Los Angeles is a city that’s filled with a wide variety of activities for adults and kids alike. With such great weather, it’s the perfect place to spend time with the kids outdoors, but on those occasional rainy days, there are just as many great things to do indoors as well. Whether you’re a resident or tourist, there are plenty of places to have fun with the kids any time of year.
1. SPEEDZONE
Speedzone is located in the City of Industry and is the perfect place for kids who love action. After all, what kid doesn’t like go karts? There are different races for different ages so all the little speed demons can have fun. Luckily for the parents, there are courses where the whole family can ride together. There is also an arcade, miniature golf and bowling. Plenty of food is available and Speedzone offers special promotions all year round. It’s also a great place for kids birthday parties.
2. RIPLEY’S BELIEVE IT OR NOT MUSEUM
Located on Hollywood Boulevard’s Walk of Fame, Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum is a wildly popular attraction in the city. Filled with a huge array of oddities and interesting artifacts, you can take your time on a self-guided tour and marvel at pieces from all over the world. With two floors dedicated to weird class family fun, it’s definitely a place that will capture the attention of both kids and adults. You won’t see an elephant with two trunks anywhere else in the world!
3. LOS ANGELES ZOO
The Los Angeles Zoo is definitely one of the best activities for kids in the city. Not only because of the amazing displays of animals from all over the world, but also because of the educational opportunities. There are classes for kids, zoo camp and even zoo overnights; an all-night, indoor experience including interactive activities, a pizza feast and beastly bedtime stories. If your kids like animals, this is the place to be.
4. DISNEYLAND
No list of great activities for kids would be complete without Disneyland! It’s considered the ultimate in kids entertainment because of the amazing rides, experiences and Disney movie-themed attractions. The Pirates of the Caribbean, Toy Story Mania and It’s a Small World are just a few of the popular attractions at Disneyland. With a variety of places to choose from, shopping for Disney memorabilia and eating delicious food are two more fun activities to enjoy while roaming the park. Many other forms of entertainment make for an exciting experience including live shows, fireworks and parades, earning it the well deserved title as “The Happiest Place on Earth.”
5. STAR ECO STATION
Located in Culver City, the Star Eco Station is an environmental science museum, where kids can learn about animals and the environment all in one place. Kids have the opportunity to interact with exotic wildlife and learn about endangered animals and the protection of different species. There are daily tours and exhibits, and the museum also offers party packages for kids to have a fun and educational birthday party including a special gift for the birthday boy or girl. STAR also won the award for best summer camp by LA Parent magazine.
6. THE EL CAPITAN THEATER
Just up the boulevard from Ripley’s Museum, you will find the El Capitan Theater, a beautifully restored theater that hosts many movie premieres and numerous live shows. This is the best theater for kids in LA because a majority of the movies shown in this theater are by Disney, the leader in kid’s movies. Music and dancing are a regular happening at this lavish theater and birthday party packages are also available. Right next door, you can visit the Disney Soda Fountain and Studio Store that’s chock full of memorabilia.
7. MAGIC MOUNTAIN
If your kids are thrill seekers, then look no further than Magic Mountain. Located in Valencia, this is the place where anyone and everyone seeking wild excitement spends the day. One of the wonderful things about this amusement park is that there are rides for the whole family, because no matter the age, there is a ride that is sure to excite everyone! In addition to all the roller coasters, rapids and scramblers, there are various live shows including the WB Kids Club and Looney Tunes Beach Bash. Food is available throughout the park and the kids can take pictures with some of their favorite characters. A great place for the whole family!
8. THE BUNNY MUSEUM
Although the Bunny Museum would be the perfect place to visit around Easter, it’s a fun place for kids any time of the year. Located in a Pasadena home, it contains the world’s largest collection of bunny memorabilia of anywhere in the world. In fact, it’s so special that you have to make an appointment for a visit. At the end of the tour, rabbits that live in the backyard are brought out and are available for petting. It’s free and open on major holidays.
9. THE KIDSPACE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
Another great museum for the kids in Los Angeles is the Kidspace Children’s Museum. Set on more than four acres of ground, the museum is filled with toys, science experiments and places to explore. Kids get the chance to climb, frolic in the dance splash fountain and enjoy tons of interactive and educational activities while spending time outdoors and learning about nature.
10. UNIVERSAL STUDIOS THEME PARK
You can’t be in Los Angeles without visiting Universal Studios Theme Park. With some of the most exciting, movie-themed rides in the city and live shows throughout, it’s definitely a top ten place for kids. The whole family can enjoy the studio tour and see all the old and new movie attractions that made Universal famous. Plenty of characters walk through the park while visitors dine on a wide variety of tasty treats. Step outside of the park and you can stroll up to Citywalk, an outdoor mall complete with restaurants, shopping and movie theaters. If you’re looking for a day of non-stop action, plan a trip to Universal Studios Theme Park.
So if you’re ever unsure of where to take your kids for a day of fun, you have no more excuses. Los Angeles is filled with enjoyable, educational and exciting places to entertain your kids and leave them with happy lifelong memories.