Los Angeles is a good city for kids, as long as you plan around distance and traffic. The best family days stay in one area: Griffith Park with the zoo and Travel Town, Exposition Park with two museums side by side, or a beach day with a pier. This guide picks fifteen things that work well with children, from free museums to the big theme parks, with hours and booking notes checked in October 2026.
In this guide
It is part of our family vacation in Los Angeles guide. For the grown-up version, see our main list of things to do in Los Angeles.
Family LA at a glance
- Best free day Griffith Observatory, Travel Town and the California Science Center
- Animals Los Angeles Zoo and Aquarium of the Pacific
- Big new opening Space Shuttle Endeavour’s new home opens November 13, 2026
- Beaches for small kids Mother’s Beach in Marina del Rey
- Theme parks Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood
- Holiday lights L.A. Zoo Lights, select nights from November 20, 2026
| Area | Kid-friendly stops | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Griffith Park | Zoo, Travel Town, Observatory | Zoo paid; Travel Town and Observatory free |
| Exposition Park | Science Center, Natural History Museum | Science Center galleries free; NHM paid |
| Long Beach | Aquarium of the Pacific | Paid |
| Santa Monica | Pier, beach, Pacific Park | Pier free; rides paid |
| Marina del Rey | Mother’s Beach | Free; parking paid |
| Universal City | Universal Studios Hollywood | Paid |
| Anaheim | Disneyland Resort | Paid |
Animals and sea life
1. Los Angeles Zoo
The zoo sits in Griffith Park and is open daily from 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 3:45pm. Animals start going back to their night areas at 4pm, so arrive early. Parking is free until further notice. The zoo strongly encourages date-specific tickets bought in advance. Children under 2 are free but still need a ticket. Read our Los Angeles Zoo guide for exhibits and tips.
2. Aquarium of the Pacific
In Long Beach, the aquarium has Shark Lagoon, the Lorikeet Forest where you can feed birds, a penguin habitat, sea otters and big tropical and northern Pacific galleries. It is open daily from 9am to 6pm, and reservations are required on weekends and holidays. Parking in the garage next door is $8 with validation. By Metro, take the A Line to Downtown Long Beach and walk about 11 minutes.
3. Roundhouse Aquarium
At the end of the Manhattan Beach Pier, this small aquarium is free. From October through March it opens weekdays 2pm to 5pm and weekends 10am to 5pm. It pairs well with a beach morning in the South Bay.
Museums kids like
4. California Science Center
The Science Center in Exposition Park has free general admission to its permanent galleries. The Space Shuttle Endeavour is off exhibit until its new home, the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, opens on November 13, 2026. The center is taking reservations now, so book ahead if the shuttle is the goal.
5. Natural History Museum
Next door, the Natural History Museum has dinosaur halls and a gem and mineral collection. It is paid, though LA County residents get in free on weekdays from 3pm to 5pm. It is closed on the first Tuesday of each month. Pair it with the Science Center for an easy day; the E Line’s Expo Park/USC station is close by.
6. Griffith Observatory
The observatory is free to enter, with telescopes, exhibits and views of the Hollywood Sign. Planetarium shows cost extra, and kids enjoy them. Go on a weekday or arrive early, since parking fills. The DASH Observatory bus runs up from the Vermont/Sunset B Line station. See our Griffith Observatory guide.
7. Petersen Automotive Museum
For kids who love cars, the Petersen on Museum Row has three floors of vehicles, including movie cars. It is open daily from 10am to 6pm. Read our best museums in Los Angeles list for more options.
Parks and outdoor fun
8. Travel Town
Travel Town in Griffith Park is a free outdoor museum of old trains, open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Kids can climb on some of the cars. Read our Griffith Park guide for the rest of the park.
9. Easy family hikes
The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook has 282 steps for older kids who like a challenge, and a road up for everyone else. Griffith Park has many shaded trails near Fern Dell. See our best hikes in Los Angeles for current trail status.
Beaches and piers
10. Santa Monica Pier
The pier is free to walk and has Pacific Park’s rides, an arcade and a small aquarium, with sand on both sides. The E Line ends a short walk away. See our Santa Monica Pier guide.
11. Mother’s Beach
Mother’s Beach in Marina del Rey has no waves, a playground, picnic tables, restrooms and showers. It is the easiest beach in LA for toddlers. See our best beaches in Los Angeles.
12. Tide pools
At low tide, Leo Carrillo State Park in Malibu has tide pools full of anemones and crabs. Check a tide table, and teach kids to look without touching. Our Malibu beaches guide has parking details.
Theme parks and big days out
13. Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal has Super Nintendo World, Minion Land, the Studio Tour and the Wizarding World. Check height limits for each ride first. Our Universal Studios Hollywood guide covers tickets and the Metro route.
14. Disneyland
Disneyland and California Adventure are in Anaheim, a train ride from Union Station. Every guest age 3 and up needs a ticket and a park reservation. Read our Disneyland guide before you book.
15. Catalina Island
For older kids, a ferry ride to Catalina Island makes a full day, with a glass-bottom boat and the beach in Avalon. See our Catalina Island day trip guide.
Seasonal extras
In winter, L.A. Zoo Lights runs on select evenings from November 20 through December 31, 2026, and January 1 to 10, 2027, with some dates closed. It is a separate ticket from daytime zoo entry. For more holiday ideas, read Christmas lights in Los Angeles.
Tips for families
Family travel tips
- Plan one area per day to cut time in the car.
- Use Metro for some trips. Kids under 6 ride free.
- Book timed tickets for weekends and holidays.
- Pack layers. Coastal mornings are cool even in summer.
- Bring sunscreen and water for outdoor days.
- Leave room for naps and downtime; LA days can get long.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free thing to do in LA with kids?
Griffith Observatory, Travel Town and the California Science Center’s permanent galleries are all free.
Is the LA Zoo worth it with small kids?
Yes, if you arrive early. It opens at 10am and animals start going in at 4pm.
What is the best beach for toddlers in LA?
Mother’s Beach in Marina del Rey, because it has no waves and a playground.
Do kids ride Metro free?
Children under 6 ride free with a paying adult, per LA Metro.
When can I see the Space Shuttle Endeavour again?
Its new home, the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, opens on November 13, 2026.
Official sources: Los Angeles Zoo FAQs; L.A. Zoo Lights; Aquarium of the Pacific prices and hours; Aquarium of the Pacific public transit; California Science Center; Natural History Museum; Griffith Observatory; Roundhouse Aquarium.
Photo credits
Featured image: Cayambe / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0