Updated for 2024
Get ready to make some amazing memories with your little one! Los Angeles is like a playground for toddlers, bursting with exciting places to explore. Whether your toddler likes splashing in the waves, meeting friendly animals, or discovering hands-on exhibits, this guide unlocks some of the best spots for you and your toddler to play, learn, and have fun.
33 Ideas for Toddler Fun all Over Southern California
Aidan’s Place Playground in Westwood
1350 S. Sepulveda, Los Angeles, CA 90024
This recently renovated, inclusive and accessible playground has so many fun structures for children of all ages and abilities. Aidan’s playground is a westside favorite and is surrounded by a ton of open play grass fields for picnics, birthdays, and sports leagues! The Westwood Recreation is also on site if you are interested in enrolling your little one in a league or swim team. See their site for more details!
Related: Check out all the amazing parks and recreation centers in Los Angeles!
The Americana at Brand
889 Americana Way, Glendale 91210
The fountain is the main attraction at the Americana; it was designed by the same company who built the Bellagio fountain in Las Vegas. Every hour on the hour the water dances along with the music and it’s a treat to watch with kids. You can picnic on the lawn or enjoy a sweet treat with the littles, like macaroons or cupcakes for purchase from one of the shops. Another perk of the Americana is the family restrooms and nursing areas. These are a major plus if you need to manage kids, diapers, nursing, and some quiet time. The nursing areas include diaper changing stations (with diapers AND wipes!) and curtains for privacy. They are always well maintained and clean and oh so helpful for the juggling mama!
Aquarium of the Pacific
100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
Come discover your love of ocean life, science and fun at the Long Beach Aquarium. Little ones can view and learn about different sea creatures, put animals in the interactive exhibits, or play in one of their many kids areas throughout the aquarium.
Related: Our Guide to the Aquarium of the Pacific
The Autry Museum – and Lawn
4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles 90027
The Autry has a new Family Play Space that’s terrific for families with young kids, as well as the rest of their extensive collection. But there’s also a bonus: the enormous lawn right next to the Autry is a great spot to picnic and let the kids run around. Bring a packed lunch, balls, a kite, and even a scooter or tricycle and you can easily spend a couple of hours. One thing to note is that there is no restroom without also paying for entry to the Autry Museum.
Related: Guide to the Autry Museum
Beach Time
Kids can play in the sand and at the edge of the water for hours, and here in Southern California they can do it almost every day of the year. You can pack a picnic, plenty of sunblock, maybe an umbrella or beach tent for shade, and you’re all set for a day of fun with a toddler. Bring a pail and shovel for building a sandcastle, let them chase seagulls, look for seashells, and of course, touch their toes in the waves breaking on shore. Endless fun.
Bob Baker Marionette Theater
4949 York Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90042
Marionette theaters are not a thing of the past! The Bob Baker Marionette Theater does a wonderful job of bringing something from the past into the present while telling stories full of imagination, creativity and inclusivity. Check out their website for upcoming shows!
California Science Center
700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90037
Come and explore CSC’s engaging exhibits for all ages. Learn about various eco systems, air & space, discovery rooms, botanical gardens, and more! CSC’s permanent galleries are free and do not require admissions but their IMAX Theater and Special Exhibits require tickets. More information about tickets and parking is on their website.
Cayton Museum
395 Santa Monica Place, #374, Santa Monica, CA 90401
The Cayton Museum is 21,000 square feet of play and discovery for kids. Kids can pretend play, climb on play structures, interact with VR technology, participate in water and bubble play, create an art project, or play on one of the other many interactive stations.
Descanso Gardens
1418 Descanso Drive La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
A living botanical garden and museum, Descanso Gardens is a beautiful and interactive place for families. Visit their 150-acre lush grounds and gardens and see their website for their annual holiday events, like their enchanted gardens.
Eco Station
10101 Jefferson Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90232
Eco Station is an “environmental science children’s museum” environmental science museum, an exotic wildlife rescue center, and a haven for endangered and illegally-trafficked exotic animals confiscated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.” One of the coolest parts of the museum for kids is being able to touch some of the animals that have been rescued. Guided tours can be 45-60 minutes and pets can only be seen during one of those tours. Visit their website to make an appointment and learn more.
Fern Dell Trail and Playground
Griffith Park, 2333 Fern Dell, Los Angeles, CA 90027
This is a beautiful little trail with a stream and bridges, just down the way from the Griffith Observatory. It’s easily walkable with toddlers, but we don’t recommend a stroller. It only takes about 20 minutes or so to walk to the end and back and there are tons of trees that create plenty of shade along the way. Once you are done with the trail you can make your way to the playground that sits on the base of the hike up to the Griffith Observatory. There’s parking near the Trails Café which is a perfect middle spot between the trail and the playground, which is also a nice place for a snack.
Related: Family-Friendly Hikes in Los Angeles
Getty / Getty Villa
1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049
17985 Pacific Coast Hwy, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
The Getty and Getty Villa museums are two free venues that will be fun to visit for the whole family. Both are adult museums with gorgeous grounds, architecture, unique artwork, sculptures and manuscripts. But each also have areas for kids to create, interact with art, and places to get their wiggles out. If you’re interested in something that can stimulate your adult mind, but also keep your little one just as entertained, check out these two museums!
Griffith Park Playground
4730 Crystal Springs Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90027
Pair a visit with the train ride (above) with a trip to “Shane’s Inspiration” playground. This newly updated play structure is inclusive/accessible, has structures for both younger and older kids, and has a fun road layout for kids on their scooters/bikes. Other amazing amenities for families: Bathrooms, benches, tables, lots of shaded areas, food carts, parking, and open fields for birthdays and open play.
The Grove / The Original Farmers Market
6333 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles 90036
The Grove is a great place to walk around for a bit. You can stop and see the dancing fountain, take a ride on the trolley, and check out the Original Farmers Market. There you’ll be able to take in sights and smells of all the food vendors and grab a table and enjoy a coffee while your kids enjoy a packed (or purchased) lunch. There are also two little fountains outside the entrance of the market that the kids may enjoy throwing pennies into.
Related: The Best Shopping Malls in Los Angeles
Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108
The Huntington Library is a beautiful estate for all ages to enjoy. The Huntington is a research and cultural center on 120-acres of gorgeous gardens. The cultural center has collections of rare books, manuscripts, rare art, and so much more. The gardens are split into 12 different themes and each are so lovely: Perfect for little ones to explore/run.
Kidspace Children’s Museum
480 N. Arroyo Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91103
Come visit an entire museum that is interactive and built for little ones to explore every curiosity and creative idea. There are exhibits for water play, muddy boot farm, los trompos, trike tracks, physics forest, indoor and outdoor play structures, insects, and so much more. Kidspace is a family favorite for all in Socal!
La Brea Tar Pits
5801 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
A child favorite, the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum is an excellent way to spend the day with your little ones of all ages. The natural history museum, showcases prehistoric and Ice Age animals and life. It’s such a fun way to visualize how life and the land were during that time period. The outdoor tar pits is on acres of land with sections of tar pits. There is also ample space for children to run around, ride scooters, picnic, and enjoy the perfect LA weather. See their site to see when they museum offers free admissions and events!
LACMA
5905 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036
LACMA is located in the center hub of Los Angeles and boasts gorgeous outdoor spaces, the most unique and celebrated art, art-making activities, fine & casual dining, lots of open play areas, and other beautiful collections inside and out. Visit the LACMA museum in the warmer months for their outdoor music nights and events.
Lake Hollywood Reservoir
Lake Hollywood Drive and Montlake Drive, Los Angeles 90068
Want to feel like you are in the forest and get a great workout in too? Lake Hollywood is great place to take the kids in the jogger stroller. The paved trail around the lake/reservoir is flat and is also good for scooters and bikes for the older kids too. Deer can be seen from inside the fenced area, and even along the paved path as well sometimes. If you want to go all the way around the loop of the lake, just be aware it’s 3.3 miles. Or you can walk to the bridge and get that perfect photo backdrop of the lake and the Hollywood sign, break for a snack, and then head back to your car. There is free street parking and a port- a -potty at the beginning of the path. No dogs are allowed here, but bicycles are so just keep an eye out as sometimes they can be going fast along the path.
Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens
301 N Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007
Come and see this 127-acre botanical garden and historic site. There are seasonal activities for both children and adults. The beauty and wonder that this botanical garden brings is a fun place for your little one to run around and enjoy.
Los Angeles Zoo
5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027
A Los Angeles favorite for all families, the LA Zoo is a landmark place to go with your little ones. Go see the silly orangutangs, the graceful giraffes, the magnificent elephants, and more. Visit their website for their current exhibit/children’s activity.
Malibu Creek State Park
1925 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas, CA 91302
Looking for a fun outdoor adventure? Look no further, Malibu Creek State Park is a fun and easy hike for families. On this trail you’ll be able to explore grasslands, meadows, a rock pool, creek, and trees. Pack a lunch and water for an impromptu picnic at the top.
Mother’s Beach in Marina del Rey
4101 Panay Way, Marina Del Rey, CA
Mother’s Beach is a fun, safe, and baby friendly. There is a shallow beach/lagoon area, a close by parking lot, a playground, restaurants, bathrooms and so many easy amenities for families.
Museum of Natural History
900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007
Have a dinosaur, butterfly or gem lover? Well the Natural History Museum is for you! Come see one of their many exhibits, diorama halls, natural gardens, or event programs (like First Fridays) for a special theme. More information about tickets and parking is on their website.
Noah’s Ark at the Skirball Cultural Center
2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90049
The Noah’s Ark exhibit is an interactive museum for both children and adults. Little ones can climb around the ark, play with the pretend animals, and mimic many of the daily activities that would have happened in an ark. Beyond just the exhibit, the Skirball Cultural Center has many other programs and sites for families. One favorite is the archeological dig on the weekends!
Related: Find the Great Indoor Playgrounds in Los Angeles
Park Time: LA City Parks and LA County Parks
The City of Los Angeles has literally hundreds of parks for us all to enjoy, and Los Angeles County and hundreds as well. Between these two agencies, there is no end to the fun your toddler can have. Getting pushed on the swings, climbing or sliding on a play structure, playing in the sand, running on the grass, riding a scooter or bike – parks are basically toddler fun zones. And they’re free to use! Most have picnic areas and bathrooms, and some have special amenities, like pools, adaptive play areas, golf courses, hiking trails, and more.
Pasadena Ice Skating Center
300 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91101
Looking for an activity that is not a children’s museum? Try Ice Skating! It’s a fun and different activity for your little one and can be a huge relief from the heat during the hotter LA months. Beginning skaters can use one of their assist walkers while they learn for stability and safety. See their site for hours and prices.
The Proud Bird Restaurant
11022 Aviation Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045
The Proud Bird is a restaurant with active aviation exhibits. It’s perfect to meet with friends, grab lunch and have something for all the little ones to explore together.
Santa Monica Pier
200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
One of Los Angeles’ most iconic destinations, the Santa Monica Pier is fun for everyone. Visit the gorgeous beach, ride one of the many rollercoasters, play traditional carnival games, ride the historic carousel, an aquarium and even pop into any of the many eateries. The pier itself also houses a bunch of fun shops and pockets of entertainment. During the summer months, the pier also hosts concerts and movie nights. Plan a visit for you family today!
Train Ride in Griffith Park
4400 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles
The Griffith Park Train Rides is a fun treat for our LA city kids! The ride decor changes with every holiday, making it a year round fun activity. Make a day of it at the park by riding the train, checking out the museum, and exploring the other nearby eateries/park spaces.
Travel Town Museum
5200 Zoo Drive, Griffith Park, Los Angeles 90027
Travel Town is a great spot to bring a picnic lunch and let your little railroad fans play. There are tables and grassy shaded areas so you can easily spend a couple of hours here. The kids can climb on a few of the old trains and there is an indoor museum with additional stagecoaches they can see up close as well. There is also a little train to ride for a small fee.
Related: 37 Kid-Friendly Museums in SoCal
Underwood Family Farms
3370 Sunset Valley Road, Moorpark, CA
A place for kids, school field trips, and holidays, Underwood Family Farms is a Socal favorite. Families can pick seasonal fruit/veggies, go on wagon rides, celebrate holidays (like Halloween), and/or enjoy the grounds with games, good food, play areas, and animals. If you haven’t been to Underwood, please book your ticket today!
Venice Canals
Between Venice Blvd and West Washington Blvd., and between Pacific Avenue and Ocean Avenue, Venice, Los Angeles 90291
Inspired by the canals in Venice, Italy, these waterways were constructed in the early 1900s by an enterprising developer named Abbot Kinney. And they remain a lovely place to take a stroll with your toddler. Kids can play in Canal Park, where there’s a play structure and sometimes there are ducks to feed, too.
MomsLA is your source for Things to do with Kids in Los Angeles
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