The (Very) Best Things to Do in Los Angeles with Kids
Child stars aren’t the only ones who can enjoy the dazzling lights of the City of Angels. Here are the (very) best things to do in Los Angeles with kids
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You could say that being home to Disneyland, Universal Studios and countless other family attractions makes Los Angeles something of a unique draw for children. Use it as a bargaining chip to get them to complete all their chores and homework before you go. With a clean house and tidy bedrooms, you’re all set for the land of la la, whatever that means. And Los Angeles seems to have been built with the enchantment and ambition perfectly suited to a child’s eye.
There’s so much to do and such a wide-ranging choice, that it can all be a little overwhelming to plan. Don’t fret. We’re here to do our utmost to make sure your <s>spoilt brats don’t ruin yet another beloved</s> little ones enjoy this holiday as much as you do. Here at Plum Guide, we love doing the hard work for you, so leave the planning to us and focus on selecting a rental home worthy of your children. Here are some of the best things to do in Los Angeles with kids.
Visit Disneyland and other theme parks
Seaworld, San Diego, California
Let’s get the obvious one out of the way. We’re talking the Disneyland Park, SeaWorld San Diego and Six Flags Magic Mountain. In fact, there are so many of these themed worlds of fun that we could write an entire article on just that. In fact, maybe we will. We call copyright (is that how that works?). Don’t forget Knott’s Berry Farm, the Legoland California Resort and the Pacific Park. If you're looking for things to do with kids in Los Angeles, you definitely cannot go wrong with a theme park.
The Orchard, Plum Guide home in Los Angeles
Take a tour of the Universal Studios
What could be more exciting than blurring the boundary between family holiday and Hollywood legend at Universal Studios? Ok, so your kid isn’t going to be the next Christian Bale or Kirsten Dunst (are they sufficiently on-trend examples of the child stars of yesteryear?), but they’ll be able to get a little taste of the magic behind the movies. Oh, and a complex water ride takes you right into the mouths of the dinosaurs from Jurassic Park, and if that doesn't seem like one of the best things to do in Los Angeles with kids, then what does?
White Somera, Plum Guide home in Los Angeles
Say hello to the animals at the Zoo
What kid doesn’t like the zoo? Plum Guide is not liable for slander, if it so happens your child doesn’t enjoy zoos. Anyway, the Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens also has…botanical gardens, so there’s something for everyone, and it makes for an idyllic open-air activity to make the most of the city’s climate. You can see why it’s one of the top things to do in Los Angeles with kids.
Norm Rockwell, Plum Guide home in Los Angeles
Head down to Hollywood
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
Oh, you thought that Universal Studios was enough of the Hollywood dream? Those kids aren’t going to be happy until they’re in the movies. Make sure they take a tour of the Dolby Theater to begin planning for that Oscar win – or buy a plastic award in the souvenir shop and be done with it, like we did. Check for your name on the Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame and study the models of your favourite celebs in Madame Tussauds. They manage to get the plastic waxy look down perfectly.
The Wood Stone, Plum Guide home in Hollywood, Los Angeles
Spend time at children's museums
Kids don’t really like museums. Well, many of them do actually, so ignore that. But they’ll especially love the Kidspace Children’s Museum in Pasadena. It’s really for under 10s, and comprises a range of outdoor exhibits where they can learn and take part. Bring a change of clothes and a towel, as there are some water activities. There’s also the The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, which may sound like a garden –which it is– but it’s also a museum with all sorts of exhibits on desert plants.
Soak up sun at the beach
What could be more family-sounding than the Mother’s Beach in Marina del Rey? Here, the water is shallow and placid, so it’s safe as Beverly Hills houses. Or feel the golden sand squelch between your toes on the Venice City Beach, before taking a walk along the pier. The Santa Monica Pier has a huge Ferris wheel that lights up at night. It’s a good place to leave the kids with your partner, while you make the most of the night shopping on Third Street Promenade.
Relax as a family at the park
Sometimes, you don’t feel like getting all hot and sandy, which can be a bit of a nightmare with the kids and all. Fortunately, Los Angeles is teeming with green spaces. Stroll between the lily ponds and rose gardens of the Descanso Gardens and let your kids listen in at the daily story time sessions. Then, there’s the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, where you’ll spot peacocks and…well, there’s more story time. Must be an LA thing. And don’t forget the Griffith Park, right by that zoo (and botanical garden) we talked about earlier. You can get pony rides, look to the stars in the observatory and hike to the Hollywood Sign. Your kids can also partake in these activities.
Catch a show at the theatre
Forget the silver screen for a second. Los Angeles also has its fair share of stages for you old-fashioned types, which definitely qualifies as one of the best things to do in Los Angeles with kids. And on Tuesdays at El Capitan Theatre, it’s Tiny Tot Tuesdays. We recommend you base your family in Venice if you’re looking to be close to an array of quaint and bohemian theatres.
