Los Angeles and its surrounding communities encompass hundreds of miles and millions of people. Each Los Angeles neighborhood has its own character and community. They also have a ton of fun things to do with kids that someone out of the neighborhood might not know about. Here you can find our guide for what to do in Los Angeles with kids by neighborhood or city. Check back because we’re often adding new areas. Please let us know if you don’t see your neighborhood represented or there’s a hidden gem we may not have found.
Make sure and visit our Guide to Los Angeles Parks.
Downtown Los Angeles
Downtown Los Angeles – Downtown Los Angeles is a great place to spend the day with family. Eat amazing food, tour a museum, play in a park or head to the library.
Chinatown – LA’s Chinatown is a popular tourist destination that is rich in history.
Boyle Heights – Stroll through Mariachi plaza, grab lunch at Homegirl Café or borrow a book at Libros Schmibros lending library.
Midcity
Mid-Wilshire – There are a ton of fun things to do in the Mid-Wilshire neighborhood including The Original Farmer’s Market and The Grove, Pan Pacific Park and Museum Row!
Larchmont – Larchmont might be in the middle of a sprawling city, but it can feel like a small town. There’s great shopping, fun places to eat and fun for the kids.
Koreatown – Kids and parents will have a lot to do in Koreatown. There’s shopping, bowling, culture and more.
Westside
Culver City – Culver City, the home of Sony Pictures Studios, has so much to offer families for a fun day out including wild animals at STAR Eco Station, an epic stair hike, bike trails, parks and more.
Sawtelle Japantown – If you’re looking for great food – from sushi to noodles to shave ice – look no further than Sawtelle Japantown. Also find many fun things for kids.
Mar Vista – The Mar Vista neighborhood is like a small town and you’ll find lots of activities here for the whole family. Activities include bowling, playing in the park and strolling down the Venice Blvd. shops.
Pacific Palisades – There’s not a bad view in the beautiful Pacific Palisades neighborhood. Families can hike, bike, go the beach, get lunch and visit a museum.
Santa Monica – The beachside city of Santa Monica has it all – beautiful beaches, a historic and picturesque pier, shopping, food and fun.
Beverly Hills – Beverly Hills isn’t just for the rich and famous. There is plenty to do here with kids including riding the trolley, visiting a witch’s house and hanging out at the library.
Westwood Village – Westwood Village is hope to the UCLA campus, but there’s also a lot to do there with families.
Cheviot Hills/Rancho Park – You’ll find great places to take kids in this westside neighborhood including the world famous Apple Pan restaurant, a great bookstore for kids, parks and libraries.
Brentwood – The Brentwood neighborhood is home to The Getty and the Skirball Cultural Center. It’s also home to many restaurants and shops and parks.
Los Angeles International Airport – It’s a city unto itself with food restaurants and great people watching. Find out what there is to do with kids while you wait for your flight.
Malibu – There’s more to Malibu than beaches!
Marina Del Rey – Rent paddle boards, charter a boat, visit a park or sit with the kids in Mother’s Beach in Marina Del Rey.
Venice – According to the Venice Chamber of Commerce, Venice Beach is the second largest tourist attraction in Southern California after Disneyland. Find out what else there is to in the beach community.
West Hollywood – West Hollywood is a bustling area with a lot to do including a visit to the Pacific Design Center and Book Soup.
Eastside
Hollywood – There is so much to do in Hollywood with kids including visiting Hollywood museums, going shopping, seeing a show and eating at one of the many interesting restaurants.
Eagle Rock – You’ll find a lot of fun for families in Eagle Rock including fun parks and libraries.
Los Feliz – Biking, books, swimming and art can all be found in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Silver Lake – This sweet Los Angeles neighborhood has a lot of fun things to do including libraries, parks and great coffee shops.
Highland Park – Fun shops, good food and cool things to do like visiting the Los Angeles Police Museum.
Pasadena – Pasadena is northeast of downtown Los Angeles and is home to the Rose Bowl, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Huntington Library.
Griffith Park – Griffith Park is more than 4,000 acres and is home to the Los Angeles Zoo, The Autry Museum of the American West and the Griffith Observatory.
Glendale – The city of Glendale has malls, parks and tons of family fun.
Burbank – Burbank is home to movie studios, museums and great outdoor fun.
South Los Angeles
Inglewood – Inglewood is booming right now and once the new pro football stadium is completed, there will be even more to do in this city near LAX.
Leimert Park – You’ll find tons to do in the historic community of Leimert Park including a monthly Art Walk and the popular Kiddie City.
The Valley
Agoura Hills – Families can go hiking on an old movie set, go horseback riding and explore artistic treasures in Agoura Hills.
Sherman Oaks – Play mini-golf, hang out at the mall or introduce your kids to records! There are fun things happening in Sherman Oaks.
Toluca Lake – Find great family-friendly things to do in Toluca Lake including spending a day in nearby Universal Studios and Universal City Walk.
Chatsworth – You’ll find a lot of great outdoor activities in Chatsworth like exploring boulders and caves, playing the park and riding horses.
Encino – Stroll through shops, visit a community garden and explore a state historic park.
North Hollywood – There are theatres, galleries, parks and more in the community of North Hollywood.
Studio City – Walk on along the LA River, visit a park or do one of the many family-friendly activities in Studio City.
Sylmar – Families will find lots to do in Sylmar including go-karting, discovering nature and visiting museums.
Thousand Oaks – There are so many things to do with kids in Thousand Oaks. Families can visit the Gardens of the World, The Chumash Indian Museum and enjoy the Conejo Valley’s annual festival.
Topanga – If your family loves the outdoors, than Topanga is for you! Hike, explore and enjoy art and outdoor theatre.
Woodland Hills – Bowl, play and shop in the the Woodland Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Southbay
Long Beach – Visit the Aquarium of the Pacific, take a tour of the Queen Mary or ride along the bike path in the coastal city of Long Beach.
Hermosa Beach – Enjoy the beautiful beaches, take an art class or hang out at the pier in Hermosa Beach.
Manhattan Beach – Manhattan Beach has so much to do! Play at the beach, stroll around the farmers market or do a little shopping.
Torrance – Visit an aircraft or car museum, go to the park or have a snack at the King’s Hawaiian Bakery in Torrance
El Segundo – There are plenty of fun things to do with kids in El Segundo like golfing at The Lakes, visiting the Mattel Toy Store and seeing a vintage movie.
Inland Empire/San Gabriel Valley
