The best things to do with kids in Los Angeles in 2026 are the California Science Center and its Space Shuttle Endeavour, the Natural History Museum, the Los Angeles Zoo, La Brea Tar Pits, the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach and Griffith Park's Travel Town. Kidspace in Pasadena and the Santa Monica Pier are favorites with younger children.
LA is easy with kids if you group your days by area: Exposition Park has two big museums side by side, Griffith Park has the zoo, Travel Town and the Observatory, and the beach cities have piers and aquariums. For theme parks, see our theme parks near LA.
Free hands-on science and the Space Shuttle Endeavour.
The California Science Center has free general admission and hands-on galleries covering ecosystems, the human body and air and space. The Space Shuttle Endeavour is the star.
An IMAX theater is on site.
Good to know: Reserve Endeavour timed tickets for weekends.
700 Exposition Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037
Dinosaur Hall, gem vault and an outdoor nature garden.
The Natural History Museum has a dinosaur hall with a T. rex growth series, a gem and mineral hall, and Nature Gardens outside with a pond and insect-friendly plants.
It is next to the Science Center, so combine both.
Good to know: Check the seasonal butterfly and spider pavilions.
900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007
Elephants, gorillas and a carousel in Griffith Park.
The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Griffith Park houses more than a thousand animals, with highlights including the elephants, gorillas and the Rainforest of the Americas.
It is hilly, so bring a stroller with good wheels.
Good to know: Arrive at opening when animals are most active.
5333 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Bubbling tar pits and Ice Age fossils in the city.
La Brea Tar Pits is an active fossil site where scientists still dig up Ice Age bones. The outdoor pits are free to view; the museum shows mammoths, dire wolves and saber-toothed cats.
Kids can watch paleontologists at work in the Fossil Lab.
Good to know: Combine with LACMA's Urban Light next door.
5801 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Sharks, sea otters and a lorikeet aviary on the Long Beach waterfront.
The Aquarium of the Pacific on Rainbow Harbor has a shark lagoon with touch pools, sea otters, a lorikeet aviary where kids can feed birds, and a big Pacific Visions gallery.
It is the largest aquarium in LA County.
Good to know: Book online and arrive early on weekends.
100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
Free railway museum with trains to climb on and a miniature train ride.
Travel Town in Griffith Park displays historic locomotives and railcars that kids can climb into. It is free to enter, and a small train ride runs around the grounds for a fee.
It is perfect for train-obsessed toddlers.
Good to know: Bring a picnic; there are tables on site.
5200 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Indoor and outdoor play built for kids under 10.
Kidspace in Pasadena has climbing towers, water play, gardens and hands-on exhibits for young children.
It is next to the Rose Bowl.
Good to know: Pack spare clothes for the water play.
480 N Arroyo Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91103
A small hands-on aquarium under the pier, run by Heal the Bay.
Heal the Bay's Santa Monica Pier Aquarium sits under the pier and focuses on local sea life, with touch tanks of sea stars and anemones. It is small and inexpensive.
Pair it with rides at Pacific Park above.
Good to know: Check open days; it is not open every day.
1600 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Noah's Ark, a hands-on gallery of animal sculptures and flood play.
The Skirball's Noah's Ark is an interactive gallery where kids build, climb and play among hundreds of handmade animals. It is one of the best indoor play spaces in LA.
The center also has exhibits on Jewish history and culture.
Good to know: Noah's Ark uses timed entry; book ahead.
2701 N Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049
Hands-on science museum in the northeast Valley.
Discovery Cube LA in Sylmar has hands-on exhibits on water, energy, space and the environment, including a supermarket play area for small kids.
It is a good rainy-day option in the Valley.
Good to know: Check the calendar for seasonal exhibits.
11800 Foothill Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 91342
The California Science Center is the favorite, with free general entry and the Space Shuttle Endeavour. The Natural History Museum next door has dinosaurs and a Nature Gardens area.
Yes for families with young kids. It is in Griffith Park, with elephants, gorillas and a carousel, and it is less expensive than the San Diego Zoo.
Griffith Park's Travel Town railway museum, the California Science Center, the Santa Monica Pier and the beaches are all free to enter.
La Brea Tar Pits in Mid-City has active tar pits outside, free to view, and a museum of Ice Age fossils inside. It is next to LACMA.
Kidspace Children's Museum in Pasadena, Travel Town's train rides and the Griffith Park merry-go-round are great for toddlers.