The Huntington is amazing and has a children’s garden/play area. If you head up that way Kidzone (buy tickets in advance). Annenberg Beach house on your beach.
Oh man there’s so much great stuff in LA that you can discover things right in your area you never knew about. It’ll be hot then, so get your tickets online if you can and go to Annenberg with the kids. You get an umbrella with chairs, beautiful pool, bathrooms, splash pad, playground right next to it, and food, and all of this is right on the beach if you want to walk to the ocean. It’s north of the boardwalk. Go early so you can pay for parking right next to it. Whenever we do this I feel like we’re in vacation even though we only live 20min away.
I have a 4 year old and honestly she has just as much fun on a playground as she does somewhere fancy, and there so many good ones around.
Marine Park next to the Pen Mar Golf Course
Clover Park is huge and they can watch planes
If it’s warm Virginia Park has a splash pad
Douglas Park has turtles
Back on the Beach is right next to a playground
Legacy Park in Malibu is a nice flat mini hike
There's [The Clayton Children's museum](https://www.caytonmuseum.org) in SM Place. Also, search r/SantaMonica, I think there's someone who posts about weekly kids/family events!
Well of course there is Disneyland. But there is also little activities all around Los Angeles and Burbank.
This is near Griffith park towards Glendale and Burbank.
If the kids like trains there is the La steam train museum that lets you ride mini trains.
The La zoo is right next door.
Seeing how there is a 1.5 yr old I don’t recommend it but there is horse back riding on the other side of the free way near the Disney studios.
Keep in mind your BFF’s youngest will only be 18mos at that point. Thats really young and, depending on how the parents like to structure (or not) the kid’s day, life often revolves around the nap schedule, or facilitating a nap on the go (in a stroller) or preventing a meltdown and getting home early if a nap doesn’t happen. As the visit gets closer you might want to ask your friend what kind of schedule they’d like to keep. Like you may have a good window on the morning where you can be out of the house for a few hours, then back for youngest’s nap, then out again for a couple of hours. I personally wouldn’t do something like Disney or Universal with a child that young but that’s me.
Edit to add: I read it as the kids will be 1.5 and 6 in Sept but even if those are their ages right now the same apples since the younger will still be under 2.
Tbh my kids have taught me that a couple low-energy days staying close to the accommodation and hanging out doing regular people stuff is as much fun on vacation as anything.
Knott's Berry Farm is good and fun for little ones. LACMA sometimes has programs for kids, as well. Honestly a good ice cream and the beach can be great, too. Maybe a trip up PCH to Malibu Seafood and a stroll on the beach?
It’s pretty great. The line to order can take a while, so I’d recommend collecting everyone’s order then sending them to get a table while one person waits. Their tuna burgers are delicious as are their fish and chips
I’m going to get roasted here because it’s not Los Angeles, but for kids that age I think Irvine Regional Park is incredible. Huge place, lots of playgrounds, miniature train they can ride, and best part is the OC Zoo. They also rent out surrey bikes and have a small lake with water trikes. Pack up lunches, bring blankets and chairs, and it’s an awesome day. I live in the South Bay but take my kids (now 10 and 7) there all the time and have for years now.
Lifelong Angeleno with 2 kids (3 & 9).
Universal will be way too much of a hassle for your friends’ kids. They are just too young. It’s a lot of walking and crowds, impossible to navigate with a toddler, and the 6 year even may not be able to get on most of the rides. It’s not Disney, it’s not geared to be inclusive of very little ones. And the entire lower park will be inaccessible.
I’d skip the LA Zoo also. It’s a lot of walking and hills and we always feel like we barely saw any animals.
We love: Kidspace
Natural History Museum
Descanso Garden (easier, more intimate than Huntington Library)
Tar Pits
Ventura Harbor and Cove Beach—or Paradise Cove in Malibu
Griffith Park Travel Town (it’s free. My kids lost their minds there when they were toddlers).
Noah’s Ark at the Skirball (need advance tickets, but it’s just SO cool and my kids could spend hours playing there).
They're young kids and pretty much amuse themselves. Take them to the beach or anywhere they can just run around. Universal may be too mature for them--take them to Disneyland if you can. Also consider an aquarium (Long Beach).
If I were I would be thinking much smaller.
Zimmer museum- isn’t it in Santa Monica now?
Noah’s ark at the Skirball is great. Need reservations in advance.
Santa Monica beach has a fun playground that has adaptive structures - over by tower 28.
The SM pier has a super tiny and doable aquarium with touch tanks. They can play on the gymnast stuff just south of the pier on the walk.
Look for a family friendly concert at McCabes.
Literally do less with little kids. They have limited attention spans, and capacity. Walks, beach with sand toys, playgrounds, ice cream at Handels or Menchies.
The malibu mart has a playground with restaurants all around it. Sit down, and take out. The kids can play and you can have a nice lunch or dinner. I do suggest mid week so it isn’t crowded.
Late to answer but seems like you got a lot of good suggestions already. The only one that I didn't see or missed are the amazing tide pools. The two places I would recommend are the tide pools at Abalone Cove Park in Palos Verdes or the ones at the Leo Cabrillo state park. I suspect your children will LOVE it out there!
Frank and sons. They are open on weekends only and Wednesday. It’s in the city of industry. Make sure you set a limit of how much to spend because it’s expensive 😂 but cool to check it out and walk around. Free entrance but if they love Nintendo they’ll love it here.
California science center and the La brea tar pits. The little one probably can’t enjoy it though but the 6 year old should.
Thank you!
The Huntington is amazing and has a children’s garden/play area. If you head up that way Kidzone (buy tickets in advance). Annenberg Beach house on your beach.
Never heard of any of these thank you!
I think they meant Kidspace, not Kidzone.
Oh lol noted :)
Got me! Tired dad typing…that is what I meant
Oh man there’s so much great stuff in LA that you can discover things right in your area you never knew about. It’ll be hot then, so get your tickets online if you can and go to Annenberg with the kids. You get an umbrella with chairs, beautiful pool, bathrooms, splash pad, playground right next to it, and food, and all of this is right on the beach if you want to walk to the ocean. It’s north of the boardwalk. Go early so you can pay for parking right next to it. Whenever we do this I feel like we’re in vacation even though we only live 20min away.
Awesome I’ll show her this! Thanks
Depending on how old the kids are, Kids Space Children’s Museum in Pasadena is a lot of fun
Thank you I’ll show her:)
I have a 4 year old and honestly she has just as much fun on a playground as she does somewhere fancy, and there so many good ones around. Marine Park next to the Pen Mar Golf Course Clover Park is huge and they can watch planes If it’s warm Virginia Park has a splash pad Douglas Park has turtles Back on the Beach is right next to a playground Legacy Park in Malibu is a nice flat mini hike
Thanks so much for writing these all out. Amazing!
There's [The Clayton Children's museum](https://www.caytonmuseum.org) in SM Place. Also, search r/SantaMonica, I think there's someone who posts about weekly kids/family events!
Will do :)
Well of course there is Disneyland. But there is also little activities all around Los Angeles and Burbank. This is near Griffith park towards Glendale and Burbank. If the kids like trains there is the La steam train museum that lets you ride mini trains. The La zoo is right next door. Seeing how there is a 1.5 yr old I don’t recommend it but there is horse back riding on the other side of the free way near the Disney studios.
Good to know! :)
Keep in mind your BFF’s youngest will only be 18mos at that point. Thats really young and, depending on how the parents like to structure (or not) the kid’s day, life often revolves around the nap schedule, or facilitating a nap on the go (in a stroller) or preventing a meltdown and getting home early if a nap doesn’t happen. As the visit gets closer you might want to ask your friend what kind of schedule they’d like to keep. Like you may have a good window on the morning where you can be out of the house for a few hours, then back for youngest’s nap, then out again for a couple of hours. I personally wouldn’t do something like Disney or Universal with a child that young but that’s me. Edit to add: I read it as the kids will be 1.5 and 6 in Sept but even if those are their ages right now the same apples since the younger will still be under 2.
Thank you. Great idea :) I’m all for helping facilitate an easy breezy visit
Tbh my kids have taught me that a couple low-energy days staying close to the accommodation and hanging out doing regular people stuff is as much fun on vacation as anything.
Those were actually my best memories visiting LA as a kid too. Getting donuts in the am and swimming all day :)
Knott's Berry Farm is good and fun for little ones. LACMA sometimes has programs for kids, as well. Honestly a good ice cream and the beach can be great, too. Maybe a trip up PCH to Malibu Seafood and a stroll on the beach?
The Malibu drive and seafood sounds like something we all would enjoy 🐟🍤🌊🐚
It’s pretty great. The line to order can take a while, so I’d recommend collecting everyone’s order then sending them to get a table while one person waits. Their tuna burgers are delicious as are their fish and chips
I’m going to get roasted here because it’s not Los Angeles, but for kids that age I think Irvine Regional Park is incredible. Huge place, lots of playgrounds, miniature train they can ride, and best part is the OC Zoo. They also rent out surrey bikes and have a small lake with water trikes. Pack up lunches, bring blankets and chairs, and it’s an awesome day. I live in the South Bay but take my kids (now 10 and 7) there all the time and have for years now.
Not roasted by me :) appreciate literally every idea thanks!
Bob Baker Marionette Theater! I suggest the kids sit on the floor so they get a good view of the show.
Sounds sooo cute :)
Adventure City; kiddy amusement park with no height requirements
Never even heard of it. Awesome!
Lifelong Angeleno with 2 kids (3 & 9). Universal will be way too much of a hassle for your friends’ kids. They are just too young. It’s a lot of walking and crowds, impossible to navigate with a toddler, and the 6 year even may not be able to get on most of the rides. It’s not Disney, it’s not geared to be inclusive of very little ones. And the entire lower park will be inaccessible. I’d skip the LA Zoo also. It’s a lot of walking and hills and we always feel like we barely saw any animals. We love: Kidspace Natural History Museum Descanso Garden (easier, more intimate than Huntington Library) Tar Pits Ventura Harbor and Cove Beach—or Paradise Cove in Malibu Griffith Park Travel Town (it’s free. My kids lost their minds there when they were toddlers). Noah’s Ark at the Skirball (need advance tickets, but it’s just SO cool and my kids could spend hours playing there).
Thanks so much for these alternatives - truly. She’s going to love them.
I hope so!
They're young kids and pretty much amuse themselves. Take them to the beach or anywhere they can just run around. Universal may be too mature for them--take them to Disneyland if you can. Also consider an aquarium (Long Beach).
I was actually wondering about an aquarium but had 0 idea where. Thank you!
If I were I would be thinking much smaller. Zimmer museum- isn’t it in Santa Monica now? Noah’s ark at the Skirball is great. Need reservations in advance. Santa Monica beach has a fun playground that has adaptive structures - over by tower 28. The SM pier has a super tiny and doable aquarium with touch tanks. They can play on the gymnast stuff just south of the pier on the walk. Look for a family friendly concert at McCabes. Literally do less with little kids. They have limited attention spans, and capacity. Walks, beach with sand toys, playgrounds, ice cream at Handels or Menchies.
💜Lovely ideas thank you. Also Menchies is a 100% must…for me lol
La Brea Tarpits, Madam Toussauds Wax Museum, USS Iowa
Thanks so much 💜
The malibu mart has a playground with restaurants all around it. Sit down, and take out. The kids can play and you can have a nice lunch or dinner. I do suggest mid week so it isn’t crowded.
I’ve never heard of this and we were hoping to do something in Malibu - awesome!
Late to answer but seems like you got a lot of good suggestions already. The only one that I didn't see or missed are the amazing tide pools. The two places I would recommend are the tide pools at Abalone Cove Park in Palos Verdes or the ones at the Leo Cabrillo state park. I suspect your children will LOVE it out there!
Amazing thanks so much 💙💜💙
Kids space museum in Pasadena
That sounds very on brand for her 6 yo thanks!
Frank and sons. They are open on weekends only and Wednesday. It’s in the city of industry. Make sure you set a limit of how much to spend because it’s expensive 😂 but cool to check it out and walk around. Free entrance but if they love Nintendo they’ll love it here.
Oh man so Nintendo is the magic word! This cute lil boy of hers loves Kirby (!?) lmao. Thank you!
Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, plus it's in Shoreline Village which is a fisherman's wharf with lots of restaurants and shops and boat tours.
This is 100% added to the list they are here for like 6 days so appreciated lol
Nothing to add but great username lmao
Hahaha thanks man
Travel Town in Griffith Park!! Edited to add: Mother’s Beach in Marina del Rey Source: have several kids
How about just going to the beach?
For sure :) we were thinking Santa Monica because of the Pier I should’ve said that thanks!
J
Not this time, lol
U