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10 Fun, Easy Things to Do in Los Angeles With Kids

The City of Angels offers family-friendly entertainment at every turn—you just have to know where to look.
United States California Los Angeles Pier Santa Monica Pier
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Los Angeles is so much more than red carpets and Hollywood film premieres: it radiates a distinct vibe that draws people to it like a magnet. From breathtaking ocean views to world-renowned museums, this list of things to do with kids—sourced from a local parent, no less—delivers must-visit family-friendly spots and destinations that are as interesting as they are accommodating. Tried and true, these places will take you past the glitz of L.A. and into its sunny soul—while stretching the tiniest of attention spans to new dimensions.

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    Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

    The renowned National History Museum, now a stop on the L.A. Metro, fuses grandiose architecture with an intimate, educational experience that kids absolutely love. With more than 300 fossils and 20 complete dinosaurs and sea creatures, the Dinosaur Hall is phenomenal. The African Mammal Hall is also quite impressive, with life-size dioramas of eco-habitats like the desert and rainforest—with backdrops painted by celebrated artists—that showcase creatures found in the early 1900s.

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    Platform

    The Platform is a modern complex of high-end retailers, unique culinary experiences, cool pop-ups, and, of course, SoulCycle. You'll find families stopping into Roberta's for pizza or grabbing tacos from Loqui and setting up a picnic in the courtyard. One of L.A.’s most Instagram-worthy walls greets you before you even park your car. Created by local artist Jen Stark, the rainbow-color mural features dripping colors that pay homage to the song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz, which was filmed right here in Culver City.

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    Douglas Park

    Douglas Park, a serene oasis in an amazingly convenient location off Wilshire Boulevard, is the Westside’s go-to family park. There's plenty of free and metered parking, lawn bowling—it’s a thing—a fenced-in sandy playground with a seating area for snacks and strollers, perfect picnic spots, tennis courts, and the beloved cement rink for skateboards, scooters, and bikes. Don't miss the duck pond; its charming bridge and fairytale setting draws you in, while the turtles, Koi fish, and ducks are all natural-born entertainers.

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    Santa Monica Pier

    Childlike wonder returns in adult form the moment you approach the Santa Monica Pier's iconic sign on Ocean Avenue. With scents of cotton candy and funnel cake wafting through the air and views of the Pacific Ocean—and possibly Catalina Island on a clear day—the scene is breathtaking. Built in the 1920s, the carousel goes faster than you might expect, especially since the horses are so old. After the ride, walk over to the retro ice cream shop.

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    Fisherman's Village

    Quaint with New England charm, Fisherman's Village is a coastal gem in Marina del Rey. With colorfully painted shops and restaurants lining the yacht- and seal-filled water, the complex is a picturesque escape with plenty to do. You can drive here or take the $1 WaterBus in summer; the boat is accessed by easy-to-find stops along the marina. Not a lot of locals know about this place, so you'll probably see lots of tourists grabbing lunch and ice cream.

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    Griffith Park Pony Rides

    Griffith Park Pony Rides are pretty self-explanatory; park for free in a nearby lot, walk about a minute to a small office near the pony track, and buy a $5-per-ride ticket. The ride is one-fifth of a mile, or two laps around the track. Staffers lead your child into the gated track, help them onto the saddle, strap them in, and see them off. A member of the team is always on the track, making sure the ponies are staying in the lane and moving at the age-appropriate pace.

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    Aquarium of the Pacific

    A modern, hands-on aquarium, the fourth most-visited in the United States, the Aquarium of the Pacific is home to more than 11,000 sea creatures, all presented in a surprisingly intimate way. The aquarium has everything from sea otters to sharks to stingrays, and the close-up encounters are seriously mind-blowing. There's even a shark and stingray touch pool; after feeding time, guests can “pet” a group of gentle sharks and small rays. Don't worry—this is only allowed after feeding time, so none of the creatures mistake a hand for a midday snack.

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    Back on the Beach Café

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    Back on the Beach Café sits on the Pacific Coast Highway; the salty air, sandy setting, and clear ocean view greet you upon arrival. And when you enter the indoor-outdoor restaurant, prepare for vacation mode to take hold. You'll see lots of families; the café allows kids to play in the sand beside their tables—there are even shovels and pails. Brunch fans will love this menu, which has everything from omelettes to shakshuka to huevos rancheros. The French toast and buttermilk pancakes are huge favorites, too.

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    The Proud Bird Food Bazaar & Events Center

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    The Proud Bird is a seriously impressive food bazaar near LAX that pays homage to the history of aviation. Pay at the front, then take as many trips as you'd like to the various stations, which offer the gamut: chicken and waffles, barbecue, rotisserie chicken, salads, soups, burgers, sandwiches, Asian dishes, and, of course, pizza. Every stall has its own distinct, delicious flavors. After your meal, go outside and have a hands-on experience with the vintage planes behind the bazaar; you can even sit in a cockpit.

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    Skirball Cultural Center

    The Skirball is home to an award-winning family destination that's not to be missed: Noah’s Ark. Housed in an 8,000-square-foot gallery, the exhibit is a one-of-a-kind, thoughtfully designed, innovative, hands-on learning opportunity for kids—and parents. The floor-to-ceiling ark encourages play through rainbows, storms, and hundreds of handcrafted animals constructed from recycled materials. You can build, climb, serve pretend food, and touch everything. And when you’re ready for a break, head to the back room, where scheduled sing-alongs and story time take place throughout the week.

Mel Kaspin Blume is an L.A.-based writer, wife, and mama of two. A Jersey girl at heart, Mel explored the NYC fashion world before moving to the West Coast. Soon after, she started writing for Yahoo, Guess, and Disney Consumer Products, where she was the Head Writer for over five... Read more
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