Los Angeles is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the United States.
If you’re planning a family vacation to Los Angeles and are ready to plan your itinerary, you should know some of the most fun things to do with kids in Los Angeles, ensuring that it will be a vacation your children never forget.
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Things to Do in Los Angeles With Kids
#1 Wildlife Learning Center
If your kids love animals, you must take them to the Wildlife Learning Center.
The park is in an old olive grove in San Fernando Valley, a short drive from Los Angeles.
The park is home to over 100 displaced, rescued, and zoo-born animals, and your kids will love seeing and learning about them.
Your kids will see many animals they may not have a chance to see anywhere else, such as servals, the Canada lynx, bobcats, the North American porcupine, melanistic red fox, gray fox, two-toes sloth, fennec fox, and the African pygmy hedgehog.
They can also see squirrel monkeys, marmosets, ring-tailed lemurs, and various species of birds and reptiles.
This is a wonderful place for all animal lovers.
#2 Bob Baker Marionette Theater
If you have younger kids and they love puppets, you should take them to the Bob Baker Marionette Theater.
This is the longest-running marionette theater company in the United States and has entertained families since 1963.
Your kids will love watching the marionettes come alive.
The theater has different shows beginning all the time, and you can check out the event calendar on the theater’s website to see what shows will be playing during your visit.
The shows are interactive, and your kids will love feeling like they’re part of the production.
After the show, your kids will get free ice cream, and other snacks are available.
#3 Moonlight Rollerway
Rollerskating is a great way to spend time with your family, and the best place to go skating is at the Moonlight Rollerway.
The building was initially built to make airplane parts, and it was turned into a skating rink in 1956.
In the late 60s, the rink changed hands and has been owned by the same person every since.
The floor your family will skate on is the original maple flooring installed in 1956, and your family will have a blast.
If your family isn’t the best skaters, you can take a class before you attend a skate session, and your kids can take what they learned to the roller rinks in your hometown.
The rink has a snack bar offering meals, snacks, and drinks, making the Moonlight Rollerway an excellent place to spend an afternoon.
#4 The Los Angeles Zoo
The Los Angeles Zoo is a great place to take your children during your LA vacation.
The zoo is tucked in the hills of Griffith Park and spans over 133 acres.
Your kids will love seeing the zoo’s animals in their enclosures, similar to their natural habitat, and the Zoo Friday Nights Presented by LA Care shouldn’t be missed.
This summer night event allows your family to see the animals get up during the twilight hours.
There are also musical performances, a family dance party, and games during the event.
Also, your kids can use the interactive educational stations, ride the carousel, and enjoy many tasty treats.
Your kids will always remember their evening at the zoo.
#5 Aquarium of the Pacific
Sea creatures are amazing, and the Aquarium of the Pacific gives your family a chance to see these creatures up close and personally.
There are plenty of exhibits for your family to enjoy, and the most popular exhibits include:
- Coral reefs: Your family can explore the beauty of the coral reefs while watching the creatures who live there. The exhibit has smaller sections so your kids can see their favorite coral reef dwellers and learn more about them.
- Pacific Visions: This exhibit is in a glass building, and your family can experience a state-of-the-art immersive theater. Your family can view interactive art installations and engage in several multimedia displays.
- Shark Lagoon: The exhibit features many species of sharks and sharks of all sizes. Your kids can touch some of the sharks, and there are others they can’t for their safety. When your kids get close to the viewing window, they can see the sharks close up.
- June Keyes Penguin Habitat: The exhibit is home to 20 Magellanic Penguins, and your kids can get into the crawl-in spaces to feel like they are also a penguin in the exhibit. The exhibit also contains panels with interactive touch screens so your kids can learn more about these animals.
- Shark and Ray Touch Pool: This exhibit is home to many harmless sharks and rays, and your kids can reach into the pool, touch the sea creatures, and learn everything about them.
The aquarium is a great place to take your kids because they’ll have a great time and will learn a lot about the creatures that live under the sea.
#6 Disneyland Resort
This is one of the most popular attractions in Los Angeles, and if your family has never been to Disney, it will be a real treat.
The park is made up of two main parks.
The first is Disneyland, which has been around for nearly 70 years, and the newer Disney California Adventure.
There are many rides for older children, and the most popular are the Marvel-themed Adventure Campus and Star Wars: themed Galaxy’s Edge.
If you’re vacationing with younger children, they will love the slower, more gentle rides, and they can meet their favorite Disney characters, such as Buzz Lightyear, Ariel, and Peter Pan.
This year, 2023, is a great time to visit Disneyland Resort because they are celebrating 100 Years of Disney with special events and shows.
If you plan to spend multiple days at the Disneyland Resort, you can stay in the park, making it easier and faster to get there.
#7 Universal Studios Hollywood
You can’t take your kids without visiting Universal Studios Los Angeles.
There are many attractions for your family, and it will be a trip your kids will never forget.
The most popular attractions include:
- Super Nintendo World: This is one of the park’s most popular attractions. It takes you into the world of Super Mario, where you can experience many things. Mario Kart Browser’s Challenge is a virtual reality ride allowing you to battle Team Browser with Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach. You can also collect digital coins and throw shells to win the Golden Cup. This ride uses cutting-edge technology to entertain your children. After the ride, your family can get something to eat at the Toadstool Cafe.
- Fast & Furious Supercharged: This attraction allows your kids to ride around with the Fast & Furious crew on a high-speed chase that exceeds 120 miles per hour. Thanks to the hyperrealistic special features, they will be fully immersed in the ride, using 3D-HD images projected on 360-degree screens. The length of the attraction is 809 feet, which is longer than two football fields from end to end.
- Jurassic World: The Ride: This is one of Universal’s most popular rides and brings your family into Jurassic World. Your family will experience the same things the characters in the movie did, and you will feel like you are really on Isla Nublar. You can also watch the fight between the Indominus Rex and the T-Rex. The ride also includes a relaxing boat ride that lets you see life-size dinosaurs close up. If your family loves Jurassic Park movies, you can’t skip this attraction during your vacation to Los Angeles.
Coloring Pages
Going to Los Angeles with the kids?
Get our Free Los Angeles Coloring Pages for Download (Printable PDF)
Los Angeles Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Los Angeles Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: HIGH
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of your for a family vacation to Los Angeles?
Springtime is the best time to take your family on vacation to Los Angeles.
The high temperatures during March and April are in the low 70s, so your family can have a good time without getting overheated.
The last week of March and Easter week tend to be busier than other spring weeks, so if you want to avoid the crowds, avoid these weeks.
Is Los Angeles a safe place for a family vacation?
Yes, Los Angeles is a safe place to visit.
Some people believe Los Angeles can be dangerous based on shows they’ve seen on TV, but it’s safer than you think.
Los Angeles is the 18th safest city among the top 60 cities worldwide.
As long as you do some research and find a hotel in a safe neighborhood, your family will have a great time while remaining safe.
Are there any things I should avoid during my Los Angles family vacation?
Yes, there are a few things to watch out for during your visit, including:
- Read the traffic signs carefully: There are plenty of LA parking rules, and the signs can be confusing. Read the signs carefully if you don’t want to spend a significant chunk of your vacation budget on a parking fine.
- Avoid star home tours: Star home tours are a waste of money. Many celebrities don’t live in Hollywood or Beverly Hills, and those who do care significantly about their privacy and the high gates and fences will prevent you from seeing their homes.
- Don’t rely on public transportation: You shouldn’t rely on public transportation to get around during your vacation. You can’t hail a cab as easily as you can in New York, and the buses may not go to some of the attractions you plan to visit. You’ll have more control over what you do and when by renting a car, and if this isn’t possible, Uber and Lyft are the best options.
Will traffic be an issue?
LA traffic isn’t a myth, and it can take hours to drive ten or 15 miles at certain times of the day.
If you don’t want to spend most of your family vacation in traffic, avoid driving on the highway between 8 and 10 am and 3 to 6 pm.
Weekend traffic can be brutal, but it doesn’t pick up until 10 am.
If you plan to drive somewhere on the weekend, start early.
