Los Angeles has a way of overwhelming families. Between the sprawling freeways, endless options, and the sheer size of the city, figuring out the best family activities in Los Angeles can feel like its own full-time job. But here’s the thing, when you know where to look, LA is one of the most kid-friendly cities in the country, packed with experiences that genuinely hold a child’s attention (and yours).
We’ve spent years guiding families through this city at Another Side Tours, showing them neighborhoods, landmarks, and hidden corners they’d never find on their own. That firsthand experience has taught us exactly what works for families and what ends up being a letdown. So we put together this list of 12 activities that kids actually love, not just places that look good on paper but fall flat in person. From outdoor adventures to world-class museums, here’s where to take the family next.
1. Another Side Tours private sightseeing tour
A private guided tour is one of the smartest ways to experience the best family activities in Los Angeles because it removes all the guesswork. Instead of hauling the kids from one confusing stop to the next, you get a local expert who handles the route, the stories, and the logistics while you focus on enjoying the city together.
What you will do
Your guide takes you through LA’s most iconic neighborhoods, including Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica, sharing real stories about the places you’re seeing rather than reciting a script. Kids love spotting celebrity homes, film locations, and landmarks they recognize from movies and TV. The experience is interactive and flexible, so if your group wants to linger somewhere or skip ahead, your guide adjusts on the spot.
A private tour means the pace is yours, not a group of 40 strangers with different agendas.
Best ages and accessibility
These tours work well for kids of all ages, including young children who can’t handle long walks or crowds. Because you travel in a private vehicle, there’s no standing in lines or navigating packed sidewalks. Families with strollers, younger toddlers, or anyone with mobility considerations will find the format much more manageable than most other LA attractions.
Time and cost
Tours range from 90 minutes to 7 hours, depending on what your family wants to cover. Pricing starts at $75 per person for shorter options and scales up for extended or premium experiences like limousine tours. Group pricing is available for parties of three or more, which makes a private tour surprisingly competitive when you split the cost across a family.
| Tour length | Best for | Starting price |
|---|---|---|
| 90 minutes | Quick introduction to LA | $75/person |
| Half day (3-4 hours) | Families covering multiple areas | Varies |
| Full day (6-7 hours) | Deep dive into LA neighborhoods | Varies |
Tips to make it easy
Book your tour early in your trip rather than saving it for the last day. Doing it first gives your family context for everything else you’ll see and visit during your stay. Bring snacks and water for younger kids, especially on warmer days. Let your guide know your family’s interests ahead of time, whether that’s film history, architecture, food, or something else entirely, so they can tailor the route to what your kids will actually find interesting.
2. Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood sits at the intersection of a working film studio and a full-scale theme park, which makes it unlike anything else your family can visit in the city. Kids who love movies will feel like they’ve stepped directly into the screen, and that novelty holds up throughout the entire day.
What you will do
Your family gets access to rides, shows, and live studio experiences all in one place. Highlights include the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the Jurassic World ride, and the Studio Tour, a tram ride through active backlot sets where real productions film. The Studio Tour alone runs about an hour and gives everyone a genuine behind-the-scenes look at how Hollywood actually works.
The Studio Tour is worth prioritizing early in the day before the crowds build up.
Best ages and accessibility
Universal works best for kids aged 6 and up, though younger children enjoy the lower-intensity shows and character meet-and-greets. The park offers wheelchair rentals and ADA-accessible options across most rides, making it manageable for families with varying mobility needs.
Time and cost
Plan for a full day, roughly 8 to 10 hours, to cover the main attractions without feeling rushed. General admission typically runs $109 to $129 per person, with children under 3 entering free. Express passes cost extra but cut wait times significantly during peak season.
| Ticket type | Approx. cost |
|---|---|
| General admission | $109-$129/person |
| Children under 3 | Free |
| Express Pass | Additional cost |
Tips to make it easy
Arrive at opening time to hit Harry Potter World and the Studio Tour before lines grow. Download the Universal Studios app before you go to track wait times and grab virtual line spots for the most popular rides.
3. Disneyland day trip from Los Angeles
Disneyland sits about 45 minutes south of LA in Anaheim, making it one of the most popular day trips for families staying in the city. While it’s technically outside Los Angeles, it belongs on any list of the best family activities in Los Angeles region because no other destination generates that level of excitement from kids quite like it does.
What you will do
Your family gets access to two full parks: Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, both packed with rides, character meet-and-greets, parades, and live shows. Kids can ride through Pirates of the Caribbean, meet their favorite characters in person, and watch the nightly fireworks display over Sleeping Beauty Castle. Older kids and teens gravitate toward Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and the thrill rides spread across California Adventure.
Book Lightning Lane passes through the Disneyland app before you arrive to skip the longest lines on high-demand rides.
Best ages and accessibility
Disneyland works for every age group, from toddlers meeting Mickey Mouse for the first time to teenagers chasing bigger rides. The park offers wheelchair rentals, stroller rentals, and a rider switch program so families with young children or anyone with mobility needs can move through the day without unnecessary stress.
Time and cost
Plan on a full day to cover both parks without feeling rushed. Tickets typically start around $104 per person depending on the date, with children under 3 entering free. Parking adds roughly $35.
| Option | Approx. cost |
|---|---|
| Single-park ticket | From $104/person |
| Park Hopper (both parks) | Higher tier pricing |
| Children under 3 | Free |
Tips to make it easy
Drive or take a hotel shuttle service rather than navigating public transit with kids in tow. Arriving at rope drop (park opening time) lets your family hit the most popular rides before the afternoon crowds build.
4. Griffith Park and Griffith Observatory
Griffith Park covers more than 4,000 acres in the hills above Los Feliz, making it one of the largest urban parks in the United States. For families exploring the best family activities in Los Angeles, it delivers a rare mix of outdoor space and real educational content without charging an entrance fee to get in.
What you will do
Your family can hike the trails, visit the Griffith Observatory for planetarium shows and hands-on space exhibits, or simply take in the panoramic views of the Los Angeles skyline and the Hollywood Sign. The Observatory’s rooftop telescopes are open to the public on clear evenings, giving kids an actual look at the sky above the city rather than just reading about it.
The view from the Observatory grounds alone is worth the drive up, even if you don’t go inside.
Best ages and accessibility
Griffith Park works well for kids aged 4 and up. Younger children enjoy the open green spaces and the LA Zoo, which sits inside the park boundaries. The Observatory has elevator access, and several of the main trails are paved and stroller-friendly, though the steeper hiking paths require more effort from the whole group.
Time and cost
Plan on 2 to 4 hours depending on what your family wants to cover. Observatory admission is free, though planetarium shows cost around $10 for adults and $6 for children.
| Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Observatory general admission | Free |
| Planetarium show (adults) | ~$10 |
| Planetarium show (children) | ~$6 |
Tips to make it easy
Park at the Greek Theatre lot on weekdays to avoid the congested Observatory parking area. Bring sunscreen and water since the hilltop sits fully exposed, especially during summer afternoons.
5. Santa Monica Pier and the beach
Santa Monica Pier is one of the most recognizable stops among the best family activities in Los Angeles, and for good reason. The combination of an amusement park, ocean views, street performers, and open beach gives families several hours of genuinely enjoyable time without needing a detailed itinerary.
What you will do
Your family can ride the solar-powered Ferris wheel, play carnival games on the pier, and then head down to the sand for beach time directly below. The pier also houses the Pacific Park amusement area with rides scaled for younger kids, along with a small aquarium underneath the pier that gives children a close look at marine life pulled from the local ocean.
Combine the pier with a beach walk south toward Venice for a natural half-day loop.
Best ages and accessibility
Santa Monica Pier suits all age groups, from toddlers playing in the sand to older kids riding the bigger attractions. The pier itself is fully accessible, with ramps and smooth surfaces throughout, making it manageable for families with strollers or anyone with mobility needs.
Time and cost
Plan on 2 to 3 hours for the pier and beach together. Accessing the pier and beach is free, though individual rides at Pacific Park cost between $5 and $12 per ride, or you can buy an unlimited wristband for the day.
| Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Pier and beach access | Free |
| Pacific Park ride (single) | $5-$12 |
| Unlimited ride wristband | Varies |
Tips to make it easy
Arrive before noon to claim a good stretch of sand before the afternoon crowds settle in. Bring cash for parking meters along Ocean Avenue, or use the city-operated parking structures one block east of the beach to avoid circling for street spots.
6. Bike the Santa Monica to Venice path
The Marvin Braude Bike Trail runs about 22 miles along the Southern California coastline, but the 3-mile stretch between Santa Monica and Venice Beach is the section families ride most. It’s flat, scenic, and separated from traffic, which takes most of the stress out of cycling with kids in tow.
What you will do
You ride along a dedicated paved path that hugs the coastline the entire way, with ocean views on one side and the beach on the other. The route takes you from the Santa Monica Pier down through Muscle Beach, the Venice Canals area, and eventually to the Venice Beach boardwalk, giving your family a moving tour of some of the most interesting coastal neighborhoods in the city. It’s one of the best family activities in Los Angeles for kids who need to burn energy while actually going somewhere.
The path is wide enough to ride side by side, which makes it easier to keep younger riders close.
Best ages and accessibility
This ride works best for kids aged 6 and up who are comfortable on a bike. Younger children can join in bike trailers or tag-along attachments rented from shops near the pier. The trail is entirely flat and paved, so no one in your group needs to be an experienced cyclist.
Time and cost
The one-way ride takes 30 to 45 minutes at a relaxed pace. Bike rentals near Santa Monica Pier typically run $15 to $25 per person per hour, with trailer options available at most rental shops.
| Rental type | Approx. cost |
|---|---|
| Standard adult bike | $15-$25/hour |
| Child bike or tag-along | $10-$15/hour |
| Bike trailer | $15-$20/hour |
Tips to make it easy
Rent bikes on the Santa Monica end and ride one way to Venice, then use a rideshare to return rather than backtracking. Bring helmets for younger kids since most rental shops charge extra to borrow them.
7. Venice Beach boardwalk and skatepark
Venice Beach is one of those places that genuinely earns its reputation among the best family activities in Los Angeles. The boardwalk runs directly along the sand and packs in street performers, outdoor gym equipment, food vendors, and open ocean views within a short walk, giving your family plenty to absorb at a comfortable pace.
What you will do
Your family walks the 1.5-mile oceanfront boardwalk while taking in murals, musicians, and some of the most colorful people-watching the city has to offer. The Venice Skate Park sits right on the boardwalk and draws serious skaters from across the region. Even if no one in your group skates, watching the bowl riders is a genuine spectacle that holds kids’ attention for longer than you’d expect.
The skate park is free to watch from the surrounding bleachers, which makes it an easy stop whether or not your kids want to skate.
Best ages and accessibility
The boardwalk works for all ages since it’s flat, paved, and open. Younger kids enjoy the sand and the performers, while older children and teenagers tend to gravitate toward the skate park. The area is stroller-friendly throughout.
Time and cost
Plan on 1 to 2 hours for a relaxed walk through the main stretch. Accessing the boardwalk and beach is free, though food and rental gear along the strip add up quickly.
| Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Boardwalk and beach | Free |
| Skate park session | Free |
Tips to make it easy
Visit in the morning before vendors crowd the walkway and the midday heat peaks. Keep younger kids close near the skate park since the bowl area moves fast.
8. California Science Center and Endeavour
The California Science Center ranks among the best family activities in Los Angeles that most visitors overlook in favor of theme parks. The museum houses Space Shuttle Endeavour, one of only four retired orbiters in the world, and it’s displayed vertically in a dedicated pavilion that puts the full scale of the spacecraft directly in front of you.
What you will do
Your family walks through hands-on exhibits covering ecosystems, human biology, and the physics of flight before reaching the Endeavour pavilion. Inside, you stand next to an actual orbiter that flew 25 missions to space, including trips to the International Space Station. The museum also runs an IMAX theater with educational films that run throughout the day, giving you an easy way to fill an extra hour.
The Endeavour in its vertical launch configuration is genuinely jaw-dropping for kids and adults alike.
Best ages and accessibility
The Science Center works well for kids aged 5 and up. Younger children enjoy the interactive stations throughout the main halls, while older kids engage more deeply with the aerospace and engineering displays. The entire facility is free to enter and fully wheelchair accessible, with elevators throughout each wing.
Time and cost
Plan on 2 to 3 hours to move through the main exhibits and the Endeavour pavilion. General museum admission is free, though IMAX tickets and the Endeavour Experience timed entry cost extra.
| Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| General museum admission | Free |
| Endeavour Experience | Timed entry fee |
| IMAX film | Additional cost |
Tips to make it easy
Book your Endeavour Experience timed entry online in advance since slots fill quickly on weekends. Bring snacks from outside since the on-site cafe lines move slowly during busy periods.
9. La Brea Tar Pits and museum
The La Brea Tar Pits sit in the middle of Hancock Park in the Miracle Mile district, which makes them one of the most genuinely surprising stops among the best family activities in Los Angeles. Active asphalt seeps still bubble up from the ground today, in the same spot where prehistoric animals got trapped thousands of years ago. The combination of outdoor spectacle and indoor science gives your family two distinct experiences in one visit.
What you will do
Your family walks around outdoor observation pits where you can watch actual tar bubble up from the surface, then heads inside the George C. Page Museum to see the fossils pulled from those same pits. The museum displays saber-toothed cats, mammoths, and dire wolves recovered directly from the site, and researchers still work on-site in a glass-walled lab where kids can watch active fossil cleaning in real time.
Watching scientists work through a glass wall gives kids a direct look at how paleontology actually happens, not just the finished results.
Best ages and accessibility
This spot works well for kids aged 5 and up, though younger children enjoy the outdoor pits on a purely sensory level. The museum is fully wheelchair accessible, and the paved paths around the outdoor grounds handle strollers without any issues.
Time and cost
Plan on 1.5 to 2 hours for the museum and outdoor grounds. Admission runs approximately $10 for adults and $6 for children.
| Ticket | Approx. cost |
|---|---|
| Adults | ~$10 |
| Children (3-12) | ~$6 |
| Under 3 | Free |
Tips to make it easy
Visit on a weekday morning to avoid school group crowds. Wear closed-toe shoes since the paths near the active seeps can get sticky during warm weather.
10. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County sits in Exposition Park, directly next to the California Science Center, which makes it easy to pair both on a single outing. It consistently ranks among the best family activities in Los Angeles because it covers an enormous range of subjects under one roof, from ancient dinosaur fossils to live insect specimens, without overwhelming younger visitors.
What you will do
Your family moves through permanent halls featuring T. rex specimens, a full African mammal diorama, and the Gem and Mineral Hall, which houses some of the largest gemstones on public display in the western United States. The museum also runs a seasonal Nature Gardens area outside, where kids can handle live insects and explore a native plant habitat.
The dinosaur hall features three T. rex growth stages displayed together, which gives kids a rare side-by-side size comparison that most natural history museums don’t offer.
Best ages and accessibility
This museum works well for kids aged 4 and up. Younger children respond strongly to the large animal dioramas and the hands-on Discovery Center, where staff set out specimens children can actually touch. The building is fully wheelchair accessible, with elevators connecting all floor levels.
Time and cost
Plan on 2 to 3 hours for a thorough visit. Admission runs approximately $15 for adults and $7 for children.
| Ticket | Approx. cost |
|---|---|
| Adults | ~$15 |
| Children (3-12) | ~$7 |
| Under 3 | Free |
Tips to make it easy
Visit on a Thursday evening when the museum offers extended hours and smaller crowds. Check the website ahead of time since the Nature Gardens run seasonally and close during winter months.
11. Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach
The Aquarium of the Pacific sits about 30 miles south of downtown Los Angeles in Long Beach and belongs on any list of the best family activities in Los Angeles region. The facility holds over 11,000 animals across three major galleries, and the scale of the main exhibits genuinely impresses kids and adults in equal measure.
What you will do
Your family moves through three themed galleries covering the sunny, warm waters of Southern California and Baja, the deeper waters of the Northern Pacific, and the tropical ecosystems of the Pacific’s outer regions. Highlights include an open-air shark lagoon where kids can touch a live shark, a lorikeet forest where the birds land directly on visitors, and a large sea otter habitat that draws crowds at every feeding time.
The shark lagoon touchpool is one of those rare hands-on experiences that sticks with kids long after the visit ends.
Best ages and accessibility
This aquarium works well for kids of all ages. Toddlers respond immediately to the bright fish tanks and the touch stations scattered throughout each gallery. Older children engage more with the deeper dives into marine biology and conservation topics covered in the exhibits. The entire facility is wheelchair and stroller accessible.
Time and cost
Plan on 2 to 3 hours to move through the main galleries comfortably. Admission runs approximately $37 for adults and $27 for children.
| Ticket | Approx. cost |
|---|---|
| Adults | ~$37 |
| Children (3-11) | ~$27 |
| Under 3 | Free |
Tips to make it easy
Check the daily feeding schedule on the aquarium’s website before you arrive and build your visit around the sea otter and shark feedings. Arriving at opening time on weekends keeps you ahead of the school group rush that typically builds by mid-morning.
12. Whale and dolphin watching cruise
A whale watching cruise off the Southern California coast rounds out the best family activities in Los Angeles with something most visitors never think to book. The waters off Long Beach and San Pedro sit on active migration routes for blue whales, gray whales, and humpbacks, and dolphin sightings happen on nearly every departure.
What you will do
Your group boards a narrated boat tour that heads out into the open Pacific, guided by a naturalist who explains what you’re seeing as it happens. Common sightings include bottlenose dolphins, Pacific white-sided dolphins, and sea lions, in addition to seasonal whale activity. Most boats carry binoculars for guest use, and the crew positions the vessel to give everyone a clear view without disturbing the animals.
Blue whale season runs roughly from June through October, which makes summer trips particularly rewarding for families.
Best ages and accessibility
Whale watching works well for kids aged 5 and up who can handle open water movement. Younger children may struggle with motion sickness on choppier days, so check the forecast and pack seasickness remedies if your family is prone to it. Most vessels have indoor seating areas and accessible boarding ramps.
Time and cost
Most tours run 2.5 to 3.5 hours and depart from Long Beach or San Pedro. Tickets typically cost $35 to $55 per adult and $25 to $35 for children.
| Ticket | Approx. cost |
|---|---|
| Adults | $35-$55 |
| Children | $25-$35 |
Tips to make it easy
Book morning departures when seas tend to be calmer. Bring layers since the ocean temperature drops noticeably once you clear the harbor.
Plan your LA family day
Los Angeles rewards families who plan ahead rather than winging it. The best family activities in Los Angeles span the entire city and surrounding region, so mixing a few of these options into a logical geographic cluster saves your group time and energy. Pair the California Science Center with the Natural History Museum since they sit next to each other. Combine Santa Monica Pier with the coastal bike path for a single beach-focused day. Stack Griffith Park and the Observatory into a morning before heading to a museum in the afternoon.
Your family doesn’t need to do everything on this list to have a great trip. Pick three or four activities that match your kids’ ages and interests, then build the rest of your days around those anchors. If you want a knowledgeable local to handle the planning and narration, book a private Los Angeles tour and let an expert guide show your family the city properly.
