Updated for 2023
By now you may have noticed the billboards and advertisements around Los Angeles. The popularity of immersive experiences just keeps growing! And since there are so many different events to choose from, you’re bound to find one — or most likely, more than one — that your family can agree on seeing.
There are currently some amazing Family-Friendly Immersive experiences happening (or have recently happened) in Los Angeles! Scroll down to learn more about:
- The Dr. Seuss Experience
- Astra Lumina
- Immersive Van Gogh
- The Friends Experience
- Dinos Alive
- Bubble World
- Titanic: The Exhibition
- Neon WRLD OC
- and more!
What is an Immersive Experience?
The idea of an immersive experience is that you’re surrounded by images and sounds of the experience theme you’ve chosen. Some are based on famous painters, and the rooms are filled with projections of their art, oversized, and all around you as you walk through them. Sound designers have also collaborated so that more of your senses will be filled during the experience.
Part of what makes the experience unique is the fact that they’re usually set in an enormous space, sometimes in a warehouse, so that the size can really make an impact. And that also helps with social distancing and keeping the crowds smaller.
Are Immersive Events Family Friendly?
Most immersive experiences are family friendly. However, not every child will enjoy being inside a space that’s filled with images and sounds, so in that case, the experience may not be as enjoyable for your family. You know your children best, so read the descriptions below before deciding if you want to buy tickets.
Some immersive experience themes are more family-friendly than others; for example, we think the Dinos Alive experience in our list is likely to be a big hit with most kids, whereas the Monet exhibit may not appeal to some kids. The Dinos Alive Immersive Experience even includes an interactive section, meant for kids. Certainly, there are some immersive experiences meant for adults, but all of the experiences on this list are family friendly.
Most immersive experiences don’t require walking for too long, which helps make it more fun for a family, especially with toddlers, who aren’t up for a lot of walking. However, there are rules about not running around within the experience, which may be a challenge for some kids, so bear that in mind.
The Best Immersive Experiences in Southern California
The Dr. Seuss Experience
395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica, 90401
This Seuss-tacular sensory spectacle takes you on an awe-inspiring journey through nine different Dr. Seuss books, for a chance to magically step into the pages and interact with its iconic characters. Imagine your family’s favorite Dr. Seuss stories coming to life! The Dr. Seuss Experience is coming to LA (at Santa Monica Place) and you do not want to miss it! Get tickets now with our affiliate link and get ready to have a ball!
Astra Lumina
South Coast Botanic Garden: 26300 Crenshaw Blvd, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
Experience a visit from the stars through projections, lighting and music. The Queens Botanical Garden will be transformed into an immersive outdoor, multimedia enchanted world that awakens the imagination. Inside the experience, guests will be guided on an illuminated nature pathway with a photo booth, gift shop, and food and beverage options available for purchase at the end. Runs from November 9, 2023 – January 1, 2024. Get tickets with our affiliate link.
Parents – please note this message from the creators of the event: After listening to customers’ feedback last year, the team now allows strollers along the path and also allows parents the option of leaving their stroller at the start of the path at a dedicated stroller parking area. Additionally, they’ve made adjustments on the show path in certain areas that were muddy and wet, by either upgrades from the garden or moving zone locations.
Bubble World Immersive Experience
1345 N. Montebello Boulevard, Montebello 90640
Wander through multiple rooms filled with Bubbles and bubble-themed photo-worthy experiences. Adults and kids are loving it, with reviews calling it relaxing, fun, and delightful. Play in a giant ball pit, feel yourself floating through the pastel lighting, and enjoy. We’ve been to this one a couple of times and it’s super fun! The best part is that you see kids and grown-ups playing together! Everyone gets in on the fun. Get tickets now before it sells out with our affiliate link.
Dinos Alive: Immersive Experience
1345 N. Montebello Blvd., Montebello, CA 90640
Use our special affiliate link to buy tickets!
If you have dinosaur fans in the family, you have to make plans to experience Dinos Alive: An Immersive Experience. As you wander through, you’ll “meet over 80 life-sized specimens from both famous and lesser-known species such as the T-Rex, Stegosaurus, Velociraptor, and Suchomimus.”
Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience
1345 N. Montebello Boulevard, Montebello, California, CA 90640
Back by popular demand! Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is a 360º digital art exhibition in Los Angeles that invites you to step into the universe of the Dutch genius, Vincent van Gogh. This is a really cool show because it’s not only immersive, it’s filled with art history and information about the artist. There’s a lot to see and even some interactive coloring you and your kids can do. If you like, you can also do the VR experience. The projections are delightful – we highly recommend! Get tickets with our affiliate link.
Side Note:
If you’re ever traveling to Holland and want to see the actual Van Gogh paintings, check out these insider tips for visiting the Van Gogh Museum.
Titanic – The Exhibition
4327 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, 90004
Are you a fan of the famous disaster at sea – the Titanic? This exhibit includes plenty of history about the ship, the passengers, what happened to it to make it sink, and how it was discovered on the ocean floor many years later. See over 300 artifacts from the Titanic and its sister ships’ survivors, brought with them on their journey. Explore the immersive Discovery Gallery with its raised glass floor and see what discovery teams saw during dives to Titanic’s wreck site. VIP tickets include priority entry and a photo print. Note that this exhibit may not appeal to young kids. Use our affiliate link.
Grab a copy of our Book: Los Angeles with Kids!
Looking for Fun Things to do with Kids in LA? You’ll love this book! This handy-dandy, portable paperback book is packed full of ideas for FUN all over SoCal! Keep it in the car, your purse, your diaper bag – and be ready for fun anytime, anywhere!
Wisdome LA
1147 Palmetto St., Los Angeles, CA 90013
Enter into the world of LA’s first and largest art and music immersive dome park where you can experience a surreal journey in time, space, art, and the universe! Check their website for current showtimes and ticket prices. Don’t forget to check out the Mystic Universe Plus Events!
MomsLA is your source for Things to do with Kids in Los Angeles
Disclaimer: MomsLA has made every effort to confirm the information in this article; however, things can often change. Therefore, MomsLA makes no representations or warranties about the accuracy of the information published here. MomsLA strongly urges you to confirm any event details, like date, time, location, and admission, with the third party hosting the event. You assume the sole risk of relying on any of the information in our list. MomsLA is in no way responsible for any injuries or damages you sustain while attending any third-party event posted on our website. Please read our Terms of Use which you have agreed to based on your continued use of this website. Some events have paid to be listed on MomsLA.
Wendy Kennar is a mother, writer, and former teacher who has lived her entire life in the same Los Angeles zip code. You can read more from Wendy at her website WendyKennar.com where she writes about books, boys, and bodies (living with an invisible disability).
