The Ultimate Guide to Kid-Friendly Fun from Your Favorite Los Angeles Travel Agency
Planning a family trip to Los Angeles can feel like trying to solve a giant, exciting puzzle. The city is a sprawling playground, filled with world-famous theme parks, incredible museums, and sunny beaches.
But where do you even begin?
As a premier Los Angeles travel agency, we specialize in turning overwhelming possibilities into perfectly planned family adventures. We’re here to give you an insider’s look at the absolute best things to do in L.A. with kids, ensuring your vacation is packed with fun and free of stress.
TL;DR: Your Quick Guide to Family Fun in L.A.
Los Angeles is an amazing destination for families. It offers everything from thrilling theme parks like Universal Studios and Disneyland to fascinating museums such as the California Science Center and La Brea Tar Pits. And for outdoor fun, you can't beat a day at the Santa Monica Pier or exploring the many activities in Griffith Park.
To make the most of your trip, it’s essential to plan your days geographically to minimize travel time in this sprawling city.
Thrills and Movie Magic: L.A.'s World-Famous Theme Parks
For many families, visiting L.A. means one thing: theme parks. This is where dreams come to life, and you can step right into the worlds you’ve seen on screen. Planning these big-ticket days can be complex, which is why so many families trust us to build their perfect custom family vacation itineraries.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood offers a unique combination of a theme park and a real, working movie studio. This means you get thrilling rides and a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at moviemaking.
The Studio Tour: This is a classic for a reason. Kids love seeing real film sets and experiencing special effects firsthand.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™: This immersive land is a must-visit for fans, letting you explore Hogsmeade and fly on a broomstick.
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™: This newer addition makes you feel like you’ve jumped directly into a video game, which is a huge hit with kids of all ages.
Disneyland Resort
No family guide to the L.A. area would be complete without Disneyland.
Located in nearby Anaheim, it remains the gold standard for magical family entertainment. From meeting beloved characters to riding classic attractions, the park creates core memories for every generation.
If you’ve got time, you can also head on over to Disney California Adventure Park, which is right next door. It offers its own unique set of thrills and stories.
Knott's Berry Farm
For a different flavor of theme park fun, I often recommend Knott's Berry Farm. It has a charming, old-school feel and offers a great mix of attractions. For younger children,
Camp Snoopy is an adorable, well-contained area with gentle rides. For older, more adventurous kids, the park is packed with thrilling roller coasters.
Six Flags Magic Mountain
If you have teenagers who are serious adrenaline junkies, Six Flags Magic Mountain is your destination. This park is famous for holding the world record for the most roller coasters in a single park, making it the ultimate destination for thrill-seekers.
Learn and Play: The Best Museums in Los Angeles for Kids
Los Angeles has a world-class museum scene, and many of the top institutions are incredibly kid-friendly. They offer a perfect (and often air-conditioned) break from the sun, and the best ones feel more like play than education.
California Science Center
The California Science Center is a masterclass in making science accessible and fun. The museum is packed with hands-on exhibits that let kids learn by doing. The biggest draw, without a doubt, is the
Space Shuttle Endeavour, which is awe-inspiring to see up close. Best of all, general admission is always free, though reservations are recommended. You can find more information on their current exhibits at the official California Science Center website.
Natural History Museum & La Brea Tar Pits
These two museums, located near each other in Exposition Park, offer an incredible journey into the past.
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County captivates kids with its massive Dinosaur Hall, featuring incredible skeletons of giants like the T-Rex. The Gem and Mineral Hall is another dazzling highlight.
The La Brea Tar Pits and Museum is one of the most unique places in the world—it’s an active, urban fossil dig site where scientists are constantly unearthing Ice Age fossils. Kids can watch paleontologists at work and see the bubbling tar pits right in the middle of a city park.
Kid-Focused Museums: Cayton and Kidspace
Some museums are built from the ground up just for children.
The Cayton Children's Museum in Santa Monica is designed for kids to learn entirely through play, with a huge variety of immersive exhibits and fun climbing structures.
The Kidspace Children's Museum in Pasadena focuses heavily on outdoor play and hands-on science exhibits. The Arroyo Adventure area is a standout feature where kids can explore and get their hands dirty. For more details on their interactive zones, you can visit the Kidspace Museum website.
Sun, Sand, and Outdoor Adventures
One of the best things about L.A. is the year-round sunshine, which makes it perfect for outdoor family fun.
Santa Monica Pier and Beach
A day at the Santa Monica Pier is a classic L.A. experience. The pier features a family-friendly amusement park with a solar-powered Ferris wheel, an aquarium, and plenty of places to eat. The beach itself is wide and sandy, with playgrounds and lots of space for kids to run around and build sandcastles.
Griffith Park: More Than Just Hiking
Griffith Park is a huge urban oasis offering a ton of family-friendly activities. It’s so much more than just a place to hike. You could easily spend a full day here exploring its many attractions.
The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens: Home to over 2,200 animals from all over the world, the L.A. Zoo is a fantastic destination for families. You can learn more about their animals and conservation efforts at the official L.A. Zoo website.
Pony Rides and a Miniature Train: These charming, old-fashioned attractions are a huge hit with younger children and offer a gentle way to see the park.
Shane's Inspiration: This playground, also located in Griffith Park, is a special place. It was the first universally accessible playground in the western U.S., thoughtfully designed so children of all abilities can play together.
Swan Boats at Echo Park Lake
For a peaceful and picturesque activity, we love recommending the swan pedal boats at Echo Park Lake. You can rent a swan-shaped boat and cruise around the lake, which offers beautiful views of the downtown L.A. skyline. It’s a relaxing and affordable way to spend an afternoon.
Pro Tips from a Los Angeles Travel Agency for Families
As a local travel agency, we know that a great family trip is all in the details. Here are our answers to some common questions about visiting L.A. with kids.
Q: What are the best free things to do in L.A. with kids? A: You don't have to break the bank to have fun in Los Angeles. Many of the best kid-friendly attractions are free! General admission is free at the California Science Center and the Griffith Observatory. You can also spend a day at the beach, explore the grounds of the La Brea Tar Pits, or enjoy one of the city's many fantastic playgrounds, like Shane's Inspiration in Griffith Park.
Q: Is Los Angeles easy to get around with kids? A: L.A. is a very spread-out city, and traffic is a real factor. For the most flexibility, renting a car is almost always the best option for families. My top tip is to plan your days geographically. Try to group activities that are in the same part of the city to minimize time spent in the car.
Q: Where can we eat with picky eaters? A: Finding food that everyone in the family will eat is easy in L.A. if you know where to look. I highly recommend visiting
Grand Central Market, a historic food hall in downtown L.A.. It has dozens of different food stalls, so everyone can pick exactly what they want. Theme parks and farmers markets are also great options with plenty of variety.
Let's Plan Your Family's L.A. Story
Los Angeles is an incredible family destination, offering a vibrant mix of entertainment, culture, and outdoor fun. From the magic of Disneyland to the wonder of seeing a real fossil dig, there are endless opportunities to create lasting memories with your kids.
But a great vacation shouldn't be stressful for the parents. Let us handle the details, like the reservations, the driving routes, the timed-entry tickets, so that you can focus on what really matters: enjoying every moment with your family.
Ready to give your family the ultimate L.A. adventure? Contact our team at Travel Savvy today, and let's start planning a trip you'll be talking about for years to come!