Summer Activities For Kids In Los Angeles
Summer is just around the corner and what are the best things and best way to enjoy it in Southern California? What summer activities for kids in Los Angeles are you taking advantage of?
Summer months are long and summer break means looking for summer programs, day camps, and outdoor activities for the whole family to enjoy. There are so many activities that the kids an enjoy.
Some kids enjoy sports camps while others may enjoy outdoor movies. There are many summer activities for kids in Los Angeles and these are some of the ones that are budget friendly and fun.
Theme Parks And Arcades
Universal Studios Hollywood is one of the theme parks for the family but I feel like it targets more of the older kids. Many of the attractions have height limits or age requirements so be sure to check out the details on their website. My little one didn’t get to do as much as my older one when we went last spring.
Stix Flags Magic Mountain is another theme park but I feel like it’s more geared towards the older kids. I wouldn’t take my younger ones there yet because I don’t see them enjoying or being able to explore much of the park. But if you have older kids who enjoy thriller rides, then this would be the perfect place to go.
Disneyland When it comes to theme parks, you can’t leave out Disneyland of course. Although it’s located in “Orange County,” it’s an attractions you can’t leave out. Keep in mind that the cost is not your average them park so try to look out for the special deals.
Speed Zone
Sky Zone is a place where you can jump and scream without parent approval. Do your kids enjoy jumping and bouncing on trampolines, then this is the perfect place to bring them. They have different zone areas for various needs. You can even host birthday parties here as well too.
Indoor Playgrounds are a fun way to younger kids to explore their motor skills. It’s a fun way of scooping, strolling, climbing, and sliding down. A little break from the sun is a great way to explore when the weather gets a bit too hot.
Boomers is another fun location filled with arcades and go carts. It has a combination of fun for both younger and older group of children. It’s even a fun place for adults.
Dave N Busters is one of our go to places for when we need a day out or as a special rewards. It’s a place where the whole family enjoys playing games and competing to win tickets. The best part for the kids is redeeming those tickets at the end. They also have food and drinks for the family and the adults so it’s a win win for all.
Water Fun
You can’t leave water activities as part of the summer activities. Some of the best beaches are in LA County and Orange County. New Port Beach, Laguna Beach, and Huntington Beach are some of the popular ones in Orange County.
Santa Monica and Manhattan Beach are some of the favorites as well. Santa Monica Pier has an area filled with fun activities for the little ones. too. Venice Beach usually has many vendors with various items up for sale.
Splash Pads are definitely a budget friendly summer activities, as it’s usually a free event at the park. Many of the parks have a splash pad area designed for the summer time. Kids come from all around to enjoy the water features. It’s also a convenient meeting point for parents and kids to do play dates as well.
Water Parks like Ranging Waters and Soak City are a fun way to to splash through the summer heat. I don’t take advantage of these as much as I should, but we’re hoping to try them out this year.
Specialty Camp like the beach camp are available in some regions too. It’s a great way meet new friends while having a great time.
History and Museum Learning Experience
Natural History Museum has some great hands-on exhibits that can be scheduled in advance. We had a family day trip to visit the location. They had dinosaur and fossil exhibits displayed for the kids to explore.
California Science Center sometimes has special exhibition for the public but it might not always be an easy access. Usually through school field trips but some can be accommodated separately too.
My daughter took a field trip and they were able to access a special lab area for the class. Outsiders were not allowed so it was a special reservation made by the teachers. The kids were able to explore various features and experience some hands-on-learning exhibits too.
Kidspace Children’s Museum located in Pasadena is also a fun learning museum for kids. They have different exhibits through out the year and seasonal features as well. If you get a chance, be sure to try to go for the free first Friday tickets.
You have to reserve in advance because the tickets go fast. Every first Friday of the month, you can get free tickets to go during the hours of 4-7pm. You can get membership so that you don’t have to deal with the hassle of getting tickets each time.
Japanese Garden located in the heart of San Fernando Valley is a beautiful place for an outdoor stroll through the gardens filled with stepping stones, tea houses, floral attributes, and a calming field of grass.
Griffith Park is a great place to visit with the family with different attractions available. From the Griffith Observatory to the Greek Theater, hiking trails, biking trails, museums, and more educational and cultural learning experience is waiting for you.
Petersen Automotive Museum is an all about automobiles so if you have children who are into cars, this is a perfect place to visit. As a director of preschool, we took a field trip here with the kids had a blast. They were able to see cars from decades ago and mesmerized by their appearances too.
Hollywood Wax Museum is another fun location to see your favorite Hollywood stars up close and personal, but beware because they might not be “quite” themselves. Get it? It’s just a version of their features made out of wax but you’d be amazed at some of them. They are hard to tell apart.
Huntington Library
Related Summer Bucket List Activities
Aquarium Galore
Aquarium Of The Pacific in Long Beach is popular location, especially if your kids love the sea life. You can experience and see the the different sea creatures and learn through their education program.
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is a location I have yet to go but have heard high praise about them. They have special events in the summer for field trips and have different exhibits that target different areas of the sea life.
Heal The Bay Aquarium is another place to visit filled with educational programs near the Santa Monica Pier.
Roundhouse Aquarium at the Manhattan Beach Pier has marine animals to explore. They offer various educational classes and programs, as well as camps too. You can even host your own birthday party with special sea life theme. It even offers virtual programs for those that can’t get to the location.
Day Camp Program like the Science Camps seems to be a go to summer activity as well. But keep in mind that some do get experience. If you google your local areas, you can see that many offer a summer camp filled with activities and even field trips.
Outdoor Activities
Carnival Day is where O.C. Fair or the L.A. County Fair would come into the pictures when you think of summer activities. These annual event in the summer time is a great way to experience fun games and rides.
You can’t leave out all the special food to try out. Keep in mind, that it can get costly. The entrance fee on top of the ride tickets, game tickets, and the food does add up. Groupon sometimes has special deals so be sure to check them out too.
Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens is another adventurous place to explore with the family. Pack a lunch if you don’t want to wait in the long lines for lunch though because it can be a bit of a wait.
Make sure to come in comfortable shoes and dress for the weather because you’ll be walking long paths. Bring plenty of water and snacks for you and the family. There are snack shops but the it’s not the cheapest.
Theaters and Shows
Bob Baker Marionette Theater If you and the family love puppet shows, take a visit to the Bob Baker Marionette Theater. Check the schedules to see what is avaible but they put on a great show for the whole family.
The El Capitan Theater in Hollywood has movies and a live show before each movie that the kids can enjoy too. Different movies are showing through the week so be sure to check the schedule to the accommodating movie for your family.
Regal Theaters are having the summer movie express again where they host movies for $1. Contact your local regal cinema to see what movies are featured for $1.
Culver City Farmers Market is open every Tuesday from 2pm-7pm in Down town Culver City. You can find many fresh produce for your families needs.
La Brea Tar Pits has the fun way to encounter the ice age era and explore the history behind it.
Taking a day trip to downtown Los Angeles and Grand Avenue is also a great way to spend a family day. There are metros available that take you straight there so you can even explore that route as well. There are fun sceneries on Olvera Street as well.
Simple Yet Fun
Los Angeles Public Library is a great way for children to enjoy some reading time. Some county libraries or your local library might have summer reading programs or hands on activities. Be sure to get your child a library card of their own so they can enjoy and experience checking out books.
Los Angeles County Parks. Sometimes kids, don’t need much. Even a day at the park and enjoying a sandwich in the picnic areas after is a great day for them. Many parks in the summer time will have summer concerts or movies at the park. Search and contact your local parks to see the schedules in advance.
Face Painting is another fun and simple summer activities for kids to engage in. Who says face painting can only be at fairs and theme parks? Why not create your own face painting fun at the comfort of your backyard???
Inflatable Pool is a simple and free way to enjoy summer activities at home. Get yourself an affordable inflatable pool that can accommodate your yard and enjoy some water fun at the heart of your own home.
Or if you have a local pool to go to, you can even take advantage of that as well too. Some of the local high schools and facilities have free swim time sessions available for children so why not take advantage of them. Some may charge fees and some may be free.
There are many free things and free event to explore favorite things that children want to experience. Summer activities for kids In Los Angeles doesn’t always have to be something big. It may require road trips or overnight camps. Some of the best places will have live music and food trucks as well.
Many fun things to do in Los Angeles County and Orange County with special events in the summer time. These are some of the popular demand locations/events but be on a look out for the best things in your local area too. Make the most of all the summer activities that you can find.