You may not think that LA is the most child-friendly city in the world. The city has more of a reputation for celebs and famous people than for theme parks and kids running around. I’m here to tell you that it’s not quite true. This city is full of fun activities that will keep the little ones happy on your vacation. You may have the luxury to afford some of the nice vacation rentals in Los Angeles or are here on a budget. It doesn’t matter. You can still do all of these things to keep the kids occupied.
Tips for Travelling With Kids to LA:
Before we look into the different things to do, it’s important to give you a few tips. Experience tells me that it’s not a good idea to book the cheapest accommodation or take awkward flights to save a buck or two. Spend a little bit extra and you’ll have a much more pleasant time.
Always remember to keep the kids interests in mind. You may want to spend a few hours sitting in a restaurant overlooking the beach, but the kids want to be playing in the sand. They have shorter attention spans, so compromise your interests to suit their needs.
Let’s take a look at the top 10 for families in LA.
1# Go to Universal Studios:
Universal Studios is one of the most popular attractions in this city for both adults and families. There’s a theme park and the kids will love the chance to be Harry Potter for the day.
2# Take the Kids to Disneyland:
Did you know that there’s a Disneyland in LA? It’s not as popular as its cousin in Florida, but it still makes for a great day out with the family. The kids can meet some of their favorite characters and enjoy the theme park.
3# Visit the Zimmer Children’s Museum:
Zimmer’s is an interactive museum for younger kids where they can learn and play with a variety of displays. This includes musical instruments and using their creative side in the construction section. The museum is suitable for kids under the age of eight.
4# Medieval Times:
Kids of all ages love Medieval Times. You can spend the evening eating dinner in a castle and watching people having sword fights. This fun for all ages and everyone will enjoy the experience.
5# Natural History Museum:
If you have older kids, inspire them at the Natural History Museum. There are millions of specimens and you can show them dinosaurs and mummies as part of the exhibits. This is a fun way to spend a few hours and also combines a learning activity.
# Go to the Beach:
LA has several beaches that are a magnet for local and domestic families. You can go to Santa Monica and spend the afternoon relaxing and sunbathing. The little ones can play in the sand or swim in the Ocean. If you’re travelling with older kids, you may want to get them a surf lesson. You can then check out the restaurants lining the beach whilst they’re occupied for an hour or two.
7# Huntington Library and Gardens:
The library and gardens are more suitable for older kids. You can walk around the ground and enjoy the serenity of the nice architecture. Inside, there’s an art gallery.
8# Sky Space Open Deck:
The Sky Space Open Deck is at the top of the US Bank Tower and gives you great views of the city. You’re 1000 feet in the air and can see mountains in the distance and even Catalina Island and the Dodger Stadium. My kids loved the view from the top and feeling so high up in the air.
If you want to give them an unforgettable experience, you can upgrade your ticket to include the Sky Slide. This is a glass slide that takes them from the 70th to 69th floor outside the building. Scary, but a major thrill for kids.
9# Madame Tussauds Hollywood:
The wax museum in Hollywood has a number of figures ranging from the modern singers such as Lady Gaga to Lance Armstrong. You can take the family here and enjoy a few hours walking around your favorite actors and musicians. It can also be turned into a learning experience too.
10# California Science Center and IMAX Theater:
The Science Center is another popular way to spend an afternoon and is suitable for all ages. You can show your kids exhibitions on the space shuttle or spend a little extra for the IMAX movie experience. There’s also several displays on biology, robots, and a range of interactive displays.
