10 Things to do in Los Angeles with Kids

Los Angeles is not only a dream destination for movie buffs, but also for kids. There are so many things to see and do in Los Angeles that it is even a dream destination for the little ones. Universal Studios and Disneyland are the favorites, as there you can see the world of their favorite stories like Harry Potter or Mickey Mouse and his friends.

However, as an adult you will surely want to visit other important places like Beverly Hills, the Walk of Fame or Venice Beach. While kids may not get too excited to hear those names, I'm sure if you talk to them and explain what it's all about, they'll love it. The secret of a good trip with children is to maintain good communication and respect the pace of each companion. Do you want to learn these tips?

Amusement parks are one of the favorite destinations for families. Kids will surely be looking forward to this visit. Whether you're visiting Universal Studios, Disneyland or Pacific Park in Santa Monica, you'll want to consider a few factors. For example, if you're staying in Los Angeles for more than a week, you can make up for the "duller" days for your kids with a day where you spend the entire afternoon at one of these parks.

If the plan is for a shorter vacation, you can save the park visit for after some other tours. This way they can look forward to the most exciting day for them. Of course, don't bore them with slow tours, intersperse the visits with something fun or with a dessert they enjoy.

On the other hand, before going to the park it is good to check what kind of tickets it offers. Some tickets allow you to skip the line, which will help you avoid the stress of waiting. Something important, as I mentioned at the beginning, is to book in advance. Tickets to the famous parks are the first to sell out, especially if you go on weekends.

In these parks you will find different attractions that younger children cannot go on. It would be a good idea to talk to your children about these rules to avoid disappointment before arriving. If on the other hand they are allowed to go on the rides, it would be best if they do not eat something heavy beforehand because they could get dizzy or vomit. I recommend that they eat something light that day and have a bottle of water or a natural electrolyte drink on hand to allow them to recover quickly.

If you are traveling alone or with adults, my recommendation would be to walk the streets or use public transportation. However, that may be a bad idea if you are traveling with children. They get tired quickly from long walks in the sun. Plus, they will need a few stops to go to the bathroom or eat. If you book one of the best tours in Los Angeles you can visit places like the Walk of Fame, the Hollywood sign, Beverly Hills, among others in a comfortable private transportation.

In this sense I suggest you talk to your children and tell them what the tour consists of, what they will see and you can even ask them what they prefer to see and choose the plan they like the most. In the list of tours you will find that some of them are boat tours in Los Angeles, others are helicopter tours.... If you know your little ones, you will know what they will like the most.

Keep in mind that these tours require a minimum age for children to ride. Generally they must be over 12 years old, although this is not always the case. Bus tours, on the other hand, are the best for traveling with children of any age.

You can even take the Hop On Hop Off, a double-decker bus that travels around different major sites in Los Angeles and allows you to get off wherever you prefer. You can plan your itinerary and see which stop suits you best to walk around with the little ones without missing anything.

Museums can be a little boring for kids. Even if you tell them you'll be visiting a museum they might be a little put off. However, in Los Angeles you will find different options that are entertaining for adults and children. That's why I recommend you make a list of the museums that interest you and the ones that might excite your little ones.

Most kids like to hear fun facts about the sky, the universe and the stars. That's why the first museum you can visit is the Griffith Observatory, although it's not really a museum, you'll find fun activities for kids. From there you can have a beautiful view of Los Angeles and learn about the universe in the different exhibits or in the show of the day.

If you go to the Walk of Fame you can go to Madame Tussauds Hollywood. I am sure the kids will be thrilled with this visit as you will find many sculptures of celebrities they have seen in the movies.

Another good option is the Los Angeles Aquarium of the Pacific, they will have a fun time among the more than 500 marine species that inhabit it.

Do you think your kids get tired quickly? It will be even worse if you make them stand in long lines. So far I have recommended taking tours and visiting museums, but I haven't told you the most important thing : book in advance! Plan all the places you want to go before arriving in Los Angeles, so you don't have to put your kids in line and make them die of boredom and tiredness. Booking a day tour in Los Angeles can help with planning, as these usually include food and transportation.

When making reservations also check how long it will take you to explore the areas. Make sure that the tours are not too long or tedious to prevent children from getting desperate. The idea of traveling with them is that they have as much fun as you do. If there is no option to book in advance, you can research the best times to go and buy tickets without having to wait in line.

On the other hand, even if you take all possible precautions, something can always happen to delay your plans. Whether it is traffic or rain, some of the plans can be damaged. In those cases the best thing to do is to keep calm and have a second plan so that the day is not a waste of time. If you have it all figured out, you'll be the best parent in the world!

Los Angeles has many different sites that you can enjoy and the kids are the ones who can benefit the most from that. Most children's tickets are priced much lower than adult tickets. At some sites like the Heal the Bay Aquarium in Santa Monica allows free admission for children under 12 years old. Also, if you are in a group of 5 or more adults, each ticket will cost an average of $7 per person.

Keeping these discounts in mind will allow you to better manage your budget. Keep in mind that many attraction websites do not directly tell you the price of children's tickets. In that case, when buying your tickets you should look for the "age range" option. When you select it you will be able to verify the final price of the tickets.

Tours may also have discounts for children, especially if they are under 7 or 5 years old. That is why you should check the page where you buy them. In general, you can check the final price of the tours you want according to the age of the people and also confirm if the tour is suitable for the little ones, if they make stops to go to the bathroom and other similar details that are relevant to you.

Sometimes it's close to lunchtime and you haven't finished a tour or visit yet. To avoid stressing your kids out or giving them a tummy ache, it's best to pack some snacks in your backpack. Make sure they are nutritious and entertaining options, because in many of the destinations you will go to you will find donuts, pizza and other treats that are not the most recommended for children.

I recommend that you bring a simple sandwich that can be eaten cold. Fruits are also a good idea, however, I suggest you bring fruits that you can easily eat such as bananas, tangerines or grapes. I suggest that you store bananas in a specific place to prevent them from being ruined on the trip.

Hunger after hours can come from boredom, so you might want to bring some fun treats that your child can entertain themselves for a while. It can be gummies with figures or just their favorite. It is important that you administer them carefully throughout the day and always have enough water to keep you and the children hydrated.

If you're going to be doing a lot of walking, it's best to take a stroller. However, you can choose several plans that don't require a stroller, such as a bus tour. There you can carry your baby in your arms or in a kangaroo without any problem. It all depends on how you plan your day.

On the other hand, if you are traveling during a peak season, crowds can overwhelm you and your little one. Walking around in a stroller can be uncomfortable, so I recommend that you take your baby alone at times when there is not so much activity and people present. Sometimes it will be better to have the baby in your arms than in a stroller, because there will be no way to move around. But when it is necessary to carry it, do it, because you will not be the only one who has one.

In theme parks you could use it to move more easily. However, I recommend you take a simple cart that does not take up too much space, especially on sidewalks. It is also important that it is easy to transport and even foldable.

Los Angeles is known for being a place with a beach vibe thanks to the famous Venice Beach and its warm weather. That's why you'll find plenty of things to do in the summer in Los Angeles. However, you should keep in mind that prolonged exposure to the sun can cause skin damage, especially to children's skin.

Before going out you should apply sunscreen on your children's skin and yours as well. This will prevent sunstroke or sunburn. Remember to carry the sunscreen in your backpack to touch it up after a few hours, since sweat and clothes can remove it, even after a while it can lose its effect.

It may also be a good idea to research the best time to visit Los Angeles with children. This way you will be better prepared and avoid the sunniest months if your children are more sensitive to the sun, as well as equip yourself with plenty of sunscreen.

In a hot environment it is important to stay hydrated. That's why I recommend bringing a few bottles of water, depending on the number of children traveling with you. However, make sure they don't drink it too fast or they will spend the whole day begging to go to the bathroom. A good strategy is to drink enough water before lunch, so they will take advantage of visiting the restroom when they are at the restaurant.

When I have traveled on my own, I often leave the transfer from the airport to the hotel to the last minute. This means looking for a cab at the airport, asking if there is a bus to take me to a nearby place... In short, it is very stressful. If you are traveling with children, you better plan all the details of your arrival.

I suggest you research the best transfers from Los Angeles International Airport. Although there are different buses that you can take at the airport, I recommend renting a car at or hailing a cab.

Maybe it's too much to tell you to call your hotel or Airbnb before you arrive and make sure it's a good place for you and your kids. It's best to pay for your accommodations in advance and get a good location. Make sure you choose a good location that will allow you to get to the tourist destinations you want to visit.

I know, rules are boring for kids, even for many adults, but you better make some things clear before you go to visit Los Angeles. The first thing you should let them know is that Los Angeles is a very touristy destination, so it will be normal to see too many people everywhere. That's why the main rule is to never leave your side, the best thing is that they always walk holding your hand.

Also, you must explain the whole trip to the children. I insist on this, because many times adults do not talk to the little ones believing that they will not understand, but they are very smart! Show them pictures of the places you will visit together, tell them a little bit about the history, who lives in Beverly Hills (in case you want to do a tour by tour of the celebrities' houses), this way they will be more excited about the trip.

After telling them where you will be going, it will be time to explain how they should behave. Tell them that every activity has a schedule and that there will always be a time for everything: eating, resting, walking or going to the bathroom. Remind them that in some museums it is not allowed to take pictures or touch the exhibits.

When traveling with children it is always good to take certain important precautions. Always think about everything they might need during their stay in Los Angeles. The first thing I would do would be to pack sunscreen. I know I mentioned it before, but it's seriously important. Little ones can be more sensitive to the sun, so you shouldn't forget it.

It's also recommended that you take wet wipes with you, especially if you're traveling with kids under 7 years old. They can make a mess and get dirty when they eat ice cream or sweets, but you will not always find a bathroom where you can wash them. With wipes you can solve these situations in a matter of minutes.

In case you go to the beach, don't forget the bathing suits! If they have a favorite life preserver, they can take it with them. However, don't forget that near the beach you can get all kinds of toys for them. If you don't want to fill your suitcases, buying them toys at the beach can be a good option.

Kids are full of energy, dreams and illusions, can you imagine their happy face when they see the world of Harry Potter? Or when they ride the Santa Monica Ferris wheel? Giving them that happiness is a unique feeling, plus it will be a wonderful memory of their childhood.

Visiting the different attractions with them is a totally different experience. They will transmit you the joy of those moments. Besides, thanks to them you will be able to see much more joyful shows that you might not have noticed if you hadn't gone with them.