why it works
Disneyland delivers immersive themed lands and rides that hold up across generations, while Knott’s Berry Farm offers a more thrill-focused lineup with some of the best roller coasters in Southern California at a noticeably lower price. Your family picks the experience that matches your kids’ ages and appetite for intensity.
Knott’s is the stronger pick if your group includes teenagers who want serious rides without Disneyland prices.
Best ages and energy level
Disneyland suits all ages, from toddlers riding Dumbo to teenagers running through Galaxy’s Edge. Knott’s skews better for kids aged eight and older who can meet the height requirements for the main coaster lineup.
How long to budget
Both parks reward a full eight to ten hours on site. Arriving at opening and staying through evening fireworks or the last ride of the night gets your family the most from the admission cost.
Typical cost and how to save
Disneyland tickets run $104 to $189 per person depending on the date. Knott’s averages $60 to $85 per person, with discounts available through AAA and Costco memberships that reduce the per-person cost noticeably for larger family groups.
Tips to avoid common pain points
Book tickets at least two weeks ahead to secure lower date-based pricing and avoid sold-out days during peak summer periods.
Final wrap-up for your LA family plan
Los Angeles rewards families who plan ahead and pick the right mix of activities for their specific group. This list covers 13 genuinely tested options for fun things to do in LA with family, ranging from free outdoor spots like Griffith Park to full-day adventures at Universal Studios. The key is building a schedule that matches your kids’ ages, your budget, and how much ground you realistically want to cover each day.
If you want someone to handle the planning for you, a guided tour removes all the guesswork and gets your family to the best spots with local context that no travel app can replicate. Another Side Tours offers private and small-group options that fit different budgets and interests across the city. Check out our Los Angeles sightseeing tours to find the right experience for your family and book your spot before your travel dates fill up.
